Stardust Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 (edited) I have struggled with the evil twins of depression and anxiety for all of my adult life. I'm now in my late 60s. Current meds: citalopram 40mg/day; bupropion SR 100mg/day; buspirone 20mg/day; I've been on citalopram and bupropion for many years. Buspirone was added about three years ago. Under medical guidance I tapered too fast off benzos two years ago, a hellish withdrawal experience. I'm 99% recovered and ready to chip away at the heavy load of psych meds I'm on. I'm determined to do a slow careful taper to avoid anything resembling what I went through with benzo withdrawal. I just ordered the Gem I'm not certain which med to start with. I'm thinking the citalopram dose is the most immediate concern because it's so high but I'm hoping to get feedback on SA. Thanks Edited March 11, 2022 by Karma Updated title at user request Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted June 2, 2021 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 2, 2021 (edited) Welcome to SA, Stardust. Congratulations on being benzo-free. To start: Please add a signature. Include drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements in the last 12-24 months. Also include supplements. This will help us give you the most accurate advice we can. Please indicate which type of Buproprion you're taking (SR, XR, XL). A direct link to your signature is here: Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature. Please note: Any drugs and supplements prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years. Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago) Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016. Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses. A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. As you provide more information, we can better guide you in setting up a slow and careful taper. Please continue to use this thread to ask question and document your taper. As to your taper, we recommend tapering by no more than 10% of your current dose every four weeks. Why taper by 10% of my dosage? Regarding which drug to taper first of your remaining drugs, we recommend tapering only one drug at a time and tapering the most activating (stimulating) drug first. SSRI's like Citalopram are stimulating. Buproprion (Wellbutrin) is also stimulating. Buspirone is sedating. Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first? Tapering either the Citalopram or the Buproprion first would be fine. Here are some factors to consider in deciding which to taper first: 1. How you feel after tapering the Citalopram and how do you feel after taking the Buproprion? ? Do you feel more activated after taking one than the other? 2. You will be able to finish the Buproprion taper more quickly as, unlike other antidpressants, it can often, after an initial trial taper, sometimes be tapered a bit faster than 10% every four weeks. The link below explains. 3. You are, as you say, at a high dose, of Citalopram and that's a factor to consider as you continue to reduce your drug burden. Here are links with specific information about tapering both Citalopram and Buproprion, including various methods to get the non-standard doses you'll need for a 10% taper. Again, you'll be tapering only one at a time. Tips for tapering off buproprion (Wellbutrin, SR, XR, XL) Tips for tapering off citalopram (Celexa) Citalopram comes in a prescription liquid and is a convenient and accurate method of tapering. It does require a gradual crossover from the tablet before you begin tapering. If you choose this method, let us know and we can recommend a crossover schedule. We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. Get supplements that are single ingredient (not mixed with other types of supplements). This is your Introduction topic, where you can complete your drug signature, ask questions and connect with other members. We're glad you found your way here. Edited June 2, 2021 by Gridley 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. Link to comment
Stardust Posted June 3, 2021 Author Share Posted June 3, 2021 Thank you very much Gridley. I think I'll start with citalopram/Celexa taper. I don't like the idea of being on such a high dosage. I expect to receive the Gem scale next week and start the taper then. Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted June 3, 2021 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 3, 2021 13 hours ago, Stardust said: Thank you very much Gridley. I think I'll start with citalopram/Celexa taper. I don't like the idea of being on such a high dosage. I expect to receive the Gem scale next week and start the taper then. That sounds fine. To start your taper, we advise weighing 10 Celexa tablets and use the average weight for your taper. Tablets differ in weight slightly but this is inconsequential because there is much more filler in each tablet than active ingredient of the drug. You will keep track of your taper by milligram pill weight, abbreviated mgpw, and keep track of your dosage by milligram active ingredient (mgai). I made a handwritten chart with columns for the date, mgpw and mgai. The best way to taper with the scale is to thoroughly crush the tablet between two spoons, then stir the powder with a toothpick to evenly distribute the active ingredient throughout the powder. You can use tweezers to add or subtract powder from the scale to get the weight you need. When you have the weight you need, you can use a bent 3" Post-it to pour the powder into a size 0 gelatin capsule. Save extra powder in a gelatin capsule for later use. If you are tapering by 10% of current dose every four weeks, you would multiply the weight of your current dose by 0.9 to get your next dose. 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. Link to comment
Stardust Posted June 3, 2021 Author Share Posted June 3, 2021 Gridley - Thanks so much for these very clear instructions! Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Stardust Posted June 5, 2021 Author Share Posted June 5, 2021 I'm starting with the goal of reducing my daily Celexa/citalopram dose from 40mg to 20mg. I want to do this before making a decision to taper off completely. I'm confused: Do I start my monthly cuts based on the total dose of 40mg or the 20mg I want to taper off? Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Stardust Posted June 9, 2021 Author Share Posted June 9, 2021 Looking for suggestions for an online source for a good quality graduated cylinder and pipettes. Thanks Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Stardust Posted June 11, 2021 Author Share Posted June 11, 2021 Starting my taper of Celexa 40 mg today. Taking a cautious approach to this next step because I suffered so much tapering off Klonopin too fast nearly 2 years ago. I've recovered 99% from that withdrawal and ready to start this new taper. My Celexa dose was doubled and Buspar was added about three years ago when I went through a family crisis. I'm better equipped to deal with life's challenges now largely because I developed a range of skills to cope with stress during my benzo withdrawal. I also have a great therapist. Just getting through the ordeal of benzo withdrawal showed me strength I didn't even know I had before. I'm starting the Celexa taper with initial goal of getting down to 20mg. My overall goal is to reduce the Celexa and Buspar, probably taper off Wellbutrin completely and then assess where I am before making a decision to taper off Celexa and Buspar completely. I got the Gem scale and calibrated it; weighed ten 20mg tabs and took average wt. Been poring over the numbers and put together a spreadsheet based on Simple Brassmonkey Slide Tapering Spreadsheet. 2 Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Stardust Posted July 22, 2021 Author Share Posted July 22, 2021 I've been tapering citalopram since early June using Jozeff's Simple Brassmonkey Slide Tapering Spreadsheet - per Gridley's guidance I've been crushing 20mg tablets, weighing the powder on Gem-20 scale and pouring into Sz00 capsules. I'm anticipating switching to a liquid taper because it will be harder to measure smaller amounts of powder accurately. I'll be making my own citalopram solution. My question is: at what point do others find it makes sense to transition from dry taper to liquid? Thanks, Stardust Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Moderator brassmonkey Posted July 23, 2021 Moderator Share Posted July 23, 2021 When it starts to become a problem to weigh the doses on your scale would be a good time to make the crossover. That will probably be once you get below 10mgai for your dose strength. You will want to do a crossover, decreasing the amount of powder and increasing the amount of liquid over several weeks. We have more information on how to do that for when the time comes, but it will be a while yet. 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking Link to comment
Stardust Posted July 23, 2021 Author Share Posted July 23, 2021 Thanks brassmonkey. Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
jutland86 Posted September 1, 2021 Share Posted September 1, 2021 Hi @StardustJust checking in. How are things going? 2010/2011-?: Citaloprapm 40mg, 30 and 20 mg, and 10 mg the last couple of years. Beginning may 2021: After advice from GP skipped doses (10 mg) Mid may 2021: Went to 10 mg on one day and 5 the other day due to withdrawal End may 2021: ~7,5 mg (Started cutting 10 mg in quarters to keep track of when to take what) Beginning of june 2021: 7,5 mg (started on homemade liquid) 2021: Jul 7,5 mg 2022: 26th july 7,25 mg, 26th aug 6,75 mg, 24th sep 6,5 mg, 30th oct 6,25 mg Suppl AM: Fish oil, NAC, Vit B Complex, multivitamin, vit D, ashwagandha Suppl PM: Magnesium 200 mg, L-theanine 400 mg https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24975-jutland86-advice-for-a-guy-from-denmark-wanting-to-taper/ Link to comment
Stardust Posted September 1, 2021 Author Share Posted September 1, 2021 Hi Jutland86, It's going really well so far. I haven't had any troublesome reactions to the reductions. By the end of Sept. I will have reduced my daily citalopram dose from 40mg to 30mg. It's a cautious, slow and steady taper using a scale and Jozeff's Simple Brassmonkey Slide Tapering Spreadsheet - I'm convinced this is keeping withdrawal symptoms manageable. I still have a long way to go. If it gets harder as I get to lower doses (and I know it might) I'll just slow down. I would love it to be over with but I know better from my disastrous benzo withdrawal than to rush this. Thanks for asking! How are things going for you? Stardust Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
jutland86 Posted September 1, 2021 Share Posted September 1, 2021 Hi Stardust That is really great. I'm really glad that you are doing well. Only mild WD symptoms so far? And how long have they been lasting? Take care Jutland 2010/2011-?: Citaloprapm 40mg, 30 and 20 mg, and 10 mg the last couple of years. Beginning may 2021: After advice from GP skipped doses (10 mg) Mid may 2021: Went to 10 mg on one day and 5 the other day due to withdrawal End may 2021: ~7,5 mg (Started cutting 10 mg in quarters to keep track of when to take what) Beginning of june 2021: 7,5 mg (started on homemade liquid) 2021: Jul 7,5 mg 2022: 26th july 7,25 mg, 26th aug 6,75 mg, 24th sep 6,5 mg, 30th oct 6,25 mg Suppl AM: Fish oil, NAC, Vit B Complex, multivitamin, vit D, ashwagandha Suppl PM: Magnesium 200 mg, L-theanine 400 mg https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24975-jutland86-advice-for-a-guy-from-denmark-wanting-to-taper/ Link to comment
Stardust Posted September 2, 2021 Author Share Posted September 2, 2021 Hi Jutland, I really haven't had any withdrawal symptoms so far! I attribute this to following Jozeff's Simple Brassmonkey Slide Tapering Spreadsheet. Plus, it's really early in my taper; I know there's a greater chance of experiencing symptoms when I get down to lower doses. And as I said above, I know I have the option to slow down the rate, make smaller cuts and/or hold when necessary until my symptoms stabilize. Stardust Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
jutland86 Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 That is really great to hear Stardust! That is a great start to your taper of citalopram. I'm really happy for you that it is going so well at the moment. 2010/2011-?: Citaloprapm 40mg, 30 and 20 mg, and 10 mg the last couple of years. Beginning may 2021: After advice from GP skipped doses (10 mg) Mid may 2021: Went to 10 mg on one day and 5 the other day due to withdrawal End may 2021: ~7,5 mg (Started cutting 10 mg in quarters to keep track of when to take what) Beginning of june 2021: 7,5 mg (started on homemade liquid) 2021: Jul 7,5 mg 2022: 26th july 7,25 mg, 26th aug 6,75 mg, 24th sep 6,5 mg, 30th oct 6,25 mg Suppl AM: Fish oil, NAC, Vit B Complex, multivitamin, vit D, ashwagandha Suppl PM: Magnesium 200 mg, L-theanine 400 mg https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24975-jutland86-advice-for-a-guy-from-denmark-wanting-to-taper/ Link to comment
Zim337 Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 Hi Stardust! I hope you are well. Your story sounds so much like mine. I just started tapering Citalopram. It’s so inspiring and reassuring to read about your plan and that it’s going well for you. I too feel like there is no rush, it’s much more important that it’s manageable. Good luck going forward! 1 Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others Lyrica 2003-14 Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2 taper 2022 Jan - May to 25 x 2 Citalopram taper 2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg, Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0 Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium Link to comment
Stardust Posted September 15, 2021 Author Share Posted September 15, 2021 Hi Zim- Thanks so much for letting me know it's been inspiring and reassuring to you to read about my taper. It's so good to hear my posts here have been helpful. Congratulations on starting your taper. I'm so glad you're taking it slow - I truly believe slow, consistent and gradual is the best approach and that doing it any other way is just asking for trouble. It isn't worth it to rush this because the cost is brutal. As I mentioned in an earlier post I've been using Jozeff's Simple Brassmonkey Slide Tapering Spreadsheet. It took me a while to figure out the size of the cuts, weighing the powder etc. (Thanks brain fog!) I checked and double checked my figures over and over before I started. I hope your taper goes as smoothly as possible. Take care, Stardust Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Zim337 Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Hi Stardust, is it working out for you weighing etc and getting the right dosage? Before I started my taper I read lots about the brassmonkey slide and decided to do a 5% micotaper. And I used the calculator to get the numbers right, and I checked over and over. But when I started the taper I still got it wrong, and ended upp going down 25% in four weeks. Ouch Brain fog… Looking back I realize how I got it wrong, but I’m not taking any more chances. I got my liquid citalopram today, and it’s like a dream! One 20 mg tablet plus 5.25 ml liquid (=10.5mg) straight out of the bottle. So by mistake I’m down to 30.5 mg, almost the same as you. Can you tell any difference in your side effects? Stay well, Zim Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others Lyrica 2003-14 Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2 taper 2022 Jan - May to 25 x 2 Citalopram taper 2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg, Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0 Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium Link to comment
Stardust Posted September 23, 2021 Author Share Posted September 23, 2021 Hi Zim, I understand about having trouble with the measurements. It can be very tricky. Math has never come easily to me so I triple checked all my calculations. I found I had to correct a bunch of errors but eventually it felt like I had a handle on it. I made my own spreadsheet outlining the doses each week. I triple checked this too. If only I had shown such determination in math class! The scale is working out pretty well. I took it really slow learning how to use it. It took a little while to get used to it and make sure I used it in a room without disturbances of any kind, on a sturdy surface. My side effects seem manageable although I do have some rough periods every so often. It's hard to know how much of it is due to an increase in stressors in my life and how much is the taper. It can be challenging but for me these periods don't last more than a few hours at a time and I find it works best for me to engage in a distracting activity to get through it. Also moderate exercise every day. At some point I'll probably switch to liquid like you. I'm so glad the liquid has made your life easier and that you'll be gradually transitioning to liquid like they advise here. Take care, Stardust Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Zim337 Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 Hi Stardust, I hope you’re having a good day. I wanted to share this link with you, maybe you read a lot about ruminating and ANT already, but this ”trick” made a huge difference for me. https://anxietynetwork.com/content/stopping-automatic-negative-thoughts I actually use the word ”Stop”. I say it out loud, a lot of times really loud! Sending you strength and calm 💪💪🌼 🌼 Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others Lyrica 2003-14 Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2 taper 2022 Jan - May to 25 x 2 Citalopram taper 2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg, Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0 Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium Link to comment
Stardust Posted October 14, 2021 Author Share Posted October 14, 2021 Thanks Zim ☺️ I'll check it out! Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Stardust Posted January 5, 2022 Author Share Posted January 5, 2022 I've been tapering Celexa from 40mg to 20mg. I've had a pretty smooth withdrawal (knock on wood) I'll reach my goal in February. My next goal is to taper off Wellbutrin completely, followed by tapering off Buspar. Is there a rule of thumb on how long to wait between tapers of different meds? Thanks and wishing everyone here a brighter new year in 2022, Stardust Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Zim337 Posted January 20, 2022 Share Posted January 20, 2022 Hi Stardust, ChessieCat put some links about pausing and WDnormal in a comment on my page. I’m not sure where it leaves people like you and me that aren’t experiencing a lot of wd. But I think your plan to hold for a while sounds good, better safe than sorry. Take care, Zim Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others Lyrica 2003-14 Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2 taper 2022 Jan - May to 25 x 2 Citalopram taper 2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg, Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0 Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium Link to comment
Stardust Posted January 20, 2022 Author Share Posted January 20, 2022 Those are great links! Thanks Zim Stardust Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Stardust Posted March 10, 2022 Author Share Posted March 10, 2022 Hello everyone, I'm pleased to say I completed my taper to half my Celexa (citalopram) dose, from 40 mg to 20mg. I did a very slow, cautious taper: I started in June 2021 and finished at the end of February. My plan is to stay at 20mg at least for the time being. Next goal is to taper completely off Wellbutrin (bupropion) 100gm SR. Here is the schedule I'm planning to follow. The first four weeks are getting used to splitting the dose into a morning and afternoon dose. Altostrata suggested this to me a while back I believe. I'm currently taking Wellbutrin once in the morning. It is a sustained release tablet and I understand the sustained release mechanism is largely undone once you cut into the tablet. So I'm dividing it to avoid avoid the shock to my system of receiving all the drug in the a.m. As I mentioned, I'm taking this very slow - this is because I went through a hellish benzo withdrawal a couple of years ago and I want to avoid going through a rough withdrawal again. Best of luck to all of us, fellow travelers! Week AM Dosage 4 PM Dosage 1 3/4 tab 1/4 tab 2 3/4 tab 1/4 tab 3 3/4 tab 1/4 tab 4 3/4 tab 1/4 tab 5 1/2 tab 1/4 tab 6 1/2 tab 1/4 tab 7 1/2 tab 1/4 tab 8 1/2 tab 1/4 tab 9 1/4 tab 1/4 tab 10 1/4 tab 1/4 tab 11 1/4 tab 1/4 tab 12 1/4 tab 1/4 tab 13 1/4 tab 1/8 tab 14 1/4 tab 1/8 tab 15 1/4 tab 1/8 tab 16 1/4 tab 1/8 tab 17 1/8 tab 1/8 tab 18 1/8 tab 1/8 tab 19 1/8 tab 1/8 tab 20 1/8 tab 1/8 tab 21 1/8 tab - 0 - 22 1/8 tab - 0 - 23 1/8 tab - 0 - 24 1/8 tab - 0 - 25 Jump 1 Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Zim337 Posted April 30, 2022 Share Posted April 30, 2022 Hi Stardust, Did you start the Wellbutrin taper? How smart of you to start taking it twice a day, since you’re cutting the tablets. I’m looking at the schedule you made, so you are doing 25% cuts week 5 and 9? It seems like a lot to me, but maybe wellbutrin is different than citalopram. I am down to 2x25 mg buspar (from 2x30). It has been tough, with raised anxiety levels the two first weeks after every taper. I’m going to stay where I’m at for a while, to stabilize. Take care, Zim Since the 90s, off and on: Citalopram, Escitalopram, Prozac, and maybe others Lyrica 2003-14 Citalopram: 2012-21 40mg taper 2021 Aug - 2022 Jan to 20mg Buspirone: 2014 - 2022 Jan 30mg x 2 taper 2022 Jan - May to 25 x 2 Citalopram taper 2022 Oct 10 12 mg, Nov 3 13 mg, Feb 6 12.68, Feb 13 12.52, Feb 20 12.36, Feb 27 12.2, Mar 20 12, Mar 27 11.8, Apr 3 11.6, Jun 4 11.4, Jun 11 11.2, Jun 25th 12.0 Supplements: Omega-3 + E, Magnesium Link to comment
Stardust Posted April 30, 2022 Author Share Posted April 30, 2022 Hi Zim, I'm really so sorry to hear your buspirone taper has been so rough. You're wise to slow it down and look into using a GEM scale and capsules. That's what I did with my very cautious citalopram reduction. I haven't begun the Wellbutrin/Buproprion taper. I was planning to start it in March but I was hit with a challenging medical issue and now I'm scheduled to have surgery with a 6 week recovery afterwards. I don't want to go into the details and I don't want to trigger anyone here. I was freaked out at first but I'm in a place now where I'm more at peace with it and on some level accepting these things happen. I'm pulling out all my self care skills and practicing them daily. I'm grateful this didn't come up when I was going through benzo withdrawal - I wouldn't have been equipped to cope with it well at all then. So as far as the Wellbutrin taper, it's on hold until at least late summer. I don't know if my plan for the Wellbutrin taper is good or not. The tips on Wellbutrin taper suggest it isn't like other meds. It would be great if someone from the SA team would comment. Thanks for checking in! Take care, Stardust Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Stardust Posted July 10, 2022 Author Share Posted July 10, 2022 @brassmonkey I'm planning to taper off Bupropion SR 100mg - I'm struggling a little and wondering if you could help me with a good plan. Using your taper method I successfully tapered off Celexa20mg. I used a GEM scale & capsules - the method worked very well for me. I can't recommend your method highly enough. For the bupropion taper my tentative plan as of now is to start with cutting tablets until I get to smaller doses and then switching to using the scale, so sort of a hybrid of simple cuts and your model. I understand from the SA tips that getting the 75mg IR tabs is an option which would help make it easier to make smaller cuts. At what point does it make sense to start using the scale, in your opinion? Weighing 10 bupropion SR 100mg tablets the avg. weight is 0.2793 gpw Here is the basic plan of cuts - again, not sure when I ought to shift from this to Brassmonkey scale. Thank you very much for taking a look at this! Stardust Week AM Dosage 4 PM Dosage 1 3/4 tab 1/4 tab 2 3/4 tab 1/4 tab 3 3/4 tab 1/4 tab 4 3/4 tab 1/4 tab 5. HOLD 6. HOLD 7 1/2 tab 1/4 tab 8 1/2 tab 1/4 tab 9 1/2 tab 1/4 tab 10 1/2 tab 1/4 tab 11. HOLD 12 HOLD 13 1/4 tab 1/4 tab 14 1/4 tab 1/4 tab 15 1/4 tab 1/4 tab 16 1/4 tab 1/4 tab 17. HOLD 18. HOLD 19 1/4 tab 1/8 tab 20 1/4 tab 1/8 tab 21 1/4 tab 1/8 tab 22 1/4 tab 1/8 tab 23. HOLD 24 HOLD 25 1/8 tab 1/8 tab 26 1/8 tab 1/8 tab 27 1/8 tab 1/8 tab 28 1/8 tab 1/8 tab 29 HOLD 30 HOLD 31. 1/8 tab - 0 - 22 1/8 tab - 0 - 23 1/8 tab - 0 - 24 1/8 tab - 0 - 25 Jump Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Moderator brassmonkey Posted July 10, 2022 Moderator Share Posted July 10, 2022 I would not use this schedule at all. The reductions are much to large and it goes much too fast. You would probably get away with it for a month or so, but then would hit the wall with major symptoms that would take months to resolve. One quarter of a 100mgai tablet is 25mgai. If you reduce by this amount, it would be 25%. That is more than twice the recommended reduction rate. Even at one eight of a tablet, you would be reducing by 12.5% which is still too much. To try and reduce 100mgai in 25 weeks is way too fast and could be considered a "fast taper/CT". You really don't want to go there. I know it will take what seems to be a long time but sticking with weighing the powder and reducing by a total of 10% every six weeks is really the way to go. Bupropion can be very touchy about going too big or too fast and has a bad habit of blindsiding people who try. You've had good success with the Brassmonkey Slide before and have the knowledge and equipment already, so I would stick to that. 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking Link to comment
Stardust Posted July 10, 2022 Author Share Posted July 10, 2022 I’m so glad to have your feedback and wise words of caution brassmonkey even though it may not be what I wanted to hear. I know you’re right and a slow careful taper is the way to go. It’s challenging to be patient but it is truly the golden ticket, isn’t it? As you know there’s a fair amount of mixed messaging on the boards about bupropion tapers and I was certainly swayed by those that say bupropion tapers compared to other ADs can go faster for some people. Again, I’m grateful for your thoughtful response which brought me to my senses! Take care, Stardust Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Stardust Posted July 10, 2022 Author Share Posted July 10, 2022 @brassmonkey Does it make sense to split the bupropion SR 100mg dose into two and take it in the morning and in the afternoon as I taper or should I just stick to taking it in the morning as I taper? Thank you Stardust Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Moderator brassmonkey Posted July 11, 2022 Moderator Share Posted July 11, 2022 It has a half-life of 18 hours. Unless you are noticing an uptick of symptoms in the afternoon then I would just stay with once a day. 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted July 22, 2022 Administrator Share Posted July 22, 2022 Hello, @Stardust how are you doing? 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. Link to comment
Stardust Posted July 22, 2022 Author Share Posted July 22, 2022 @Altostrata Hello - At the moment I'm recovering from surgery 3 days ago - recovery is projected to be 6 weeks. I'm hoping to start tapering the bupropion SR 100mg in the fall. The brassmonkey taper worked really well for my citalopram taper. So my plan is to go that route for the bupropion. Wish I could figure out a way to speed it up safely - big difference in the time it takes to taper off 100mg and 20 mg! I really appreciate your checking in - thanks very much. Stardust Current Taper Bupropion which I've taken for 20+ yrs- Start dose SR 100mg Jan '23, switched to IR 100mg. Held for 2 weeks; Feb '23 started taper using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering; 6/23 Bup 75mg; 7/22/23 Bup 64mg; 7/29/23 Bup 62mg; 8/12/23 Bup 59mg; 9/2/23 Bup 56mg 10/1/23 Bup 52mg; 11/4/23 Bup 46mg; 12/9/23 40mg; 1/13/24 35mg; 2/24/24 30mg Other meds, supplements & previous tapers: buspirone plan to taper off after bupropion taper citalopram -20mg/day. Tapered from 40mg to 20mg using Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-Tapering clonazepam Tapered too fast - horrible withdrawal. Vitamins D3, C , multivitamin and Fish oil Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted July 22, 2022 Administrator Share Posted July 22, 2022 Looking back, what was your method of going off citalopram? How did you get from 40mg to 20mg? Did you get withdrawal symptoms? What worked after that? 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. Link to comment
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