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Aveju: hi, tapering from Zoloft


Aveju

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I’m happy to hear you’re having good results @Aveju. I had the free consult today but going to use her starting Monday with our first real convo. I’m really curious with what she says and the supplements. I already take fish oil, vitamin C, D, magnesium, nac, gaba.  She also said she could probably get me off this in a year. I know that would be more than a 10% taper and I know SA advises to just take fish oil and magnesium but I may go her route. 

36/M, started 10mg escitalopram June 2011

Sept 20th 2021 - increased 10mg to 15mg.
Oct 1st 2021 -November 16th 2021 drug merry go round. Effexor, Zoloft, pristiq.
Nov 22nd 2021 - lexapro 5mg

nov 29th, 2021 - lexapro 10mg

Dec 29th, 2021 - lexapro 15mg

Jan 20th, 2022 - lexapro 20mg

Jan 25th,2022 - lexapro 15mg,Feb 15th,2022 - lexapro 10mg ,Nov 22nd, 2021 - Dec 20th, 2021 -Xanax .25 X2 a day,Dec 20th, 2021 - Jan 16th, 2022 Klonopin .25 daily

2022

,-June 25 - 7.5mg pill, 2.5mg liquid ,-June 28 - 5mg pill, 5mg liquid ,-July 18th - 9.8mg (5mg pill, 4.8mg liquid),-Aug 1 - 9.6mg (5mg pill, 4.6 liquid) ,-Aug 16 - All liquid (9.6MG) ,-Sept 18th - 9.4MG,-Oct 18th - 9.2MG. -Nov 21st - 9MG 2023, April 17th - 8.8MG, May 15th - 8.6MG, June 19th - 8.4MG, Aug 1 - 8.2Mg, Sept 2, 8mg, Oct 9th 7.8mg, Nov 6, 7.6mg, Dec 8th, 7.4mg, Jan 23, 7.2mg magnesium, fish oil

 

 

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@Conner she really does seem to know what she’s doing and it has worked really well for me so far.  
SA is not keen on supplements and I was wary of taking them.  Dr. Britz was very understanding of that and she told me I could add one supplement at a time if that made me more comfortable with it.  I’ve been doing a 2% taper every 2 weeks on Zoloft, but I’m going to try to do a modified brassmonkey taper - now that I am feeling more confident and have been given some tools from Dr. Britz.  I’ll go follow your thread, hoping that you get good results as well!

 

1992-1995 Prozac+klonopin, 11 y/o

1996 - 1997 Celexa and lithium

1998-1999 Paxil; 2000 -2008 Prozac

2006-2007 Gabapentin, CT’d (for a herniated disc injury) still took prozac

2008-2010 Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin

2008 to present - Zoloft

Started tapering from 200 mg Sertraline/Zoloft in 2014.  Stayed at 25 mg for 2.5-3 years, went back up to 37.5 mg due to the pandemic anxiety in March/April 2020

Started slow taper from 37.5mg in Nov 2020.  2022: 5/9 17.4 mg.  6/06 17 mg. 7/06 16.7 mg.  7/20 16.3. 8/15 15.7. 8/24 15.4.  9/23 15.1. 11/16 13.3. 12/14 12.8. 2023: 4/18 10.3. 5/23 9.8. 7/11 9.2 10/17 7.2. 12/05 6.5. 2024: 01/24 5.5.

Supplements: Mag glycinate, Omega 3, Multi Mins, Lithium orotate, D3, K2, Niacinamide, C, desiccated liver, glycine, soy lecithin, B12, B6, B9, evening primrose oil, probiotics, biotrophic plus.

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  • Mentor

@Aveju

Hi I wanted to stop by and connect with another long time drug user LOL You also had a merry-go-round of drugs.  I have a long and history of mostly ssri use, but with a few repeated attempts to get off and I think the drugs just were not helping in the long run ended up poly drugged.    Now like you I am faced with finding the strength and determination to get off these.  I have been in some sort of Withdrawal and adverse drug effect since summer of 2020. Actually I think I was in ADR and or poop out of the drugs before that. 

 

Could you share some more about Julia Britz and how she helps you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24894-greatful-is-this-withdrawal-or-to-many-med-changes-at-once/

1995? Prozac,  tried several Paxil, Serzone, St John's Wart back to Prozac and Trazodone ct:d Traz

 Lexapro. Tried to stop Crash in 2015  Kindled   Hospitalized, Vybrid, Seroquel, Effexor, Abilify  Pristiq, Wellbutrin-- 2016  ended back on   Prozac and Lamictal 200mg

5/2020  thru 12/2020 taper from 20mg  Prozac  down to 3mg.  Crashed  12/13/2020 Zoloft 50mg 1/29ct  1/29/2021 Seroquel 50mg ct  2/12/2021 Wellbutrin 75mg.  Became hypo manic 2/1  6ct Trazodone 50mg 4/25  25mg 2/5/ 2021 Lamictal 150mg.  2/24  100mg   4/9  75mg   4/21 37.5 

2/16/2021 Seroquel 50xr  3/3 100mg  3/17  150mg  side effects ct   4/3 2021 Lexapro 5mg  4/14  7.5mg  4/30 10mg  5/10  7.5mg 

2021/ 5/16  5mg Lexapro   37.5 Lamictal   25mg trazadone,   xanax  .0625mg  3x a day   

Lexapro  Taper> Sept/01/2021  4.90mg>  Sept/25  4.75mg>   Oct/19 4.69mg > Nov/14 4.2mg    Jan/30/2022-- Split dosing 2x a day All liquid  4.2mg  (2.20mg at 8am & 2mg at 4pm) 2/17 4mg>  2/24  3.8mg  slow taper to  Aug/12/2022 2.04mg  2023> 2mg,  1.90mg, 1.80mg, 1.70mg, 1.5mg, 1.4mg, 1.3mg 1.2mg, 1.1mg, 1mg, 0.9mg, 0.8mg, 0.7mg 0.65mg, 0.6mg, 0.55mg, 0.5mg, 0.45mg, 0.4mg, 0.35mg, 0.3mg, 0.25,mg, back to once a day dosing 0 .1mg, 0.07mg

Lamictal  taper  4/17/ 2022 25mg, 9/9/ 22 -20mg, 9/25/22- 15mg , 10/20/22-   0

 Trazodone..2023.>down to 14mg, 7mg, 6mg  July 2023   0

Xanax  0.0625 3 x a day,  2023>  0.042 3x a day

Supplements  Magnesium glycinate, Omega 3, D3, vitamin c , zinc, NAC 

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Hi @Greatful  I'm following your thread!  You have been through quite a bit 😔  I hate to see other people struggling through this, but on the other hand it's helpful to know that none of us are alone in this.  

 

Dr. Britz is a naturopathic dr who has dealt with her own mental disorders of OCD, anxiety, addiction, and a long time with benzos.   

She definitely has knowledge and experience applicable to those of us in withdrawal or who seem to be stuck while tapering.  

I've met with her 3x online and she has a whole body approach: diet, lifestyle, and supplements to support the body while tapering.  My understanding from following her on social media is that she does a lot of lab testing, but I had some done recently that I was able to provide to her and she noticed things that my primary care dr hadn't noted.

 

Dr. Britz follows similar tapering guidelines as SA - no more than 10% per month.  She was surprised that I'm only doing 2% drops, but she is completely supportive of the slow/low tapers and even discouraged me from trying to go faster after a month of supplementing that made me feel better.

 

I'll update with a post on here after my next appointment, at the end of August.

1992-1995 Prozac+klonopin, 11 y/o

1996 - 1997 Celexa and lithium

1998-1999 Paxil; 2000 -2008 Prozac

2006-2007 Gabapentin, CT’d (for a herniated disc injury) still took prozac

2008-2010 Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin

2008 to present - Zoloft

Started tapering from 200 mg Sertraline/Zoloft in 2014.  Stayed at 25 mg for 2.5-3 years, went back up to 37.5 mg due to the pandemic anxiety in March/April 2020

Started slow taper from 37.5mg in Nov 2020.  2022: 5/9 17.4 mg.  6/06 17 mg. 7/06 16.7 mg.  7/20 16.3. 8/15 15.7. 8/24 15.4.  9/23 15.1. 11/16 13.3. 12/14 12.8. 2023: 4/18 10.3. 5/23 9.8. 7/11 9.2 10/17 7.2. 12/05 6.5. 2024: 01/24 5.5.

Supplements: Mag glycinate, Omega 3, Multi Mins, Lithium orotate, D3, K2, Niacinamide, C, desiccated liver, glycine, soy lecithin, B12, B6, B9, evening primrose oil, probiotics, biotrophic plus.

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  • Mentor

@Aveju I wanted to stop by your thread to see how you are doing. You are defiantly headed in the right direction. Good for you. I look forward to your update after your next appointment.

 

I am not a health professional in any way.  I do not give medical advice.   Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a professional medical practitioner.

 

NEW INFORMATION FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER

April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 20, 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20,  575 to 500 (13%),  Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475mg (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%), Nov 21, 2022 500mg

Medications: Gabapentin, Prednisone 1.5mg a day, Cortisol Inhaler daily. 

HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER

Feb. 2016 to June 2016  - Was on 150mg Zoloft.  Put on Gabapentin at 900mg a day in 2016 due to antidepressant withdrawal. 

Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June  2016,  reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016.  From July 2016  to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper.

STARTING SENSIBLE  ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM THIS SITE

Dec. 10 2016  - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg.   Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mgFeb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%).  Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg.  May 9, 2020 1.375 mg.  June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%).  July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%).  August 15, 2020 1.0 mg.  Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg.  Nov. 28, 2020 .75mgJan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%).  Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg.  May 1, 2021 .375mg.  May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .0125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg.  October 2, 2021 .043mg.  October 10, 2021 .038mg.  October 23, 2021 .035mg.  October 30, 2021 .032mg.  Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg.  Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg.  Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY

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  • 2 weeks later...

How did your appointment with Dr Britz go? I have one with her next week 

36/M, started 10mg escitalopram June 2011

Sept 20th 2021 - increased 10mg to 15mg.
Oct 1st 2021 -November 16th 2021 drug merry go round. Effexor, Zoloft, pristiq.
Nov 22nd 2021 - lexapro 5mg

nov 29th, 2021 - lexapro 10mg

Dec 29th, 2021 - lexapro 15mg

Jan 20th, 2022 - lexapro 20mg

Jan 25th,2022 - lexapro 15mg,Feb 15th,2022 - lexapro 10mg ,Nov 22nd, 2021 - Dec 20th, 2021 -Xanax .25 X2 a day,Dec 20th, 2021 - Jan 16th, 2022 Klonopin .25 daily

2022

,-June 25 - 7.5mg pill, 2.5mg liquid ,-June 28 - 5mg pill, 5mg liquid ,-July 18th - 9.8mg (5mg pill, 4.8mg liquid),-Aug 1 - 9.6mg (5mg pill, 4.6 liquid) ,-Aug 16 - All liquid (9.6MG) ,-Sept 18th - 9.4MG,-Oct 18th - 9.2MG. -Nov 21st - 9MG 2023, April 17th - 8.8MG, May 15th - 8.6MG, June 19th - 8.4MG, Aug 1 - 8.2Mg, Sept 2, 8mg, Oct 9th 7.8mg, Nov 6, 7.6mg, Dec 8th, 7.4mg, Jan 23, 7.2mg magnesium, fish oil

 

 

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So I seem to be back in a wave? I don’t know anymore.  I was doing so well for the whole month of July and most of August.   I rolled my ankle 4 weeks ago and so I haven’t been able to be active.  That could be a large part of why I'm feeling so crummy.  I used to go for daily walks and go to the gym 2-3x weekly.  I’ve been down to very little physical activity and my ankle is still a bit swollen.

 

I dropped my dose 2 weeks ago and I think I’m going to hold it until I feel better.  I’ve found that when in doubt, it’s better to just hold.

 

I’ve had a few appointments with Dr. Britz since the end of June.  I have been meeting with her once a month.

When I started the supplements she recommended I was very nervous, but they did help me a lot.  Many of them are supplements talked about in threads on this site and I’m not going to go into them because I know it’s against the rules.

I am wondering though, if it’s not good to take the supplements daily and if some build up in the system or can go sideways during tapering.

 

 

 

1992-1995 Prozac+klonopin, 11 y/o

1996 - 1997 Celexa and lithium

1998-1999 Paxil; 2000 -2008 Prozac

2006-2007 Gabapentin, CT’d (for a herniated disc injury) still took prozac

2008-2010 Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin

2008 to present - Zoloft

Started tapering from 200 mg Sertraline/Zoloft in 2014.  Stayed at 25 mg for 2.5-3 years, went back up to 37.5 mg due to the pandemic anxiety in March/April 2020

Started slow taper from 37.5mg in Nov 2020.  2022: 5/9 17.4 mg.  6/06 17 mg. 7/06 16.7 mg.  7/20 16.3. 8/15 15.7. 8/24 15.4.  9/23 15.1. 11/16 13.3. 12/14 12.8. 2023: 4/18 10.3. 5/23 9.8. 7/11 9.2 10/17 7.2. 12/05 6.5. 2024: 01/24 5.5.

Supplements: Mag glycinate, Omega 3, Multi Mins, Lithium orotate, D3, K2, Niacinamide, C, desiccated liver, glycine, soy lecithin, B12, B6, B9, evening primrose oil, probiotics, biotrophic plus.

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Update:  Now I'm just in a depressed state.  Back to sleeping okay.  I wake up a lot and have nocturia. I hate how this happens unannounced and I was even holding on my taper 🤬 Other than that, I'm okay.

I am having one of those days where I just want to cry and sit in a pity party because of all that has been done to me.  So now I'm just pissed off and want to complain, ha ha.

I am going to lower my dose tonight, because I weighed the pills last night for the next two weeks with a 2% decrease and I was feeling okay yesterday.  I don't want to have to spend a while weighing pills again tonight. 

1992-1995 Prozac+klonopin, 11 y/o

1996 - 1997 Celexa and lithium

1998-1999 Paxil; 2000 -2008 Prozac

2006-2007 Gabapentin, CT’d (for a herniated disc injury) still took prozac

2008-2010 Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin

2008 to present - Zoloft

Started tapering from 200 mg Sertraline/Zoloft in 2014.  Stayed at 25 mg for 2.5-3 years, went back up to 37.5 mg due to the pandemic anxiety in March/April 2020

Started slow taper from 37.5mg in Nov 2020.  2022: 5/9 17.4 mg.  6/06 17 mg. 7/06 16.7 mg.  7/20 16.3. 8/15 15.7. 8/24 15.4.  9/23 15.1. 11/16 13.3. 12/14 12.8. 2023: 4/18 10.3. 5/23 9.8. 7/11 9.2 10/17 7.2. 12/05 6.5. 2024: 01/24 5.5.

Supplements: Mag glycinate, Omega 3, Multi Mins, Lithium orotate, D3, K2, Niacinamide, C, desiccated liver, glycine, soy lecithin, B12, B6, B9, evening primrose oil, probiotics, biotrophic plus.

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  • Mentor

@Aveju It's ok to have a pity party once in a while. You need to complain while going through your tapering process, after all a huge disservice has been done to you. Letting the anger out helps. I hope your latest reduction goes smoothly.

 

I am not a health professional in any way.  I do not give medical advice.   Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a professional medical practitioner.

 

NEW INFORMATION FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER

April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 20, 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20,  575 to 500 (13%),  Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475mg (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%), Nov 21, 2022 500mg

Medications: Gabapentin, Prednisone 1.5mg a day, Cortisol Inhaler daily. 

HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER

Feb. 2016 to June 2016  - Was on 150mg Zoloft.  Put on Gabapentin at 900mg a day in 2016 due to antidepressant withdrawal. 

Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June  2016,  reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016.  From July 2016  to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper.

STARTING SENSIBLE  ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM THIS SITE

Dec. 10 2016  - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg.   Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mgFeb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%).  Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg.  May 9, 2020 1.375 mg.  June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%).  July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%).  August 15, 2020 1.0 mg.  Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg.  Nov. 28, 2020 .75mgJan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%).  Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg.  May 1, 2021 .375mg.  May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .0125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg.  October 2, 2021 .043mg.  October 10, 2021 .038mg.  October 23, 2021 .035mg.  October 30, 2021 .032mg.  Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg.  Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg.  Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY

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@RachelSusan Thank you ☺️ 

my husband weighed out my pills for me last night so that I can stay on the same dose.  I’ll see if I feel up to tapering next week.  This will make 4 weeks of holding, which I know is so good for my body to get a break.

 

I'm wondering if I’m reaching the point where my 2% cuts every two weeks need to be held longer.  Only time will tell.

1992-1995 Prozac+klonopin, 11 y/o

1996 - 1997 Celexa and lithium

1998-1999 Paxil; 2000 -2008 Prozac

2006-2007 Gabapentin, CT’d (for a herniated disc injury) still took prozac

2008-2010 Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin

2008 to present - Zoloft

Started tapering from 200 mg Sertraline/Zoloft in 2014.  Stayed at 25 mg for 2.5-3 years, went back up to 37.5 mg due to the pandemic anxiety in March/April 2020

Started slow taper from 37.5mg in Nov 2020.  2022: 5/9 17.4 mg.  6/06 17 mg. 7/06 16.7 mg.  7/20 16.3. 8/15 15.7. 8/24 15.4.  9/23 15.1. 11/16 13.3. 12/14 12.8. 2023: 4/18 10.3. 5/23 9.8. 7/11 9.2 10/17 7.2. 12/05 6.5. 2024: 01/24 5.5.

Supplements: Mag glycinate, Omega 3, Multi Mins, Lithium orotate, D3, K2, Niacinamide, C, desiccated liver, glycine, soy lecithin, B12, B6, B9, evening primrose oil, probiotics, biotrophic plus.

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • Mentor

@Aveju I am checking in to see how you are doing.  I know you were considering holding your cuts for a bit longer.

 

I have been concerned because you mentioned feeling depressed.  No pressure to answer if you don't feel up to it. Just know your pals at Surviving Anti-depresants are here in case you need us.


Warm wishes.

Rachel

 

I am not a health professional in any way.  I do not give medical advice.   Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a professional medical practitioner.

 

NEW INFORMATION FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER

April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 20, 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20,  575 to 500 (13%),  Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475mg (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%), Nov 21, 2022 500mg

Medications: Gabapentin, Prednisone 1.5mg a day, Cortisol Inhaler daily. 

HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER

Feb. 2016 to June 2016  - Was on 150mg Zoloft.  Put on Gabapentin at 900mg a day in 2016 due to antidepressant withdrawal. 

Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June  2016,  reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016.  From July 2016  to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper.

STARTING SENSIBLE  ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM THIS SITE

Dec. 10 2016  - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg.   Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mgFeb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%).  Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg.  May 9, 2020 1.375 mg.  June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%).  July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%).  August 15, 2020 1.0 mg.  Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg.  Nov. 28, 2020 .75mgJan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%).  Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg.  May 1, 2021 .375mg.  May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .0125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg.  October 2, 2021 .043mg.  October 10, 2021 .038mg.  October 23, 2021 .035mg.  October 30, 2021 .032mg.  Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg.  Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg.  Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY

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@RachelSusan thanks for checking on me!!! I held on that last dose for 4 weeks and I tapered 2% to 15.1 mg a week ago.  I’m feeling pretty good most of the time now!!

I’ve had some days of exhausted or no reason, blurry vision, anxiety and weeping, aches/pains, bad sleep; but otherwise I’m doing well.  
 

thank you so much for the nudging and the reminder that this forum is here to support me 🤗 

1992-1995 Prozac+klonopin, 11 y/o

1996 - 1997 Celexa and lithium

1998-1999 Paxil; 2000 -2008 Prozac

2006-2007 Gabapentin, CT’d (for a herniated disc injury) still took prozac

2008-2010 Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin

2008 to present - Zoloft

Started tapering from 200 mg Sertraline/Zoloft in 2014.  Stayed at 25 mg for 2.5-3 years, went back up to 37.5 mg due to the pandemic anxiety in March/April 2020

Started slow taper from 37.5mg in Nov 2020.  2022: 5/9 17.4 mg.  6/06 17 mg. 7/06 16.7 mg.  7/20 16.3. 8/15 15.7. 8/24 15.4.  9/23 15.1. 11/16 13.3. 12/14 12.8. 2023: 4/18 10.3. 5/23 9.8. 7/11 9.2 10/17 7.2. 12/05 6.5. 2024: 01/24 5.5.

Supplements: Mag glycinate, Omega 3, Multi Mins, Lithium orotate, D3, K2, Niacinamide, C, desiccated liver, glycine, soy lecithin, B12, B6, B9, evening primrose oil, probiotics, biotrophic plus.

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  • 1 month later...

Just an update-I’ve been doing pretty good for the past month.  I will be doing a 2% drop tonight, to 13.9 mg.


I would like to change the time of the day that I take Zoloft.  Is it safe to just start taking it earlier in the day?  I’m experiencing Nocturia.  It’s been going on for nearly a year and I’m wondering if it may have to do with me taking Zoloft before bedtime.  it’s so annoying and I had been contributing the Nocturia to other things until I researched it.

1992-1995 Prozac+klonopin, 11 y/o

1996 - 1997 Celexa and lithium

1998-1999 Paxil; 2000 -2008 Prozac

2006-2007 Gabapentin, CT’d (for a herniated disc injury) still took prozac

2008-2010 Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin

2008 to present - Zoloft

Started tapering from 200 mg Sertraline/Zoloft in 2014.  Stayed at 25 mg for 2.5-3 years, went back up to 37.5 mg due to the pandemic anxiety in March/April 2020

Started slow taper from 37.5mg in Nov 2020.  2022: 5/9 17.4 mg.  6/06 17 mg. 7/06 16.7 mg.  7/20 16.3. 8/15 15.7. 8/24 15.4.  9/23 15.1. 11/16 13.3. 12/14 12.8. 2023: 4/18 10.3. 5/23 9.8. 7/11 9.2 10/17 7.2. 12/05 6.5. 2024: 01/24 5.5.

Supplements: Mag glycinate, Omega 3, Multi Mins, Lithium orotate, D3, K2, Niacinamide, C, desiccated liver, glycine, soy lecithin, B12, B6, B9, evening primrose oil, probiotics, biotrophic plus.

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  • Mentor

@Aveju I want to wish you luck on your upcoming drop.

 

If you want to change the time you take you medication I would suggest that you move the time slowly. Maybe each day move it back by one hour? Also if possible,  do it when you are not experiencing any symptoms from your drop.

 

I hope you resolve the reason for the nocturia, it can be so frustrating when all you really want is a good night's sleep.

 

I am not a health professional in any way.  I do not give medical advice.   Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a professional medical practitioner.

 

NEW INFORMATION FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER

April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 20, 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20,  575 to 500 (13%),  Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475mg (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%), Nov 21, 2022 500mg

Medications: Gabapentin, Prednisone 1.5mg a day, Cortisol Inhaler daily. 

HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER

Feb. 2016 to June 2016  - Was on 150mg Zoloft.  Put on Gabapentin at 900mg a day in 2016 due to antidepressant withdrawal. 

Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June  2016,  reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016.  From July 2016  to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper.

STARTING SENSIBLE  ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM THIS SITE

Dec. 10 2016  - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg.   Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mgFeb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%).  Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg.  May 9, 2020 1.375 mg.  June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%).  July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%).  August 15, 2020 1.0 mg.  Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg.  Nov. 28, 2020 .75mgJan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%).  Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg.  May 1, 2021 .375mg.  May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .0125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg.  October 2, 2021 .043mg.  October 10, 2021 .038mg.  October 23, 2021 .035mg.  October 30, 2021 .032mg.  Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg.  Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg.  Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY

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Hello, so nice to read that your are going well, please can you tell me what scales do you use? mine jump a little, it makes the process very difficult. Thank you and good luck.

10.2021 temazepam for 3 weeks KT

november all terrible symptoms 

12.2021 started sertraline ,from may 2022 until middle of September decrease from 50mg to 15mg

6.09.2022 -13.09.2022 diclifenac

25.09-27.09 antibiotics clindamicin

13.09 decrease sertralin from 15mg to 12mg

7.01 5 mg Sertralin 

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Hi @Eera thank you for your comment.  The scale I have been using for the last 2 years is the GEMINI-20 Portable Precision Digital Milligram Scale 20g x 0.001g (Silver), GEMINI-20. I ordered it off of Amazon and it does jump around sometimes.  I have found that I have to let it sit at room temperature for a day before I use it.  That seems to help. 

1992-1995 Prozac+klonopin, 11 y/o

1996 - 1997 Celexa and lithium

1998-1999 Paxil; 2000 -2008 Prozac

2006-2007 Gabapentin, CT’d (for a herniated disc injury) still took prozac

2008-2010 Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin

2008 to present - Zoloft

Started tapering from 200 mg Sertraline/Zoloft in 2014.  Stayed at 25 mg for 2.5-3 years, went back up to 37.5 mg due to the pandemic anxiety in March/April 2020

Started slow taper from 37.5mg in Nov 2020.  2022: 5/9 17.4 mg.  6/06 17 mg. 7/06 16.7 mg.  7/20 16.3. 8/15 15.7. 8/24 15.4.  9/23 15.1. 11/16 13.3. 12/14 12.8. 2023: 4/18 10.3. 5/23 9.8. 7/11 9.2 10/17 7.2. 12/05 6.5. 2024: 01/24 5.5.

Supplements: Mag glycinate, Omega 3, Multi Mins, Lithium orotate, D3, K2, Niacinamide, C, desiccated liver, glycine, soy lecithin, B12, B6, B9, evening primrose oil, probiotics, biotrophic plus.

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Thank you, I have Gemini too, I will try to follow your advice, sorry to bother you, but you have been on zoloft for a long time, so i would like to ask if you had strange fleeting thoughts that you might harm someone, sorry for this question, you don’t have to answer, if you don’t want, but I have such thoughts and I don’t understand what it is. It’s scares me so much.

10.2021 temazepam for 3 weeks KT

november all terrible symptoms 

12.2021 started sertraline ,from may 2022 until middle of September decrease from 50mg to 15mg

6.09.2022 -13.09.2022 diclifenac

25.09-27.09 antibiotics clindamicin

13.09 decrease sertralin from 15mg to 12mg

7.01 5 mg Sertralin 

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@Eera I have not had those kind of thoughts.  I definitely have crazy thoughts, just not along the same lines that you are having.  Everyone is affected differently by these medications.  I wish that there was something we could all do to make this whole process easier and to ease the constant intrusive thinking.   I believe it's important to remember that they are just thoughts, it's a sign that the brain and body are healing.  The thoughts are not who we are, we do not have permanently broken brains.  I have personally found distraction and keeping busy to be my best tool (other than my relationship with God).

1992-1995 Prozac+klonopin, 11 y/o

1996 - 1997 Celexa and lithium

1998-1999 Paxil; 2000 -2008 Prozac

2006-2007 Gabapentin, CT’d (for a herniated disc injury) still took prozac

2008-2010 Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin

2008 to present - Zoloft

Started tapering from 200 mg Sertraline/Zoloft in 2014.  Stayed at 25 mg for 2.5-3 years, went back up to 37.5 mg due to the pandemic anxiety in March/April 2020

Started slow taper from 37.5mg in Nov 2020.  2022: 5/9 17.4 mg.  6/06 17 mg. 7/06 16.7 mg.  7/20 16.3. 8/15 15.7. 8/24 15.4.  9/23 15.1. 11/16 13.3. 12/14 12.8. 2023: 4/18 10.3. 5/23 9.8. 7/11 9.2 10/17 7.2. 12/05 6.5. 2024: 01/24 5.5.

Supplements: Mag glycinate, Omega 3, Multi Mins, Lithium orotate, D3, K2, Niacinamide, C, desiccated liver, glycine, soy lecithin, B12, B6, B9, evening primrose oil, probiotics, biotrophic plus.

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@Eera. I hope that you may find this list helpful for distractions.

https://withdrawal.theinnercompass.org/coping/distractions

1992-1995 Prozac+klonopin, 11 y/o

1996 - 1997 Celexa and lithium

1998-1999 Paxil; 2000 -2008 Prozac

2006-2007 Gabapentin, CT’d (for a herniated disc injury) still took prozac

2008-2010 Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin

2008 to present - Zoloft

Started tapering from 200 mg Sertraline/Zoloft in 2014.  Stayed at 25 mg for 2.5-3 years, went back up to 37.5 mg due to the pandemic anxiety in March/April 2020

Started slow taper from 37.5mg in Nov 2020.  2022: 5/9 17.4 mg.  6/06 17 mg. 7/06 16.7 mg.  7/20 16.3. 8/15 15.7. 8/24 15.4.  9/23 15.1. 11/16 13.3. 12/14 12.8. 2023: 4/18 10.3. 5/23 9.8. 7/11 9.2 10/17 7.2. 12/05 6.5. 2024: 01/24 5.5.

Supplements: Mag glycinate, Omega 3, Multi Mins, Lithium orotate, D3, K2, Niacinamide, C, desiccated liver, glycine, soy lecithin, B12, B6, B9, evening primrose oil, probiotics, biotrophic plus.

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Thank you for your kind words and support!  

10.2021 temazepam for 3 weeks KT

november all terrible symptoms 

12.2021 started sertraline ,from may 2022 until middle of September decrease from 50mg to 15mg

6.09.2022 -13.09.2022 diclifenac

25.09-27.09 antibiotics clindamicin

13.09 decrease sertralin from 15mg to 12mg

7.01 5 mg Sertralin 

Link to comment

How are things with Dr Britz? Still using her? 

36/M, started 10mg escitalopram June 2011

Sept 20th 2021 - increased 10mg to 15mg.
Oct 1st 2021 -November 16th 2021 drug merry go round. Effexor, Zoloft, pristiq.
Nov 22nd 2021 - lexapro 5mg

nov 29th, 2021 - lexapro 10mg

Dec 29th, 2021 - lexapro 15mg

Jan 20th, 2022 - lexapro 20mg

Jan 25th,2022 - lexapro 15mg,Feb 15th,2022 - lexapro 10mg ,Nov 22nd, 2021 - Dec 20th, 2021 -Xanax .25 X2 a day,Dec 20th, 2021 - Jan 16th, 2022 Klonopin .25 daily

2022

,-June 25 - 7.5mg pill, 2.5mg liquid ,-June 28 - 5mg pill, 5mg liquid ,-July 18th - 9.8mg (5mg pill, 4.8mg liquid),-Aug 1 - 9.6mg (5mg pill, 4.6 liquid) ,-Aug 16 - All liquid (9.6MG) ,-Sept 18th - 9.4MG,-Oct 18th - 9.2MG. -Nov 21st - 9MG 2023, April 17th - 8.8MG, May 15th - 8.6MG, June 19th - 8.4MG, Aug 1 - 8.2Mg, Sept 2, 8mg, Oct 9th 7.8mg, Nov 6, 7.6mg, Dec 8th, 7.4mg, Jan 23, 7.2mg magnesium, fish oil

 

 

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@Connerhello! Yes, I’m still seeing Dr. Britz and it’s going well.  She would like me to try tryptophan but I keep telling her no because I don’t feel comfortable adding that right now.  I’m at 13.9 mg Zoloft.

how did your consult go?  Are you still seeing her? 

1992-1995 Prozac+klonopin, 11 y/o

1996 - 1997 Celexa and lithium

1998-1999 Paxil; 2000 -2008 Prozac

2006-2007 Gabapentin, CT’d (for a herniated disc injury) still took prozac

2008-2010 Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin

2008 to present - Zoloft

Started tapering from 200 mg Sertraline/Zoloft in 2014.  Stayed at 25 mg for 2.5-3 years, went back up to 37.5 mg due to the pandemic anxiety in March/April 2020

Started slow taper from 37.5mg in Nov 2020.  2022: 5/9 17.4 mg.  6/06 17 mg. 7/06 16.7 mg.  7/20 16.3. 8/15 15.7. 8/24 15.4.  9/23 15.1. 11/16 13.3. 12/14 12.8. 2023: 4/18 10.3. 5/23 9.8. 7/11 9.2 10/17 7.2. 12/05 6.5. 2024: 01/24 5.5.

Supplements: Mag glycinate, Omega 3, Multi Mins, Lithium orotate, D3, K2, Niacinamide, C, desiccated liver, glycine, soy lecithin, B12, B6, B9, evening primrose oil, probiotics, biotrophic plus.

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  • 2 weeks later...

@AvejuYup, still seeing her. Going well. I’ve been taking that. It seems to help although I’m not back to myself fully just yet. I think these supplements help detox us and it just takes time. I’m only dropping .2 a month right now 

36/M, started 10mg escitalopram June 2011

Sept 20th 2021 - increased 10mg to 15mg.
Oct 1st 2021 -November 16th 2021 drug merry go round. Effexor, Zoloft, pristiq.
Nov 22nd 2021 - lexapro 5mg

nov 29th, 2021 - lexapro 10mg

Dec 29th, 2021 - lexapro 15mg

Jan 20th, 2022 - lexapro 20mg

Jan 25th,2022 - lexapro 15mg,Feb 15th,2022 - lexapro 10mg ,Nov 22nd, 2021 - Dec 20th, 2021 -Xanax .25 X2 a day,Dec 20th, 2021 - Jan 16th, 2022 Klonopin .25 daily

2022

,-June 25 - 7.5mg pill, 2.5mg liquid ,-June 28 - 5mg pill, 5mg liquid ,-July 18th - 9.8mg (5mg pill, 4.8mg liquid),-Aug 1 - 9.6mg (5mg pill, 4.6 liquid) ,-Aug 16 - All liquid (9.6MG) ,-Sept 18th - 9.4MG,-Oct 18th - 9.2MG. -Nov 21st - 9MG 2023, April 17th - 8.8MG, May 15th - 8.6MG, June 19th - 8.4MG, Aug 1 - 8.2Mg, Sept 2, 8mg, Oct 9th 7.8mg, Nov 6, 7.6mg, Dec 8th, 7.4mg, Jan 23, 7.2mg magnesium, fish oil

 

 

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  • 1 month later...

Just an update! I’m at 12.8 mg sertraline and I’m doing okay.  My sleep is annoying because I wake up a lot, but I’m getting at least 7 hours even if it’s all broken up.

 

My main complaints lately are ruminating thoughts, itchiness and dry eyes.  I’m assuming those are withdrawal related because they both have come and gone over the past year since I got around 20 mg.

1992-1995 Prozac+klonopin, 11 y/o

1996 - 1997 Celexa and lithium

1998-1999 Paxil; 2000 -2008 Prozac

2006-2007 Gabapentin, CT’d (for a herniated disc injury) still took prozac

2008-2010 Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin

2008 to present - Zoloft

Started tapering from 200 mg Sertraline/Zoloft in 2014.  Stayed at 25 mg for 2.5-3 years, went back up to 37.5 mg due to the pandemic anxiety in March/April 2020

Started slow taper from 37.5mg in Nov 2020.  2022: 5/9 17.4 mg.  6/06 17 mg. 7/06 16.7 mg.  7/20 16.3. 8/15 15.7. 8/24 15.4.  9/23 15.1. 11/16 13.3. 12/14 12.8. 2023: 4/18 10.3. 5/23 9.8. 7/11 9.2 10/17 7.2. 12/05 6.5. 2024: 01/24 5.5.

Supplements: Mag glycinate, Omega 3, Multi Mins, Lithium orotate, D3, K2, Niacinamide, C, desiccated liver, glycine, soy lecithin, B12, B6, B9, evening primrose oil, probiotics, biotrophic plus.

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  • Administrator

How are you feeling after each reduction of sertraline?

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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I am currently reducing at 4% every 4 weeks. I feel okay until about the two week mark.  Then I spend about 1 week with some withdrawal symptoms, then 1 week of feeling ok.  Then I drop 4%.  At least that’s how it’s been for November and December.

1992-1995 Prozac+klonopin, 11 y/o

1996 - 1997 Celexa and lithium

1998-1999 Paxil; 2000 -2008 Prozac

2006-2007 Gabapentin, CT’d (for a herniated disc injury) still took prozac

2008-2010 Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin

2008 to present - Zoloft

Started tapering from 200 mg Sertraline/Zoloft in 2014.  Stayed at 25 mg for 2.5-3 years, went back up to 37.5 mg due to the pandemic anxiety in March/April 2020

Started slow taper from 37.5mg in Nov 2020.  2022: 5/9 17.4 mg.  6/06 17 mg. 7/06 16.7 mg.  7/20 16.3. 8/15 15.7. 8/24 15.4.  9/23 15.1. 11/16 13.3. 12/14 12.8. 2023: 4/18 10.3. 5/23 9.8. 7/11 9.2 10/17 7.2. 12/05 6.5. 2024: 01/24 5.5.

Supplements: Mag glycinate, Omega 3, Multi Mins, Lithium orotate, D3, K2, Niacinamide, C, desiccated liver, glycine, soy lecithin, B12, B6, B9, evening primrose oil, probiotics, biotrophic plus.

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  • Administrator

What is the pattern of your withdrawal symptoms change in the week that you have them?

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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I hope I understand and answer your question correctly:

The pattern usually starts with obsessions/ruminating thoughts and then ear pain.

Shortly after that I am constipated, feel anxious/scared of driving and being in social situations.  

I notice that each withdrawal symptom only lasts a couple days and they overlap each other.  

Being itchy, having dry eyes, blurry vision, broken sleep and ruminating thoughts tend to hang around the majority of the time.  

Those particular withdrawal symptoms have just become normal (albeit very annoying) for me to live with.  

As long as I'm able to eat, get adequate sleep and not have panic attacks, I'll keep staying positive.

1992-1995 Prozac+klonopin, 11 y/o

1996 - 1997 Celexa and lithium

1998-1999 Paxil; 2000 -2008 Prozac

2006-2007 Gabapentin, CT’d (for a herniated disc injury) still took prozac

2008-2010 Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin

2008 to present - Zoloft

Started tapering from 200 mg Sertraline/Zoloft in 2014.  Stayed at 25 mg for 2.5-3 years, went back up to 37.5 mg due to the pandemic anxiety in March/April 2020

Started slow taper from 37.5mg in Nov 2020.  2022: 5/9 17.4 mg.  6/06 17 mg. 7/06 16.7 mg.  7/20 16.3. 8/15 15.7. 8/24 15.4.  9/23 15.1. 11/16 13.3. 12/14 12.8. 2023: 4/18 10.3. 5/23 9.8. 7/11 9.2 10/17 7.2. 12/05 6.5. 2024: 01/24 5.5.

Supplements: Mag glycinate, Omega 3, Multi Mins, Lithium orotate, D3, K2, Niacinamide, C, desiccated liver, glycine, soy lecithin, B12, B6, B9, evening primrose oil, probiotics, biotrophic plus.

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  • Administrator

If the pattern is consistent, you have found your withdrawal symptom pattern.

 

You might reduce every 5 weeks instead of every 4 weeks, give your nervous system longer to recover between reductions.

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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Thank you, I think I will try 5 weeks and see if there's an improvement. I appreciate your input!

1992-1995 Prozac+klonopin, 11 y/o

1996 - 1997 Celexa and lithium

1998-1999 Paxil; 2000 -2008 Prozac

2006-2007 Gabapentin, CT’d (for a herniated disc injury) still took prozac

2008-2010 Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin

2008 to present - Zoloft

Started tapering from 200 mg Sertraline/Zoloft in 2014.  Stayed at 25 mg for 2.5-3 years, went back up to 37.5 mg due to the pandemic anxiety in March/April 2020

Started slow taper from 37.5mg in Nov 2020.  2022: 5/9 17.4 mg.  6/06 17 mg. 7/06 16.7 mg.  7/20 16.3. 8/15 15.7. 8/24 15.4.  9/23 15.1. 11/16 13.3. 12/14 12.8. 2023: 4/18 10.3. 5/23 9.8. 7/11 9.2 10/17 7.2. 12/05 6.5. 2024: 01/24 5.5.

Supplements: Mag glycinate, Omega 3, Multi Mins, Lithium orotate, D3, K2, Niacinamide, C, desiccated liver, glycine, soy lecithin, B12, B6, B9, evening primrose oil, probiotics, biotrophic plus.

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  • 2 weeks later...

So I'm going to hold 6 weeks on 12.8 mg (started 12/14/22).  I have a new withdrawal symptom, I think...

My eyes have become sensitive to lights.  I wear contact lenses most of the day, my eye glasses have the blue light blocking in the lenses.  I am also not going on my cell phone as much.  I have adjusted my computer screen and I dim my lights in the evening.  It's annoying that my eyes have suddenly become so sensitive to light.  My vision is more blurry than normal.  Oh well, I'm reminding myself that I'm healing and it's just got to happen on its own time.

1992-1995 Prozac+klonopin, 11 y/o

1996 - 1997 Celexa and lithium

1998-1999 Paxil; 2000 -2008 Prozac

2006-2007 Gabapentin, CT’d (for a herniated disc injury) still took prozac

2008-2010 Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin

2008 to present - Zoloft

Started tapering from 200 mg Sertraline/Zoloft in 2014.  Stayed at 25 mg for 2.5-3 years, went back up to 37.5 mg due to the pandemic anxiety in March/April 2020

Started slow taper from 37.5mg in Nov 2020.  2022: 5/9 17.4 mg.  6/06 17 mg. 7/06 16.7 mg.  7/20 16.3. 8/15 15.7. 8/24 15.4.  9/23 15.1. 11/16 13.3. 12/14 12.8. 2023: 4/18 10.3. 5/23 9.8. 7/11 9.2 10/17 7.2. 12/05 6.5. 2024: 01/24 5.5.

Supplements: Mag glycinate, Omega 3, Multi Mins, Lithium orotate, D3, K2, Niacinamide, C, desiccated liver, glycine, soy lecithin, B12, B6, B9, evening primrose oil, probiotics, biotrophic plus.

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  • Administrator

Yes, the upset of withdrawal can cause heightened light sensitivity. Good that you addressed this.

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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  • 3 weeks later...
On 1/4/2023 at 11:53 AM, Aveju said:

Just an update! I’m at 12.8 mg sertraline and I’m doing okay.  My sleep is annoying because I wake up a lot, but I’m getting at least 7 hours even if it’s all broken up.

 

My main complaints lately are ruminating thoughts, itchiness and dry eyes.  I’m assuming those are withdrawal related because they both have come and gone over the past year since I got around 20 mg.

Hi. Could you tell me about your experience with Julia Britz. It’s something I’m considering. Thanks

Age 16 (1995 - 2000) -Paroxetine
Age 21 (2000-2004) - Effexor 37.5mg
Age 24 (2004-2012) - Lexapro (70mg), Xanax minimum 2mg Xanax a day
About 32 (2012-2017?) - Every mood stabiliser under the sun (not at the same time) and minimum 2mg Xanax a day; occasional amisulpride 
About 35 (2017-current) - Lurasidone 80 mg, quickly titrated down to 40mg, Pristiq (50 mg), minimum of 2mg Xanax a day
About 41 (2020) Switched from Xanax to clonazepam and started tapering at 0.125 mg each reduction, tapered off Pristiq with a cross taper at the end, low dose of dextroamphetamine.
Age 42 (2021) Tried to taper off Lurasidone three times. Quick taper from 40mg to 0 mg over a couple of months the first time. Reinstated at 20mg. Tried twice more to taper from 20 mg to 0 mg dropping by 5 mg each reduction (about every 2 weeks).
Age 42-43 (April 2022) 20mg-18mg; May 18mg-16mg; June 16-14mg; September 14-12mg; September 12-14mg reinstated. February 2023 - hiccup with brand change, Back to Apotek brand and switch to homemade suspension.

Age 44 (August 2023 -restarted clonazepam taper). Start dose 0.375mg. 1/9/2023 - 0.365mg; 1/10/2023 - 0.324mg; 1/11/2023 - 0.264mg; 1/12/2023 - 0.25 mg (holding); 1/2/2024 - 0.232mg; 1/3/2024 - 0.221mg

Health regimen: walks, hot/cold showers, ice baths, breathwork, mostly healthy diet, therapy...... Open to ideas! Supplements: Milk Kefir, Mag, Omega 3, CBD/THC.

 

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@Thorin  Sure!  As you know, SA does not recommend supplements and I'll tell you first off that Dr. Julia Britz uses a lot of supplements to help folks that are tapering.  I was very uncomfortable with the idea of taking supplements.  I added 1 in at a time and at low doses.  Dr. Britz was acceptable of me doing that.  I found that a few of the supplements that she put me on made wonderful positive changes that allowed me to go from a 2% taper to a 4% taper.  Some of the supplements did not agree with me.  You still have to take charge for yourself and take what she says as suggestions.

 

I'm now trying a 5% taper and so far, I'm doing good.  Dr. Britz does a free consult to see if you and her are a good fit.  I've seen her for roughly 6 months.  She definitely is knowledgable about tapering and I do like that I can ask her lots of questions and know that I'm getting good answers because she's done so many tapers.

 

My main issue at first was that I've been on an SSRI for over 30 years and really felt like I could never come off of them.  She really encouraged me as she told me she had helped quite a few who had been on medications (not just SSRI meds) get off of them, who had been on them longer than me.   I would suggest looking at her website and following her on Instagram (she posts there a lot).   At the end of the day, you have to do what is right for you.

 

 

1992-1995 Prozac+klonopin, 11 y/o

1996 - 1997 Celexa and lithium

1998-1999 Paxil; 2000 -2008 Prozac

2006-2007 Gabapentin, CT’d (for a herniated disc injury) still took prozac

2008-2010 Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Klonopin

2008 to present - Zoloft

Started tapering from 200 mg Sertraline/Zoloft in 2014.  Stayed at 25 mg for 2.5-3 years, went back up to 37.5 mg due to the pandemic anxiety in March/April 2020

Started slow taper from 37.5mg in Nov 2020.  2022: 5/9 17.4 mg.  6/06 17 mg. 7/06 16.7 mg.  7/20 16.3. 8/15 15.7. 8/24 15.4.  9/23 15.1. 11/16 13.3. 12/14 12.8. 2023: 4/18 10.3. 5/23 9.8. 7/11 9.2 10/17 7.2. 12/05 6.5. 2024: 01/24 5.5.

Supplements: Mag glycinate, Omega 3, Multi Mins, Lithium orotate, D3, K2, Niacinamide, C, desiccated liver, glycine, soy lecithin, B12, B6, B9, evening primrose oil, probiotics, biotrophic plus.

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1 minute ago, Aveju said:

@Thorin  Sure!  As you know, SA does not recommend supplements and I'll tell you first off that Dr. Julia Britz uses a lot of supplements to help folks that are tapering.  I was very uncomfortable with the idea of taking supplements.  I added 1 in at a time and at low doses.  Dr. Britz was acceptable of me doing that.  I found that a few of the supplements that she put me on made wonderful positive changes that allowed me to go from a 2% taper to a 4% taper.  Some of the supplements did not agree with me.  You still have to take charge for yourself and take what she says as suggestions.

 

I'm now trying a 5% taper and so far, I'm doing good.  Dr. Britz does a free consult to see if you and her are a good fit.  I've seen her for roughly 6 months.  She definitely is knowledgable about tapering and I do like that I can ask her lots of questions and know that I'm getting good answers because she's done so many tapers.

 

My main issue at first was that I've been on an SSRI for over 30 years and really felt like I could never come off of them.  She really encouraged me as she told me she had helped quite a few who had been on medications (not just SSRI meds) get off of them, who had been on them longer than me.   I would suggest looking at her website and following her on Instagram (she posts there a lot).   At the end of the day, you have to do what is right for you.

 

 

Thanks for getting back to me. That sounds very positive. I’m keen but I just saw her prices and they are through the roof. When I convert that to Australian dollars it’s even more! It’s a shame. I’m following her on Instagram. Thanks!

Age 16 (1995 - 2000) -Paroxetine
Age 21 (2000-2004) - Effexor 37.5mg
Age 24 (2004-2012) - Lexapro (70mg), Xanax minimum 2mg Xanax a day
About 32 (2012-2017?) - Every mood stabiliser under the sun (not at the same time) and minimum 2mg Xanax a day; occasional amisulpride 
About 35 (2017-current) - Lurasidone 80 mg, quickly titrated down to 40mg, Pristiq (50 mg), minimum of 2mg Xanax a day
About 41 (2020) Switched from Xanax to clonazepam and started tapering at 0.125 mg each reduction, tapered off Pristiq with a cross taper at the end, low dose of dextroamphetamine.
Age 42 (2021) Tried to taper off Lurasidone three times. Quick taper from 40mg to 0 mg over a couple of months the first time. Reinstated at 20mg. Tried twice more to taper from 20 mg to 0 mg dropping by 5 mg each reduction (about every 2 weeks).
Age 42-43 (April 2022) 20mg-18mg; May 18mg-16mg; June 16-14mg; September 14-12mg; September 12-14mg reinstated. February 2023 - hiccup with brand change, Back to Apotek brand and switch to homemade suspension.

Age 44 (August 2023 -restarted clonazepam taper). Start dose 0.375mg. 1/9/2023 - 0.365mg; 1/10/2023 - 0.324mg; 1/11/2023 - 0.264mg; 1/12/2023 - 0.25 mg (holding); 1/2/2024 - 0.232mg; 1/3/2024 - 0.221mg

Health regimen: walks, hot/cold showers, ice baths, breathwork, mostly healthy diet, therapy...... Open to ideas! Supplements: Milk Kefir, Mag, Omega 3, CBD/THC.

 

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Our position is that supplements alone are not sufficient to enable one to go off psychiatric drugs quickly.

 

Does Dr. Britz also supervise tapering?

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

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