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Phoenix1111: switch from fluoxetine to vortioxetine


Phoenix1111

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On 12/25/2019 at 6:49 PM, Sassenach said:

I phoenix

I have just been through the same thing the combination of a bad cold and and withdrawal is about as rough as it gets.

Feeling better now though so and so will you.

There will be plenty more christmases and you will feel much better.

Make the best you can have the holidays 2020 will be b&r year for getting better.

Sass

Hi Sass,
Sorry to hear you weren't well, i hope you are better now.
I have a confession to make..... on 29th Nov I decided to go back to my initial dose of Lovan (40mgs) (I know it's very risky to do this) but i am now almost feeling back to normal and happy again.
I will now hold on the Lovan 40mgs and Mirtazapine 15mgs for AT LEAST 3 months and see how i'm travelling.
Basically i am back at square one, the only reason i got put on the Vortioxetine is because i had tapered too quickly from the Mirtazapine towards the end part of my taper but i didn't know any better then and believed it was a 'relapse' now i know better and that once i eventually get down to the 5mg mark i have to go WAY slower. 
Fingers crossed that i continue to stabalise, but at the moment i am doing quite well.

Thanks for your response and i promise i will not make any further changes without consulting you first, this recent change just felt right for me and at this stage i don't really care how long i have to be on the Lovan for because it's the Mirtazapine that is causing me more issues overall.

So i will see how i'm travelling around March or April and reassess :)

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Phoenix

17 hours ago, Phoenix1111 said:

29th Nov I decided to go back to my initial dose of Lovan (40mgs)

Do you mean 29th Dec?

 

Sass

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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11 hours ago, Sassenach said:

Hi Phoenix

Do you mean 29th Dec?

 

Sass

Oh silly me, yes i meant the 29th December

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Best of luck.

Get back to us if you need any help.

 

Sass

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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On 1/5/2020 at 2:30 AM, Sassenach said:

Best of luck.

Get back to us if you need any help.

 

Sass

 

Hi Sass,

 

I have now been back on Lovan for 2 weeks and i have noticed some improvement in the head spins and sleep, i'm not 100% and my mood is quite low, i almost feel numb and disconected from everyone and have no motivation, appetite problems and feeling like i'm about to panic on and off. Could this still be leftover withdrawal from the vortioxetine that i was on for almost 3 months? It's been 2 months since i stopped it.
I know there is no way of knowing how long this will last but i am so over it.

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Phoenix

 

10 hours ago, Phoenix1111 said:

Could this still be leftover withdrawal from the vortioxetine that i was on for almost 3 months? It's been 2 months since i stopped it.

It certainly is.

Recovery is a rolling process where symptoms come and go, if they didn't, you would not be improving in some areas, ie they are good sign.

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/18923-derealization-or-depersonalization-dr-and-dp/

Your CNS is settling to the 20mg Lovan and slowly healing itself.

Hang in there it is slow but the reward is worth it.

 

Sass

Escitalopram 10mgs from mid 2007 ( can't remember exact date) to 11th Dec 2018

Fentanyl patches ( don't remember dose ) from Nov 2014 to 11 Dec 2018

Quit both cold turkey Dec 2018

Reinstated 3rd March 2019 2.5 mgs.

Updosed  8March to 5mgs and holding

25/11/19 Started taper 4.5mgs and holding

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner

If you are going through Hell, keep going. NCIS series 15, David MaCallum:rolleyes:

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Hi @Sassenach

So today i have a pretty bad headache and it's scaring me cos the last time i had a headache like this was right before i had a huge crash with nonstop doomsday panic 😥
Any advice or tips?

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

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Also feeling really depressed, it's so hard to get up in the morning, i have no motivation or drive to do anything, feeling like this will never get better :( 

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

Link to comment

So i had a couple of days where i almost felt normal again but today i hit a wall of fatigue, feeling grumpy and now some anxiety and ocd-like thoughts. I really hope this ends soon.

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

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  • 1 month later...

Hi,

So in a few days it will have been 4 months since i stopped the Vortioxetine (which i took for 10 weeks), so far i've had some withdrawal and feeling kind of down and not much motivation but there haven't really been any major swings for worse or better, i've had a few small windows here and there. The thing is i know that 4 months isn't very long and i find myself fretting over possibly being blindsided by a crash (there are so many stories on here of that happening to people).
Does anyone have any encouraging words or anyone who has CT'd from an antidepressant they only took briefly? How did you get through it, what was your experience?

Any support would be much appreciated. 

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

Anyone??

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to Phoenix1111: Switch from Fluoxetine to Vortioxetine
  • 4 months later...

Help!
 

So after having a pretty good day yesterday symptoms-wise today has been the complete opposite I got hit with severe anxiety and these dark thoughts bombarding my brain and having the urge to end my life it was almost like this weird compulsive urge. This has terrified me cos it was such a strong urge since I just didn’t want to suffer but I also don’t want to die either. 
I was forced to take a 2.5mg diazepam, I felt like it was my only choice and I’m terrified of getting sent to the psych ward and them introducing more meds.

is there anyone out there who struggled with this specifically in withdrawal and came out the other side? I finding it hard to find specific stories and my anxiety is so bad it feels like climbing a mountain just reading through everything.

@Altostrata or @Sassenach or anyone who can chat or advise me?

 

Thanks

 

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Unfortunately it's not unusual here at SA.

 

success-stories-recovery-from-withdrawal

 

Click in the search box top right of page, click on This Forum and then type in the symptom you want to search for.

* 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

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Ok thank you @ChessieCat I will have a look, thanks for your quick response.

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hello Phoenix,

I'm sorry to read you're struggling. 

 

It can be really hard to accept the unpredictable aspect of this process, I try to work on that too.

The fact that you have good days sounds good.

 

4 hours ago, Phoenix1111 said:

I was forced to take a 2.5mg diazepam

How often do you take Diazepam?

 

 

2006 : 20mg Paxil+Bromazepam. 2008 : cold turkey of both. 2010 : Reinstatement 20mg Paxil + Bromazepam.

2014-June2017 : Switch from Bromazepam to Prazepam, slow taper to 0mg.

2018 to August 2019 : Paxil 20mg taper (3% every 15 days). 22 Aug 2019 updose to 10mg (was at 8.4mg).

25th Sept 2019 To April 2020 : found SA, holding at 10mg Paxil. 

April 2020 : Paxil 10mg to Prozac 7mg bridge. Details topic/21457

 

Current Supplements : magnesium citrate + fish oil

Current medication :

* 7pm Diazepam  : 0.85mg (15 Aug 2022) / 0.95 mg (24 April 2022) / 1mg Diazepam (since 29 Aug 2020)

* 8am Prozac : 6.16mg (25 oct 2022, feel awful, slight updose) / 6.08 mg (9 oct 2022) / 6.24mg (11 July 22) / 6.44mg (22 May 22) / 6.64mg (4 Nov 21) / 6.72mg (8 oct 21) / 6.8 mg (15 Sept 21)6.88mg (14 Aug 21)/ 6.92mg (23 Jun 21)

 

I am not a professional, I don't give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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Thanks Erell,

 

I rarely take it and I tried to ride it out without it but it was just bad and every minute felt like an hour and it was torture. The last time I had any was maybe a month ago but I try not to take it 

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
4 minutes ago, Phoenix1111 said:

Thanks Erell,

 

I rarely take it and I tried to ride it out without it but it was just bad and every minute felt like an hour and it was torture. The last time I had any was maybe a month ago but I try not to take it 

 

I'm not judging you don't worry, I was asking because taking a benzo unconsistently can trigger symptoms.

Best to avoid it if you can.

 

I see you're holding 15mg Mirtazapine + 40mg Lovan since November 2019, right ?

How did your symptoms evolve since November ?

 

Take care ☀️

2006 : 20mg Paxil+Bromazepam. 2008 : cold turkey of both. 2010 : Reinstatement 20mg Paxil + Bromazepam.

2014-June2017 : Switch from Bromazepam to Prazepam, slow taper to 0mg.

2018 to August 2019 : Paxil 20mg taper (3% every 15 days). 22 Aug 2019 updose to 10mg (was at 8.4mg).

25th Sept 2019 To April 2020 : found SA, holding at 10mg Paxil. 

April 2020 : Paxil 10mg to Prozac 7mg bridge. Details topic/21457

 

Current Supplements : magnesium citrate + fish oil

Current medication :

* 7pm Diazepam  : 0.85mg (15 Aug 2022) / 0.95 mg (24 April 2022) / 1mg Diazepam (since 29 Aug 2020)

* 8am Prozac : 6.16mg (25 oct 2022, feel awful, slight updose) / 6.08 mg (9 oct 2022) / 6.24mg (11 July 22) / 6.44mg (22 May 22) / 6.64mg (4 Nov 21) / 6.72mg (8 oct 21) / 6.8 mg (15 Sept 21)6.88mg (14 Aug 21)/ 6.92mg (23 Jun 21)

 

I am not a professional, I don't give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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Hi Erell,

 

Yes I have stayed on the 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan and won’t be making any changes for a long time.

I had some symptoms on and off but they were manageable, then in June I had a few days where I had that feeling of fear and racing thoughts and it would last about 4 hours then stop. Then I had some depression, headaches etc then what I just went through yesterday which was so scary. I just woke up this morning wishing I was still asleep cos I’m so scared of feeling that way again.

I don’t want to be alone and just want someone to tell me it will be ok.

I am lucky to have my mum here with me but she doesn’t really know what to do and that’s the horrible part of going through this is that there really isn’t much anyone can do to help you just have to go through it 😔

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

Link to comment
  • ChessieCat changed the title to Phoenix1111: switch from fluoxetine to vortioxetine

So I’m feeling much better today, must have been a bad wave.

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

Link to comment
  • 3 weeks later...

I hope someone can help, today has been so hard and the anxiety has been really bad I’m having crazy thoughts that I just can’t go on like this but am also terrified of death so I feel so trapped. I actually had a pretty good day yesterday with symptoms and today is total opposite. I just don’t see any hope when I’m this terrified 

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...

Can anyone tell me if it is actually possible to wean off an antidepressant/snri without debilitating withdrawal, or is it inevitable that at some point once you get to the low doses  it will eventually hit you hard either way? 
I won’t be making any changes for a long time yet but eventually after I have stabilised for a significant period of time I will need to start weaning off the Mirtazapine, I have gained 20kgs (44-ish pounds) and I now have health issues related to the weight gain.
I am only 5’2” and was already overweight from other meds before Mirtazapine (which made matters much worse) it’s just too much for my frame. I already have one failed attempt at trying to come off the Mirtazapine and want to avoid a huge crash.
Any info or links on the subject of weaning without too many crippling symptoms would be appreciated 😊

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
7 minutes ago, Phoenix1111 said:

Can anyone tell me if it is actually possible to wean off an antidepressant/snri without debilitating withdrawal, or is it inevitable that at some point once you get to the low doses  it will eventually hit you hard either way? 

 

I've been tapering Pristiq for the last 5 years.  I started at 100mg and am now down to 0.56mg.  I initially tried to reduce from 100mg to 50mg and after 2 weeks of very bad withdrawal symptoms I found SA and updosed to 75mg.  Because I was experiencing mild serotonin syndrome I only waited about 2 months before starting to reduce again and I think I had to make a small updose at that time.  I think there was another time early on that I updosed a tiny bit.  However, after the first few reductions I've been steadily tapering by no more than 10% of current dose and have only experienced mild withdrawal symptoms during the last 4.5 years.  There have been several times during the 5 years that I have held a dose for longer simply to let my brain do any catching up it might need to do, not because I was experiencing withdrawal symptoms.  I've also held for longer recently because I injured my back.

 

It might be that you are not experiencing withdrawal symptoms but a drug interaction from:

 

15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

 

Q:  Lovan is fluoxetine?  Fluoxetine = Prozac.

 

Q:  What symptoms are you current experiencing?

 

Q:  Have you had your blood pressure checked?  Is it normal?

* 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

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Hi ChessieCat,

Thanks for your reply.

I am in withdrawal because after weaning for 18 months from the Mirtazapine then having to reinstate I also got put on Brintellix and stopped the Lovan for about 8 weeks then reversed and went back to original medications and stopped Brintellix, the last change was November last year, I’m still holding. There have been improvements but some days better than others. Before I made any of these changes I was the most stable I’ve pretty ever been on the Lovan and Mirtazapine cocktail but because of the side effects I have to eventually stop Mirtazapine. Unfortunately I am one of those people that was depressed before meds so I know I’ll be going back to that again.

Kind of damned if you do damned if you don’t really 😕

5 years is a really long slog, good on you for sticking it out, I know it’s not easy.

 

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
9 hours ago, Phoenix1111 said:

Unfortunately I am one of those people that was depressed before meds so I know I’ll be going back to that again.

 

I still suffer from periods of depression but I've learned many skills in recent years which help me get through those dark/er periods.  One thing which I found helpful was what an author stated in her book about suicide:  It's just a feeling and feelings change.

 

You might find it helpful to see a counsellor who can teach you general life coping skills, self soothing, self talk and cognitive behaviour techniques.

 

Please answer my questions.

* 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
18 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

 

Q:  Lovan is fluoxetine?  Fluoxetine = Prozac.

 

Q:  What symptoms are you current experiencing?

 

Q:  Have you had your blood pressure checked?  Is it normal?

Hi yes I am seeing a psychologist who does cbt.

 

I am taking 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg fluoxetine 

 

Current symptoms are windows and waves with anxiety with the odd day every 3 weeks or so with hellish anxiety most of the day and the next day I’m completely fine and feeling pretty good. I have been keeping a journal and there seems to be a pattern.
I’m also experiencing some days where my mood is low, some painful w/d headaches every few weeks, and some disrupted sleep on and off it all seems to be in cycles followed by feeling quite good and almost back to ‘normal’ before I made all these changes. 


Yes I had my blood pressure checked last week and it was fine.

 

I like what you said about feelings just being feelings and that they change, I think withdrawal from these meds forces you to learn that but boy are the feelings during w/d terribly convincing!

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I'm not sure if this has been discussed before but it you are still menstruating your cycle might affect your symptoms.  If you are peri- or menopause this can have an effect too.

 

I'm glad to hear that you are learning CBT.  I've renamed it to "change bad thinking".  However,  general life coping, self soothing and relaxation techniques are also worthwhile learning and using.

 

Are you ensuring that you take your drugs every day and at about the same time?

 

Do you take them together?

 

Are you taking any supplements or other drugs, drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages (eg cola, energy drinks, strong and/or lots of coffee)? 

 

Do you eat foods containing flavour enhancers, eg MSG, which are neurotoxins?  It is an ingredient in most Chinese meals, many savoury foods, chicken salt, flavoured chips/crisps, frozen and canned foods.

 

Sometimes 2 drugs that interact if taken a few hours apart can help to lessen the interaction.  If you take them together you might try changing the dose time of one of the drugs by 2 hours by taking one 1/2 hour later each day.

 

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

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That’s a good point my cycle may well be making things worse, I didn’t think of that.

 

I love your new term for CBT its brilliant! 😊

 

I take the fluoxetine in the morning and the Mirtazapine at night, both around the same time (I have a reminder on my phone that goes off the same time every day).


I am taking a mutli vitamin and magnesium every day, I don’t drink coffee but I have had more junk food lately which seems to be around my period, trying to rein this in.

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

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  • Moderator Emeritus
26 minutes ago, Phoenix1111 said:

That’s a good point my cycle may well be making things worse, I didn’t think of that.

 

Other members have noticed this.  Being 63 I'm well past that!

* 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

Thank you for your advice it helps to have someone who knows how rough this can be, some days the anxiety is so high I don’t think I can make it through the day it’s such a lonely feeling so I’m grateful for people like you taking the time to chat to me 😊

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Do you take your magnesium throughout the day or only one dose?  Throughout the day is better.

 

Is it just magnesium or does it contain something else?  Some of them contain Vitamin B6 which can be activating.

* 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

I usually take one in the morning, it’s just magnesium nothing else in it.

Is there a specific amount you are supposed to take?

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

* 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
4 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

Thanks so much 😊

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

You are welcome.  There are a lot of existing topics on this site.  I prefer to use a search engine and add

 

site: survivingantidepressants.org

 

to my search term.

* 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
  • 4 months later...

What is it about this process that when I’m going through a wave and feeling terrified my brain has me convinced it’s always going to be like this, it will never get better, I  will never be free etc

It’s so disheartening 😔

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

I don’t know if anyone is reading this but I just needed an outlet, today has been rough with anxiety and mental anguish I’m finding it so hard to stay positive and really need someone to tell me it will be ok.
I just can’t take it anymore, I’ve been through this over and over on and off for 20 years not knowing then what I know now but all those times have taken their toll and I can’t see past this horrible terrifying feeling

2000 - Aropax, Zoloft and other various ssri's 

2008?? - Lovan 40mg
2016 Nov - Mirtazapine 15mg after failed Lovan fast taper (didn’t know better)

2017 Dec - Started slow taper - 2019 July 0.5mg (crashed)

2019 July - Mirtazapine 15mg reinstated

2019 Aug - Started Vortioxetine 20mg and stopped Lovan 40mg

2019 Nov 3rd - Stopped Vortioxetine and went back up to 40mg Lovan and holding

2020 Sep - Windows and waves.... still holding on 15mg Mirtazapine and 40mg Lovan

Link to comment

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