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PristiqMystique Age 22 / Male/ Off everything for ≈2 years / Began “treatment” at age 10


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  • 2 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi PristiqueMystique,

And oh my, thank you for coming round to share your success to date. 

Congrats and hugs.  You are healing for sure!  And what a story.  💜

Apologies for the delay in getting you approved and posted.  Staff has been busy, and new posters abundant.

 

So it looks like about 1 year and a couple of months off all your psychoactive drugs.

 

Lot's of questions, sure.  How did you approach your tapering and then symptoms of WD(withdrawal)?  What did you taper first and how?

 

What kind of symptoms occurred along the way?  Might be helpful to note dates and if resolved now?

 

Also helpful, and especially if you come around some more to share, and support others........would be to have you do a signature.  I'll give you the link that instructs how to do that.   Brief is good, and just the dates, drugs, doses, in the signature.  You'll see mine below this post.  Probably easiest to do from a PC.

 

How to List Drug History in Signature

 

And welcome aboard.  Great to have you.

 

Love, peace, healing, and continued growth,

moderator manymoretodays or mmt

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

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

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

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

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

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

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

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

 

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  • Mentor

Amazing to read. I am glad you are getting such improvements in your health getting off all the different meds. Well done :) 

I follow The Plant Paradox lifestyle by Dr.Gundry. This lifestyle has given me my life back and I feel better than I have ever felt in my life. It has enabled me to finally get off of this medication and truly live my life. Nutrition is the key to health!!!!! 

2008 to 2019  - 20 mg Paroxetine

Attempted 2 CT's around the 5-6 year mark. Were absolutely terrible and reinstated. Was never explained by the doctor the seriousness of the short half life of this drug. 

2017 - Attempted a tapered discontinuation of this drug and reinstated after being unsuccessful.

2019 - Feb. 12 - After a three month taper I am off of paroxetine. The 3 months were terrible, awful withdrawal feelings. I followed the doctors guidelines for the reduction of this drug and now know it was way too fast. 
2019 - Oct. 12 - 8 months off paroxetine. 75% improvement since coming off the drug. Definitely have had tons of challenges along the way. Let’s go!!!! 

2021 - Feb. 12 - 24 months off paroxetine. I have minor challenges now. Tinnitus/Headaches are still around but are reduced by a massive amount. 

 

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Hey guys,

 

to elaborate a little more, my psychiatrist did wean me off the fluoxetine and Abilify over 10-12 weeks each, respectively. The Pristiq was next on the agenda, however, the pandemic began and I could only meet with him over Zoom. I decided to take matters into my own hands and stop the Pristiq cold Turkey, under the assumption that I would have to deal with withdrawal regardless and that I would get it out of the way. 
 

My withdrawal symptoms included (past tense) mood swings (crazy ups and downs), intense periods of anxiety, crying and hyperventilating at the drop of a hat, pain from bright lights, random decreases and increases in appetite, and an excessive amount of energy.

 

My withdrawal symptoms include (still going) insomnia (not terrible, I sleep 6-7 hours per night and on a good night I sleep 8 hours. However, I suffered from hypersomnia due to my medications so this is a lot different), misophonia (loud noises seem to make my heart pound and in a crowded room, it feels like the noises are surrounding me), increased health anxiety (which isn’t helped by the insomnia since I feel that it isn’t exactly healthy), and I’m full of nervous energy a good portion of the time.

 

My concentration is great, motivation is great, energy levels are really good, appetite is normal, cognitive abilities are great, health is great, and I finally have self confidence. The medications seemed to curb my general anxiety but honestly, I think going off them cured me of my social anxiety and any form of depression. 
 

I’m happy to answer any more questions,

 

Connor 

Started on Psychoactive Medications at the age of 10, in 2009.Discontinued medications at age 20 (last official day taking anything was March 12th, 2020).Past medications: from 2015->2020. Adderall XR - 40 mg. Adderrall 2x throughout day - 20 mg (40 total). Abilify - 20 mg. Pristiq - 100 mg. Fluoxetine - 25 mg. L-Methyl Folate Supplement (Deplin) - 15 mg

6’ 285->180 pounds. August ‘19->Current
Runner (Daily 30->60+ minute Run for Mental Health bennies)

Working on B.S. in Chemistry with  Minor in Biology (intended graduation in Spring ‘23)

Recreational Lifter (3-4x/ week. Mostly Pull-ups, OHP, and Bench.)

Percussionist (mainly kit, various bands, school bands, Jazz Band, Church productions, etc.) since age 6 

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Your story is inspiring and bold at the same time.. I want to ask you how you managed to stop all the medicines at once. Is there no danger?

I don't speak English fluently but I speak to you with google translator

2005-2006:Diversity in taking medications
 2006-2019 Seroxat 20 mg
 2020-2021 Cipralex 15 mg
 Mar 2021 it has decreased from 15 mg to 12.5 mg/Aug 2021 9mg/Sep 12, 2021 8mg/Oct 12, 2021 7mg / Nov 12, 2021 6mg / Dec 12, 2021 5mg / Jan 12, 2022 4.5mg /Feb 12, 2022 4mg/Mar-Apr 3.5mg/May 3mg The beginning of severe withdrawal

/sep 23, 2022 2.5mg

On March 19, 2023, I ended up in the emergency room, with severe palpitations, panic, and severe mental and physical fatigue, then I went back to a dose of 20 milligrams of Seroxat to this day.

 

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  • Altostrata changed the title to PristiqMystique Age 22 / Male/ Off everything for ≈2 years / Began “treatment” at age 10
  • Mentor

@PristiqMystiqueCongratulations. Thanks for letting us see it can be done.  Your experience has eased some of the worry that WD will take years, and it still can, but you have reminded me that we are all different and our recoveries will very,  some people do have shorter recoveries.

 

Thank 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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  • 10 months later...

Hi @PristiqMystique

Thanks so much for sharing your story. It helps so much to read.

Congratulations on all your hard work turning things around and saving your own life! 

I wish you all the best.

A. 

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

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

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

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

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

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

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

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

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

 

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

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  • 3 months later...

Question: 2+ years post-SSRI/Mood Stabilizer / SNRI discontinuation

 

Hey guys!

 

On March 12th of 2020, I took my final dose of Fluoxetine after tapering off Pristiq and Adderall. I’ve been medication free since then and life is going really well. I’ve experienced a world of difference in feeling genuine emotions, reduced brain fog, improved concentration, motivation, happiness, etc. (even feeling true sadness at times has been nice). I’m finishing up undergrad currently and I’m applying to Inorganic Chem PhD programs. My physical health has also improved a great deal, if you’re interested, my profile contains the rest of my story. 


However, I’m looking for others who’ve been off these medications for a bit. Since discontinuing everything, I struggle to sleep the way I did. When I was on the medication, I suffered from hypersomnia (excessive tiredness, lethargy, ~11-12 hours in bed daily). However, I now have the opposite problem. Without the aid of melatonin/earplugs, I struggle to sleep more than about 6 hours on average (some nights more/ some worse). If anyone has had anything similar that improved with time, I’d love to hear it!

 

Best,

 

Connor 

 

Edited by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with intro topic

Started on Psychoactive Medications at the age of 10, in 2009.Discontinued medications at age 20 (last official day taking anything was March 12th, 2020).Past medications: from 2015->2020. Adderall XR - 40 mg. Adderrall 2x throughout day - 20 mg (40 total). Abilify - 20 mg. Pristiq - 100 mg. Fluoxetine - 25 mg. L-Methyl Folate Supplement (Deplin) - 15 mg

6’ 285->180 pounds. August ‘19->Current
Runner (Daily 30->60+ minute Run for Mental Health bennies)

Working on B.S. in Chemistry with  Minor in Biology (intended graduation in Spring ‘23)

Recreational Lifter (3-4x/ week. Mostly Pull-ups, OHP, and Bench.)

Percussionist (mainly kit, various bands, school bands, Jazz Band, Church productions, etc.) since age 6 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Six hours a night is not too bad.

 

Q:  Do you use phone/computer during the evening? 

If you do then you might try either not using them after a certain time or you could try wearing gaming/blue light glasses.  Also try to have a calm and regular bedtime routine which can help your brain learn that it is time to slow down and sleep.

 

Q:  What time of day do you exercise, practice music etc?

See above:  playing computer games, watching fast paced movies, physical activities too late in the day can cause the body to be overstimulated.

 

If you take vitamins, Vitamin D is a daytime vitamin and best taken in the morning.  B vitamins, especially B6, can be activating.

 

Here is Alto's favourite sleep topics:

 

TV or computer use in evening can disrupt sleep: Bright light signals the brain that it's daytime

 

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Q:  Did you drink alcohol?

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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  • 1 month later...
  • Mentor
On 8/12/2022 at 8:24 PM, PristiqMystique said:

If anyone has had anything similar that improved with time, I’d love to hear it!

yes for me, good sleep was the last thing to return

I am now 5 yrs off all psych meds and my sleep gradually improved over the past few years.


without reading back thru my thread I would guess it was around the 3rd yr off that I was back to more or less normal sleep. but I was just so happy to be able to sleep at all or for more than 90 mins that I've been pretty satisfied with my sleep for a long time. I guess it's a matter of perspective, I know how much worse it could be :P

 

I imagine your sleep will continue to improve as well

 

I am still seeing other improvements, even this far out. I thought that I was 100% healed but I find some minor things still getting better,  I have better stress tolerance. I feel more "in" my body most of the time, more comfortable with myself.

I don't know if that's recovery from WD or just improvements because I'm no longer medicated and numb, honestly.

I guess it's best to just say that my life keeps getting better :)

 

I hope you see improvements too

 

  • pysch med history: 1974 @ age 18 to Oct 2017 (approx 43 yrs total) 
  •  Drug list: stelazine, haldol, elavil, lithium, zoloft, celexa, lexapro(doses as high as 40mgs), klonopin, ambien, seroquel(high doses), depakote, zyprexa, lamictal- plus brief trials of dozens of other psych meds over the years
  • started lexapro 2002, dose varied from 20mgs to 40mgs. First attempt to get off it was 2007- WD symptoms were mistaken for "relapse". 
  •  2013 too fast taper down to 5mg but WD forced me back to 20mgs
  •  June of 2105, tapered again too rapidly to 2.5mgs by Dec 2015. Found SA, held at 2.5 mgs til May 2016 when I foolishly "jumped off". felt ok until  Sept, then acute WD hit!!  reinstated at 0.3mgs in Oct. 2106
  • Tapered off to zero by  Oct. 2017 Doing very well. 
  • Nov. 2018 feel 95% healed, age 63 
  • Jan. 2020 feel 100% healed, peaceful and content
  • Dec 2023 Loving life! ❤️ with all it's ups and downs ;) 
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  • 2 months later...

Hi Connor, congratulations! I am in the middle of tapering, just wonder did you have derealization? Like kinda foggy in the head? Thank you so much!

2021/2 - 2021/5: Xanax 1mg, zopiclone 3.75mg; 2021/5 - 2021/8: Xanax 1mg, zopiclone 3.75mg, venlafaxine 225mg; 2021/8 - 2021/11: Clonazapem 2mg, venlafaxine 225mg, rexulti 2mg, mirtazapine 30mg, zopiclone 3.75mg; 2021/11 - 2021/12: Clonazapem 2mg, venlafaxine 225mg, rexulti 2mg

Crashed, mirtazapine WD(didn't know at that time)

2022/1 - 2022/3: Clonazapem 2mg, venlafaxine 225mg, bupropion 300mg; 2022/4 - 2022/5:Clonazapem 1mg, venlafaxine 187.5mg, trazodone 100mg

2022/5 - 2022/8/15: Clonazepam 0.5mg(wean off), trazodone 100mg, lexapro 20mg(cross taper), rexulti 3mg

Crashed, suspect to be benzo WD

2022/8/16 - 2022/9/7: Clonazepam  0.5mg, venlafaxine 150mg(side effect this time), rexulti 3mg, trazodone 100mg, seroquel 25mg; 2022/9/8 - 2022/10/1: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 20mg(cross taper), rexulti 3mg, trazodone 50mg, seroquel 25mg; 2022/10/2 - 2022/11/8: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 10mg, trazodone 25mg

Crashed since 10/9

2022/11/9 - 2022/11/15: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 5mg; 2022/11/16 - 2022/12/2: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 5mg, dayvigo 5mg; 2022/12/3 - 2022/12/21: Clonazapem 1mg, trintellix 5mg, dayvigo 2.5mg

Fly back to China from Canada, 13hrs jet lag triggered severe wave til today.

2022/12/22 - 2023/3/21: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 5mg, dayvigo 5mg

2023/3/21 - now: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 10mg, dayvigo 5mg

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