Katharine

[Katharine]

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.

[Gridley]

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Carmie]

Hi Katherine, 

 

How are you doing?💚