Carmel5 Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 (edited) Topic title: exhaustion the day after light gardening or paddleboarding Big Decision to make - I am supposed to go to France for anniversary trip next month. Since March or April not sure when, after I do some exercise or light gardening, I am overly exhausted and have leg pain the day after with low mood. I feel I am stuck on the couch not able to do anything. I'm wondering if there is something I can do to improve my stamina and be able to go on this trip (it is not booked yet) because I really want to go away with hubby but he is concerned of spending alot of money on a holiday and not being able to sight see as he wishes, he does not want to be stuck in a hotel room somewhere. Diagnoses - MDD, cPTSD, Effexor - 225 to 47 mg since March 2018. Been on several antidepressants and anti anxiety pills since 1996. Supplements, Omega 3, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, D-Hist, Estrofactors (hot flashes - menopause), Probiotic, Adrenal PX Balance, Curcumin, Iron twice a week, B12 keeps me awake but I am low according to my naturopath so will try to talk half the dosage. Melatonin and Magnesium Glycinate for night time. Thanks for your suggestions. My first post here. Edited August 16, 2019 by ChessieCat added topic title 2022 - 15 beads or 5.5 mg of Effexor, tapering 10 percent, doing 2 beads per month at the moment. Starting at 13 beads will be doing 1 bead per month till off July 2023 Supplements - Vit C and D, Omega 3 2 capsules, Zinc, Magnesium Glycinate at bedtime, Adrenal Support bedtime 2018 - Effexor taper - 10% - 47 mg 2017 - Tapered off Trazadone with THC oil 2016 - Suicidal ideation returned Effexor up to 225 mg, trazadone 150 mg, Lorazepam prn, 2015 - June - Reintroduced Effexor after CNS crash due too fast a taper, off work for 3 months. Addition of Lorazepam, Trazodone and Zoplicone. Zoplicone used for 3 months only 2014 - Fast taper off Effexor 2012 - 6 month taper off Effexor, CNS destabilized, back on Effexor in May, off work for 3 months 2006 - February - Taper off Effexor again by April 2006 return on effexor 150 - 225 mg 2001- January wanting to get pregnant, tapered on my own by August Remeron 30 mg was tried, September back on effexor 150 mg 1999 - Effexor maintenance dose of 150 mg, by October I wanted to switch to Celexa 20- 40 mg, not working suicidal ideation return to effexor 1996 - 1998 Zoloft (not effective), Luvox (not effective) Elavil (not effective), Serzone (taken off market but worked), Paxil (worked for 1.5 years and pooped out) OD on Xanax, Risperdal gave me a seizure Link to comment
Moderator Gridley Posted August 16, 2019 Moderator Share Posted August 16, 2019 Welcome to SA, Carmel5. It is one of the many sad aspects of antidepressant withdrawal that we can't do what undrugged people can do and that life seems on hold. Fatigue is certainly one of the recognized symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal. I have it myself. What is withdrawal syndrome. Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list. There really isn't anything you can do to boost your stamina. In fact, supplements and training could worsen withdrawal. Your body needs rest and support during withdrawal. As I said, I'm in a similar situation to yours. Perhaps my experience on a couple of recent vacations will give you some guidance. We live in South America and love Buenos Aires. Before I started tapering, I was able to walk basically the whole city, savoring every neighborhood. The last two trips, during which I was tapering and in withdrawal, I had to severely curtail our expeditions. That doesn't mean I stayed in the hotel room. But we did less. My wife, who is very supportive of my taper, was fine with this. It seems to me a lot of your decision will hinge on your husband's attitude. If he is able to accept that due to your withdrawal condition, you will have to do less (not nothing, just less), that would be an important factor to consider. If he thinks he's going to be wasting his money because you two can't do everything, this is likely to cause stress between you. Paris is a great walking city; you'd just have to do less, and your husband would have to be okay with that. It's a great museum city, and I would sit and rest while my wife explored the museums. Another factor to consider is your own ability to enjoy the trip. If fatigue is your only limit and you would otherwise enjoy the trip, that's a plus in favor of going (again subject to your husbands's attitude). 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 to Valium taper. Current dose as of Aug. 5, 2022: 4.3mg Taper is 77% 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
Carmel5 Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 Thank you Gridley. I shared a little with my husband and its encouraging. We went to couples therapy this week as I was so down from the impasse we has regarding this trip. I think he is coming around the fact that it is what it is and sickly people travel all the time. My mood has improved bc of it and now with posting today and seeing that there is really no much else to do. My last taper was on May 22 this was to give my body time to adjust before the trip. I'll resume the taper after the trip every 4 to 6 weeks. 2022 - 15 beads or 5.5 mg of Effexor, tapering 10 percent, doing 2 beads per month at the moment. Starting at 13 beads will be doing 1 bead per month till off July 2023 Supplements - Vit C and D, Omega 3 2 capsules, Zinc, Magnesium Glycinate at bedtime, Adrenal Support bedtime 2018 - Effexor taper - 10% - 47 mg 2017 - Tapered off Trazadone with THC oil 2016 - Suicidal ideation returned Effexor up to 225 mg, trazadone 150 mg, Lorazepam prn, 2015 - June - Reintroduced Effexor after CNS crash due too fast a taper, off work for 3 months. Addition of Lorazepam, Trazodone and Zoplicone. Zoplicone used for 3 months only 2014 - Fast taper off Effexor 2012 - 6 month taper off Effexor, CNS destabilized, back on Effexor in May, off work for 3 months 2006 - February - Taper off Effexor again by April 2006 return on effexor 150 - 225 mg 2001- January wanting to get pregnant, tapered on my own by August Remeron 30 mg was tried, September back on effexor 150 mg 1999 - Effexor maintenance dose of 150 mg, by October I wanted to switch to Celexa 20- 40 mg, not working suicidal ideation return to effexor 1996 - 1998 Zoloft (not effective), Luvox (not effective) Elavil (not effective), Serzone (taken off market but worked), Paxil (worked for 1.5 years and pooped out) OD on Xanax, Risperdal gave me a seizure Link to comment
Carmel5 Posted January 31, 2020 Author Share Posted January 31, 2020 Hello fellow warriors!! Just wondering if this microtaper is gentler than the 10% percent drop. I have tapered from 225 mg and now down to 33.8 mg. I had two rough two day episodes where I am in bed or in the bathroom with headache, nausea, vomiting at times and stiff neck and jaw. I'm thinking microtapering this way might help. 2022 - 15 beads or 5.5 mg of Effexor, tapering 10 percent, doing 2 beads per month at the moment. Starting at 13 beads will be doing 1 bead per month till off July 2023 Supplements - Vit C and D, Omega 3 2 capsules, Zinc, Magnesium Glycinate at bedtime, Adrenal Support bedtime 2018 - Effexor taper - 10% - 47 mg 2017 - Tapered off Trazadone with THC oil 2016 - Suicidal ideation returned Effexor up to 225 mg, trazadone 150 mg, Lorazepam prn, 2015 - June - Reintroduced Effexor after CNS crash due too fast a taper, off work for 3 months. Addition of Lorazepam, Trazodone and Zoplicone. Zoplicone used for 3 months only 2014 - Fast taper off Effexor 2012 - 6 month taper off Effexor, CNS destabilized, back on Effexor in May, off work for 3 months 2006 - February - Taper off Effexor again by April 2006 return on effexor 150 - 225 mg 2001- January wanting to get pregnant, tapered on my own by August Remeron 30 mg was tried, September back on effexor 150 mg 1999 - Effexor maintenance dose of 150 mg, by October I wanted to switch to Celexa 20- 40 mg, not working suicidal ideation return to effexor 1996 - 1998 Zoloft (not effective), Luvox (not effective) Elavil (not effective), Serzone (taken off market but worked), Paxil (worked for 1.5 years and pooped out) OD on Xanax, Risperdal gave me a seizure Link to comment
Moderator Gridley Posted January 31, 2020 Moderator Share Posted January 31, 2020 47 minutes ago, Carmel5 said: Just wondering if this microtaper is gentler than the 10% percent drop Yes, the Brassmonkey slide taper is gentler than the straight 10% drop. This is because instead of hitting your system all at once with a 10% decrease, you do a smaller weekly decrease of 2 1/2% every week for four weeks, then hold for two weeks for your system to catch up. I used this method for my Lexapro taper and I recommend it. The symptoms you describe indicate you need to taper more gently and slowly. The Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-tapering 1 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 to Valium taper. Current dose as of Aug. 5, 2022: 4.3mg Taper is 77% 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
Carmel5 Posted January 31, 2020 Author Share Posted January 31, 2020 Thanks Gridley, I just started counting my beads to 33.8 mg before I was compounding it at the pharmacy with out of pocket costs. Do you think this micro taper works well with counting beads also? I do have the scale recommended here but heard it was not that accurate. 2022 - 15 beads or 5.5 mg of Effexor, tapering 10 percent, doing 2 beads per month at the moment. Starting at 13 beads will be doing 1 bead per month till off July 2023 Supplements - Vit C and D, Omega 3 2 capsules, Zinc, Magnesium Glycinate at bedtime, Adrenal Support bedtime 2018 - Effexor taper - 10% - 47 mg 2017 - Tapered off Trazadone with THC oil 2016 - Suicidal ideation returned Effexor up to 225 mg, trazadone 150 mg, Lorazepam prn, 2015 - June - Reintroduced Effexor after CNS crash due too fast a taper, off work for 3 months. Addition of Lorazepam, Trazodone and Zoplicone. Zoplicone used for 3 months only 2014 - Fast taper off Effexor 2012 - 6 month taper off Effexor, CNS destabilized, back on Effexor in May, off work for 3 months 2006 - February - Taper off Effexor again by April 2006 return on effexor 150 - 225 mg 2001- January wanting to get pregnant, tapered on my own by August Remeron 30 mg was tried, September back on effexor 150 mg 1999 - Effexor maintenance dose of 150 mg, by October I wanted to switch to Celexa 20- 40 mg, not working suicidal ideation return to effexor 1996 - 1998 Zoloft (not effective), Luvox (not effective) Elavil (not effective), Serzone (taken off market but worked), Paxil (worked for 1.5 years and pooped out) OD on Xanax, Risperdal gave me a seizure Link to comment
Moderator Gridley Posted January 31, 2020 Moderator Share Posted January 31, 2020 32 minutes ago, Carmel5 said: Do you think this micro taper works well with counting beads also? I do have the scale recommended here but heard it was not that accurate. I'm not sure how well it would work counting beads since you'd be dealing with a much smaller percentage (2 1/2%) than 10% and I don't know how that would play out in terms of removing beads. You could try it and see. I've been using the Gemini scale for 3 years and have found it accurate enough for my purposes. The disadvantages are that it's not accurate below 3mg pill weight and you can't weigh half milligrams. The lowest reading is one milligram. 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 to Valium taper. Current dose as of Aug. 5, 2022: 4.3mg Taper is 77% 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
Carmel5 Posted January 31, 2020 Author Share Posted January 31, 2020 1 minute ago, Gridley said: I'm not sure how well it would work counting beads since you'd be dealing with a much smaller percentage (2 1/2%) than 10% and I don't know how that would play out in terms of removing beads. You could try it and see. I've been using the Gemini scale for 3 years and have found it accurate enough for my purposes. The disadvantages are that it's not accurate below 3mg pill weight and you can't weigh half milligrams. The lowest reading is one milligram. I will need to ponder on this some more. If I do the weighing then I can use the spreadsheet more accurately. Thanks for your input on this. I haven't used the website that much and still learning on how to to post. I need to post more questions regarding stiff neck and jaw and neuropathy in my feet. 2022 - 15 beads or 5.5 mg of Effexor, tapering 10 percent, doing 2 beads per month at the moment. Starting at 13 beads will be doing 1 bead per month till off July 2023 Supplements - Vit C and D, Omega 3 2 capsules, Zinc, Magnesium Glycinate at bedtime, Adrenal Support bedtime 2018 - Effexor taper - 10% - 47 mg 2017 - Tapered off Trazadone with THC oil 2016 - Suicidal ideation returned Effexor up to 225 mg, trazadone 150 mg, Lorazepam prn, 2015 - June - Reintroduced Effexor after CNS crash due too fast a taper, off work for 3 months. Addition of Lorazepam, Trazodone and Zoplicone. Zoplicone used for 3 months only 2014 - Fast taper off Effexor 2012 - 6 month taper off Effexor, CNS destabilized, back on Effexor in May, off work for 3 months 2006 - February - Taper off Effexor again by April 2006 return on effexor 150 - 225 mg 2001- January wanting to get pregnant, tapered on my own by August Remeron 30 mg was tried, September back on effexor 150 mg 1999 - Effexor maintenance dose of 150 mg, by October I wanted to switch to Celexa 20- 40 mg, not working suicidal ideation return to effexor 1996 - 1998 Zoloft (not effective), Luvox (not effective) Elavil (not effective), Serzone (taken off market but worked), Paxil (worked for 1.5 years and pooped out) OD on Xanax, Risperdal gave me a seizure Link to comment
Moderator Gridley Posted January 31, 2020 Moderator Share Posted January 31, 2020 19 minutes ago, Carmel5 said: post more questions You should post anything specifically about you, your taper and your symptoms in your main Introduction topic so all your material is together. That's better than posting in the "tapering" or "symptoms and self care" forums. You'll get more readers in your own Introduction topic. 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 to Valium taper. Current dose as of Aug. 5, 2022: 4.3mg Taper is 77% 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
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