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Thanks @ChessieCat. Looks like I need to set aside a chunk of time to be investigating and reading.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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I found this by searching:  sertraline zoloft antihistamine histamine

https://www.healthtap.com/questions/999771-safe-to-take-sertraline-and-antihistamine/

 

If you are concerned you could always try to take a small dose first to see how you react.  If you can't cut up a tablet you could crush one between two spoons and take some of it.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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16 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

I found this by searching:  sertraline zoloft antihistamine histamine

https://www.healthtap.com/questions/999771-safe-to-take-sertraline-and-antihistamine/

 

If you are concerned you could always try to take a small dose first to see how you react.  If you can't cut up a tablet you could crush one between two spoons and take some of it.

 

I've been taking an antihistamine now for several weeks,  since I'm now regularly leaving the house and just can't be blowing my nose and sneezing every few minutes! I feel okay in my mood, but I am pretty sure I am clenching my teeth again and I'm reading that some antihistamines act on something similarly to paxil. I'm not on paxil but it made me wonder. I don't want to be shooting myself in the foot by introducing a new drug, on the other hand, well, I need to leave the house sometimes. One antihistamine (a one a day non drowsy type) and a steroid spray are almost keeping the lid on the allergies, I may have to add a second antihistamine sometimes. :(

 

Anyway, I guess I've come to the conclusion that I have to take them, but perhaps also I should taper off them when it becomes less socially unacceptable to have allergies again, rather than just stopping them cold. The antihistamine is crushable so I can make a suspension. Lots of reading to do, but it will be next week before I have time.

 

Thanks Chessie. (How are you going now? We're both getting to the pointy end of our tapers.)

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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9 minutes ago, bubbles said:

and a steroid spray

 

Please see:

 

On 4/6/2012 at 4:09 AM, Altostrata said:

I've had very few colds or flu while having prolonged withdrawal symptoms. This year, I had a bad cold a couple months back. Could be a good sign!

 

My allergy symptoms, though, are apparently too stubborn to kill. I use fluticasone (Flonase) nasal spray and Pataday eye drops during allergy season -- spring and fall for me.

 

UPDATE: Since 2012, I've changed to ketotifen eye drops and azelastine nasal spray -- they are non-steroidal. Steroidal drops and sprays can advance cataracts or glaucoma.

 

 

 

It would depend on how often you are taking them whether you will need to taper.

 

If you are wanting some "heavier" reading.  There is a list of drugs in Table 2:

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3650962/

 

 

20 minutes ago, bubbles said:

Thanks Chessie. (How are you going now? We're both getting to the pointy end of our tapers.)

 

Yep, very close to the end for both of us.  I've decided to continue nice and slowly.  Having to make drops of 0.125mg now because of the compounded capsules but from now on I will add an extra week to each hold.  Hopefully that will help to counteract the larger decreases.  It's going to take another year for me.  It sometimes seems silly taking such a small dose but I've come this far and it's cost me a fair bit for my compounding that it makes sense to keep going the same way.  I've already got my capsules for the rest of my taper, so that removes the temptation to just quit.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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7 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

 

Please see:

 

It would depend on how often you are taking them whether you will need to taper.

 

If you are wanting some "heavier" reading.  There is a list of drugs in Table 2:

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3650962/

 

Yep, very close to the end for both of us.  I've decided to continue nice and slowly.  Having to make drops of 0.125mg now because of the compounded capsules but from now on I will add an extra week to each hold.  Hopefully that will help to counteract the larger decreases.  It's going to take another year for me.  It sometimes seems silly taking such a small dose but I've come this far and it's cost me a fair bit for my compounding that it makes sense to keep going the same way.  I've already got my capsules for the rest of my taper, so that removes the temptation to just quit.

 

Thank you. My eyes are fine, it's just the constant nose blowing, coughing and sneezing. It simply can't be a cold, it's been so long that just isn't possible. I'll do that reading - it's the kind of thing I was looking for.

 

I'm going to stop with the compounded capsules - convenient, but so expensive. I've got tablets - which I got just as all this virus stuff was blowing up and then I was worried about that, so I decided to put that on hold. I've also got a suspension formula from the US and bottles and a mortar and pestle to grind them up and make a liquid. I just need to try it when I still have plenty of capsules left, just in case it isn't successful. I agree about adding a week - I think bigger drops need longer holds. Ditto the seeming silly, nobody off this site would think it was worth even bothering with a taper at this stage (2.4mg last night!) but I've come this far and I'm not going to shoot myself in the foot now.

 

 

 

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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Think I forgot to mention that I'm also using a steroid nasal spray for the allergies. Just parking it here in case it's important.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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From the article posted above by @ChessieCat  , these drugs do cross the blood/brain barrier albeit not as much as the previous generation of antihistamine. So maybe something to be watchful for.

 

I think the combo of nasal spray and antihistamine are working from an allergy perspective as I can tell when they're wearing off. I've not yet taken either today and I'm blowing my nose (albeit not nearly as much as before). Still it show that the combination treatment of steroid spray and antihistamine is doing something useful. I've got some aching muscles though, and Wikipedia now tells me that a side effect of the nasal spray I'm using (in higher doses) is muscle and joint aches. Oh joy. Also looks like something that might not be a great thing to use in the longer term, like for more than a few months. Again, oh joy. I think it's time to have a chat with the pharmacist.

 

I'll finish this spray in the next week or so and then I have a different one to try. I also have a different antihistamine to try on days when I have to work longer than the effect of the combination seems to work. Maybe it's worth trying it for a while on place of the first one. Or reducing the nasal spray and adding another antihistamine. Again, time to chat with pharmacist.

 

It's most likely an allergy to a pet. I'm not going to rehome a pet for that reason, so I have to find a way to live with the allergies. I usually just make sure I have a spare box of tissues, but these days of Covid mean I can't be at work blowing my nose all day.

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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On 4/6/2012 at 4:09 AM, Altostrata said:

UPDATE: Since 2012, I've changed to ketotifen eye drops and azelastine nasal spray -- they are non-steroidal. Steroidal drops and sprays can advance cataracts or glaucoma.

 

Perhaps try azelastine nasal spray.  If you have been using the steroid nasal spray for a while you might consider reducing the use of it gradually.  If you get a different spray now you could be alternating between them.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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I have been using it for some weeks now. I wondered about a taper.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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I think it would be worth it.  See:

 

https://www.eczemalife.com/pages/topical-steroid-withdrawal

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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Hmm, that's interesting - talks about "addiction". I've been using it for a month ish. I've started to taper it back, will see how far I get before I run out, I might have to buy another one. I definitely still need the anithistamine as well (or maybe now that things have settled, instead) - I delayed the antihistamine yesterday and it was back to about half of what it was before I started treating. I've got two different antihistamines, I might actually start alternating them and I'll wind back the steroid spray as much as I can. Whatever happens I have to reduce the steroid to reduce the side effects.

 

This drop of the sertraline has been fine and I'm now at 2.4mg. It's been completely imperceptible and I actually feel a bit overmedicated now - hard to say what that means, but it's likely the addition of the allergy meds. (I can't really stop the allergy med, though I can tweak.) It kind of feels like I've upped my dose, not dropped it, but that's hard to explain too as I've only done that once and it didn't really feel like this! All a bit vague there. I'm tempted to do one more 0.1mg drop next week and see if that helps but I'll have a look at the numbers first. IIRC I was in between 0.2 and 0.3mg drops this month so I think I was leaning toward 0.2mg initially.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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On 6/3/2020 at 1:55 PM, ChessieCat said:

If you get a different spray now you could be alternating between them.

 

You might have overlooked this comment I made.  If you get a non steroid spray you could alternate so as to taper off the steroid.

 

Alto uses azelastine nasal spray

 

Edited by ChessieCat

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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9 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

 

You might have overlooked this comment I made.  If you get a non steroid spray you could alternate so as to taper off the steroid.

 

Alto uses azelastine nasal spray

 

Sorry, I did read it and went off on a tangent. I was planning on tapering off the steroid spray entirely and alternating the antihistamine tablets. I also do have another spray which I think is non steroid and yes that could be alternated to help stop the steroid. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

Link to comment
9 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

 

You might have overlooked this comment I made.  If you get a non steroid spray you could alternate so as to taper off the steroid.

 

Alto uses azelastine nasal spray

 

Sorry, I did read it and went off on a tangent. I was planning on tapering off the steroid spray entirely and alternating the antihistamine tablets. I also do have another spray which I think is non steroid (I'll check) and yes that could be alternated to help stop the steroid. 

 

I looked it up, and Azelastine is available here on its own as an OTC med, and in combination with a steroid spray as a prescription med. The pharmacist had suggested the latter but that was before things started to settle down. My reading also suggests that regularly taking the antihistamine tablets as I have been is probably helping keep things damped down.

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

One more week at 2.4mg, then down to 2.3 and 2.2. I'm rounding up each time so the drops are getting smaller I'm wondering if, since I feel fine, I might get away with say 3.5 weeks between drops, as I'm doing smaller drops than 10%. Or perhaps it's time to go to the liquid idea. I'll try to call the pharmacy tomorrow to find out about the 50/56mg thing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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It does get a bit tricky working out what doses to reduce to and how long to stay on the dose for.

 

I think we both go through times when we just want to get it over and done with.

 

I understand that it is frustrating when the finish line is in sight.  So near yet so far.  Other than being annoying there is nothing wrong with going slower.  But we both know, going quicker might cause issue/s, and if issue/s arise we might not get back to the pre-issue state.  Like me, you've been really patient.  Maintaining that patience for a short while longer will be worthwhile in the end.  And then ... celebration time!  But not quite yet.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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On 6/15/2020 at 7:51 AM, ChessieCat said:

Maintaining that patience for a short while longer will be worthwhile in the end.  And then ... celebration time!  But not quite yet.

 

Hopefully!

 

The allergies continue to be a PITA. I did a shortish taper off the steroid spray (have run out of that one now) and was okayish for a few days. Yesterday I took my morning antihistamine, and then took a different one at lunchtime and in the evening I gave up and used the other nasal spray. I was wrong, this one is also a steroid. The combination of all of that helped. I'll try using the steroid spray daily again for a week or two and see. It's a different one so hopefully there might be a different side effect profile. Either way, I might have to live with it for now. It seems that keeping the allergy symptoms under control is better than trying to get them back down once it's really ramped up.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I went down to 2.3mg a week ago with no noticeable effect and it will be 2.2mg today. I need to have a look at my supplies and work out the quantities. I was hoping to use a few more capsules up before going to the suspension, but I use them unevenly (1 of this and 4 of that), so I'm running out of "that" sooner.

 

GP visit tomorrow to discuss allergies, though they've settled a bit. I say "settled", I'm still taking allergy meds daily - I missed a couple of days and they ramped up again. I'm not using the nasal spray at present though most of what I though were side effects appear not to be as they're still mostly present. I'm taking an antihistamine daily and another one mid afternoon if that one wears off while I'm still having to be at work. :( Will have to ask pharmacist if there is a rebound effect when stopping.

 

Summary: down 97.8mg, at 2.2 mg. All good.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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Going to 2.1mg today.

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
On 6/28/2020 at 4:29 AM, bubbles said:

Will have to ask pharmacist if there is a rebound effect when stopping.

 

Here's a link on antihistamine withdrawal:

lplp: Withdrawing from benadryl - Surviving Antidepressants

 

Gridley Introduction

 

Lexapro 20 mg since 2004.  Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017.   

End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg 

End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg

End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg  

Oct. 30, 2020  Jump to zero from 0.025mg.  Current dose: 0.000mg

3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete.

 

Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements

Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium

Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium 

End 2021  year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg

End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg 

End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg

Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper.

Taper is 95% complete.

 

Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986.  Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg  

March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper

Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper

Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper.  Current dose as of Feb. 22: 7.6mg

Taper is 90% complete.  

  

Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, anti-candida, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase


I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs.

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  • Moderator Emeritus
11 hours ago, bubbles said:

Going to 2.1mg today.

 

 

Yay, you go girl!!!

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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On 7/5/2020 at 8:31 AM, ChessieCat said:

 

Yay, you go girl!!!

 

Yay both of us! We're getting soooo close.

 

On 7/5/2020 at 1:27 AM, Gridley said:

 

Here's a link on antihistamine withdrawal

 

 

It's a non-drowsy antihistamine, or rather two, so hopefully it has a different mode of action.  I've stopped them for now and am using the steroid spray again for a while. Maybe a rotation will avoid a dependency. I'm actually only using them for social reasons - not the time to be sniffing and sneezing. I'll have to do some reading. Thank you!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

A quick update.

 

First of all, 2mg and I'm doing well. A bit headachey yesterday but I don't think it's related. I've had some not brilliant sleep, which I think I can put down to lifestyle factors.

 

I've also switched when I take my tablets. I am finding it hard to keep all my meds appropriately spaced, since the thyroid meds have to be taken on an empty stomach and half an hour before food etc. I have brought the sertraline forward from bedtime to about 8 or 9 am and at the same time as the antihistamine. It kind of happened by accident - I missed the sertraline one evening and took it the next morning, and then just continued the morning dosing. It's working much better for me, but I'll hold another (next) week since I've made an additional change as well as the drop.

 

Summary: at 2mg, down 98%.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

  

1 hour ago, bubbles said:

It's working much better for me, but I'll hold another (next) week since I've made an additional change as well as the drop.

 

👍

 

1 hour ago, bubbles said:

Summary: at 2mg, down 98%.

 

☺️

 

 

Edited by ChessieCat

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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  • Moderator Emeritus

This is great news @bubbles. You've got the end in sight. Glad you're doing well!

2016 - Zoloft 50 mg for klonopin w/d

Approx. Nov 2017 - successful taper of klonopin; Approx. Jan. 2018 - rapid taper Zoloft over 2 wks - no w/d symptoms; May 2018 - Reinstate 50 mg Zoloft per doctor; Aug 2018 - Rapid taper Zoloft over 3-4 weeks - no w/d symptoms for 1 mo.; Late Oct 2018 - pdoc rx'd 5mg lexapro -took for 1 wk; Early Nov 2018 - Reinstate 25 mg Zoloft; updose to 37.5 on Nov 28, 2018; Nov 30 2018 - returned to 25mg Zoloft upon mod. advice; Dec 9 - Dec10 2018 - 12.5mg zoloft liquid+12.5mg zoloft pill; Dec 11 2018 - 25mg zoloft all liquid; Feb 14 2019 - updosed to 26.25 mg liquid; Mar 6 2019 - updosed to 26.88 mg liquid - new symptoms; Mar 13 2019 - back down to 26.25 mg per mod suggestion

Dose Changes: Dec 2 2019 - 5% to 25mg; Jan 14 2020 - 10% to 22.5 (increase in sxs all month); Mar 10-15? 2020,  accidental updose to 25mg; Mar 22 2020 - back down to 22.5mg; Apr 12 2020 - 2.5% to 21.94mg; Apr 19 2020 - 2.5% to 21.375mg (symptom increase); May 17 2020 - 2.5% to 20.625mg; May 24 2020 - 2.5% to 20.1mg - Jun 14 2020 - noticed uptick in symptoms settled 2 days later - July 10 2020 - onset of wave

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  • 3 weeks later...

I've decided to have another week on 2mg. This week is going to be a little stressful on the work front so I don't want to rock the boat unnecessarily.

 

Summary, still at 2mg, down 98%.

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to bubbles
  • Moderator Emeritus

Good idea.  I'm doing a longer hold too.  Silly pushing ahead and risking messing things up.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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  • 2 weeks later...

So today I finally ended up getting some azelastine nasal spray (mentioned earlier in the thread). It seems to be helpful (although it's on top of a tablet antihistamine also), but also I absentmindedly forgot that I'd have to prime it, so I probably didn't get a full dose. Anyway, I'm cautiously optimistic.

 

However!! The pharmacy assistant said it could only be used for 3 *days* before needing a break - that it could either become ineffective or make things worse. That conflicts with the package which says you can use it for six months and to see your doctor if you aren't better by then. I think I'll call in and see the pharmacist next week and ask a few questions.

 

Anyway, the Great Antihistamine Experiment continues. I will hold off on further SSRI drops for another week or two while I try to get on top of the allergies. Though I've been trying to get on top of them since May, so maybe it's time to see an allergy specialist.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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I've just posted this article in "In the media"

 

It's a little worrying and I'm wondering how much of it applies to me. This seems to be the delayed reaction withdrawal that we often see here, but I'd hoped my glacially slow taper would avoid it. Dr Shipko seems to suggest that the speed of the taper doesn't matter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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  • Moderator

It sounds like he has "discovered" the late breaking wave phenomena that we have been referring to as the "Ten Month Wave". I don't have numbers on it but empirically the longer and less aggressive the taper the less likely it is to be really bad, if it happens. It happens more frequently in people who have been more aggressive in their taper and jump to "0" from a lighter dose. It is unpredictable as to who gets it but seems bias toward the aggressive. That's my observations at least.

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

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4 minutes ago, brassmonkey said:

It sounds like he has "discovered" the late breaking wave phenomena that we have been referring to as the "Ten Month Wave". I don't have numbers on it but empirically the longer and less aggressive the taper the less likely it is to be really bad, if it happens. It happens more frequently in people who have been more aggressive in their taper and jump to "0" from a lighter dose. It is unpredictable as to who gets it but seems bias toward the aggressive. That's my observations at least.

 

That's reassuring - thank you for responding.

 

I always wonder, when I hear that taper speed doesn't matter if it is comparing say, a cold turkey to a 2 month taper, or if it is considering a taper like mine - very, very slow and fairly uneventful. Hard to know.  I have at least a year to go, I think, so maybe I'm okay. I'm being risk averse.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

Hi Bubbles, hope your doing well. 

I am also tapering Sertraline and in Australia (Adelaide) so have been keeping an eye on you. That sounds a little creepy sorry lol

I was wondering how you are taking your 2.2mg of sertraline I.e. your own liquid, cut and weighing tablets or are you getting them compounded? 

I currently get mine compounded which has worked really well and made it so much easier. However i am now down to 4.5mg. And the smallest increments my pharmacy does is 0.25mg so it will start to become too larger drops when I start to taper again. 

Cheers

 

Started Sertraline (Zoloft) September 2009. 50mg then to 100mg within a week. Floated between 150mg and 100mg for the next 6 years. 

February 2016 began tapering from 150mg

2017; 55mg-22mg; 2018; 22mg-19mg. Jan 2018 surgery on my knee and collarbone which seemed to cause a crash 3 weeks later. 12/02/18. Held for 6 months at 19mg. 12/08/18 19mg-18mg; 10/09/18 18mg-17mg; Held for another 7 months

17/04/19 began tapering at 0.5mg per 2 weeks and reached 4.5mg on 19/03/20; CRASHED after a heavy alcohol session in late Feb. Attempted to restart taper August 2020 by dropping to 4.25mg. Updosed back to 4.5mg after 3 days. 2nd attempt to restart 4 weeks later in September 2020 dropping to 4.25mg again this time updosing back to 4.5mg 4 days later. 

Last attempt to taper November 2021. 4.5mg to 4.4mg lasted 15 days then updosed back to 4.5mg due to severe apathy and cognitive issues

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Hello @Cruizer

 

I have forgotten to update my sig - I'm on 2mg.

 

Once it got past half or quarter tablets my doctor was keen for me to use a compounding pharmacy. Initially it was the specified dose (35mg, for example) but that was quite expensive and I was always getting capsules. As it got lower I started doing mix and match capsules in varying doses. At present I have 2mg, 1mg, 0.5mg and 0.1mg. That makes it quite easy to go down - I'm currently taking 1x 2mg tablet. I'm not feeling very well at present (not withdrawal) so I'm holding so as not to rock the boat. Once I'm feeling better I'll start again. I'll go to 1.9 for a week (so, 1x 1mg, 1x 0.5mg 4x 0.1mg) and then a week later I'll drop one of the 0.1mg. I am going to run out of the 0.1mg soon so I need to sort that out. It's another reason why I've been stuck on 2mg for a bit. The capsules are all different colours.

 

I did get tablets and a suspension liquid so I can mash up a tablet and do it that way but haven't yet switched. I'll do that soon. I want to do with with a bit of time and capsules to spare in case it isn't successful and I need to backtrack. :) Before I do anything, I need to phone my compounding pharmacy and confirm the actual dose I'm on. Although sertraline tablets say 50mg etc on the box, they're actually a higher amount. All of the brands I looked at were like that. So I need to ask if they've taken the 50mg at face value or use the actual value - I suspect they've used the real amount. Neither really matter, it will just need to be factored in when I make the switch. The idea will be to do a straight swap of measurements . The tablets are, say, 56 mg so I'll grind that up and add enough liquid to make it up to 56ml  - so 2mg will become 2ml which should make for easy dosing. It can also be diluted which might help with the small drops.

 

Here at SA they only recommend using a home made suspension for a few days before discarding it. However, from my reading I think (hope!) that using the suspension liquid it will keep better - more like 4 weeks. The suspension liquid came from Amazon in the US, so it's pretty expensive. If I can only use the mixed up tablet/liquid for a few days it will be a very, very expensive exercise. I'm planning to wait until I feel really good and then do a straight switch in dose and hold that for a few weeks to see how it goes. I'll try to use the same suspension for four weeks and see how it goes - another reason to get it completely right before I switch.

 

Sorry, I've rambled! As far as a minimum capsule of 0.25mg, my pharmacy does 0.1 for me and have indicated they can go lower. I'm in a different state from you but it might be worth contacting any other compounding pharmacies within striking distance to see if they're able to do better. I do a 20 minute drive to go to the one I like to use. I know my pharmacy will post but I don't personally like to trust compounded meds to the post with the weather warming up. :( And with how slow the mail seems to be these days.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
40 minutes ago, bubbles said:

As far as a minimum capsule of 0.25mg, my pharmacy does 0.1 for me and have indicated they can go lower.

 

I think it would be worth double checking this.  I kept asking my compounder what was the lowest dose he could make for me and every time he said as low as you need.  Then when it came time to get doses lower than 0.125mg he said that he couldn't do lower.  When I questioned him about it and told him that I had been in contact with the compounding association he said that it was possible to make smaller doses but that it was very time consuming and would cost a lot and wasn't worth doing.  But I did find out that they can make a liquid Pristiq for me.

 

It might be worth asking your compounder about them making a liquid.  At least that way you will only need to get made enough to last you for the month so they wouldn't be using as much of the suspension liquid and it might work out cheaper.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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I've discussed the liquid compounding with them and it would mean going there monthly. DIY will be better, as long as the liquid I've got is comparable. If I can grind up one tablet and get about a month out of it, that will be ok. Will have to try and see.

 

They're currently supplying 0.1mg capsules. I'll ask for a quote for smaller doses next time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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I gather that the suspension they would make would be much the same as I would do at home, though with a different brand of suspension fluid. I asked if it would be grinding up a tablet and adding the fluid and they said yes. So I think I can save myself some hassle by diy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29 August 2022 - first day of zero!

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

Current: Armour Thyroid

 

 

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