powerback Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 https://kellybroganmd.com/antidepressant-drugs-work-according-to-latest-study-a-critical-re-appraisal/?utm_source=Kelly+Brogan+MD+Newsletter&utm_campaign=992f54559c-Antidepressant+Drugs&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d0f977a8c5-992f54559c-124834819 Apologies for any blood pressure being raised . Alcohol free since February 2015 1MG diazepam 4.5MG PROZAC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus Posted November 25, 2018 Share Posted November 25, 2018 Thanks, interesting. Escitalopram 1.05 mg (max of 30 mg, taper from 10 mg to now started september 2016) Klonopin 0.3 mg (one dosage reduction of 25 percent, from 0.4 to 0.3 mg september 2017) Supplements: magnesium malate, fish oil, curcumin, multivitamin, iodine, probiotics, vitamine D along with eating healthy 80 percent of the time, I have no problem whatsoever taking supplements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Day Posted November 26, 2018 Share Posted November 26, 2018 Whether antidepressant drugs work, or don't work, is one issue. But another issue is the fact that they are handed out by doctors without any warning of the horrific dangers they pose to people. Even if they work in 100% of cases, it is still the right of the individual being given the drug to be warned of the huge dangers. If a food product in a supermarket contains nuts, it has to be written on the label, in case somebody who is allergic to nuts tries to consume the product. Here we have a group of drugs that is causing people long term physical and mental health problems which can, and is, destroying lives; but no warning of any sort on the label. This is the point. I would just like to know why the drug industry is allowed to get away with something that the food industry (or any other industry for that matter) would never in a million years be allowed to get away with? Escitalopram for anxiety (dates below are approximate). Oct 09 - Apr 10, 20mg (tapered off over about 6 weeks). Jun 10 - Feb 11, 20mg (tapered off over about 6 weeks). Jun 11 - Aug 12, 20mg (started to taper off but failed). Oct 12 - Dec 13, 20mg. Dec 13 - Apr 14, 10mg. Apr 14 - Nov 14, 5mg. Nov 14 - Jan 16, 20mg. Jan 16 - Aug 16, 10mg. Aug 16 - Dec 16, 10mg every other day. Dec 16 - Jan 17 5mg every third day. Jan 17 - took last tablet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbles Posted November 26, 2018 Share Posted November 26, 2018 8 hours ago, 1Day said: Whether antidepressant drugs work, or don't work, is one issue. But another issue is the fact that they are handed out by doctors without any warning of the horrific dangers they pose to people. Even if they work in 100% of cases, it is still the right of the individual being given the drug to be warned of the huge dangers. Even if they work, and I am dubious, it seems that there is no way to take them without becoming dependent on them. Given that they're now so wary of giving out adequate pain management because they're worried about addiction, and benzos are a dirty word for that same reason, I'm stunned that doctors simply don't care about the dependence issue with SSRIs. 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 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Day Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 10 hours ago, bubbles said: Even if they work, and I am dubious, it seems that there is no way to take them without becoming dependent on them. Given that they're now so wary of giving out adequate pain management because they're worried about addiction, and benzos are a dirty word for that same reason, I'm stunned that doctors simply don't care about the dependence issue with SSRIs. Yes, this is another issue. But actually from my own experience, I was not dependent on them; I just thought that I was because each time I tried to come off them I failed, but that was because my doctor at that time - and like many others it seems - had no idea about the need to taper slowly. Having said that, I would not be surprised if some people do become dependent, and can't get off the medication. I also believe that there are doctors out there, and quite possibly many of them, who do know about the issues and dangers of these drugs, but are just too scared and gutless to stand up and say anything about it. Escitalopram for anxiety (dates below are approximate). Oct 09 - Apr 10, 20mg (tapered off over about 6 weeks). Jun 10 - Feb 11, 20mg (tapered off over about 6 weeks). Jun 11 - Aug 12, 20mg (started to taper off but failed). Oct 12 - Dec 13, 20mg. Dec 13 - Apr 14, 10mg. Apr 14 - Nov 14, 5mg. Nov 14 - Jan 16, 20mg. Jan 16 - Aug 16, 10mg. Aug 16 - Dec 16, 10mg every other day. Dec 16 - Jan 17 5mg every third day. Jan 17 - took last tablet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbles Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 1 hour ago, 1Day said: Yes, this is another issue. But actually from my own experience, I was not dependent on them; I just thought that I was because each time I tried to come off them I failed, but that was because my doctor at that time - and like many others it seems - had no idea about the need to taper slowly. Having said that, I would not be surprised if some people do become dependent, and can't get off the medication. Perhaps we are defining it differently? I think we are dependent, or why the need to taper slowly? To me, if you have to taper, and if you have symptoms while doing so that is being dependent. Dependent, to me, means that the body/brain has adapted to the presence of the drug and you do not feel normal without it. Have you felt well since discontinuing your meds? 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 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Day Posted November 27, 2018 Share Posted November 27, 2018 3 hours ago, bubbles said: Perhaps we are defining it differently? I think we are dependent, or why the need to taper slowly? To me, if you have to taper, and if you have symptoms while doing so that is being dependent. Dependent, to me, means that the body/brain has adapted to the presence of the drug and you do not feel normal without it. Have you felt well since discontinuing your meds? You are right; I had not quite thought of it that way. My issue is PSSD. Also blunting of emotions, and one or two mild physical withdrawal symptoms. But overall my physical (besides PSSD) and mental situation is stable. I see you are currently tapering? How is it going? Escitalopram for anxiety (dates below are approximate). Oct 09 - Apr 10, 20mg (tapered off over about 6 weeks). Jun 10 - Feb 11, 20mg (tapered off over about 6 weeks). Jun 11 - Aug 12, 20mg (started to taper off but failed). Oct 12 - Dec 13, 20mg. Dec 13 - Apr 14, 10mg. Apr 14 - Nov 14, 5mg. Nov 14 - Jan 16, 20mg. Jan 16 - Aug 16, 10mg. Aug 16 - Dec 16, 10mg every other day. Dec 16 - Jan 17 5mg every third day. Jan 17 - took last tablet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbles Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 9 hours ago, 1Day said: I see you are currently tapering? How is it going? Going very well, thank you! My side effects have resolved and WD is minor, short-lived and generally quite manageable. I'm 4.5 years into my taper and am feeling optimistic that this will be successful. 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 Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Day Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 14 hours ago, bubbles said: Going very well, thank you! My side effects have resolved and WD is minor, short-lived and generally quite manageable. I'm 4.5 years into my taper and am feeling optimistic that this will be successful. That is great to hear and I am sure you will be fine given the way you are tapering. I just wish I had known about the need to taper so slowly. I came off the drug over the course of a year with quite big drops in amount each time I reduced. I was starting to improve towards the end, but then once the drug was out my system everything went very bad again. This website/forum is a fantastic thing, but some people only find it once it is too late. Escitalopram for anxiety (dates below are approximate). Oct 09 - Apr 10, 20mg (tapered off over about 6 weeks). Jun 10 - Feb 11, 20mg (tapered off over about 6 weeks). Jun 11 - Aug 12, 20mg (started to taper off but failed). Oct 12 - Dec 13, 20mg. Dec 13 - Apr 14, 10mg. Apr 14 - Nov 14, 5mg. Nov 14 - Jan 16, 20mg. Jan 16 - Aug 16, 10mg. Aug 16 - Dec 16, 10mg every other day. Dec 16 - Jan 17 5mg every third day. Jan 17 - took last tablet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbles Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 8 hours ago, 1Day said: That is great to hear and I am sure you will be fine given the way you are tapering. I just wish I had known about the need to taper so slowly. I came off the drug over the course of a year with quite big drops in amount each time I reduced. I was starting to improve towards the end, but then once the drug was out my system everything went very bad again. This website/forum is a fantastic thing, but some people only find it once it is too late. I'm sorry to hear that. I did a rapid taper off escitalopram and it was nasty so I have done my taper this time very differently! I had good reason to attempt the rapid taper (side effects), and I have made peace with how it all turned out, but doing it slowly is more manageable. 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 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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