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Georgio: Starting Questions


Georgio

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It will take about 3 days for the reduction to fully take effect. Please at least 24 hours of notes at a time. Include how you feel before and after each dose.

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

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28/08/2021

Sleep about 8 hours

8 am, waking up with severe anxiety

9 am, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 am – 3 pm very strong anxiety.

3 pm - Depressed mood without anxiety

6 – 6.30 pm moderate anxiety

6.30 pm - I'm pretty much OK.

9 pm, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, kwentiax (quetiapine) 50 mg, Trittico (tradozon) 50 mg

10 pm lead fatigue, no anxiety

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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  • Administrator
On 8/21/2021 at 4:02 PM, Georgio said:

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg             started:                          August 2020

  Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg      restarted:                        August 2020

  Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg                  started:                           October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. 

  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg                 started:                          November 2020

  Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg               started with 100 mg      Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.

  Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg           started                           March 2021

  Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg      started:                          4 days ago

 

Please incorporate the above information in your signature, where it's most convenient for the staff. I do not download files to read them, sorry.

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 did it.

This was the only form the system allowed.

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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  • Administrator

That's fine, thanks. 

 

Your symptom pattern indicates the additional alprazolam doses were causing a paradoxical reaction and your overall alprazolam dosage was too high. The pattern also indicates the cocktail you take at 9 a.m. is too strong for you.

 

I suspect the early morning anxiety is withdrawal from the prior night's pregabalin.

 

Which is more important to you, to reduce the symptoms you get in the early morning or from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.?

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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From 9 a.m.-3 p.m. is more important!

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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29/08/2021

Sleep about 8 hours

8-9 am, waking up with moderate anxiety, but with a very strong rumination.

9 am, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9.30 – 10.30 am I’m very tired, no anxiety

10.30 – 1 pm very strong anxiety

1-9 pm - very strong depression, feeling of hopelessness, Pressure on the top of my head.

9 pm, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, kwentiax (quetiapine) 50 mg, Trittico (tradozon) 50 mg

10 pm lead fatigue, no anxiety

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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Dear @Altostrata!

 

What should I do?

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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Dear @Altostrata!

 

 

Unfortunately I'm very unwell and my sleep has started to deteriorate, so I'm definitely going to start cutting back. 


While I wait for your answer as to which medication to change and/or start reducing, I will start reducing the evening Quetiapine as my psychiatrist suggested.

 

But not half a dose (25 mg/50 mg), but cutting a 25 mg pill into 4 parts, so I am taking away an eighth part (6.25 mg/50 mg), that is 12.5%, almost the ideal 10%. 

 

Any other advice from anyone?

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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  • Administrator

Well, @Georgio, while you've focused on the quetiapine from the beginning, you're taking an excessive drug combination overall.

 

It's likely the drug combination you're taking in the morning is causing your daytime symptoms, possibly in combination with trazodone, while the nighttime combination is causing a paradoxical reaction affecting your sleep. 

 

Of all your significant drug duplication, my choice would be to reduce trazodone. But anybody's guess could be correct, even the doctor who prescribed all these drugs that are dangerous in combination.

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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Dear @Altostrata!

 

Can I try to reduce the 2 medicines at the same time to reduce my symthoms as soon as possible?

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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  • Administrator
18 hours ago, Georgio said:

Can I try to reduce the 2 medicines at the same time to reduce my symthoms as soon as possible?

 

We absolutely do not recommend this.

 

What are you taking now?

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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Quetiapine - 12.5%

 

At the moment I can't get out of bed for days, I'm so sick. My recurring symptoms are nausea and stomach ache. It's completely new to me that I'm full of acid, I keep burping up and I have continous diarrhoea. 

 

My GP is treating me with antibiotics.

 

Could this be more of a withdrawal symptom?

 

I am also completely depressed and have anxiety all the time.

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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  • Administrator

You're also taking antibiotics? What does the doctor think you have? When did you start the antibiotics?

 

41 minutes ago, Georgio said:

Quetiapine - 12.5%

 

What does this mean?

 

41 minutes ago, Georgio said:

It's completely new to me that I'm full of acid, I keep burping up and I have continous diarrhoea. 

 

When did this start?

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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6 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

You're also taking antibiotics?

 

Yes

 

8 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

 What does the doctor think you have?

 

 

His first idea is that I have some kind of stomach or intestinal infection.

 

9 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

When did you start the antibiotics?

 

2 of Septembre
 

11 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

What does this mean?


 (-6.25 mg from 50 mg = 43,75 mg), that is - 12.5%, almost the ideal - 10%. Since 29 of August.

16 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

When did this start?

 

1 of Septembre

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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  • Administrator

@Georgio, I would appreciate your responding as straighforwardly as possible, as though I was a person who can't read minds or memorize your history.

 

You reduced quetiapine to 43.75mg on August 29, is that correct? And your gut symptoms started 2 days later?

 

On August 30, did you feel any odd symptoms? You have not posted daily notes since August 29. We need to see them every day, 24 hours at a time!

 

Did your doctor verify that you had an infection that can be treated with antibiotics before prescribing them? Usually this is done with a swab. 

 

Do you feel better or worse now that you've had 3 days of antibiotics? How long are you supposed to take the antibiotics?

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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- Yes, I started tapering quetiapine on 29 August and my gut symptoms started 2 days later.

- On 30 of August I had stomach cramping

- My doctor was not convinced that I had an infection, he just deduced it from the symptoms. No swabs were taken.

- today on 5 of september a feel better. The diarrhoea has stopped today.

- I have to take the antibiotics until 8 September. (6 days)

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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  • Administrator

It's possible you had a gut infection and your doctor made a lucky guess, or you got withdrawal symptoms from the quetiapine reduction, which have resolved over a week, or both.

 

Strongly advise minimization of antibiotics, for many reasons. They should be prescribed only when a serious bacterial infection has been positively identified.

 

We cannot make any other drug changes until you finish the antibiotic treatment. Too many moving parts. It is possible the antibiotic is adding to your symptoms.

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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Dear @Altostrata!

 

Now I would like to write a little more about my condition, so that you can see more clearly. In my introduction, I described that I have been tried on practically every kind of medication. I was a lively, ambitious, strong, highly intelligent and independent person until 2019, when I had my first panic attack and, after the sertraline uptake failed, I had a complete breakdown. I spent a total of 9 months in hospital and saw a lot of horrible cases around me. I didn't need to see this, but no psychiatrist after 16 years on sertraline would agree to switch me to another drug outside of hospital. After the drugs didn't work the psychiatrists spread their hands and said psychotherapy would help me. I was in schema therapy for 1 month and analytical therapy for 3 months in two different rehabs, saw a psychologist for 1 year and 10 or so private psychiatrists. I got a lot of meaningless diagnoses. I spent all my savings on "specialists". I was unable to live in my apartment, so I moved back home with my 73 year old mother, who is getting completely fed up with not being able to help me.

 

So I really followed the advice of the professionals in everything I did to finally get myself sorted. 2021 In June 2021 I bought a book on how to cure anxiety and phobias, based mainly on CBT, and it really inspired me, I felt like I was finally in control and I was making good progress, I had new energy, I didn't feel depressed, and my anxiety was thinning out nicely, so that for 3 weeks my anxiety was completely gone. I thought it was finally over, and I'd basically forgotten the last 2.5 years. At the same time, I felt more and more tired, my joints and muscles started to ache, and then the pain got worse. I kept a strict schedule, but at this point I was so tired that I had to go to bed. I fell asleep and had nightmares, woke up sweating and again with terrible anxiety, and from there the anxiety came back.

 

I searched for what else I could do and that's how I found SA, and I saw that other people had recovered by going off their medication. I decided to go that route, as I had tried everything else.

 

Now I am really deep. I am totally depressed, I just have a hard time even getting myself to eat at all. I've been in bed since Thursday and I'm terrified, plus I'm alone because my mum is away. For days now I can't bring myself to take a bath or go anywhere.

 

I can't stay in this state because this is not life. I have to admit that I have already reduced my quetiapine by 25%. You are a very important link for me now to life, to hope. I think I need to take more risks and go faster with tapering. Of course, if there is a new symptom again, I would immediately put the brakes on. I cannot afford to live on my mum's back for years to come. 

 

The diarrhea has stopped and today my stomach didn't hurt and I didn't have acid reflux. Either my GP was right or I'm over my first new withdrawal symptom.

 

I would like to move on, but basically following your advice on the choice of medication to taper from. 

 

I used an on-line translator for this text and now I don't have the strength to check that it translated correctly. If something is not clear, please let me know!

 

Please help me further!        

 

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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  • Administrator

We understand, @Georgio I am glad you are feeling better. Maybe you had a bug.

 

Still, we cannot decide on next steps until you finish the antibiotics, and we need to see daily notes. This may be far more than your doctors ask of you, but your doctors should monitoring you much more closely, especially after prescribing that massive drug cocktail.

 

Please be aware that in addition to assisting in voluntary deprescribing, we encourage people to unpatient themselves: To change the attitudes and beliefs that caused them to become psychiatric patients in the first place. Each person has to find it within themselves to do this, or they will have difficulty going drug-free.

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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@Altostrata

 

OK, I'll start writing my symptoms again.

 

I am currently seeing a state psychiatrist because I can no longer afford a private one. He can't deal with me too much.

 

I became a "psychiatric patient" because of almost constant headaches for 15 years (as a child and young adult), it was very difficult to live with and completely changed my personality, which is why I was put on antidepressants in the first place. My anxiety and somatization problems started later, and after learning about the withdrawal syndromes here I am beginning to think that they may have been caused by the sertraline withdrawal at the time, which after I got back on sertraline completely resolved and I became a completely different, much tougher person for 16 years. Since then of course I have had a breakdown and the traumas of the last 2.5 years have made me totally anxious about everything. I have situational as well as emotional anxiety and I am now afraid of practically everything. I need to work on that for sure, I just need a spark of hope. I think if during my withdrawal I can recognize vawes that others are experiencing, if I can see my symptoms changing, i.e. building the structure of WTC in my brain while people are working in it, that will give me a big boost.     

 

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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07/09/2021

I slept for about 6 hours, but I don't know exactly, because I woke up at dawn with anxiety and nausea, and then I just tossed and turned in bed.

8 am, waking up with strong nausea, and moderate anxiety

8.10 am, I take a pantropazol pill

9 am, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg, Antibiotic, probiotic

9 am -12 I’m in bed, feeling strong depression, and nausea.

I'm looking at the SA members' threads and feeling fear, both of what's in store for me and that tapering won't help me.

12 I got out of bed

12 – 3 pm feeling strong depression, the nausea is gone, I did things at home, I am tired, and I have brain fog

4 – 4.30 pm While looking at Facebook, a strong feeling of anxiety came over me.

4.30 – 7.30 – I fell very strong anxiety

7.30 – 9 – moderate anxiety

9 pm, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, kwentiax (quetiapine) 37,5 mg, Trittico (tradozon) 50 mg, Antibiotic, probiotic

9-10.30 pm moderate anxiety

10.30 pm – go to sleep

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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  • Administrator

Why are you taking the antibiotic and probiotic with 4 other drugs at the same time?

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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For practical reasons only. Was I wrong?

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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@Georgio you should understand that your practice of taking handfuls of drugs at the same time increases the likelihood many of your symptoms are from drug-drug interactions. What do you think happens when all that chemistry hits your liver and kidneys at once?

 

If I were you, I'd take that probiotic before your midday meal and the antibiotic afterward, unless you've been told you need to take it on an empty stomach.

 

The rest of your drugs need to be rescheduled to reduce potential drug-drug interactions, but we need to delay this because the introduction of the antibiotic probably generates new symptoms, so we cannot see the baseline of your daily symptom pattern.

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

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08/09/2021

I slept for about 6 hours, but I don't know exactly, because I woke up at dawn with anxiety, and then I just tossed and turned in bed.

8 am, waking up with strong anxiety

9 am, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg, Antibiotic

9-12 – moderate anxiety, I am sleepy.

12-3 pm - moderate anxiety

3 – 9 pm - moderate anxiety, depression

9 pm, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, kwentiax (quetiapine) 25 mg, Trittico (tradozon) 45 mg,

9 pm – 0 – No anxiety, moderate depression

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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Dear @Altostrata,

 

I went to my psychiatrist yesterday and he totally confused me. He saw I was very depressed and wanted to up my tradozone. He recommended I go to hospital, or start therapy again with a psychologist, or try ketamine etc. 

 

He completely denies that I have drug interactions or withdrawal symptoms. He continues to insist that antidepressants are only short term and usually cause mild side effects, and I have not had a major antidepressant withdrawal in the last year.

 

I myself experienced during 16 years of taking sertraline, when we tried to come off it once, that with the reduction I had brain electrical zaps for months, which were unpleasant but bearable but as it made my head hurt more and my anxiety started to come on, we stopped the reduction and the symptoms went away when we went back to 100 mg.

 

I think tapering off the sertraline will be very difficult.

 

The only reason he is supporting my drug reduction plan is because he has nothing more to give me, or he came up with some experimental drug that I refused. He is also curious to see how I will do without medication.

 

The next drug reduction would be to cut the pregabalin in half. from 150 mg to 75 mg by taking away the evening dose. How do you feel about that? 

 

He suggested I take lavender essential oil extract medication. Is that a good idea?

 

As I sleep well I have reduced the quetiapine from 37.5 mg to 25 mg and the tradozone by 10%.

 

Yesterday I went to bed very late so unfortunately today I woke up at 10am and didn't take my meds until 11am, now it's 3.30pm I don't feel anxiety, just very sleepy.

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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The reason this site exists is because people have found their doctors, even psychiatrists, know next to nothing about how to get them off the psychiatric drugs they prescribe. We do not expect doctors to agree with the peer support advice we give here.

 

Over 10 years, we've seen many people coming here with undiagnosed or misdiagnosed adverse effects from their drug cocktails. We've had to devise methods to unravel polypharmacy so as to cause the least amount of upset. Doctors know nothing about this. You can still get withdrawal from a drug even though you're taking 4 others. Doctors don't know that, either.

 

You are presenting your psychiatrist's tapering plan? No, it's not the sort of plan we would recommend. But you can follow it if you wish.

 

5 hours ago, Georgio said:

He suggested I take lavender essential oil extract medication. Is that a good idea?

 

Some people like it, some don't. It's absurd to think that lavender extract would compensate for the effect of 5 psychiatric drugs, but who knows.

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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Halving pregabalin and reducing quetiapine was my psychiatrist's choice. The tradozone reduction is mine.

I no longer take antibiotics. My stomach is ok now. My main sympthoms, as you can see, de anxiety, and depression (fatigue, anhedonia, lack of emotion, lack of concentration, sluggishness, lack of motivation, loss of appetite, difficulty doing anything). 

 

What is your advice?

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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6 hours ago, Georgio said:

As I sleep well I have reduced the quetiapine from 37.5 mg to 25 mg and the tradozone by 10%.

 

What exactly are you taking now? When did you do this?

 

We do not advise changing more than one drug at once, or we'll be unable to interpret your symptoms should your changes cause greater upset. It seems to me you have a long history of making ad hoc changes in your drugs and you prefer to do this despite any advice you've received here. 

 

You just made 3 changes at once: antibiotic, quetiapine, trazodone -- and maybe pregabalin as well.

 

As I've mentioned before, your practice of taking batches of drugs at once may be causing many of your symptoms, yet it appears you are disinclined to address that.

 

14 minutes ago, Georgio said:

My main sympthoms, as you can see, de anxiety, and depression (fatigue, anhedonia, lack of emotion, lack of concentration, sluggishness, lack of motivation, loss of appetite, difficulty doing anything). 

 

I cannot see your main symptoms as you have not posted daily symptom notes since Tuesday and you've changed 3-4 drugs since then.

 

You are taking a ridiculous cocktail of 5 drugs, any of which may cause these symptoms on their own: sertraline, alprazolam, pregabalin, quetiapine, trazodone. Not only that, but you take them in combination twice a day.

 

As you may have noticed, we are much more methodical in our deprescribing methods than your doctor. I'm a volunteer, responding to you takes time away from pursuing my own life. Please respect my time.

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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