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PMS, PMDD, and menstrual cycle issues during withdrawal and after


DSN13

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Hello Marian,

 

I am dealing with the same symptons as you. Sometimes is better, sometimes is worst, but It happens every single month since WD. I would love to give you an advice on have to deal with It, but the truth is I have no idea. Just the normal things: avoid stress, rest and try to eat healthy. Sorry I cant give you a better answer.

 

March 2019: 10mg Citalopram

April 2019: 20mg Citalopram

October/November 2019(sorry, I don't remember the exact date): 10mg of Citalopram without tapering, as suggested by my pharmacist. 

March 2020: Started "tapering", taking the 10mg of Citalopram every other day, again, following the recommendations of my pharmacist. 

April 2020: Stopped taking Citalopram.

I haven't reinstall since then. I've tried taking Magnesium a couple of times, but I found out it makes me nervous. I only take Paracetemol when the headache becomes unbearable (2gr every couple of weeks or so). 

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  • 3 months later...

Hello,

 

I'm late to this thread but ever since i quit my lexapro 4 years ago i'm suffering every month the 7-9 days before my cycle as well and i never did before. My main symptoms of PMDD is extreme breast tenderness going into my armpits, even more muscle pain/tension than i already have on a regular day from my protracted WD i'm still in.. Bouts of anxiety/panic that sometimes make getting a deep enough breath difficult, insomnia (which i already struggle with from WD) and sometimes dizziness/lightheadedness. 

It's brutal to have PMDD overlapping protracted WD every 21 days. 

I wish i could offer you advice and tips on what to do but i haven't found any myself thus far. 

Just letting you know you're not alone. 

 

How are you feeling now? 

Approximately 2010 started taking 10mg of Lexapro 

(increased to 20mg I forget when)

Stopped with no issues when i found out i was pregnant in Nov 2011, had my daughter in Aug 2012 developed post-partem depression and went back on Lexapro with no issues 

At the end of 2016 decided i wanted to be free from pharmaceuticals altogether and started a fast sporadic taper from 20mg down to 0mg in about a month. 

Been going through HELL ever since.

Present - 0mg in protracted withdrawal still.........

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  • 5 months later...
  • Moderator

I have noticed that my withdrawal symptoms get significantly worse during the last week of my cycle. I am not perimenopausal or menopausal based on tests.

Edited by Onmyway

"Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig 

 

I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. 

 

In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. 

 

Aug  2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg,  xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn 

Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used)

Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up)

September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0

Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd

March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week

Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering)

citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg,  7/27/19 -1.5 mg,  8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg

 

Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate

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  • 4 months later...

I just wanted to let everyone know that Magnesium has helped me immensely with my PMDD.

Ever since my too fast taper from a Dr I trusted, my periods became debilitating.  

I started by changing my diet and doing yoga.  I then slowly started my supplement journey - Magnesium, Fish Oil, Vitamin E and Niacinamide.

Every since I started Magnesium, my PMDD has lessened.  My uncontrollable crying fits and rage are non-existent.  Do I still get emotional?  Yes, but it is manageable and not all consuming.  They feel like more "normal" period symptoms now.  I no longer fear my period post-withdrawals. 

Starting around 2014 - 100mg Luvox / mid-August 2021 - 100mg Luvox to 50mg (30days) / mid-September 2021  - 25mg Luvox (30 days) / mid-October 2021 - Stopped completely / Tried 10mg of Prosac for 2 nights only (Dec 14-15, 2021) / Before all this in 2014, I was taking around 10mg of Lexapro for around 2-3 years

Supplements:  Chelated Magnesium / Fish Oil / Vitamin E

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  • 1 month later...

I'm all the sudden getting PMDD as well. It's a confusing mix of perimenopause, zoloft withdrawal and PMDD and I never know what to point to or where to put my energy. I did have trauma therapy EMDR that seemed to help quite a bit but when its a week before my period it's unbearable. Last month I was taking quercetin daily for my allergies and I had an easy go. This month I wasn't on quercetin and its brutal. Ive read theres a connection btw histamine and PMDD. Try reducing coffee and taking an antihistamine 2 weeks prior--maybe it will help?

 

SERTRALINE current taper

Oct 10, 2021: 18.75 mg dose/ 60mg weight; Nov 7, 2021: 15.6 mg dose/50mg weight; Nov 21, 2021: 12.5mg dose/40mg weight

Dec 26, 2021: 9.4 mg dose/30mg weight; Jan 23, 2022: 6.25mg dose/20mg weight; Feb 13, 2022: crossover from 6.25mg dose tablet to 6.25mg dose/.31ml liquid; Mar 13 2022: 0.28 ml; Mar 27, 2022: 0.25ml (5 mg dose if my math is correct); Apr 3, 2022: 0.23ml; Apr 10, 2022: 0.22ml; Apr 16,2022: 0.20ml; Jun 5, 2022: 0.19 ml; June 19, 2022: 0.18ml; Sep 25, 2022: 0.17ml; Oct 23, 2022: 0.16ml; Nov 20, 2022: 0.15 ml; Jan 22, 20230.14ml; slowly decreased over last year to Feb 1, 2024: 0.10ml;

 

SUPPLEMENTS

Daily: Fish Oil, Magnesium, micronized Progesterone 100mg

Periodically or as needed:  Allegra, Ibuprofen, Vitamin C, B-Complex, probiotics, Quercetin, Nasalcrom,  Stinging Nettle, Vit D

Sertaline Up and down mess: 2021, July 14: 25 mg, 2021, Mar 17: 18.75 mg, 2021, Mar 9: 12.5 mg, 2021, Mar 1: 25 mg, 2020, May 29: 37.5 mg, 2020, Feb 19: 25 mg, 2020, Feb 1: 18.75 mg, 2019, Nov 2: 12.5 mg, 2019, Oct 18: 6.25 mg 

ESCITALOPRAM (generic Lexapro) Sep 2017-June 2019  from 0-5 mg

Final taper: 5 mg > 2.5mg, then 2.5 every other day, then stop)

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On 3/22/2022 at 1:33 AM, HopingNWaiting said:

I just wanted to let everyone know that Magnesium has helped me immensely with my PMDD.

 

On 3/22/2022 at 1:33 AM, HopingNWaiting said:

Every since I started Magnesium, my PMDD has lessened.

 

Same here! Magnesium has been an absolute game-changer for me in regards to pre-menstrual (and menstrual) difficulties and discomforts. Everything from physical to emotional pain to cravings and fatigue are greatly reduced. Currently at a manageable level. 

I wish I had known this before withdrawal, I would have supplemented daily with magnesium for the past 30 years!!

Btw I've noticed that for me daily supplementation is really key. It doesn't help much if I just take magnesium for a few days around my period. But when I take it regularly every day for the whole month, it makes a world of difference. 

1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs)

2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?)    Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg  -->  July 2018 - 0mg

2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg    2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg  -->  July 2021 - 0mg

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)  -->  April 28th, 2021 - 0mg

supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  - Karle Wilson Baker

love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.  - Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are.  - text on homemade banner at Afiya house

 

I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. 

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@Marian @almuPA @Jayde86

 

How are you doing with this now? 

 

Have you tried supplementing regularly with daily magnesium? 

 

@almuPA I see from your signature that you've had experiences with magnesium making you nervous. Has this changed? 

1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs)

2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?)    Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg  -->  July 2018 - 0mg

2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg    2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg  -->  July 2021 - 0mg

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)  -->  April 28th, 2021 - 0mg

supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  - Karle Wilson Baker

love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.  - Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are.  - text on homemade banner at Afiya house

 

I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. 

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to PMDD / Premenstrual depression and psychosis

Helo @Ariel

 

As I was reading this threat I was thinking: I need to give magnesium another try:)

So I am not sure how I would react nowadays to it, but I will definitely give it a try. However, I will wait some weeks, since I am having a lot of stress at the moment and even though I am not reacting too bad at it, I don't want to give my system more stress. When I try it, I will share my experience. 

 

About PMDD, what I've found that has helped me is a low histamine, sugar, dairy and gluten free diet (not easy, at least for me, but worth it) and quitting contraception pills. I still have symptoms the days prior to my period, like crying spells, anxiety, cravings and tiredness, but I haven't had panic attacks in some months (fingers cross) and I am not bedbound all day long, even though I give myself time to rest during my PM days. 

March 2019: 10mg Citalopram

April 2019: 20mg Citalopram

October/November 2019(sorry, I don't remember the exact date): 10mg of Citalopram without tapering, as suggested by my pharmacist. 

March 2020: Started "tapering", taking the 10mg of Citalopram every other day, again, following the recommendations of my pharmacist. 

April 2020: Stopped taking Citalopram.

I haven't reinstall since then. I've tried taking Magnesium a couple of times, but I found out it makes me nervous. I only take Paracetemol when the headache becomes unbearable (2gr every couple of weeks or so). 

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@almuPA

Thanks for your update!

I'm sorry you are dealing with stress at the moment. It sounds like you are being gentle with yourself and taking very good care of your system.

 

49 minutes ago, almuPA said:

what I've found that has helped me is a low histamine, sugar, dairy and gluten free diet

 

Yes, I think avoiding these benefits me, too. 

 

Wishing you moments of peace and lightness <3

 

 

1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs)

2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?)    Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg  -->  July 2018 - 0mg

2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg    2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg  -->  July 2021 - 0mg

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)  -->  April 28th, 2021 - 0mg

supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  - Karle Wilson Baker

love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.  - Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are.  - text on homemade banner at Afiya house

 

I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. 

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On 4/30/2022 at 4:27 AM, Ariel said:

 

 

Same here! Magnesium has been an absolute game-changer for me in regards to pre-menstrual (and menstrual) difficulties and discomforts. Everything from physical to emotional pain to cravings and fatigue are greatly reduced. Currently at a manageable level. 

I wish I had known this before withdrawal, I would have supplemented daily with magnesium for the past 30 years!!

Btw I've noticed that for me daily supplementation is really key. It doesn't help much if I just take magnesium for a few days around my period. But when I take it regularly every day for the whole month, it makes a world of difference. 

What kind if magnesium do you take? Im taking Magnesium glycinate and it helps a bit with every day anxiety and better sleeo but outside of clonazepam, I have not found relief from PMDD. I already take two antihistamines as I live in texas and I have bad allergies and allergy induced asthma.

2002-2021: 19 yrs on/off psychotropics

2/2022: Wellbutrin 150mg, Lexapro 20mg  3/22: Wellbutrin 150mg xl, Lexapro 10mg    4/22: Wellbutrin 150xl, Lexapro 5mg 

4/2022: Lexa 7.5mg total, Wellbutrin 150mg    5/2022: Wellb 112.5mg xl, Lexa 7.5mg (Stopped Clonazepam & Hydroxyzine- didn't take often)

6/2022: Welbutrin 111mg xl, Lexa 6.8mg          8/2022: Wellbutrin 100mg xl, Lexa 6.8mg            10/9/22: Wellbutrin 100 mg IR, Lexa 6.5 mg

11/3/22: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6.5 mg       11/30/22: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6 mg

3/15/23: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6.2 mg???

Other Daily Meds: Singulair 10mg, Zyrtec 10mg, Spiriva Respimat inhaler.  Rarely taking: OTC pain relievers, Diclofenac, Cyclobenzaprine, anti acids

SupplementsFish oil 1300mg, Nigella oil, Mag Glycinate 200mg, Probiotics 30 billion, 1/5 dose prenatals, Melatonin .38mg, (Reishi, Lion's Mane & psilocybin microdosing by cycles)

 

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Hi @DazzlingCold

 

I use Plantforce brand "ionic magnesium citrate powder", natural unflavored. 

The label says: "Magnesium carbonate, citric acid. When the powder is mixed in water, ionic magnesium citrate is created from a highly absorbable proprietary blend of citric acid and magnesium carbonate."

I dissolve it in water and usually sip it in the morning and evening as needed. Have tried many different brands and formulations, incl. tablets and capsules, and this is my favorite. 

 

Also, I don't think it's exclusively the magnesium that has helped with PMDD. I believe there are several other contributing factors. A big one has been changing my diet (which, by the way, has also greatly helped my allergies; I no longer use antihistamines or any other allergy meds. I've written about what I eat in my intro thread). A decisive one, never to be underestimated, is time. As we heal and withdrawal intensity subsides, our hormones level out somewhat reducing severity of symptoms. Also gentle exercise, esp. modalities that emphasize muscle relaxation (e.g. menstrual cramps can in many cases be caused partially or wholly by chronic pelvic muscle tension, which a lot of us hold subconsciously, and can be mitigated by a regular practice of pelvic floor release work) throughout the body. 

 

Based on your signature it looks like you went off a high dose of Lexapro very quickly, over the course of 3 months? And fast tapered some other drugs as well, and have now reinstated? Has the reinstatement been successful in helping you stabilize? Broadly, our drug histories are not dissimilar (though I didn't have a chance to reinstate). These medications are so potent and affect all our systems. My otherwise regular-as-clockwork menses got thrown out of wack and was all over the place for almost two years. Not only the arrival of my period but wild fluctuations in hormone levels and impact throughout the cycle. 

 

What's your experience with PMDD? What was it like for you prior to withdrawal? How is it now?

 

 

 

 

 

1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs)

2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?)    Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg  -->  July 2018 - 0mg

2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg    2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg  -->  July 2021 - 0mg

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)  -->  April 28th, 2021 - 0mg

supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  - Karle Wilson Baker

love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.  - Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are.  - text on homemade banner at Afiya house

 

I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. 

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I've also found psoas release exercises to be very helpful. Gentleness and patience are key. Liz Koch's psoas work, Core Awareness, is brilliant. Has been an invaluable resource throughout withdrawal (not only to PMDD-related challenges but everything else, too). 

1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs)

2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?)    Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg  -->  July 2018 - 0mg

2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg    2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg  -->  July 2021 - 0mg

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)  -->  April 28th, 2021 - 0mg

supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  - Karle Wilson Baker

love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.  - Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are.  - text on homemade banner at Afiya house

 

I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. 

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12 hours ago, Ariel said:

Hi @DazzlingCold

 

I use Plantforce brand "ionic magnesium citrate powder", natural unflavored. 

The label says: "Magnesium carbonate, citric acid. When the powder is mixed in water, ionic magnesium citrate is created from a highly absorbable proprietary blend of citric acid and magnesium carbonate."

I dissolve it in water and usually sip it in the morning and evening as needed. Have tried many different brands and formulations, incl. tablets and capsules, and this is my favorite. 

 

Also, I don't think it's exclusively the magnesium that has helped with PMDD. I believe there are several other contributing factors. A big one has been changing my diet (which, by the way, has also greatly helped my allergies; I no longer use antihistamines or any other allergy meds. I've written about what I eat in my intro thread). A decisive one, never to be underestimated, is time. As we heal and withdrawal intensity subsides, our hormones level out somewhat reducing severity of symptoms. Also gentle exercise, esp. modalities that emphasize muscle relaxation (e.g. menstrual cramps can in many cases be caused partially or wholly by chronic pelvic muscle tension, which a lot of us hold subconsciously, and can be mitigated by a regular practice of pelvic floor release work) throughout the body. 

 

Based on your signature it looks like you went off a high dose of Lexapro very quickly, over the course of 3 months? And fast tapered some other drugs as well, and have now reinstated? Has the reinstatement been successful in helping you stabilize? Broadly, our drug histories are not dissimilar (though I didn't have a chance to reinstate). These medications are so potent and affect all our systems. My otherwise regular-as-clockwork menses got thrown out of wack and was all over the place for almost two years. Not only the arrival of my period but wild fluctuations in hormone levels and impact throughout the cycle. 

 

What's your experience with PMDD? What was it like for you prior to withdrawal? How is it now?

 

 

 

 

 

Love that idea of the pelvic floor excercises. As I get older PMS has turned into PMDD (self diagnosed lol) and now starts about 13 days before menstruation. Those days I am very depressed and what’s worse is the anxiety. I feel very easily overwhelmed and overstimulated, wanting to cry but not being able to, a LOT less tolerant, super irritable, feelings of not being loved, worthlessness, worse attention and memory issues. I isolate so as to not snap (specially at my mom). I try to not commit to things outside of the essentials (work, groceries and hygiene) because doing things im not up for those days make things worse. I may even need a mental health day from work during that time. I have intermittent FMLA.

 

During those days, I have to be extra gentle and compassionate with myself. I remind myself that I may not accomplish much during that time, but I will cycle out of it and I get a lot done (specially during ovulation). Thankfully, I do not feel much physical discomfort. I lift weights on/off and squatting is usually my favorite exercise and abs so that helps me not get any of the “warning” cramps that tell you your period is coming. But im not complaining, really, as I am also very regular. 
 

PMDD Symptoms during WD have worsened. Every month is different and I have only started this taper ~3/4 weeks ago. But there are months , during past tapers, during PMDD that I start loosing the sense of purpose in things and feel like I don’t want to live. (I have not felt that in years.) Never been suicidal and those severe depression symptoms don’t last more than hours or a day although they feel like they will lol. What I found helps too is listening to solfeggios, and just letting myself feel whatever arises, and not resist. I’ve been practicing tuning more into my body, noticing tension and what it communicates. I have been breathing (4 secs inhale, 7 secs hold, 8 secs exhale). When I finally get my period I feel like a very different person. I have yet to experience another cycle during this taper to see if there’s a pattern of worsened PMDD symptoms or any differences. i will definitely monitor that.

 

As far as the mess in psychiatric drug changes in the past 20 years, my signature doesn’t include the half of it as when I was diagnosed with ADHD, I was prescribed most ADHd meds one after another. And with “treatment resistant depression”, of course, there was another drug mess through the years. I can imagine how fragile my poor nervous system is at this point. As I hear from a Neuropsychologist… “bring love to your amygdala too”, “our nervous systems are just attempting to keeps us safe”. That helps bring more compassion which, during the worse days, is the only tool that helps.  Gotta remind myself that beating myself up is not productive. Self compassion practice has really made a difference in my life.

 

The jump of Lexapro, and Wellbutrin was a big one. I think I started it before running into this wealth of knowledge everyone shares here. The reinstatement of Lexapro from 5mg to 7.5 did help; although, shortly after I started PMDDing. I had a plan on how long tapering both meds would take, alarms, reminders, etc… and I have realized that lowering dosages is something I will plan according to how I respond. The emotional

part is the toughest and the cognitive impair is frustrating. So once Im done with hell week (PMDD), I will be able to better asses if I will take longer at this doses or not. What I do know for sure is that i’m doing a 10% taper of Lexapro next while keeping Wellbutrin where it is and go from there.

 

Would you mind sharing what your diet change looks like? ( I may have already asked. I’m a hot mess cognitively at this time. Im hoping this lessens as I slow down my taper. ) I try to eat a lot of protein and keep away from junk food but since this dose taper I want ALL THE SWEETS. 

 

loved your phrase at the and of your signature!
 

 

2002-2021: 19 yrs on/off psychotropics

2/2022: Wellbutrin 150mg, Lexapro 20mg  3/22: Wellbutrin 150mg xl, Lexapro 10mg    4/22: Wellbutrin 150xl, Lexapro 5mg 

4/2022: Lexa 7.5mg total, Wellbutrin 150mg    5/2022: Wellb 112.5mg xl, Lexa 7.5mg (Stopped Clonazepam & Hydroxyzine- didn't take often)

6/2022: Welbutrin 111mg xl, Lexa 6.8mg          8/2022: Wellbutrin 100mg xl, Lexa 6.8mg            10/9/22: Wellbutrin 100 mg IR, Lexa 6.5 mg

11/3/22: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6.5 mg       11/30/22: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6 mg

3/15/23: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6.2 mg???

Other Daily Meds: Singulair 10mg, Zyrtec 10mg, Spiriva Respimat inhaler.  Rarely taking: OTC pain relievers, Diclofenac, Cyclobenzaprine, anti acids

SupplementsFish oil 1300mg, Nigella oil, Mag Glycinate 200mg, Probiotics 30 billion, 1/5 dose prenatals, Melatonin .38mg, (Reishi, Lion's Mane & psilocybin microdosing by cycles)

 

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Hi @DazzlingCold

It's great that you exercise and practice non-drug coping techniques such as listening to music, conscious breathing, and self-compassion. Way to go! 

 

27 minutes ago, DazzlingCold said:

Would you mind sharing what your diet change looks like?

 

I've shared a post on this in my intro topic, you are welcome to have a read through. 

 

Sending you a hug and a high five 

 

1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs)

2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?)    Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg  -->  July 2018 - 0mg

2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg    2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg  -->  July 2021 - 0mg

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)  -->  April 28th, 2021 - 0mg

supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  - Karle Wilson Baker

love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.  - Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are.  - text on homemade banner at Afiya house

 

I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. 

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1 hour ago, Ariel said:

Hi @DazzlingCold

It's great that you exercise and practice non-drug coping techniques such as listening to music, conscious breathing, and self-compassion. Way to go! 

 

 

I've shared a post on this in my intro topic, you are welcome to have a read through. 

 

Sending you a hug and a high five 

 

Thank you! Right back at you! :)

2002-2021: 19 yrs on/off psychotropics

2/2022: Wellbutrin 150mg, Lexapro 20mg  3/22: Wellbutrin 150mg xl, Lexapro 10mg    4/22: Wellbutrin 150xl, Lexapro 5mg 

4/2022: Lexa 7.5mg total, Wellbutrin 150mg    5/2022: Wellb 112.5mg xl, Lexa 7.5mg (Stopped Clonazepam & Hydroxyzine- didn't take often)

6/2022: Welbutrin 111mg xl, Lexa 6.8mg          8/2022: Wellbutrin 100mg xl, Lexa 6.8mg            10/9/22: Wellbutrin 100 mg IR, Lexa 6.5 mg

11/3/22: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6.5 mg       11/30/22: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6 mg

3/15/23: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6.2 mg???

Other Daily Meds: Singulair 10mg, Zyrtec 10mg, Spiriva Respimat inhaler.  Rarely taking: OTC pain relievers, Diclofenac, Cyclobenzaprine, anti acids

SupplementsFish oil 1300mg, Nigella oil, Mag Glycinate 200mg, Probiotics 30 billion, 1/5 dose prenatals, Melatonin .38mg, (Reishi, Lion's Mane & psilocybin microdosing by cycles)

 

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  • 1 month later...
On 3/21/2022 at 7:33 PM, HopingNWaiting said:

I just wanted to let everyone know that Magnesium has helped me immensely with my PMDD.

Ever since my too fast taper from a Dr I trusted, my periods became debilitating.  

I started by changing my diet and doing yoga.  I then slowly started my supplement journey - Magnesium, Fish Oil, Vitamin E and Niacinamide.

Every since I started Magnesium, my PMDD has lessened.  My uncontrollable crying fits and rage are non-existent.  Do I still get emotional?  Yes, but it is manageable and not all consuming.  They feel like more "normal" period symptoms now.  I no longer fear my period post-withdrawals. 

Hello @HopingNWaiting, how many mg and what form of magnesium has been helpful for you?

2002-2021: 19 yrs on/off psychotropics

2/2022: Wellbutrin 150mg, Lexapro 20mg  3/22: Wellbutrin 150mg xl, Lexapro 10mg    4/22: Wellbutrin 150xl, Lexapro 5mg 

4/2022: Lexa 7.5mg total, Wellbutrin 150mg    5/2022: Wellb 112.5mg xl, Lexa 7.5mg (Stopped Clonazepam & Hydroxyzine- didn't take often)

6/2022: Welbutrin 111mg xl, Lexa 6.8mg          8/2022: Wellbutrin 100mg xl, Lexa 6.8mg            10/9/22: Wellbutrin 100 mg IR, Lexa 6.5 mg

11/3/22: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6.5 mg       11/30/22: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6 mg

3/15/23: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6.2 mg???

Other Daily Meds: Singulair 10mg, Zyrtec 10mg, Spiriva Respimat inhaler.  Rarely taking: OTC pain relievers, Diclofenac, Cyclobenzaprine, anti acids

SupplementsFish oil 1300mg, Nigella oil, Mag Glycinate 200mg, Probiotics 30 billion, 1/5 dose prenatals, Melatonin .38mg, (Reishi, Lion's Mane & psilocybin microdosing by cycles)

 

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10 hours ago, DazzlingCold said:

Hello @HopingNWaiting, how many mg and what form of magnesium has been helpful for you?

Hi @DazzlingCold,

 

I take 100 mg 4x/daily of Doctors Best Lysinate Glycinate 100% Chelated.

 

I cut out caffeine and alcohol as well as other diet changes.  I also try to get some form of exercise in (yoga or walking).

Starting around 2014 - 100mg Luvox / mid-August 2021 - 100mg Luvox to 50mg (30days) / mid-September 2021  - 25mg Luvox (30 days) / mid-October 2021 - Stopped completely / Tried 10mg of Prosac for 2 nights only (Dec 14-15, 2021) / Before all this in 2014, I was taking around 10mg of Lexapro for around 2-3 years

Supplements:  Chelated Magnesium / Fish Oil / Vitamin E

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  • 2 weeks later...

Magnesium has been an absolute game-changer for me in regards to pre-menstrual (and menstrual) difficulties and discomforts. Everything from physical to emotional pain to cravings and fatigue are greatly reduced. Currently at a manageable level. 

 

I wish I had known this before withdrawal, I would have supplemented daily with magnesium for the past 30 years!!

 

Btw I've noticed that for me daily supplementation is really key. It doesn't help much if I just take magnesium for a few days around my period. But when I take it regularly every day for the whole month, it makes a world of difference. 

 

I use Plantforce brand "ionic magnesium citrate powder", natural unflavored. The label says: "Magnesium carbonate, citric acid. When the powder is mixed in water, ionic magnesium citrate is created from a highly absorbable proprietary blend of citric acid and magnesium carbonate."

I dissolve it in water and usually sip it in the morning and evening as needed. Have tried many different brands and formulations, incl. tablets and capsules, and this is my favorite. 

 

Also, I don't think it's exclusively the magnesium that has helped with PMDD. I believe there are several other contributing factors.

A big one has been changing my diet (which, by the way, has also greatly helped my allergies; I no longer use antihistamines or any other allergy meds).

A decisive one, never to be underestimated, is time. As we heal and withdrawal intensity subsides, our hormones level out somewhat reducing severity of symptoms.

 

Also gentle exercise, esp. modalities that emphasize muscle relaxation (e.g. menstrual cramps can in many cases be caused partially or wholly by chronic pelvic muscle tension, which a lot of us hold subconsciously, and can be mitigated by a regular practice of pelvic floor release work) throughout the body.

 

I've also found psoas release exercises to be very helpful. Gentleness and patience are key. Liz Koch's psoas work, Core Awareness, is brilliant. Has been an invaluable resource throughout withdrawal (not only to PMDD-related challenges but everything else, too). 

 

These medications are so potent and affect all our systems. My otherwise regular-as-clockwork menses got thrown out of wack and was all over the place for almost two years. Not only the arrival of my period but wild fluctuations in hormone levels and impact throughout the cycle. It's gotten better and I trust it will continue to improve. 

1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs)

2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?)    Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg  -->  July 2018 - 0mg

2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg    2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg  -->  July 2021 - 0mg

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)  -->  April 28th, 2021 - 0mg

supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  - Karle Wilson Baker

love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.  - Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are.  - text on homemade banner at Afiya house

 

I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. 

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  • 1 month later...

Hope someone will read this. I’m at 8 months off ssri, suffering intensely. At first it was « just »awful  anxiety. Then I started having really bad PMS 4-5 days before my period (intense depression) that would pass instantly once periods started. Then I started having the PMS earlier , 2 weeks prior periods. Then the nightmare continues, last month as I get intense PMS, the scariest thing happened: it did not pass with my periods. I kept feeling awful. It didn’t pass either once periods were over. It went like this, debilitating depression since my last cycle, until I was 2 days pre ovulation and felt a HUGE immense relief, I felt healed, cured of everything. Then the night after that I ovulated (I feel pain when I ovulate so I know). The next morning my mood dropped drastically, and it kept dropping all day until I felt absolute torture. I couldn’t sleep last night. My periods are in two weeks. I feel my PMS or rather PMDD (which I NEVER HAD BEFORE SSRIS!!!) is becoming permanent. I feel like the serotonin drop is harder and harder for my brain to fix. 
This is pure hell. I’m terrified and in pain. 
Also: i do not take any contraceptive pill, does it help ? I read both yes and no so it’s not encouraging   

April 2020: 10mg Escitalopram 

July 2020: fast tapper tried to quit. Failed. 
september 2020: Trintellix 20mg. 
october 2021: fast taper off Trintellix (1 week). Reinstated 10mg in January 2022 for 3 weeks, failed, kindling effect so I quit rapidly, now off meds since then. 
 

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  • Moderator

I think you might be experiencing windows and waves and sometimes they coincide with your pre-period and sometimes they don't. Hormonal changes can in fact cause serious mood and physical changes but they are not a disorder.

 

There is no such thing as a PMDD- it's just a reaction to hormonal fluctuations that was rebranded so women could be sold more pills. Nothing is wrong with you. 

"Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig 

 

I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. 

 

In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. 

 

Aug  2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg,  xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn 

Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used)

Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up)

September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0

Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd

March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week

Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering)

citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg,  7/27/19 -1.5 mg,  8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg

 

Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate

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@Onmywayyour comment sounds totally flippant and gaslighting towards those of us suffering with PMDD and trying to navigate it without antidepressants. Not at all helpful.

I took Zoloft at 50mg/day, then 100mg/day, for 18 months for Postpartum Depression. My dr wanted to increase to 150mg, at which point I decided I needed to get off (at about 1 year). I had many debilitating symptoms but it took me a while to recognize that it was the drug causing the problems. I tapered off over 6 months, and had lots of horrible discontinuation symptoms. I went from 100 to 50 by alternating doses (doctor's plan), for probably 2-3 weeks, then to 50, and stayed there for several months. Then down to 25mg/day alternated with 50 mg/day for a couple of weeks, then straight 25, then every other day 25, for like 2 weeks each time, down to one dose of 25 every few days, then off completely. I'm now 3-4 months drug-free but still experiencing severe mood fluctuations and some depression and self-harm. Just wondering when it's all going to end and when I'll be back to my old self. As long as the answer isn't "never" I just want to hear other stories. xo

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@Twinmom, I am in no way denying that you are experiencing strong symptoms before your period.

 

But as all diagnostic labels it is just that - a label. It became a 'disorder' in 2013 in the DSM IV. If you prefer to label yourself as having a disorder, you are free to do so. That is not going to change my opinion that it is a made up label. 

 

It might help to know that the FDA had a special advisory in 1999 to agree that this constellation of symptoms were a psychiatric disorder so that they could approve fluoxetine for this use. Prozac's patent was expiring and so to avoid generic competition Eli Lilly rebranded fluoxetine as Serafem for Prozac.

 

https://www.webmd.com/women/pms/news/20000706/fda-approves-prozac-for-treating-severe-form-of-pms

https://universe.byu.edu/2000/05/16/prozacs-patent-soon-to-expire-controversy-still-rages/

https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/loweringthebar/61457

Edited by Onmyway

"Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig 

 

I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. 

 

In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. 

 

Aug  2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg,  xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn 

Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used)

Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up)

September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0

Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd

March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week

Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering)

citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg,  7/27/19 -1.5 mg,  8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg

 

Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate

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On 7/26/2022 at 2:29 AM, Nypeaches89 said:

Hope someone will read this. I’m at 8 months off ssri, suffering intensely. At first it was « just »awful  anxiety. Then I started having really bad PMS 4-5 days before my period (intense depression) that would pass instantly once periods started. Then I started having the PMS earlier , 2 weeks prior periods. Then the nightmare continues, last month as I get intense PMS, the scariest thing happened: it did not pass with my periods. I kept feeling awful. It didn’t pass either once periods were over. It went like this, debilitating depression since my last cycle, until I was 2 days pre ovulation and felt a HUGE immense relief, I felt healed, cured of everything. Then the night after that I ovulated (I feel pain when I ovulate so I know). The next morning my mood dropped drastically, and it kept dropping all day until I felt absolute torture. I couldn’t sleep last night. My periods are in two weeks. I feel my PMS or rather PMDD (which I NEVER HAD BEFORE SSRIS!!!) is becoming permanent. I feel like the serotonin drop is harder and harder for my brain to fix. 
This is pure hell. I’m terrified and in pain. 
Also: i do not take any contraceptive pill, does it help ? I read both yes and no so it’s not encouraging   

I relate to every part of the story. For me, PMS mood changes get worse with age (in general but at times it’s “milder”). I experience relief usually when I get my period and last

period I did not. 
i also experience better times during ovulation. We are such cyclical beings. Personally, I attribute worsening PMS symptoms and loner durations to age and WD. Ive heard that as we get closer to menopause, PMS gets worse. Not sure what age you are. I was told I am on perimenopause so it makes sense considering my experiences with worsening PMS. I interestingly , PMS physical symptoms have improved. Its just the anxiety and depression that get out of control. 
in regards to your question on birth control, I took it decades ago and it made me feel depressed and anxious and my appetite was unreal so I haven’t used them since. 
I have read that magnesium can help with PMS. I don’t know if it does, in my case. I have also read that a “low estrogen”, low inflammatory diet helps as well. I’m still making diet changes so I can’t speak to it yet. I thought it helped the first reduction but definitely didn’t see any help after the 2nd reduction, except maybe the unbearable days shortened by a couple of days. But I know you you know that every hour without such horrible PMS counts. It’s like having to endure life not one day at a time, but an hour or minute at a time those days. (For me it can be)

You aren’t alone with these horrible PMS symptoms. The struggle gets very real! Sending healing and peace to you.

2002-2021: 19 yrs on/off psychotropics

2/2022: Wellbutrin 150mg, Lexapro 20mg  3/22: Wellbutrin 150mg xl, Lexapro 10mg    4/22: Wellbutrin 150xl, Lexapro 5mg 

4/2022: Lexa 7.5mg total, Wellbutrin 150mg    5/2022: Wellb 112.5mg xl, Lexa 7.5mg (Stopped Clonazepam & Hydroxyzine- didn't take often)

6/2022: Welbutrin 111mg xl, Lexa 6.8mg          8/2022: Wellbutrin 100mg xl, Lexa 6.8mg            10/9/22: Wellbutrin 100 mg IR, Lexa 6.5 mg

11/3/22: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6.5 mg       11/30/22: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6 mg

3/15/23: Wellbutrin 96 mg IR, Lexa 6.2 mg???

Other Daily Meds: Singulair 10mg, Zyrtec 10mg, Spiriva Respimat inhaler.  Rarely taking: OTC pain relievers, Diclofenac, Cyclobenzaprine, anti acids

SupplementsFish oil 1300mg, Nigella oil, Mag Glycinate 200mg, Probiotics 30 billion, 1/5 dose prenatals, Melatonin .38mg, (Reishi, Lion's Mane & psilocybin microdosing by cycles)

 

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@onmyway it sounds like the fear you and probably others have of the condition being over medicalized for profit, though legitimate of course, is also part of the problem with learning more about it and women's reproductive health. It's not just about labels and words. I'll stick to looking to medical experts like my gyno about severe endocrinology fluctuations and symptoms of the disorder. 

I took Zoloft at 50mg/day, then 100mg/day, for 18 months for Postpartum Depression. My dr wanted to increase to 150mg, at which point I decided I needed to get off (at about 1 year). I had many debilitating symptoms but it took me a while to recognize that it was the drug causing the problems. I tapered off over 6 months, and had lots of horrible discontinuation symptoms. I went from 100 to 50 by alternating doses (doctor's plan), for probably 2-3 weeks, then to 50, and stayed there for several months. Then down to 25mg/day alternated with 50 mg/day for a couple of weeks, then straight 25, then every other day 25, for like 2 weeks each time, down to one dose of 25 every few days, then off completely. I'm now 3-4 months drug-free but still experiencing severe mood fluctuations and some depression and self-harm. Just wondering when it's all going to end and when I'll be back to my old self. As long as the answer isn't "never" I just want to hear other stories. xo

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3 hours ago, DazzlingCold said:

I relate to every part of the story. For me, PMS mood changes get worse with age (in general but at times it’s “milder”). I experience relief usually when I get my period and last

period I did not. 
i also experience better times during ovulation. We are such cyclical beings. Personally, I attribute worsening PMS symptoms and loner durations to age and WD. Ive heard that as we get closer to menopause, PMS gets worse. Not sure what age you are. I was told I am on perimenopause so it makes sense considering my experiences with worsening PMS. I interestingly , PMS physical symptoms have improved. Its just the anxiety and depression that get out of control. 
in regards to your question on birth control, I took it decades ago and it made me feel depressed and anxious and my appetite was unreal so I haven’t used them since. 
I have read that magnesium can help with PMS. I don’t know if it does, in my case. I have also read that a “low estrogen”, low inflammatory diet helps as well. I’m still making diet changes so I can’t speak to it yet. I thought it helped the first reduction but definitely didn’t see any help after the 2nd reduction, except maybe the unbearable days shortened by a couple of days. But I know you you know that every hour without such horrible PMS counts. It’s like having to endure life not one day at a time, but an hour or minute at a time those days. (For me it can be)

You aren’t alone with these horrible PMS symptoms. The struggle gets very real! Sending healing and peace to you.

I’m only 32… I have huge pain during ovulation so I also wonder if I don’t have some problem there. But still I 100% attribute this new type of Pms to wd. As always no doctor believes it, it’s so infuriating. I know they look at me like I’m a crazy anti meds person. Anyway I hope it passes this time with my periods otherwise it’s going to be unbearable. Last month was so hard. 

April 2020: 10mg Escitalopram 

July 2020: fast tapper tried to quit. Failed. 
september 2020: Trintellix 20mg. 
october 2021: fast taper off Trintellix (1 week). Reinstated 10mg in January 2022 for 3 weeks, failed, kindling effect so I quit rapidly, now off meds since then. 
 

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@Nypeaches89

 

29 minutes ago, Nypeaches89 said:

I’m only 32… I have huge pain during ovulation so I also wonder if I don’t have some problem there. But still I 100% attribute this new type of Pms to wd. As always no doctor believes it, it’s so infuriating. I know they look at me like I’m a crazy anti meds person. Anyway I hope it passes this time with my periods otherwise it’s going to be unbearable. Last month was so hard. 

 

Could you please set up your drug signature? 

As a fellow member of this site I rely on this information to provide context for people's comments. 

It would be very helpful!

Thank you <3

1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs)

2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?)    Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg  -->  July 2018 - 0mg

2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg    2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg  -->  July 2021 - 0mg

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)  -->  April 28th, 2021 - 0mg

supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  - Karle Wilson Baker

love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.  - Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are.  - text on homemade banner at Afiya house

 

I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. 

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5 minutes ago, Ariel said:

@Nypeaches89

 

 

Could you please set up your drug signature? 

As a fellow member of this site I rely on this information to provide context for people's comments. 

It would be very helpful!

Thank you ❤️

I have no idea how to do this… I wrote in my about me section but idk if that’s it? 

April 2020: 10mg Escitalopram 

July 2020: fast tapper tried to quit. Failed. 
september 2020: Trintellix 20mg. 
october 2021: fast taper off Trintellix (1 week). Reinstated 10mg in January 2022 for 3 weeks, failed, kindling effect so I quit rapidly, now off meds since then. 
 

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44 minutes ago, Nypeaches89 said:

I’m only 32… I have huge pain during ovulation so I also wonder if I don’t have some problem there. But still I 100% attribute this new type of Pms to wd. As always no doctor believes it, it’s so infuriating. I know they look at me like I’m a crazy anti meds person. Anyway I hope it passes this time with my periods otherwise it’s going to be unbearable. Last month was so hard. 

Hey @Nypeaches89, women's pain is often ignored while their moods are medicated. You should get checked out for endometriosis and PID. A friend just discovered her periods were unusually painful due to endometriosis for years. She didn't know because she always thought everyone else had such painful periods.

 

We don't know what about WD causes worse symptoms during PMS - it might be as simple as us being more sensitive to normal hormonal fluctuations, after all we are sensitive to so many things. Or it could be that our hormones are out of whack. My periods have gone out of order during WD for sure. I don't know if we will ever know.

 

OMW

"Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig 

 

I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. 

 

In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. 

 

Aug  2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg,  xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn 

Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used)

Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up)

September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0

Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd

March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week

Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering)

citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg,  7/27/19 -1.5 mg,  8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg

 

Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate

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In regards to WD-related symptoms, from personal experience, it does get better! 

 

Whether it's the sensitivity to hormonal fluctuations during my cycle or the hormones themselves or both or neither, the climbing-the-walls WD little shop of menstrual horrors thing does improve over time. (And, technically, I'm not getting any younger, so if anything I'm getting closer to perimenopause.) I still notice it but in general it has significantly decreased in intensity and the bothersome symptoms are fewer.

 

It's possible that supplementing with magnesium has been / is helpful to me with this (anecdotal evidence only) (see previous comments in this thread); as well as a regular practice of gentle muscle relaxation techniques, e.g. gentle yoga, stretching, psoas release exercises, etc. If nothing else, the magnesium and gentle exercises certainly haven't made things worse.

 

Takeaway: WD is temporary, it will pass. It gets better!

(Haha, menstruation is temporary, too. It will pass soon enough! Whichever passes first, WD or menses, amirite? Eventually we'll be free of both.) 

 

1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs)

2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?)    Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg  -->  July 2018 - 0mg

2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg    2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg  -->  July 2021 - 0mg

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)  -->  April 28th, 2021 - 0mg

supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  - Karle Wilson Baker

love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.  - Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are.  - text on homemade banner at Afiya house

 

I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. 

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8 minutes ago, Onmyway said:

Hey @Nypeaches89, women's pain is often ignored while their moods are medicated. You should get checked out for endometriosis and PID. A friend just discovered her periods were unusually painful due to endometriosis for years. She didn't know because she always thought everyone else had such painful periods.

 

We don't know what about WD causes worse symptoms during PMS - it might be as simple as us being more sensitive to normal hormonal fluctuations, after all we are sensitive to so many things. Or it could be that our hormones are out of whack. My periods have gone out of order during WD for sure. I don't know if we will ever know.

 

OMW

I’m going to do a big check up of everything. Maybe I have low œstrogen or some other hormone. Or maybe it’s just the wd that makes us extra sensitive. I’m upset because my parents don’t believe all this is caused by wd anymore. Even though my father could never quit SSRIs lol. No one believes me. It’s a special kind of hell to feel so unheard on this. 

April 2020: 10mg Escitalopram 

July 2020: fast tapper tried to quit. Failed. 
september 2020: Trintellix 20mg. 
october 2021: fast taper off Trintellix (1 week). Reinstated 10mg in January 2022 for 3 weeks, failed, kindling effect so I quit rapidly, now off meds since then. 
 

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21 minutes ago, Nypeaches89 said:

I’m going to do a big check up of everything. Maybe I have low œstrogen or some other hormone. Or maybe it’s just the wd that makes us extra sensitive. I’m upset because my parents don’t believe all this is caused by wd anymore. Even though my father could never quit SSRIs lol. No one believes me. It’s a special kind of hell to feel so unheard on this. 

It sucks to not be believed, sorry to hear that you have to deal with that. However, you can take solace in the fact that we are all going through this together. Your experience is real.

"Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig 

 

I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. 

 

In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. 

 

Aug  2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg,  xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn 

Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used)

Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up)

September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0

Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd

March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week

Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering)

citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg,  7/27/19 -1.5 mg,  8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg

 

Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate

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On 7/28/2022 at 9:45 AM, Onmyway said:

It sucks to not be believed, sorry to hear that you have to deal with that. However, you can take solace in the fact that we are all going through this together. Your experience is real.

My father even thinks of the Covid vaccine to explain my pmdd more than about the ssri withdrawal. Seriously we need a Netflix documentary to reveal the damages of these meds because nobody knows nor believes it!! 

April 2020: 10mg Escitalopram 

July 2020: fast tapper tried to quit. Failed. 
september 2020: Trintellix 20mg. 
october 2021: fast taper off Trintellix (1 week). Reinstated 10mg in January 2022 for 3 weeks, failed, kindling effect so I quit rapidly, now off meds since then. 
 

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19 minutes ago, Nypeaches89 said:

Seriously we need a Netflix documentary to reveal the damages of these meds because nobody knows nor believes it!! 

 

Watch this one.  Be aware that SA's taper rate is no more than 10% of current dose with a hold of at least 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.  I think the taper rate mentioned in this video is faster but they do say to reduce by less if you get withdrawal symptoms.  However the aim of tapering is to keep withdrawal symptoms to a minimum, not react after the fact by updosing and/or holding longer.

 

Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

* 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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24 minutes ago, Nypeaches89 said:

Seriously we need a Netflix documentary to reveal the damages of these meds because nobody knows nor believes it!! 

 

There is this one:

 

https://medicatingnormal.com/

 

From August 2020:

 

Medicating Normal - SurvivingAntidepressants.org Community Discussion video (1 hour and 26 minutes)

 

Alto is one of the panelists and gives a brief description of her withdrawal experience in this panel discussion which was shown after the presentation of the Surviving Antidepressants Presents showing of "Medicating Normal": 

 

AND

 

mad-in-america-surviving-antidepressants-an-interview-with-alto - audio and transcript

This podcast is an interview with Altostrata (SA's founder) and she talks about her own research and withdrawal experience and why she started this website after she was unable to get help from the medical professionals for her Paxil withdrawal symptoms.

* 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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On 7/26/2022 at 9:29 AM, Nypeaches89 said:

Hope someone will read this. I’m at 8 months off ssri, suffering intensely. At first it was « just »awful  anxiety. Then I started having really bad PMS 4-5 days before my period (intense depression) that would pass instantly once periods started. Then I started having the PMS earlier , 2 weeks prior periods. Then the nightmare continues, last month as I get intense PMS, the scariest thing happened: it did not pass with my periods. I kept feeling awful. It didn’t pass either once periods were over. It went like this, debilitating depression since my last cycle, until I was 2 days pre ovulation and felt a HUGE immense relief, I felt healed, cured of everything. Then the night after that I ovulated (I feel pain when I ovulate so I know). The next morning my mood dropped drastically, and it kept dropping all day until I felt absolute torture. I couldn’t sleep last night. My periods are in two weeks. I feel my PMS or rather PMDD (which I NEVER HAD BEFORE SSRIS!!!) is becoming permanent. I feel like the serotonin drop is harder and harder for my brain to fix. 
This is pure hell. I’m terrified and in pain. 
Also: i do not take any contraceptive pill, does it help ? I read both yes and no so it’s not encouraging   

My contraceptives help - but it depends which one you take. I had 3 different ones over my lifetime, and each one affected my mood in menstrual cycle differently. You have to find one that suits you well if you choose to take them.

In WD I also have PMS problems which I didn't have before, but they change depending whether my WD is better or worse at the time. What didn't change though is that I'm crappy depressed IN periods (but worse in WD).

 

Also don't forget that in WD you're much more sensitive to everything - food, supplements, hormone changes, etc. 8 months is a short time to say it's permanent. You're still in WD after all.

January 2021 - Took Effoxor 37.5mg then 75mg

June/July 2021 - Stopped taking Effoxor. (Cold turkey - had to reinstate 37.5mg two days later because of vomiting and then tapered quickly over the next few days). Mild withdrawal that lasted two weeks.

February 2022 - took 7.5mg Mirtazapine

4th April 2022 - stopped taking Mirtazapine 7.5mg (no tapering - I didn’t know about it until I was heavy into withdrawal.)

October 2023 - Escitalopram 1mg for two weeks, stopped because of strong heart issues (not that it did anything else except side effects)

 

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"

 

Currently taking Hormonal Contraceptive for PCOS since age of 13 (changed few brands over the years) and Probiotics

Occasionally Vitamins

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53 minutes ago, SunnyRainyDays said:

My contraceptives help - but it depends which one you take. I had 3 different ones over my lifetime, and each one affected my mood in menstrual cycle differently. You have to find one that suits you well if you choose to take them.

In WD I also have PMS problems which I didn't have before, but they change depending whether my WD is better or worse at the time. What didn't change though is that I'm crappy depressed IN periods (but worse in WD).

 

Also don't forget that in WD you're much more sensitive to everything - food, supplements, hormone changes, etc. 8 months is a short time to say it's permanent. You're still in WD after all.

Do you use an œstrogen + progesterone one ? I started one but it’s only progesterone as the other ones are dangerous for smokers like me. I’m at day 2 of using that, hope it’ll help… 

April 2020: 10mg Escitalopram 

July 2020: fast tapper tried to quit. Failed. 
september 2020: Trintellix 20mg. 
october 2021: fast taper off Trintellix (1 week). Reinstated 10mg in January 2022 for 3 weeks, failed, kindling effect so I quit rapidly, now off meds since then. 
 

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