targetdog: Healing post-tapering/residual cognitive issues from drugs

[targetdog]

I was in mental health treatment for 15 years, the last 10(ish) of which I was on psych drugs. I amassed a number of diagnoses from different professionals but the only one they all agreed on was GAD.

 

My tapering process went relatively smooth with regards to the withdrawal symptoms—all of which cleared up about a month post-tapering—although I did have a brief surge of what I’m speculating was post-SSRI akathisia at the beginning of last month/end of the prior month. Overall, it's been a reality-shattering experience as I’m functioning better off the drugs that I spent so many years thinking I couldn’t live without.

 

I am still dealing with some of the drugs’ effects and wanted to publicly document any progress as I’ve ran into quite a few others in the same boat. I’d appreciate suggestions on coping with/recovering from these. The last three, especially, cause a lot of issues in daily life and are threatening to force me out of university:

 

-anhedonia

-forgetfulness

-slow processing speed

-difficulty concentrating

 

I didn’t know if I should list non-psych drugs/substances in my signature. My complete last cocktail was Viibryd, Amitriptyline, Lithium, Sinemet (AD-induced RLS), Cyproheptadine (sleep/nightmares), and melatonin.

[Go2zero]

Welcome to this support site. 

 

It is not fully clear to me when you took your last meds. What did you stop and when?

 

Are there any meds you are still taking?

 

 

[targetdog]

I edited my signature to hopefully be clearer regarding that. Here’s a more detailed drug history:

 

First cocktail (started at age 14; approx. 2009-2016)

-Luvox (400mg)

-Seroquel later switched to Amitriptyline (25mg)

-melatonin

-as-needed benzos

 

Second cocktail (approx. 2016-2019)

-Viibryd (80mg) replacing Luvox

-Amitriptyline (25mg)

-Lithium (150mg)

-Sinemet (?mg) for antidepressant-induced RLS

-Periactin (?mg) for nightmares

-melatonin

-as-needed benzos

 

I quit Amitriptyline, Lithium, Sinemet, Periactin, and melatonin in the later half of 2019. I started tapering Viibryd in 4/?/2020 and quit 12/26/2020. I currently only take an as-needed Xanax (about once per month).

[Shep]

On 8/11/2021 at 8:12 PM, targetdog said:

I quit Amitriptyline, Lithium, Sinemet, Periactin, and melatonin in the later half of 2019. I started tapering Viibryd in 4/?/2020 and quit 12/26/2020. I currently only take an as-needed Xanax (about once per month).

 

Welcome to SA, targetdog. 

 

That's quite a load of drugs you've come off. Are you feeling any improvements over the past 8 months? 

 

You should be okay with Xanax once per month, but just as a FYI, please note that Xanax (and any benzo) can cause dependency in as little as 2 - 4 weeks, even with periodic dosing. 

 

You may find some helpful information to handle your symptoms here: 

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements, as many members report their nervous systems are simply too fragile to handle them. However, magnesium and fish oil tend to be calming to the nervous system and many people report they do help. Please only add in one supplement at a time and at a small dose. For more, please see:

 

 King of supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker

 

You may want to add in a bit of fish oil and magnesium (one at a time) and see how you. It may take the edge of your symptoms and give you a bit of relief. 

 

On 8/9/2021 at 3:12 AM, targetdog said:

The last three, especially, cause a lot of issues in daily life and are threatening to force me out of university:

 

-anhedonia

-forgetfulness

-slow processing speed

-difficulty concentrating

 

You're already 8 months off all drugs, so unfortunately, reinstating the drugs probably won't work. Which means you'll need to rely on time, non-drug coping skills, a healthy diet, etc. to lead to your healing. And that will happen in time. 

 

Are you able to take a break from your studies until you feel better? Or reduce the number of classes?