Katharine Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 Since 2016 have discontinued 3 drugs: Trileptal, Seroquel, Wellbutrin. I have Abilify & Lamictal left to go. I am down to .50 mg. of Abilify now and 300 mg. of Lamictal. On polypharmacy since 2005. On psych drugs since 1985~ 33 years! Thank you group! I have learned so much already. Link to comment
Moderator Gridley Posted February 9, 2019 Moderator Share Posted February 9, 2019 Welcome to SA, Katharine. Congratulations on discontinuing the three drugs. To start, in order to give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly. Please keep it brief. Do your signature in the form of a list rather than one big paragraph. Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature. Please also write an Introductory topic: Please start a topic about yourself in this forum We recommend tapering at no more than 10% of current dose every four weeks. Some have to taper more slowly, particularly at lower doses. Why taper by 10% of my dosage? Brain Remodelling Video: Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery We generally recommend tapering only one drug at a time. Otherwise, if a problem arises, it will be difficult to determine the cause. We recommend tapering the more activating drug first, leaving the more sedating drug to act as a buffer against withdrawal. Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first? Tips for tapering off aripiprazole (Abilify) Tips for tapering off Lamictal (lamotrigine) Are you experiencing withdrawal symptoms from your previous drug tapers? These link explain withdrawal. What is withdrawal syndrome. Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list. The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization When we take medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur. We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) Please research all supplements first and only add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. This is your introductory topic, the place for you to ask questions and provide updates. 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. March 22, 2022: hold at 4.8mg and shift to Imipramine taper Aug. 5, 2022: shift back to Valium taper. Current dose as of Feb. 4, 2023: 2.25mg Taper is 88% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan-Sept 2016 tapered to 16mg. Held until Aug 2021, tapered for 4 weeks to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper. Current dose as of Aug. 5: 9.5mg Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5 and shift to Valium taper Taper is 87% complete. Supplements: omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotic, zinc, melatonin .3mg 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. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Carmie Posted March 20, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 20, 2019 Hi Katherine, How are you doing?💚 Been on APs, benzos, ADs and opiates, all for chronic pain. Had severe Akathisia in the past that made me suicidal. Still on Seroquel. 2019:➡️ March10=7.25mg ✔️April17=7.0✔️June5=6.75✔️ July14=6.50✔️Aug28=6.25✔️Oct10=6.20 ✔️ Oct21=6.0✔️Dec16=5.80 ✔️ 2020➡️Jan 21=5.60✔️April2=5.40✔️May29=5.20✔️Aug14= 5.0 ✔️Sep29=4.80✔️2021➡️ Jan31=4.60 mg✔️April24=4.40mg✔️Jul17=4.30mg ✔️Aug 28=4.20✔️ Oct 11=4.15✔️Nov1=4.10✔️ Nov21= 4.05✔️ Dec13= 4mg✔️ 2022➡️Jan8= 3.95 Jan 31=3.90✔️March2=3.85✔️ April4=3.80✔️June16=3.75✔️July26=3.70✔️Sep2=3.65✔️ Oct21=3.60✔️Dec8=3.55✔️ Jan 26=3.50✔️THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE, consult a doctor. Link to comment
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