sunnysideup69 Posted August 29, 2020 Share Posted August 29, 2020 Hey @thelegend how are you doing? January 2008 to April 2015 Citalopram 20mg to 5mg, reducing in 50 per cent leaps. Jumped off at 5mg March 2016 used MDMA triggered setback April 2016 Citalopram 10mg October 2016 cut to 5mg, May 2017 cut to 2.5mg May 2018 used MDMA triggered setback June 2018 Citalopram 2.5mg up to 10mg, then back to 5mg July/ August 2018 7.5mg, then 10mg June 2019 updosed to 20mg Citalopram August 2019 cold switch to Venlafaxine 75mg XR Supplements; 1100mg fish oil daily; also 100mg Magnesium Glycinate. Tried Vagifem 10mcg from mid May 2021 to mid June 2021; caused depression, so stopped. Link to comment
thelegend Posted September 1, 2020 Author Share Posted September 1, 2020 Hey @sunnysideup69 here is where I am at: Still really struggling with daily extreme anxiety, many other symptoms have improved or cleared up, but man the anxiety is so bad and crippling at times. Not sure it will ever get better, seems like I have been hoping for this to improve now for nearly 3 years with little to no change. I don’t feel the need to come here as much constantly seeking reassurance, maybe it is progress and I am doing better than I am giving myself credit for. Would love to be a voice and really help others who are struggling here, but I don’t think I am well enough for that yet. Maybe one day I will be a success story...still seems so far off. September Update: Extreme Anxiety - probably as bad as ever, certainly not as good as March and April when I was noticing real improvement. Warm Sensation in leg - New and now almost gone, not sure what it was, but I hardly feel it anymore. Sensitive to sound - gone Sensitive to touch - gone Pins and needles - gone Burning eyes, arms, back, feet - Eyes have improved the last month or so, I can also feel chest and arms at times, but not to the degree they once were Hyper stimulation - still around, like I am always keyed up Bad sleep - much worse than the Spring, probably not as bad as the beginning. Waking with cortisal spikes - again, has come back significantly, not as bad as the beginning. Light headedness, or feeling like you are not quite all there - Better in August than in June and July IBS - still up and down here, overall improvement though Shaking - better than it used to be, almost gone Sweating - better than it used to be, almost gone Overall it’s looks like there is improvement, but my worst symptom (the anxiety) is still around and at times it is as bad as it ever has been. Why is it not getting better after all this time, now 16 months into a hold. April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted September 2, 2020 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted September 2, 2020 On 1/10/2020 at 12:00 PM, thelegend said: I don’t drink alcohol, never have Please note that these questions are investigative, trying to work out if there is something else in the mix. Because we are making suggestions based on the information that you provide we need to ensure that we have all the information about things which you might be taking or have taken. Q: Are you consuming any drinks containing caffeine, eg energy drinks, cola drinks, strong or many cups of coffee? Q: Are you or have you previously taken any supplements or illicit drugs? * 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 Link to comment
thelegend Posted September 3, 2020 Author Share Posted September 3, 2020 (edited) 23 hours ago, ChessieCat said: Q: Are you consuming any drinks containing caffeine, eg energy drinks, cola drinks, strong or many cups of coffee? I do consume cola and sometimes energy drinks. Quote Q: Are you or have you previously taken any supplements or illicit drugs? Only supplements are Fish Oil Edited September 3, 2020 by ChessieCat extracted answers April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted September 3, 2020 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted September 3, 2020 2 hours ago, thelegend said: I do consume cola and sometimes energy drinks. On 9/2/2020 at 4:33 AM, thelegend said: my worst symptom (the anxiety) is still around and at times it is as bad as it ever has been. Why is it not getting better after all this time, now 16 months into a hold. Caffeine is a stimulant. It may be contributing to your anxiety. It may be worth eliminating the cola and energy drinks. It may not get rid of the anxiety but it might make a bit of a difference. If you decide to do this it is better to reduce it otherwise you can get withdrawal symptoms. Also, remember to only make one change at a time. * 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 Link to comment
thelegend Posted September 3, 2020 Author Share Posted September 3, 2020 19 hours ago, ChessieCat said: Caffeine is a stimulant. It may be contributing to your anxiety. It may be worth eliminating the cola and energy drinks. It may not get rid of the anxiety but it might make a bit of a difference. If you decide to do this it is better to reduce it otherwise you can get withdrawal symptoms. Also, remember to only make one change at a time. thanks @ChessieCat, I will for sure look into reducing or eliminating caffeine. On an unrelated note, had anyone looked into the Amen Clinics? See like they do brain scans to find what isn’t working right, and come up with a holistic approach to fixing the brain issues (they don’t like the term “mental illness”). Reading the book “the end of mental illness” and it sounds like what they do is pretty fascinating and kind of goes along with what we learn from SA. Just wanted to see if anyone had any experience with this. April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
bijay Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 @thelegend How are things going? Ever check out an Amen clinic or any other new approach? Started .25 mg. clonazapam Oct. 2016 Started 10 mg. Celexa Dec. 2016 Started 10 mg. amitriptyline January 2017 Also took 60 mg. Dexilant Oct. 2016 through April 2017, successfully tapered off Stopped Celexa successfully Oct. 2017 Fast taper of amitriptyline Dec. 2017, had major WD symptoms and reinstated at 10 mg. Jan. 2018 Slow amitryptyline taper started Mar. 2019, reduced from 10 mg. to 0.93 mg. currently Also still taking .25 mg. clonazapam daily in late evening Link to comment
sunnysideup69 Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Hey @thelegend, how are you? Hoping your absence means a window Xx January 2008 to April 2015 Citalopram 20mg to 5mg, reducing in 50 per cent leaps. Jumped off at 5mg March 2016 used MDMA triggered setback April 2016 Citalopram 10mg October 2016 cut to 5mg, May 2017 cut to 2.5mg May 2018 used MDMA triggered setback June 2018 Citalopram 2.5mg up to 10mg, then back to 5mg July/ August 2018 7.5mg, then 10mg June 2019 updosed to 20mg Citalopram August 2019 cold switch to Venlafaxine 75mg XR Supplements; 1100mg fish oil daily; also 100mg Magnesium Glycinate. Tried Vagifem 10mcg from mid May 2021 to mid June 2021; caused depression, so stopped. Link to comment
thelegend Posted November 4, 2020 Author Share Posted November 4, 2020 Hey @sunnysideup69and @bijay here is an update: Still really struggling with daily anxiety. It is worse in the mornings and usually by evenings I feel pretty normal. Also is better on weekends. It is not normal anxiety, it is the chemical, waking like a punch to the stomach I have become so accustomed to over the last 4 years since I so stupidly quit my Medication I had been taking for 8 years from to 0, I didn’t feel like I needed it anymore. Boy did I know nothing about these drugs to have been so foolish. 4 YEARS of absolute hell with no end in sight. I feel like I have missed so much of life with my young family that I will never be able to get back, and honestly holding at my current meds for the last 18 months was kind of my last ditch effort to hope for a feature to some semblance of a normal life. After 18 months of this I have little hope of it ever getting better at this point and am not sure how to keep going on living the way I am. I thought it was getting better in the Spring, that came crashing down. I thought that again in the late Summer, early Fall. Again it seems it has all come crashing down again. Maybe a mod like @brassmonkeyor @Gridleycould help me with feeling like I still have hope and a path forward at this point. November Update: Extreme Anxiety - probably as bad as ever, certainly not as good as March and April when I was noticing real improvement. Warm Sensation in leg - gone Sensitive to sound - gone Sensitive to touch - gone Pins and needles - gone Burning eyes, arms, back, feet - Eyes have improved the last month or so, I can also feel chest and arms at times, but not to the degree they once were Hyper stimulation - still around, like I am always keyed up Bad sleep - much worse than the Spring, probably not as bad as the beginning. Waking with cortisal spikes - again, has come back significantly, not as bad as the beginning. Light headedness, or feeling like you are not quite all there - Getting better IBS - still up and down here, overall improvement though Shaking - better than it used to be, almost gone Sweating - better than it used to be, almost gone April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted November 4, 2020 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 4, 2020 9 minutes ago, thelegend said: I still have hope and a path forward at this point. When you're at a low point, as you are now, and especially when it lasts a long time, it seems hopeless. But looking over your update, the majority of your symptoms have improved, some vastly so. I know the anxiety and insomnia can wear you down but overall it seems to me you're improving. You're stabilizing. It can take a while. 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 of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper. Taper is 95% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper. Current dose as of April 1: 6.8mg Taper is 91% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase 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
bijay Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 @thelegend I do know that feeling of raw anxiety. It sucks. I would feel like my body and mind were being chemically hijacked 24/7. The fact you are much better in the evenings and on weekends - could your job be a factor? Started .25 mg. clonazapam Oct. 2016 Started 10 mg. Celexa Dec. 2016 Started 10 mg. amitriptyline January 2017 Also took 60 mg. Dexilant Oct. 2016 through April 2017, successfully tapered off Stopped Celexa successfully Oct. 2017 Fast taper of amitriptyline Dec. 2017, had major WD symptoms and reinstated at 10 mg. Jan. 2018 Slow amitryptyline taper started Mar. 2019, reduced from 10 mg. to 0.93 mg. currently Also still taking .25 mg. clonazapam daily in late evening Link to comment
thelegend Posted November 4, 2020 Author Share Posted November 4, 2020 Have you gotten over your anxiety? Are you doing better? Yes I think for sure my job factors in, but I don’t know how to fix that. April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
bijay Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 @thelegend Yes my anxiety is much better, although I have gut and other physical symptoms that are pulling me down right now. Pretty sure these are the direct result of the amitriptyline I am tapering, and they are the main source of my anxiety. To cope I use meditation, CBT therapy, and TRE (Tension/Trauma Release Exercises). But if there is any chance your job is contributing to your anxiety, you owe it to yourself to do something about it. It is just too important not to. Maybe as a first step you can talk with one or more people (coworker, therapist, pastor, good friend) to get another perspective on your options. There are ALWAYS options, but you will have to look for them. Started .25 mg. clonazapam Oct. 2016 Started 10 mg. Celexa Dec. 2016 Started 10 mg. amitriptyline January 2017 Also took 60 mg. Dexilant Oct. 2016 through April 2017, successfully tapered off Stopped Celexa successfully Oct. 2017 Fast taper of amitriptyline Dec. 2017, had major WD symptoms and reinstated at 10 mg. Jan. 2018 Slow amitryptyline taper started Mar. 2019, reduced from 10 mg. to 0.93 mg. currently Also still taking .25 mg. clonazapam daily in late evening Link to comment
Lynnardgirl Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 thelegend I have heard that those Energy drinks are really bad for you try not to take them for a whole week and see if that helps Ok prayers still CoMimg your way 1997 regular Effexor 150 mg2016-2017 up dosage to 225 tried several times to taper no luck fast taper Back on panic attacks anxiety Insomnia 2017 doing ok after a year but then insomia doctor put me onTrazodone was on Trazodone for 6 months or longer did a fast taper getting panic attacks 2018 Doctor switched me to Effexor XR an reduced my dose to 225 - down to 150 felt worse went back on regular Effexor Venlafaxine 2018 taper again, To fast tapered down to 112.5 from 150 take half twice a day 56.25 Link to comment
thelegend Posted November 6, 2020 Author Share Posted November 6, 2020 On 11/5/2020 at 11:28 AM, Lynnardgirl said: thelegend I have heard that those Energy drinks are really bad for you try not to take them for a whole week and see if that helps Ok prayers still CoMimg your way thanks I will need the prayers it seems. How are you doing? Seeing any improvements? April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Lynnardgirl Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 29 minutes ago, thelegend said: thanks I will need the prayers it seems. How are you doing? Seeing any improvements? I feel really good than bam back to this horrible horrible anxiety ! Like you , I don’t know what to do anymore . It’s so hard trying to stay positive it’s been going on for years ! God bless you my friend everyday I say a pray for you 1997 regular Effexor 150 mg2016-2017 up dosage to 225 tried several times to taper no luck fast taper Back on panic attacks anxiety Insomnia 2017 doing ok after a year but then insomia doctor put me onTrazodone was on Trazodone for 6 months or longer did a fast taper getting panic attacks 2018 Doctor switched me to Effexor XR an reduced my dose to 225 - down to 150 felt worse went back on regular Effexor Venlafaxine 2018 taper again, To fast tapered down to 112.5 from 150 take half twice a day 56.25 Link to comment
thelegend Posted December 10, 2020 Author Share Posted December 10, 2020 On 11/6/2020 at 4:20 PM, Lynnardgirl said: I feel really good than bam back to this horrible horrible anxiety ! Like you , I don’t know what to do anymore . It’s so hard trying to stay positive it’s been going on for years ! God bless you my friend everyday I say a pray for you I haven’t checked in on you for a bit, how are you doing? April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Lynnardgirl Posted December 10, 2020 Share Posted December 10, 2020 7 hours ago, thelegend said: I haven’t checked in on you for a bit, how are you doing? Hi haven’t been on for a while ! Just trying to go through a detox, Dr. Bill Cole Did a test to see how damaged my cells are and wow off the chart! It’s a 5 month program ! I will keep you posted. please tell me you are seeing good changes prayed for you again today my friend 1997 regular Effexor 150 mg2016-2017 up dosage to 225 tried several times to taper no luck fast taper Back on panic attacks anxiety Insomnia 2017 doing ok after a year but then insomia doctor put me onTrazodone was on Trazodone for 6 months or longer did a fast taper getting panic attacks 2018 Doctor switched me to Effexor XR an reduced my dose to 225 - down to 150 felt worse went back on regular Effexor Venlafaxine 2018 taper again, To fast tapered down to 112.5 from 150 take half twice a day 56.25 Link to comment
thelegend Posted February 4, 2021 Author Share Posted February 4, 2021 Hi all! I want to get back to my monthly updates, so here it goes: I don’t feel the need to come here as much constantly seeking reassurance, so I guess that must point to doing better. My daily anxiety still is very hard to deal with. It is chemical, but it seems to be exacerbated by work, as nights, weekends, and holidays are better. I am almost 2 years now into a hold, and still don’t feel close to stable, will I ever be able to start to taper? Does it every take others this long to stabilize? February Update: Extreme Anxiety - Better now than it has been in the past, some improvement here, though nowhere near what I would have hoped. Warm Sensation in leg - weird symptom last Spring, now gone. Sensitive to sound - gone Sensitive to touch - gone Pins and needles - gone Burning eyes, arms, back, feet - Almost Gone, I feel it in my eyes sometimes, and very rarely in my arms. Hyper stimulation - still around, like I am always keyed up Bad sleep - Not bad, I sleep much better than I used to. Waking with cortisal spikes - for sure still around, though it may be getting better Light headedness, or feeling like you are not quite all there - not a major issue anymore, still hangs around though. IBS - still up and down here, overall improvement though Shaking - pretty much gone Sweating - pretty much gone Overall it’s looks like there is improvement, but my worst symptom (the anxiety) is still around and feels suffocating at times. 21 months into a hold, who knew I had messed everything up to this degree! Are there success stories for people that have had to hold this long? April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Mentor RachelSusan Posted February 4, 2021 Mentor Share Posted February 4, 2021 The Legend, I came by the cheer you on. I know the anxiety must be crushing but you are going in the right direction. You probably hoped the anxiety would be the first to go but it appears other things are clearing up first. I know you will find improvement. Warm wishes. I am not a health professional in any way. I do not give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a professional medical practitioner. NEW INFORMATION FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 20, 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20, 575 to 500 (13%), Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475mg (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%), Nov 21, 2022 500mg Medications: Gabapentin, Prednisone 1.5mg a day, Cortisol Inhaler daily. HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER Feb. 2016 to June 2016 - Was on 150mg Zoloft. Put on Gabapentin at 900mg a day in 2016 due to antidepressant withdrawal. Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June 2016, reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016. From July 2016 to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper. STARTING SENSIBLE ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM THIS SITE Dec. 10 2016 - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg. Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mg. Feb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%). Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg. May 9, 2020 1.375 mg. June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%). July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%). August 15, 2020 1.0 mg. Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg. Nov. 28, 2020 .75mg. Jan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%). Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg. May 1, 2021 .375mg. May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .0125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg. October 2, 2021 .043mg. October 10, 2021 .038mg. October 23, 2021 .035mg. October 30, 2021 .032mg. Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg. Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg. Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Dejavu Posted February 4, 2021 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 4, 2021 Hi @thelegend. I haven't been on in a while (working through a wave of my own) but like RachelSusan, I wanted to cheer you on as well. Through no fault of your own, your CNS was put through sooo many changes - CT zoloft, high reinstatement dose, then on and off prozac and lexapro, and back to zoloft with zyprexa added. It's no wonder it's taking a while for you to reach stability, but you will. You're already seeing solid improvement. I know it's hard to be patient, and in fact, I wish I could take my own advice. When I fast-tapered, crashed, and reinstated too much, it took me 10 months to stabilize, and I didn't have nearly as many changes as you. But I did end up stable, as will you. Unfortunately, I have knocked myself off the wall again with a series of tapering mistakes. I'm trying to stabilize again now for the past 7 months, so I feel your pain with the anxiety. I know you're tired; I'm tired too. But we're both going to get there. Stability may be right around the corner for you. I'm rooting for you! 2016 - Zoloft 50 mg for klonopin w/d Approx. Nov 2017 - successful taper of klonopin; Approx. Jan. 2018 - rapid taper Zoloft over 2 wks - no w/d symptoms; May 2018 - Reinstate 50 mg Zoloft per doctor; Aug 2018 - Rapid taper Zoloft over 3-4 weeks - no w/d symptoms for 1 mo.; Late Oct 2018 - pdoc rx'd 5mg lexapro -took for 1 wk; Early Nov 2018 - Reinstate 25 mg Zoloft; updose to 37.5 on Nov 28, 2018; Nov 30 2018 - returned to 25mg Zoloft upon mod. advice; Dec 9 - Dec10 2018 - 12.5mg zoloft liquid+12.5mg zoloft pill; Dec 11 2018 - 25mg zoloft all liquid; Feb 14 2019 - updosed to 26.25 mg liquid; Mar 6 2019 - updosed to 26.88 mg liquid - new symptoms; Mar 13 2019 - back down to 26.25 mg per mod suggestion Dose Changes: Dec 2 2019 - 5% to 25mg; Jan 14 2020 - 10% to 22.5 (increase in sxs all month); Mar 10-15? 2020, accidental updose to 25mg; Mar 22 2020 - back down to 22.5mg; Apr 12 2020 - 2.5% to 21.94mg; Apr 19 2020 - 2.5% to 21.375mg (symptom increase); May 17 2020 - 2.5% to 20.625mg; May 24 2020 - 2.5% to 20.1mg - Jun 14 2020 - noticed uptick in symptoms settled 2 days later - July 10 2020 - onset of wave Link to comment
Estman Posted February 4, 2021 Share Posted February 4, 2021 On 8/27/2019 at 9:58 PM, Rhiannon said: Pretty typical for mornings to be hard and evenings to get some relief. The fact that you're getting relief in the evenings is actually another good sign. Hang in there, you're on the way. Also it seems to be very normal for people to quit an AD, get through the acute WD after a few weeks, think they're fine, then somewhere in the 2-3 months range to get hit with WD again, slightly different symptoms (less of the electrical shock stuff, but more emotional anguish, akathisia, anxiety, insomnia etc, intense and intolerable.) At this point most doctors call it "return of the underlying condition" and people go back on the AD, like you did last spring. Back when I was first on an AD, the first time I quit, this is exactly how my pattern went, and same thing a few years later when I tried again to quit. It's so typical and normal that I am certain there is a physiological, neurochemical process underlying it. Maybe someday scientists will even do the research and find out why. Not holding my breath for that now, though. Yes, the waves start completely unexpectedly I have usually reduced once a month and no more than 7% of the daily dose One would think that each time has the same pattern, but it is not Now that I have reached a lower dose, each period is very difficult. now, a month after another reduction in another heavy wave, it started again completely unexpectedly. And my doctor, a deserving psychiatrist, claims that this drug does not cause withdrawal symptoms at all, what a mistake! clomipramine appears to have a short half-life and is one of the more difficult substances to withdraw The only support for this forum is these people too! Xanax 0,5mg 1999-2019 a Xanax 0,5mg paar korda kuus, vajadusel Cymbalta 30mg 2012-25.04.2018 kitsenev 2-3 kuud,rasked sümptomid 1 nädal pärast viimast annust Amitriptüliin 25mg 25.05.18-20.01.19 ,kitsenev 2-3 kuuga, unetus, paanika-ärevus, segasusseisund, iiveldus Valdoxan 25mg 10.02.19-10.03.19, ei stabiliseerinud olukorda, Lorasepaam 10.02.19-20.02.19 vajadusel üleöö Brintellix 5mg 10.03.19-30.06.19 ,ei stabiliseerinud olukorda, hirme, segasust ja unetust, olin haiglas 1 nädal Olansapiin 5mg 01.03.19-02.08.19,unetuse leevendamiseks suureneb segasus, suureneb depressioon, tekib raske akatiisia Cymbalta 30mg 30.06.19-01.08.19,ei tööta enam, olukord ei stabiliseeru, jälle haiglas 2 nädalat Levomepromasiin 5mg 03.08.19-20.12.19 aitas magada, kuid suurendas segadust ja depressiooni Anafraniil 75mg03.08.19-15.12.19 15.12.19 , 35mg 17.05.20 , 27mg 01.01.21 16.07.21 oli päevane A19 mg 01.04.22 11mg 01.11.22 8,6mg, 01.11.23 6,5mg 01.01.24 5mg Link to comment
thelegend Posted April 7, 2021 Author Share Posted April 7, 2021 Well just thought I would check in. I do feel I am improving. I just did 10 days in Disney World with my family and it was AWESOME. Didn’t even think about WD, pretty much zero symptoms. Now I am back hime and found myself thrust into a deep wave, not sure why but this is typical for me for whatever reason. Vacations are like breaths of fresh air and glimpses of normalcy, only to come crashing down. It is like when I get home, someone flips a pain switch in my brain, anyone else have that? Hopefully it won’t last too long and I can get back to slow improvements, but it is really bad the last few days, making me doubt everything! 1 April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Mentor mstimc Posted April 8, 2021 Mentor Share Posted April 8, 2021 Could be the usual post-vacation blues exacerbated by WD. Focus on the great time you had--use those memories to reset your thinking. You'll be headed for a window soon! 1 Tim C Started Paxil for GAD in 1999 Unsuccessful taper attempt in 2006 Paxilprogress helped with a successful taper completed in 2009 Using therapy and CBT to manage my anxiety Link to comment
thelegend Posted April 11, 2021 Author Share Posted April 11, 2021 Thanks @mstimc I am hoping to get back to my WD normal, which is really hard but much more manageable. Not sure why a vacation gives me complete clear windows with pretty much zero symptoms, only to always come back to “real life.” April 2010 - January 2018: Zoloft 50-100 mgs (would go back and forth between these doses, mostly at 50mgs). April - May 2018: Attempted to restart Zoloft for 6 weeks, made things worse so switched to... June 2018 - Novemeber 2019: Lexapro 10mgs August 2018 - Current: Zyprexa added for early morning extreme anxiety November 2018 - February 2019: Lexapro 5mgs, then off since doctor said it “wasn’t working if still having anxiety.” Looking back I was probably stabilizing very slowly. New Doctor reinstated: May 1st, 2019 - Current - Zoloft 50mgs, 2.5mg Zyprexa Link to comment
Fallensoul Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 @thelegend, I'm no doctor, but it could be the Zoloft that keep you in that anxious state. When my paxil pooped out, I had extreme anxiety and allmost lost my mind, when stil taking the drug. I still tapered down to 10, and it went a little better After this I tried to cross over to Clomipramine, but that never worked. I become worse again. So I tapered that back from 50 to 23,5 mg now. Paxil is on 5,5. Maybe you have to micro taper this drug, despite beiing not completely stablelised, but that's just my thoughts and I'm are far less experieced as alto, chessie etc. Take care! 1998-2020 Paroxetine 20mg, stopped working 2018/08 tapered down to 6mg now @ 1%/week 2019 /04 Lorazepam 3x1mg, 1x0,5mg night, Lormetazepam 0,5mg night2019/05 Buspirone addition 3x5mg worked like wonders for one month, stopped ct 2019/12 Mirtazipine, first 2x10mg til 2021/2, no effect, now 3mg for sleep2020/06 Wellbutrin 6 weeks, no effect stopped ct 2020/08 Lexapro, trying, to crossover, got crazy from 1 mg/day after 6 days, stopped2020/11 Clomipramine to 50mg, adverse effect, restless, panic, low mood, anxiety, fast taper down to 30 (plan is go to ~20 and hold and taper only parox. and benzo's and maybe Mirt if I sleep) 2021/1 3x1000mg gaba, 3x10mg Lithium Orotate, 3x 1000mg L-Tyrosine,2-3 times 1x400mg magnesium citrate , 2-3 times 1x1000mg vit. C,1x15mg Zinc, 3 times 2mg Molybdeen Glycinate, 2 times 2000mg Omgea 3-6-9 and 1x16mg B6 (P5P) 2021/03/17 Gaba, Tyrosine and Lithium orotate to 3x1 tablet. 2021/03/17 Cl 30, P 5,8. 2021/03/20 Cl 28. 2021/03/23 M 2,7. 2021/03/25 M 2,6, Cl 26, P 5,7. 2021/03/28 Cl 25. 2021/04/1 P 5,6. 2021/04/07 Cl 24,P 5,5. 2021/04/08 Cl 23,5. 2021/04/13 P5,4 2021/03/26 Lor 3x0,9, 1x0,45 night, Lorm 0,45night 2021/04/13 CL 23, M 2,5. 2021/04/16 Cl 22,5, P 5,3. 2021/04/18 M 2,4. 2021/04/24 Cl 22. 2021/04/29 M2,3, P5,28. 2021/05/8 Cl 21,5. 2021/05/9 M 2,2, P 5,22. 2021/05/12 Cl back to 22, 2021/05/20 Lor 3x0,8, night 1x0,40 Lorm 1x0,40 2021/05/27 Cl 20(holding)2021/05/28 P5,15 (holding)2021/05/31 Cl 22 (holding) 2021/06/7 Lor 3x0,75 1x0,38 night, Lorm 0,38night 2021/11/7 P5 Link to comment
sunnysideup69 Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Hey @thelegend, long time no speak! Came by to wish you well and see how you're doing. I also had post vaccination blues. Hope you're feeling better xxx January 2008 to April 2015 Citalopram 20mg to 5mg, reducing in 50 per cent leaps. Jumped off at 5mg March 2016 used MDMA triggered setback April 2016 Citalopram 10mg October 2016 cut to 5mg, May 2017 cut to 2.5mg May 2018 used MDMA triggered setback June 2018 Citalopram 2.5mg up to 10mg, then back to 5mg July/ August 2018 7.5mg, then 10mg June 2019 updosed to 20mg Citalopram August 2019 cold switch to Venlafaxine 75mg XR Supplements; 1100mg fish oil daily; also 100mg Magnesium Glycinate. Tried Vagifem 10mcg from mid May 2021 to mid June 2021; caused depression, so stopped. Link to comment
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