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☼ Leo1983: SSRI withdrawal


Leo1983

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Oh Leo1983,

 

I'm sorry for your struggling now.  Ugh. 

 

The windows and waves pattern of stabilization

 

Waves and Windows in SSRI withdrawal

 

These ^ might help a bit.  Are you getting through the work day and family time okay?  And go have a look see at some of the non-drug coping..........or do your music therapy.   Just listen to some of those guided meditations.  Distract somewhat as you are able.   Whatever you can hone up on now will be well worth it for the duration.

 

Sending my best.  Think of it in terms of healing if you can.......that some major reconstruction is going on right now, in terms of healing.

 

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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Does this go away Many im sick as a chip now. Av been told this can take a year minimum. Bwah!

 

I have read all that and understand im just getting frustrated.

 

Thanks Many

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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Helloooo......

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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Struggling. Poor sleep and work again today. Just feel rubbish. Im getting depressed with it.

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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We gotta find the optimism and strength, although very difficult, though, and it looks like it will never end. We recovered from a dreadful abstinence. Only I do not understand how this can be legally torture people.

Escitalopram (Cipralex): 17 Mar 2018, 5mg; 18 Mar, 10mg; 8 Jun, 5mg; 19 Jul, 2.5mg; 30 Jul 2018, 0mg  

 

Trazodone (Triticco):  28 Apr 2018, 50mg; 18 Jun, 66mg; 19 Jun, 75mg; 4 Oct, 67mg; 10 Nov, 62.5mg; 18 Nov, 62mg; 7 Dec, 56mg; 3 Jan 2019, 50mg; 30 Jan, 45 mg; 24 Feb, 41 mg; 23 Mar, 37 mg; 26 Apr, 33,3 mg; 22 May, 30 mg; 18 Jun, 27 mg; 5 Aug, 24,3 mg; 1 Sept, 21,9 mg; 28 Sept, 19,7 mg;  26 Oct, 17,7 mg; 23 Nov, 15,9 mg; 21 Dec, 14,3 mg; 18 Jan 2020, 12,9 mg; 16 Feb, 11,6 mg; 15 Mar, 10,44 mg; 12 Apr, 9,4 mg; 10 May, 8,5 mg; 7 Jun, 7,65 mg; 5 Jul, 6,89 mg; 2 Aug, 6,2 mg; 30 Aug, 5,58 mg; 27 Sept, 5,02 mg; 25 Oct, 4,52 mg; 22 Nov, 4,07 mg; 20 Dec, 3,66 mg; 17 Jan 2021, 3,29 mg; 14 Feb, 2,96 mg; 14 Mar, 2,66 mg; 11 Apr, 2,39 mg; May, 2,15 mg; 6 Jun, 1,94 mg; 4 Jul, 1,75 mg; 1 Aug, 1,58 mg; 29 Aug, 1,42 mg; 26 Sept, 1,28 mg; 24 Oct, 1,15 mg; 21 Nov, 1,04 mg; 19 Dec, 0,94 mg; 17 Jan 2022, 0,85 mg; 13 Feb, 0,77 mg; 13 Mar, 0,69 mg; 10 Apr, 0,62 mg; 8 May, 0,56 mg; 5 Jun, 0,5 mg; 19 Jun, 0,45 mg; 3 Jul, 0,41 mg; 17 Jul, 0,37 mg; 31 Jul, 0,33 mg; 14 Aug, 0,3 mg; 28 Aug, 0,27 mg; 11 Sept, 0,24 mg; 25 Sept, 0,22 mg; 9 Oct, 0,2; 23 Oct, 0,18 mg; 6 Nov, 0,16 mg; 20 Nov, 0,14 mg; 4 Dec, 0,13 mg; 18 Dec, 0,12 mg; 1 Jan 2023, 0,11 mg; 15 Jan, 0,10 mg; 29 Jan, 0,09 mg; 12 Feb, 0,08 mg; 26 Feb, 0,07 mg; 12 Mar, 0,06 mg; 26 Mar, 0,05 mg; 9 Apr, 0,04 mg; 23 Apr, 0,03 mg; 7 May, 0,02 mg; 21 May, 0,01 mg, 4 Jun 0 mg! 

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Just would like more success stories, wilt is not for people who are recovering more quickly?

Escitalopram (Cipralex): 17 Mar 2018, 5mg; 18 Mar, 10mg; 8 Jun, 5mg; 19 Jul, 2.5mg; 30 Jul 2018, 0mg  

 

Trazodone (Triticco):  28 Apr 2018, 50mg; 18 Jun, 66mg; 19 Jun, 75mg; 4 Oct, 67mg; 10 Nov, 62.5mg; 18 Nov, 62mg; 7 Dec, 56mg; 3 Jan 2019, 50mg; 30 Jan, 45 mg; 24 Feb, 41 mg; 23 Mar, 37 mg; 26 Apr, 33,3 mg; 22 May, 30 mg; 18 Jun, 27 mg; 5 Aug, 24,3 mg; 1 Sept, 21,9 mg; 28 Sept, 19,7 mg;  26 Oct, 17,7 mg; 23 Nov, 15,9 mg; 21 Dec, 14,3 mg; 18 Jan 2020, 12,9 mg; 16 Feb, 11,6 mg; 15 Mar, 10,44 mg; 12 Apr, 9,4 mg; 10 May, 8,5 mg; 7 Jun, 7,65 mg; 5 Jul, 6,89 mg; 2 Aug, 6,2 mg; 30 Aug, 5,58 mg; 27 Sept, 5,02 mg; 25 Oct, 4,52 mg; 22 Nov, 4,07 mg; 20 Dec, 3,66 mg; 17 Jan 2021, 3,29 mg; 14 Feb, 2,96 mg; 14 Mar, 2,66 mg; 11 Apr, 2,39 mg; May, 2,15 mg; 6 Jun, 1,94 mg; 4 Jul, 1,75 mg; 1 Aug, 1,58 mg; 29 Aug, 1,42 mg; 26 Sept, 1,28 mg; 24 Oct, 1,15 mg; 21 Nov, 1,04 mg; 19 Dec, 0,94 mg; 17 Jan 2022, 0,85 mg; 13 Feb, 0,77 mg; 13 Mar, 0,69 mg; 10 Apr, 0,62 mg; 8 May, 0,56 mg; 5 Jun, 0,5 mg; 19 Jun, 0,45 mg; 3 Jul, 0,41 mg; 17 Jul, 0,37 mg; 31 Jul, 0,33 mg; 14 Aug, 0,3 mg; 28 Aug, 0,27 mg; 11 Sept, 0,24 mg; 25 Sept, 0,22 mg; 9 Oct, 0,2; 23 Oct, 0,18 mg; 6 Nov, 0,16 mg; 20 Nov, 0,14 mg; 4 Dec, 0,13 mg; 18 Dec, 0,12 mg; 1 Jan 2023, 0,11 mg; 15 Jan, 0,10 mg; 29 Jan, 0,09 mg; 12 Feb, 0,08 mg; 26 Feb, 0,07 mg; 12 Mar, 0,06 mg; 26 Mar, 0,05 mg; 9 Apr, 0,04 mg; 23 Apr, 0,03 mg; 7 May, 0,02 mg; 21 May, 0,01 mg, 4 Jun 0 mg! 

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Is there a moderator with advice please?

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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Alostrata any advice would be good.

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
On 9/11/2018 at 12:29 PM, Leo1983 said:

Does this go away Many im sick as a chip now. Av been told this can take a year minimum. Bwah!

 

I have read all that and understand im just getting frustrated.

 

Thanks Many

 

I'm sorry it's so tough right now Leo.  You'll get a window soon I hope.  Meantime, the best thing you can do now is work hard on finding coping skills for your situation.

 

This will link you to the first post in non-drug coping, just look at the explanation of what is going on now, and then go down the list and hopefully you can find something in the indexed list to help:  non-drug coping with emotional symptoms, post #1

Even though it says emotional symptoms, many of them are related to your CNS and especially ANS(autonomic nervous system) being off right now

 

And then some more on sleep:  Tips to help sleep, that awful W/D insomnia

Sleep is a good and so important for you to try and get some good sleep now.

 

You could also try something out of the basic supplement toolkit.  The 2 supplements that we recommend are:

King of Supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids(fish oil)

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker

Best to just try one at a time and go slowly.

Often in W/D sensitivities can be higher to different substances.......... so go slow and keep some kind of records or notes for yourself so you can identify what might be causing what.

 

I hope that helps somewhat.  Keep us all updated Leo. 

And oh........success stories, recovery from withdrawal

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

mmt

 

Edited by manymoretodays

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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Very few success stories, just as little recovery from the W/D? Or just people not returning here?

Escitalopram (Cipralex): 17 Mar 2018, 5mg; 18 Mar, 10mg; 8 Jun, 5mg; 19 Jul, 2.5mg; 30 Jul 2018, 0mg  

 

Trazodone (Triticco):  28 Apr 2018, 50mg; 18 Jun, 66mg; 19 Jun, 75mg; 4 Oct, 67mg; 10 Nov, 62.5mg; 18 Nov, 62mg; 7 Dec, 56mg; 3 Jan 2019, 50mg; 30 Jan, 45 mg; 24 Feb, 41 mg; 23 Mar, 37 mg; 26 Apr, 33,3 mg; 22 May, 30 mg; 18 Jun, 27 mg; 5 Aug, 24,3 mg; 1 Sept, 21,9 mg; 28 Sept, 19,7 mg;  26 Oct, 17,7 mg; 23 Nov, 15,9 mg; 21 Dec, 14,3 mg; 18 Jan 2020, 12,9 mg; 16 Feb, 11,6 mg; 15 Mar, 10,44 mg; 12 Apr, 9,4 mg; 10 May, 8,5 mg; 7 Jun, 7,65 mg; 5 Jul, 6,89 mg; 2 Aug, 6,2 mg; 30 Aug, 5,58 mg; 27 Sept, 5,02 mg; 25 Oct, 4,52 mg; 22 Nov, 4,07 mg; 20 Dec, 3,66 mg; 17 Jan 2021, 3,29 mg; 14 Feb, 2,96 mg; 14 Mar, 2,66 mg; 11 Apr, 2,39 mg; May, 2,15 mg; 6 Jun, 1,94 mg; 4 Jul, 1,75 mg; 1 Aug, 1,58 mg; 29 Aug, 1,42 mg; 26 Sept, 1,28 mg; 24 Oct, 1,15 mg; 21 Nov, 1,04 mg; 19 Dec, 0,94 mg; 17 Jan 2022, 0,85 mg; 13 Feb, 0,77 mg; 13 Mar, 0,69 mg; 10 Apr, 0,62 mg; 8 May, 0,56 mg; 5 Jun, 0,5 mg; 19 Jun, 0,45 mg; 3 Jul, 0,41 mg; 17 Jul, 0,37 mg; 31 Jul, 0,33 mg; 14 Aug, 0,3 mg; 28 Aug, 0,27 mg; 11 Sept, 0,24 mg; 25 Sept, 0,22 mg; 9 Oct, 0,2; 23 Oct, 0,18 mg; 6 Nov, 0,16 mg; 20 Nov, 0,14 mg; 4 Dec, 0,13 mg; 18 Dec, 0,12 mg; 1 Jan 2023, 0,11 mg; 15 Jan, 0,10 mg; 29 Jan, 0,09 mg; 12 Feb, 0,08 mg; 26 Feb, 0,07 mg; 12 Mar, 0,06 mg; 26 Mar, 0,05 mg; 9 Apr, 0,04 mg; 23 Apr, 0,03 mg; 7 May, 0,02 mg; 21 May, 0,01 mg, 4 Jun 0 mg! 

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Hi guys.

 

Im 13 weeks off all drugs after 2 years of on and off all SSRIs.

 

Are these all normal still?

 

1. Morning anxiety.

2. Clouded thinking.

3. Detached.

4. Afraid to see people you once would have just walked up and chatted too? Its even my own parents and my friends. Is it just the anxiety?.

5. Headaches.

 

Thanks

 

Lee

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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On 9/16/2018 at 2:20 AM, Leo1983 said:

Hi guys.

 

Im 13 weeks off all drugs after 2 years of on and off all SSRIs.

 

Are these all normal still?

 

1. Morning anxiety.

2. Clouded thinking.

3. Detached.

4. Afraid to see people you once would have just walked up and chatted too? Its even my own parents and my friends. Is it just the anxiety?.

5. Headaches.

 

Thanks

 

Lee

Lee, 

 

Look back at our chats, besides #4, these were the same symptoms I was experiencing a few weeks back, still am to be honest though with less frequency since its swapping to other symptoms. Just hold on, man. 

Trintellix (Brintellix) 5mg - December 2015 to Mid July 2018

Vitamin C 500mgs daily January 2019 - March 30 2019 Boost my immune system through my withdrawal - Stopped

Up and Up 3 Billion Probiotics - Daily for IBS. - Stopped

Up and Up 30 Billion Probiotics - Daily for IBS. - Stopped

 

June 16-26 2018: C/T to take Antiviral medication for Shingles outbreak (Due to excessive stress - SSRI Poop Out). 

June 27 2018: Reinstated (5mg)

July 14 2018 last dose due to acute withdrawal symptoms. 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
On 9/16/2018 at 4:20 AM, Leo1983 said:

Im 13 weeks off all drugs after 2 years of on and off all SSRIs.

 

Are these all normal still?

 

1. Morning anxiety.

2. Clouded thinking.

3. Detached.

4. Afraid to see people you once would have just walked up and chatted too? Its even my own parents and my friends. Is it just the anxiety?.

5. Headaches.

 

Hi L,

Yes, those are still very, very normal. These should all improve with time.

 

Have you seen the thread on morning cortisol spikes? That is helpful in explaining that awful morning anxiety, and some things to try: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/17471-waking-with-panic-or-anxiety-managing-cortisol-spikes/

 

 

2020: After 18+ years (entire adult life) on Paxil, a dangerous doctor-led "taper" in 2015, and four years tapering off the last 1 mg thanks to SA and the Brassmonkey slide, 

I AM COMPLETELY FREE OF PAXIL! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Forever.

 

2021: Began conservative, proper, CNS-respecting taper of Zoloft, led by the only expert on me -- me. Making own liquid. 5-10% plus holds.

2022: Holding on Zoloft for now. Current dose 47 mg. Hanging in, hanging on. Severe protracted PAWS, windows and waves. While I may not be doing "a lot" by outside standards, things are graaaaadually getting better

 

Yoga (gentle to medium); walks; daily breath practice; nutrition, fruits/veg; nature; water; EastEnders (lol); practicing self-compassion, self-care; boundaries; connection; allowing feelings; t r u s t ing that I, too, will heal. (--> may need to be reminded of this.)

"You are not alone, and this is not the end of your story." - Baylissa

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@skyblue.

 

Hi.

 

Hope your well.

 

Dont get me wrong the morning anxiety is not good, but i manage it. I just ping out of bed and im away. I normally take the dogs out, but i just feel so strange like im in my own bubble, Lee's world. Its pretty crap.

 

The other stuff i can manage no problem. Headaches etc.

 

What makes me anxious when i see people and when i visit family is the simple fact that im aware im not myself. I know im in a bubble and that im not myself. So it makes me anxious during interactions.

 

Just wish it would hurry up and go away.

I still in a way feel like i did on the tablets, just not as bad.

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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@SkyBlue

 

Hi

 

Is my last post normal stuff also?

 

Do you know a timeline that MOST people start to turn a corner? As in start to talk about symptoms less.

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

 

* 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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Thanks.

 

Its a disgrace.

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

The only supplements that SA recommends are:  Magnesium and Omega-3 Fish Oil.   Try then one at a time and test by taking a small amount.

 

Non-drug techniques to cope

 

Acceptance


Acceptance and Mindfulness

 

 

* 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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Leo

 

Seeing what you have been through and the severity of what I perceive you are experiencing, I reckon you will be much better in a few months.

 

If you go check most facebook groups that are full of people withdrawing from escitalopram, you will see that the timeline is for most 1-4 months. We, the ones that are here for a long time in this forum, are a minority. We suffer much longer. You could be very well doing much better in a few weeks from now.

 

But whatever timeframe you are looking at -  read 'Claire Weekes' - 'Hope and Help for your nerves' to learn to cope with anxiety. It will be of tremendous importance now and later in life. Accept the state you are in for now, and try to learn as much as possible from it. Let this rocky patch in life learn you something about yourself. (except the obvious, don't blindly trust doctors). Start meditation (Headspace App on your phone) and keep yourself busy with mundane tasks as much as possible.

 

You will be stronger when this is over, I promise you that. Occupy yourself for the remainder with the excellent information in the Coping methods threads.

 

Coping methods (repost from ChessieCat, because of its importance)

Don't feel sorry for yourself and accept the state you are in for now. This is no easy feat, but it's crucial. See the links in ChessieCat's post.

 

THIS SHALL PASS TOO. In the meantime, make yourself stronger.

Origin of Panic Attack and Anxiety Disorder: Overdose of Hallucinogenic HOT-7.

2013-09 20mg escitalopram. In the 4 first months 0.5-1mg/day Alprazolam for sleep & difficult situations.

Tapered the first time from 20mg to 0mg in 17 months or so. Withdrawal 6-8 weeks after last dose. Didn't taper enough to low enough doses (+-1mg).

2015-01-02 Back on 10mg after one week of delayed withdrawal. Stable in 8 days.

Second time tapered 2 years from 10mg to 1.6mg. Stable for half a year in range 2.5mg-1.6mg.

2017-07-28 Measurement errors: went for 1-2 weeks on 2mg. Restlessness and anxiety. Tried back to go back to 1.7mg for 5 days. Anxiety stayed.

2017-08-03 - 2017-08-20 Switched to liquid Lexapro 20mg/ml (1 drop is 1mg). Updosed to 2mg hoping to stabilize. Horrible Panic and Anxiety. Hold for 17 days hoping to stabilize. Didn't work enough for me at the time.

2017-08-20 End of holiday approaching. No more time. Decision to up dose to 5mg escitalopram. Back to the pills. Tapering alprazolam.

A lot of side effects: Akathisia, more anxiety, very troubling sleep, every thought and movement gave me panic attacks. Worst time of my life. I did learn coping skills in this period. A lot. Mastering meditation, mastering floating technique and more Claire Weekes stuff... Can handle extreme anxiety pretty decent now.

2017-09-30 Going down again because holding got worse almost every day. ADVICE TO OTHER ESCITALOPRAM PEOPLE, if updose doesn't work in two weeks, go down again!!! WD is not as brutal as adverse updose effects! After every taper (while tapering pretty manageable, after couple weeks holding, akathisia and extreme anxiety came back)

2018-01-29 Got to ZERO. A hard way down for sure. And now hoping for improvements along the way... Tapering melatonin gave me dystonic reactions however.
14 months after zero: Alternating akathisia, dystonic reactions and WD. Very unstable. No meds whatsoever. 31 months after zero: dystonia got worse, still very high anxiety, and many symptoms... no healing in sight. Adverse reaction destroyed me.

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@TheWayBack

 

Wow. What great advice. Are you a mod?

 

I do try my bloody best daily, but sometimes my mind plays tricks due to the way i feel. Its daily torture at times.

 

I just remember the old me and actually i was better then than before these sh*tty meds.

 

Your advice was great

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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I don't know if your reply was sarcastic, difficult to say sometimes. Of course you felt better before meds! I don't doubt that for a second. And I don't think for a second that it isn't extremely hard.

 

But the tricks your mind plays on yourself is a excellent learning opportunity. There won't be a more difficult time in your life than this most likely. If you learn to cope with this the right way, you will be virtually indestructible in the future for everything that will cross your path.

 

Don't think too much about the good past, what's done is done. Only look in the now and how you will manage these days, weeks or months. It will get better.

 

Oh, and I'm no mod. My opinions are my own and are based on my own experience.

 

You will have the power each day to make it to the night. You don't have the power today to make it tomorrow and the day after. But tomorrow you will have the power to make it through tomorrow.

 

Again, learn as much coping tools as possible. And buy the ebook from Claire Weekes on your phone and start reading my friend. You will be so strong after this.

Origin of Panic Attack and Anxiety Disorder: Overdose of Hallucinogenic HOT-7.

2013-09 20mg escitalopram. In the 4 first months 0.5-1mg/day Alprazolam for sleep & difficult situations.

Tapered the first time from 20mg to 0mg in 17 months or so. Withdrawal 6-8 weeks after last dose. Didn't taper enough to low enough doses (+-1mg).

2015-01-02 Back on 10mg after one week of delayed withdrawal. Stable in 8 days.

Second time tapered 2 years from 10mg to 1.6mg. Stable for half a year in range 2.5mg-1.6mg.

2017-07-28 Measurement errors: went for 1-2 weeks on 2mg. Restlessness and anxiety. Tried back to go back to 1.7mg for 5 days. Anxiety stayed.

2017-08-03 - 2017-08-20 Switched to liquid Lexapro 20mg/ml (1 drop is 1mg). Updosed to 2mg hoping to stabilize. Horrible Panic and Anxiety. Hold for 17 days hoping to stabilize. Didn't work enough for me at the time.

2017-08-20 End of holiday approaching. No more time. Decision to up dose to 5mg escitalopram. Back to the pills. Tapering alprazolam.

A lot of side effects: Akathisia, more anxiety, very troubling sleep, every thought and movement gave me panic attacks. Worst time of my life. I did learn coping skills in this period. A lot. Mastering meditation, mastering floating technique and more Claire Weekes stuff... Can handle extreme anxiety pretty decent now.

2017-09-30 Going down again because holding got worse almost every day. ADVICE TO OTHER ESCITALOPRAM PEOPLE, if updose doesn't work in two weeks, go down again!!! WD is not as brutal as adverse updose effects! After every taper (while tapering pretty manageable, after couple weeks holding, akathisia and extreme anxiety came back)

2018-01-29 Got to ZERO. A hard way down for sure. And now hoping for improvements along the way... Tapering melatonin gave me dystonic reactions however.
14 months after zero: Alternating akathisia, dystonic reactions and WD. Very unstable. No meds whatsoever. 31 months after zero: dystonia got worse, still very high anxiety, and many symptoms... no healing in sight. Adverse reaction destroyed me.

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  • Administrator

TheWayBack is most certainly not a mod. The opinions he states are his own and not endorsed by the staff.

 

We don't know how long your symptoms will last, Leo. All we can do is tell you to expect improvement that is very gradual and very frustrating.

 

I hope you do recover sooner rather than later. An expectation of recovery within a few months may be unrealistic and cause you undue distress should it not come about.

 

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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No i think your advice was great. Thanks.

 

 

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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@Altostrata

 

Thanks. I guess its just a day at a time. Its by far the worst experience.

 

At what point do you say this anxiety is ME? This mood is ME? This is ME?

 

I was not this bad before meds.

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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Also when does the lethergy go. I had thia on tablets big time, it has got better.

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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I can manage on my days off work. There still not great but i manage at my own pace and comfort.

 

I start work today again for 3 days and just feel panicked. Only because i dont feel my self and dont want ppl to think whats up with him.

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
3 hours ago, Leo1983 said:

At what point do you say this anxiety is ME? This mood is ME? This is ME?

 

Is it withdrawal or relapse?  Or something else?


How do I know it's withdrawal and not relapse?

* 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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@ChessieCat

 

Thanks. That answers that. I never had these symptoms prior to meds. So i guess thats it.

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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@Altostrata

 

Can i ask if i started meds for anxiety at work ONLY. Then became more and more unwell over a year and a half of on and off drugging which i think now was because of withdrawal, instead of me been loopy.

 

Then now that i have eventually stopped drugs that never helped anyways but feel all these symptoms i never ever had is it sounding more withdrawal?

 

Dizzy

Anxiety at all times

Balance

Nausea

Frozen brain feeling.

Headaches.

 

The drugs never helped so i cant see the point going back to them i just wish this feeling would pass.

 

Its even harder on work days as i feel more pressure to put a front on.

 

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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Also depression. I never had depression ever until i started Lexapro. Once i stopped Lexapro the low mood persisits.

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
1 hour ago, Leo1983 said:

Can i ask if i started meds for anxiety at work ONLY.

 

Please clarify this comment.  It doesn't make any sense, so it is difficult to respond to.  Thank you.

* 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 only was ever anxious when inwas at work doing meeting etc. My personal life was fine.

 

I took tablets to hopefully make me perform better at work. Then i turned to a zombie. Then i came off felt awful. Then back on summit else and this carried on for a year and a half. Until i found out abt withdrawal.

 

Im asking do my symptoms sound like withdrawal.

 

As i was only ever anxious at work and NEVER depressed to the level i am now.

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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I feel all the symptoms now daily and thats when i am at work and on my days off.

 

The symptoms i mention i never had before Lexapro mainly.

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Have you read the links we have given you?  If not, please go back to the beginning of your topic and work your way through 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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Yeh the links dont answer my question as such they are generic. I have asked about a specific situation.

 

It sounds to me like withdrawal from what a read.

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

What do you mean by generic?

 

What is your specific question/s?

* 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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