GNz11 Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 Hi! I am in search of some guidance... Since October I have been tapering Lithium and I am now doing fine (not whithout bumps in the road though...) For other reasons, in the last couple of months I have been seeing a GP practising alternative medicine and when I told him I was tapering lithium he gave me some advice, based on his experience with patients tapering psychiatric meds. He suggested me to take magnesium, which I was already taking, and also cannabis sativa oil (not cannabis indica). He seems to have had many patients in my conditions, but since this is quite an uncharted territory I would like to know if you see any potential negative interference with my taper. Thank you so much! 2008: diagnosed with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder . Since then: Treated with different SSRI (Paroxetine, Fluoxetine, Escitalopram, a mix of Escitalopram and Venlafaxine, Venlafaxine, Sertraline) and benzodiazepines One serious anxious/depressive episode, unrelated to changes in medications, culminating in a brief hospitalization Two attempted withdrawal/reduction of drugs, trying to plan pregnancy, under psychiatric supervision. They both ended with a "relapse" diagnosis and the last one (2019) ended also with a strong increase in medications (Lithium sulfate 124,5mg, Olanzapine 5mg, Sertraline 100mg) 2020: third attempt at withdrawing (planning pregnancy), still on-going. February/March: following Psychiatrist recommendation, added 25mg of Setraline, reaching 125mg, then cold turkeyed Olanzapine. After 2/3 days: tinnitus, 'exploding' chest and head, derealization, irritability, mild anxiety. After 4 weeks: lack of concentration, tiredness, fatigue, sadness. Held there for a while and in June/July started to feel better. October 25th: following Psychiatrist recommendation, Lithium from 124,5mg to 83 mg in 1 day. After 4 days: first physical symptoms (fatigue, headache, nausea, 'exploding' chest and head). After 2 weeks: also psychological symptoms (mild anxiety, growing irritability, light head, difficulty to focus and to sleep) November: Discovered survivingantidepressants.org and on November 30th reinstated 2mg of Lithium , on top of 83mg dose. Immediate relief. December 29th: eliminated the 2 resinstated mg. After 6 days: general sense of agitation, irritability, mild anxiety, insomnia, 'exploding head', mitigating after 10/15 days. Next step: mid February, from 83mg to 75mg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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