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CyanideFlower

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Hello everyone. I'm CF.

 

Been of psychiatric medication for 4 years, when I was a teen - due to depression and eating disorders.

After switching many drugs, by August 2019 (discharged from last hospitalization) I was taking: 100*2mg Lamotrigine, 20*2mg Clotiapine, 25mg Promethazine, 400mg Seroquel XR, 60mg Mirtazapine.

In the past: Lustal, Lorivan, Clonazepam & more I don't have documentation of.

As of today, I take 100*2mg Lamictal, 400mg Seroquel XR and 45mg Mirtazapine.

I am interested in lowering all of those, currently very interested in lowering Seroquel...

 

I was never psychotic or manic. I was given Seroquel, Clotiapine and Promethazine because I was agitated and would self harm constantly.

These medications did not change my situation; ECT improved my situation for a month, than went away. Therapy in last year helped a lot.

--

 

My withdrawal history:

- Prozac: 20mg (1y) -> 30mg (short) -> 60mg (1y) -> 30mg (1d) -> 0.

Side effects: Unknown.

Withdrawal: I had no adverse reaction at all, the day I lowered to 30mg I was given Remeron and started having tics.

 

 - Clotiapine: 10*3mg (?m) -> 20*3 (4d) -> 20*2 (6m) -> 20mg (2w) -> 0.

Side effects: sleepiness (on 20*3).

Withdrawal: No symptoms, more energy.

 

- Promethazine: 25mg (6m) -> 0.

Side effects: helped with allergies.

Withdrawal: no symptoms, allergies still way better than before Promethazine😉

 

- Lamotrigine: 100mg (?) -> 100*2mg (3m) -> tampering to 0 in 2-3 weeks -> 100*mg (1.6y)

Side effects: dry mouth.

Withdrawal: Can not recall due to ECT treatment. I believe there were none but not 100% sure.

 

- Mirtazapine: 45mg (1d) -> 60mg (10m) -> 45 (1m).

Side effects: 60mg: tics (2h after administration, went away by next morning), sleepiness. The first day I was given Remeron I had tics and couldn't sleep, until I was given a sedative. Became better in the next week. 45mg: sleepiness.

Withdrawal: Went from 60mg to 45mg in 1 day. Immediately stopped getting tics, sleep about 1.5h less than on 60mg (7.5h/night now).

 

- Seroquel/Seroquel XR: 20mg (?) - 200mgXR + 20mg (?) -> 300mgXR (2y) -> 400mgXR (2y).

Side effects: major weight gain, sleepiness.

Withdrawal: not exactly withdrawal, but when I skip a night I have insomnia (2-3h sleep max), and when I skipped two doses - next day was almost normal (5-6h) with no side effects. Slightly sensitive/agitated on day 1 (lack of sleep?).

 

I stopped taking Promethazine and Clotiapine in October-December 2019, Mirtazapine 60->45mg - since March 2020.

 

These are the ones I can remember. I was given other medication before but I can not recall anything.

--

 

My current situation is, my Psychiatrist refuses to let me try and reduce Seroquel XR because of COVID situation. I take XR is cutting it myself is not an option. Don't know what to do, I want to stop taking it, more time = worse withdrawal.

I stopped taking 60mg Prozac with no issues (SERT, NET inhibition), Entumine (can not find mechanism of action), Promethazine (D2 and H1).

I never had any issues with using brand VS generic.

 

--

 

I interchangeably use: Lamictal & Lamotrigine; Clotiapine & Entumin/Etumin; Mirtazapine & Remeron.

Edited by Gridley
forgot to add something to seroquel. + added tags

01.2016->2.2016->03.2016: Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg, Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg*2, Prozac 10mg.

03.2016 - 07.2016: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records).

07.2016 - 04.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 250mg. 04.2017 - 11.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 200mg. 11.2017 - 04.2018: Sertraline 100mg, Seroquel XR 200mg.

04.2018 - 05.2018: Seroquel XR 150mg. 05.2018 - 10.2018: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records). 10.2018: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 20mg.

11.2018 - 05.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 60mg, Entumin (different doses up to 20*3mg), Promethazine 25mg. 05.2019 - 11.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Clotiapine (20*2mg), Promethazine 25mg. 11.2019 - 01.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Promethazine 25mg.

01.2020 - 03.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg.

03.2020 - 05.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45mg.

05.2020 - Current: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45->0mg in 5 weeks (cur: week 3).

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Titled:  App for tracking symptoms

 

Hi everyone :) I tried looking up apps that can help me track symptoms. I couldn't find anything that fits my needs - they were either unusable, or they were actually for tracking mood...

Is anyone using apps to track their symptoms?

 

For me, the best thing would be being able to enter a symptom (from a list is OK too) and be able to "check" when it's happening, at least. Even better if you can add how bad the symptom is (numbers or words).

 

Thanks a lot and stay safe,

CF.

 

(sorry if it's the wrong forum for such things)

Edited by manymoretodays
merged from S and SC

01.2016->2.2016->03.2016: Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg, Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg*2, Prozac 10mg.

03.2016 - 07.2016: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records).

07.2016 - 04.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 250mg. 04.2017 - 11.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 200mg. 11.2017 - 04.2018: Sertraline 100mg, Seroquel XR 200mg.

04.2018 - 05.2018: Seroquel XR 150mg. 05.2018 - 10.2018: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records). 10.2018: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 20mg.

11.2018 - 05.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 60mg, Entumin (different doses up to 20*3mg), Promethazine 25mg. 05.2019 - 11.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Clotiapine (20*2mg), Promethazine 25mg. 11.2019 - 01.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Promethazine 25mg.

01.2020 - 03.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg.

03.2020 - 05.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45mg.

05.2020 - Current: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45->0mg in 5 weeks (cur: week 3).

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi CyanideFlower and welcome,

 

Thank you for all the information, as well as getting your signature done.  You've kept some excellent records.

We generally approach tapering off these types of medications, with a harm reduction approach:

 

*Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

And more on WD(withdrawal):
 
 
you may be able to find a suitable withdrawal symptom checklist ^, or down load some of the charts, and then use them to track your symptoms.  I quoted your second post, in the ^ topic too.  Maybe another member has such an app as you are looking for.
 

 

When we take medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made.  The CNS likes stability. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.
 
On 4/6/2020 at 6:07 AM, CyanideFlower said:

As of today, I take 100*2mg Lamictal, 400mg Seroquel XR and 45mg Mirtazapine.

I am interested in lowering all of those, currently very interested in lowering Seroquel...

 

When do you take each of your drugs now?  Would you list the time of day, and then the medication by name and dose, when you next post.  Thank you.

Do you take 100 2 mg tablets of Lamictal now, or 100 mg of Lamictal 2 times each day?  Include the clotiapine/ Entumin as well.  Times that you use it, dose, and a general idea of the frequency of your usage(number of days in a row, how often in a weeks time, etc.)  Thank you.  This will be helpful in advising and supporting you.

 

For right now, if you could hold on any medication changes, that might be best.  While we get a chance to know you and your unique case.

When did you last taper?  From your signature, I can see that you decreased mirtazapine by 15 mg, since January.

 

On 4/6/2020 at 6:07 AM, CyanideFlower said:

My current situation is, my Psychiatrist refuses to let me try and reduce Seroquel XR because of COVID situation. I take XR is cutting it myself is not an option. Don't know what to do, I want to stop taking it, more time = worse withdrawal.

I stopped taking 60mg Prozac with no issues (SERT, NET inhibition), Entumine (can not find mechanism of action), Promethazine (D2 and H1).

I never had any issues with using brand VS generic.

 

I'm hoping you can do a nice taper, without worsening withdrawal.  It sounds like you have experienced WD already, from what you have said.

And I will give you a couple more links here, that apply, not to overwhelm you, but so that they will be here for reference too.

 

What kind of symptoms are you currently experiencing CyanideFlower?


Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

 

Tips for tapering off Seroquel(quetiapine)

 

Welcome aboard, as I like to say CF.  B)  This is your introduction page now, where you have introduced yourself to the community.  You can post any questions around your case here, and communicate with other members and moderators here as well.  Good to have you join us.

 

Love, peace, healing, and growth,

moderator manymoretodays(mmt)

Edited by manymoretodays
quoted post on app, and additional comment, spacing, ?, additional ?

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

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I currently do not take Entumin, I got off it in November (in two weeks). I did experience withdrawal, but never had any withdrawal effects.

 

Currently, these are my medication I take:

8am: Lamictal 100mg

1pm: Iron

6pm: Remeron 45mg, Seroquel XR 400mg

8pm: Lamictal 100mg

 

I looked up my medical history, and thanks to some consultation with my carer at the time, seems like when I reduced my dose from 250mg Seroquel XR (50 and 200 tablets) I did not have any withdrawal symptoms (that was in consultation with my psychiatrist at the time).

Do you know how soon do withdrawal symptoms appear after discontinuing/tapering XR anti-psychotics such as Seroquel XR?

 

In addition, is there a way to edit other posts? I tried editing the OP, but it does not have the "edit" option that appears below the post (like I had with this comment).

01.2016->2.2016->03.2016: Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg, Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg*2, Prozac 10mg.

03.2016 - 07.2016: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records).

07.2016 - 04.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 250mg. 04.2017 - 11.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 200mg. 11.2017 - 04.2018: Sertraline 100mg, Seroquel XR 200mg.

04.2018 - 05.2018: Seroquel XR 150mg. 05.2018 - 10.2018: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records). 10.2018: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 20mg.

11.2018 - 05.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 60mg, Entumin (different doses up to 20*3mg), Promethazine 25mg. 05.2019 - 11.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Clotiapine (20*2mg), Promethazine 25mg. 11.2019 - 01.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Promethazine 25mg.

01.2020 - 03.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg.

03.2020 - 05.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45mg.

05.2020 - Current: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45->0mg in 5 weeks (cur: week 3).

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi CF,

You only have an hour, in which to do edits.   And yes, that can make it difficult.  You could quote your post, by hitting the quote option at the bottom, and then go in and edit the quoted post.

 

Yes, and I do see that you stopped the Entumin now.

 

That's good, you did not feel any WD.  What did you go down to, in dose of Seroquel, that time?  I expect that you must have some WD going on, yet, maybe masked by some of your other drugs now.  And it can be so much easier on the nervous system, as a whole, and for good healing and recovery to go slowly.  Unless there is an absolute necessity to get off ones' drug.  Sometimes just getting down to lower doses helps so much, in feeling a bit more human, if heavily medicated.

I think that's sounds good to work on tapering the Seroquel XR first......so far.  Did you get a chance to get familiar with that tapering link?  That's a good one to look at.

 

With most of the drugs we see here, the dose change is registered in the body, at about 4-7 days after.  Hopefully with slow tapers, there will be less WD symptoms........unfortunately, not always the case.

 

Would you see if you can access Drugs.com and then plug each of your medications into the interactions checker?

 

On 4/8/2020 at 4:15 AM, CyanideFlower said:

Currently, these are my medication I take:

8am: Lamictal 100mg

1pm: Iron

6pm: Remeron 45mg, Seroquel XR 400mg

8pm: Lamictal 100mg

 

Good job!  Can you do the same for a couple of days now, and keeping the times on the left, add in symptoms too as they occur throughout the day and night.

And then, in general, how are you doing ?

 

And best, L, P, H, and G,

mmt

 

 

 

Edited by manymoretodays
Took out duplicated statements, requests

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

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  • Administrator
On 4/6/2020 at 5:07 AM, CyanideFlower said:

My current situation is, my Psychiatrist refuses to let me try and reduce Seroquel XR because of COVID situation. I take XR is cutting it myself is not an option. Don't know what to do, I want to stop taking it, more time = worse withdrawal.

I stopped taking 60mg Prozac with no issues (SERT, NET inhibition), Entumine (can not find mechanism of action), Promethazine (D2 and H1).

I never had any issues with using brand VS generic.

 

Welcome, CF. Thanks for the detailed information.

 

It looks like the last time you took Prozac was May 2019? After that, was there any change in the way you feel, or have you been stable on Lamictal, Remeron, and Seroquel since?

 

You're taking Remeron and Seroquel at the same time in the evening? What are your evenings like?

 

Is there a legal reason you need to see this psychiatrist?

 

Please review Tips for tapering off Seroquel(quetiapine) for background. You may need the help of a prescriber to taper off the extended-release form.

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

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 1 month later...

I'll be really happy if a mod would edit the title to something along the lines of: "CyanideFlower - coming off Mirtazapine" so other people will know what's the thread about.

 

Hello everyone, it's been a very long time. I attempted cold turkey-ing on Seroquel, was off for 4 days and decided to tell my therapist and family because I got scared everyone will be mad at me. My worst WD effect was definitely Insomnia - but it got my better on the 3rd day. On day 1, I slept for about 3 hours straight. On day 2, I couldn't fall asleep, and when at 3am or so I finally fell asleep, I would wake up every 15-20minutes until I gave up at 6am. On the next two days, I slept for about 5 hours.

I did have headaches but they were not very bad. On day 3-4 I had numbness around my upper arms, which it was not very bad - just weird and a scary.

I was extremely agitated, mainly because I kept thinking about how I'm lying to my therapist, and worrying something bad will happen to me... so I stopped.

That was what I experienced. 

 

Now, I am going to come off Mirtazapine 45mg with a plan my psychiatrist made. I was really surprised by it, but if everything goes well, I'll come off in 5 weeks! I thought it was going to take months (especially since 45mg Mirtazapine is considered a lot, as far as I know)... It it goes well, she'll try to take me off Seroquel, but she wants to keep me on Lamotrigine "to play safe".

 

The plan is as following:

Weeks 1+2: 30mg Mirtazapine (1 tab)

Weeks 3+4: 15mg Mirtazapine (1/2 tab)

Week 5: 7.5mg Mirtazapine (1/4 tab)

 

Currently, as of Day 3, I did not have any adverse effects. My mood has been stable (after weeks of being very upset and worried about something personal, it finally is resolved, so my mood is "better" compared to these weeks, but quite normal compared to calmer times).

I am mainly tracking my sleep, but so far there is no change: nowadays, after going from 60mg->45mg Mirtazapine, I sleep about 7-8 hours a night, if I take my pills.

 

Sleeping times:

(W1 D1) Sun->Mon, May 25: 7h 34m

(W1 D2) Mon->Tue, May 26: 7h 4m 

01.2016->2.2016->03.2016: Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg, Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg*2, Prozac 10mg.

03.2016 - 07.2016: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records).

07.2016 - 04.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 250mg. 04.2017 - 11.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 200mg. 11.2017 - 04.2018: Sertraline 100mg, Seroquel XR 200mg.

04.2018 - 05.2018: Seroquel XR 150mg. 05.2018 - 10.2018: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records). 10.2018: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 20mg.

11.2018 - 05.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 60mg, Entumin (different doses up to 20*3mg), Promethazine 25mg. 05.2019 - 11.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Clotiapine (20*2mg), Promethazine 25mg. 11.2019 - 01.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Promethazine 25mg.

01.2020 - 03.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg.

03.2020 - 05.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45mg.

05.2020 - Current: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45->0mg in 5 weeks (cur: week 3).

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I also want to make some things clear, as for my opinion on psychiatry and medication, since my beliefs are different from many others I read on this site.

 

Psychiatry has had results. It's still in it's infancy, and therefore many mistakes are made. However, there is a scientific basis for psychiatry and in this thread, as it is my thread, I will not address any comments that say otherwise. Psychiatry and psychiatric drugs saved countless lives, including people in my vicinity and myself. If you believe otherwise, I suggest you read the literature and look at the trajectory of any other medical (or scientific) field - and multiple the hardships by thousands, because the brain is the most complex organ of our bodies, and effects things that can not be seen of measured in any objective way - our thoughts and mood.

 

Continuing that line of thought, psychiatric medication is even newer, and is not even nearly mature yet. However, using it on people who need help is beneficial to some, and therefore risk is taken, to save at least part of us. As everyone knows, finding the right medication can be very hard - and they do work if you find the right one, except in rare cases (e.g. medication resistant depression).

In my case, I believe the right medication was not found / I am in fact medication resistant. I am on various medication, and since I do not think it helped in my case, I would like to get off it. Not because Psych medication is "bad", but because it did not help me. I do feel angry and blame my doctors for using such strong medication and doing it irresponsibly, on a child (I was given medication as a young teen), without explaining things clearly to my guardians and myself.

 

So, why am I even on this site? Because I know going off might be hard and sharing might make it easier, and I know that if I do well, other people might be encouraged and feel as scared about going off, as I was a month ago when I found out about Seroquel WD.

01.2016->2.2016->03.2016: Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg, Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg*2, Prozac 10mg.

03.2016 - 07.2016: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records).

07.2016 - 04.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 250mg. 04.2017 - 11.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 200mg. 11.2017 - 04.2018: Sertraline 100mg, Seroquel XR 200mg.

04.2018 - 05.2018: Seroquel XR 150mg. 05.2018 - 10.2018: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records). 10.2018: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 20mg.

11.2018 - 05.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 60mg, Entumin (different doses up to 20*3mg), Promethazine 25mg. 05.2019 - 11.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Clotiapine (20*2mg), Promethazine 25mg. 11.2019 - 01.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Promethazine 25mg.

01.2020 - 03.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg.

03.2020 - 05.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45mg.

05.2020 - Current: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45->0mg in 5 weeks (cur: week 3).

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hello Cyanide, 

 

36 minutes ago, CyanideFlower said:

So, why am I even on this site? Because I know going off might be hard and sharing might make it easier, and I know that if I do well, other people might be encouraged and feel as scared about going off, as I was a month ago when I found out about Seroquel WD.

 

Yes, on this site we do not share your point of view about psychiatry. We have here hundreds testimonies showing how damaging these drugs can be. 

 

You are on this site because you want to go off  I'm very concerned about this taper plan : 

 

1 hour ago, CyanideFlower said:

The plan is as following:

Weeks 1+2: 30mg Mirtazapine (1 tab)

Weeks 3+4: 15mg Mirtazapine (1/2 tab)

Week 5: 7.5mg Mirtazapine (1/4 tab)

 

This sounds like a way too fast taper. We don't say this to people to try to scare them, but because experience shows us all how powerfull these drugs can be, and how carefull we have to be when making dose changes. Too many people suffer deeply because of foolish taper plans advised by doctors and psychiatrists.

 

Please read with attentionthis link before following your plan 

 

 https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/

 

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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I am going to try and follow my psychiatrists' step, because unless I want to taper off alone (which won't happen with my Seroquel, as it's XR), I have to listen. If I have any major issues, obviously I'll contact her and we'll see what we'll do. As I said, I'm going to share what's happening.

 

Another thing is, excluding my cold turkeying of Seroquel which I didn't actually follow through for long enough to see how it affects me, I never had any issues with WD. As you can see in my history, I was on and taken off multiple drugs, and tapering was never a part of my doctors' plans. - 60mg Prozac in two days, 200mg Lamictal in about 2-3 weeks (memory non-existent thanks to ECT; I think my hands were shaking pretty badly but I was off Lamictal for 2+ months and didn't have major issues that led to reinstatement/was not okay, according to my family), Seroquel, Lustral, Lorivan...

In addition, going from 60 to 45 of Mirtazapine in one day did not give me any side effects - it was a very positive change for me (less sleep, to a reasonable amount of time). I'm way more worried about Seroquel.

01.2016->2.2016->03.2016: Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg, Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg*2, Prozac 10mg.

03.2016 - 07.2016: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records).

07.2016 - 04.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 250mg. 04.2017 - 11.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 200mg. 11.2017 - 04.2018: Sertraline 100mg, Seroquel XR 200mg.

04.2018 - 05.2018: Seroquel XR 150mg. 05.2018 - 10.2018: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records). 10.2018: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 20mg.

11.2018 - 05.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 60mg, Entumin (different doses up to 20*3mg), Promethazine 25mg. 05.2019 - 11.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Clotiapine (20*2mg), Promethazine 25mg. 11.2019 - 01.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Promethazine 25mg.

01.2020 - 03.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg.

03.2020 - 05.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45mg.

05.2020 - Current: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45->0mg in 5 weeks (cur: week 3).

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  • Moderator Emeritus
9 hours ago, CyanideFlower said:

 

I'll be really happy if a mod would edit the title to something along the lines of: "CyanideFlower - coming off Mirtazapine" so other people will know what's the thread about.

 

 

 

I've made this change.

Gridley Introduction

 

Lexapro 20 mg since 2004.  Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017.   

End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg 

End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg

End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg  

Oct. 30, 2020  Jump to zero from 0.025mg.  Current dose: 0.000mg

3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete.

 

Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements

Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium

Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium 

End 2021  year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg

End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg 

End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg

Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper.

Taper is 95% complete.

 

Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986.  Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg  

March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper

Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper

Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper.  Current dose as of Feb. 22: 7.6mg

Taper is 90% complete.  

  

Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, anti-candida, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase


I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs.

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Thanks @Gridley!

 

(W1 D3) Tue->Wen

Dose: 30mg Mirtazapine  at 18:00 (see post 2 below this one for member's comment)

Other medication: 100mg Lamictal (8:00) / 1 tab iron (13:00) / 400mg Seroquel (18:00) / 100mg Lamictal (20:00)

Side effects: None visible; in pain due to menstruation. Pain is not abnormal. Mood swings not abnormal.

Sleeping: 7h 16m. No trouble falling asleep, no nightmares.

 

Edited by ChessieCat
added dates/CC added Mirt drug name and note

01.2016->2.2016->03.2016: Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg, Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg*2, Prozac 10mg.

03.2016 - 07.2016: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records).

07.2016 - 04.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 250mg. 04.2017 - 11.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 200mg. 11.2017 - 04.2018: Sertraline 100mg, Seroquel XR 200mg.

04.2018 - 05.2018: Seroquel XR 150mg. 05.2018 - 10.2018: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records). 10.2018: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 20mg.

11.2018 - 05.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 60mg, Entumin (different doses up to 20*3mg), Promethazine 25mg. 05.2019 - 11.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Clotiapine (20*2mg), Promethazine 25mg. 11.2019 - 01.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Promethazine 25mg.

01.2020 - 03.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg.

03.2020 - 05.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45mg.

05.2020 - Current: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45->0mg in 5 weeks (cur: week 3).

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to CyanideFlower: Coming Off Mirtazapine
  • Moderator Emeritus
1 hour ago, CyanideFlower said:

Dose: 30mg at 18:00

 

To ensure that your notes are not misread, please add the drug name.

 

Thanks.

* 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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1 hour ago, ChessieCat said:

 

To ensure that your notes are not misread, please add the drug name.

 

Thanks.

It's been too long and I can't edit my post. It was Mirtazapine 30mg. 

01.2016->2.2016->03.2016: Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg, Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg*2, Prozac 10mg.

03.2016 - 07.2016: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records).

07.2016 - 04.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 250mg. 04.2017 - 11.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 200mg. 11.2017 - 04.2018: Sertraline 100mg, Seroquel XR 200mg.

04.2018 - 05.2018: Seroquel XR 150mg. 05.2018 - 10.2018: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records). 10.2018: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 20mg.

11.2018 - 05.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 60mg, Entumin (different doses up to 20*3mg), Promethazine 25mg. 05.2019 - 11.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Clotiapine (20*2mg), Promethazine 25mg. 11.2019 - 01.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Promethazine 25mg.

01.2020 - 03.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg.

03.2020 - 05.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45mg.

05.2020 - Current: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45->0mg in 5 weeks (cur: week 3).

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Been a while since I updated, but I'm now on Day 10 (already took 9 Mirtazapine 30mg doses) and I haven't experienced any side effects. I'll be going down to 15mg next Sunday.

- My mood has been stable (although my eating disorder behaviours have been bad in the last couple of days)

- I sleep 7:16h on average (without my alarm on, I sleep for 7:45-7:58). I remember my dreams which is unusual, but I don't have nightmares so it doesn't bother me.

- The numbness I experienced in my upper arms was gone in two days.

01.2016->2.2016->03.2016: Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg, Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg*2, Prozac 10mg.

03.2016 - 07.2016: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records).

07.2016 - 04.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 250mg. 04.2017 - 11.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 200mg. 11.2017 - 04.2018: Sertraline 100mg, Seroquel XR 200mg.

04.2018 - 05.2018: Seroquel XR 150mg. 05.2018 - 10.2018: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records). 10.2018: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 20mg.

11.2018 - 05.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 60mg, Entumin (different doses up to 20*3mg), Promethazine 25mg. 05.2019 - 11.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Clotiapine (20*2mg), Promethazine 25mg. 11.2019 - 01.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Promethazine 25mg.

01.2020 - 03.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg.

03.2020 - 05.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45mg.

05.2020 - Current: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45->0mg in 5 weeks (cur: week 3).

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  • Moderator Emeritus
14 minutes ago, CyanideFlower said:

The numbness I experienced in my upper arms was gone in two days.

 

Since this has now gone, you might want to consider reducing more slowly, assuming that this was the symptom which you were trying to resolve.  I think it would be senseless to risk causing other withdrawal symptoms when the reason you wanted to reduce so quickly is no longer a problem.

 

If I recall correctly we have members here on SA who have reduced their mirtazapine too quickly and have ended up suffering from insomnia.

 

 

Edited by ChessieCat
added info about insomnia

* 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 6/2/2020 at 9:11 AM, ChessieCat said:

 

Since this has now gone, you might want to consider reducing more slowly, assuming that this was the symptom which you were trying to resolve.  I think it would be senseless to risk causing other withdrawal symptoms when the reason you wanted to reduce so quickly is no longer a problem.

 

If I recall correctly we have members here on SA who have reduced their mirtazapine too quickly and have ended up suffering from insomnia.

It's not a symptom I was trying to resolve; I experienced it once when I skipped multiple doses of Seroquel, but it went away. Did not experience it before.

The numbness appeared again on Wednesday, but disappeared in about 2.5 hours. Massaging my arms did not help.

 

I'm currently taking half of the dose of Mirtazapine I took until Mid March. My sleeping time did decrease by about 1.5h (from 9 to 7.5~) when my dosage was decreased from 60 to 45, but I did not experience any Insomnia or significant drop in sleeping time since going to 30.

Today is my last day on 30mg. Tomorrow I'll be going down to 15mg, as per my Psychiartist's plan. I'll stay on 15mg for 2 weeks and then decrease to 7.5mg.

 

Summarizing this period of 30mg Mirtazapine (decrease from 45mg) - 2 weeks:

Sleeping:

  • Sleeping time has slightly decreased (average 15 minutes/night).
  • Do not have trouble falling asleep.
  • No increase in nightmares (1-2 I woke up from/remember over 2 weeks), do remember my dreams more often than before.

Food intake: No change.

Mood/Mental symptoms: 

  • Higher average weekly mood - probably because things are going back to pre-COVID schedule.
  • No trouble concentrating or thinking.
  • Memory is still weak.

Physical:

  • No back/neck tics (frequent SE on 60, infrequent on 45).
  • No change in eye tic frequency (high).
  • Numbness of the upper arms, one/both arms, does not decrease with massaging - 3 times (~2d with breaks, 2.5h, ?h) over 2 weeks. Unpleasant feeling but not debilitating.

01.2016->2.2016->03.2016: Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg, Prozac 20mg -> Lorazepam 1mg*2, Prozac 10mg.

03.2016 - 07.2016: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records).

07.2016 - 04.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 250mg. 04.2017 - 11.2017: Sertraline 150mg, Seroquel XR 200mg. 11.2017 - 04.2018: Sertraline 100mg, Seroquel XR 200mg.

04.2018 - 05.2018: Seroquel XR 150mg. 05.2018 - 10.2018: UNKNOWN (Hospitalization, no records). 10.2018: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 20mg.

11.2018 - 05.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Prozac 60mg, Entumin (different doses up to 20*3mg), Promethazine 25mg. 05.2019 - 11.2019: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Clotiapine (20*2mg), Promethazine 25mg. 11.2019 - 01.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg, Promethazine 25mg.

01.2020 - 03.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 60mg.

03.2020 - 05.2020: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45mg.

05.2020 - Current: Lamotrigine 100*2mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Mirtazapine 45->0mg in 5 weeks (cur: week 3).

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