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Marykay157: Cold Turkey Prozac, reinstated but still have anxiety and insomnia

Marykay157

By Marykay157
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Marykay157

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Cold Turkey Prozac, reinstated  in 30 days but after 4.5 months  still have anxiety and insomnia

 

Hi, I've been taking 20 mg prozac for several  years. 2010 I believe and stupidly decided to cold turkey off it the end of March. I started to feel a little  off, so i reinstated on my own  May 1 at 20 mg, Went to Dr may 27  and he lowered me to 10mg for 3 weeks  then back to 20 mg since June 18.  I have had anxiety and insomnia  and depression and no appetite since. I've lost 40 pounds  in 4 1/2 months and  the anxiety changes day to day.  In the beginning I started  drinking  sleepy time tea 2 cups a night and 3 mg melatonin to help  me sleep, have continued to do that and  Dr added. 5 mg klonopin on June 25 for anxiety  and I took in evening so it helped me sleep.  Gradually  over past 11 weels I have lowered  my klon from .5 to. 25 mg each night  My sleep  has gotten horrible last few weeks. 

I don't know what to do.....  Since I am  not getting any better on the prozac after over 4 months  should I taper off that? Then wait and taper off the .25 klon?  I'm so confused.  What have I done to myself?  Is it kindling? Will  I be in severe withdrawal?  What if Dr wants to cross taper me to  another  SSRI  or wants to increase my  prozac?  What do I do???  Help!!!

 

Edited by ChessieCat
added original intro title before shortening
1

2010- 3/30/21 CT off 20 mg prozac

5/1/2021 - 5/26/21  20 mg prozac

5/27/21 - 6/17/21 10mg prozac

6/18/21 -  present 20mg prozac 

6/25/21 - 10/15/21 .5 -.25 klon

10/16/21-12/20/21 lowered to 0 klon 

10/13/21-11/18/21  10 mg doxepin

11/18/21-11/25/21  20 mg doxepin

11/25/21-12/10/21 15 mg doxepin

12/10/21 - present  10 mg doxepin

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DataGuy Contributor

DataGuy

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Hi @Marykay157


Welcome to SA. Sorry you are suffering through this. Unfortunately I don't think there is any easy way to solve this. The best solution is to very slowly taper off the prozac and klonopin, after stabilizing. Adding supplements like sleepy time tea and melatonin tends to complicate things, I find. Can you tell me what exactly is in the sleepy time tea? 

 

I would suggest reading our topic Why Taper By 10%. Tapering slowly helps minimize both symptoms and symptom severity, ensuring you can remain functional while you get off the drug. Reducing more quickly than 10% can be too fast for many people, and as you get to lower doses you may want to slow the reduction even further, since receptor occupancy of these drugs tends to decrease more rapidly at lower doses. Here are specific tips for tapering off fluoxetine (prozac).

 

It is possible you became dependent on the Klonopin in the last 11 weeks and cutting it in half is the reason your sleep got worse. How much were you sleeping before and how much are you sleeping now? Do you have any symptoms other than insomnia, anxiety and stomach problems? Did reinstating the prozac help or hurt your symptoms? Would you say you have gotten better or worse over the last 4 months?

 

Some drugs and supplements can interfere with metabolism and can also have psychotropic effects (antibiotics, steroids, some supplements, coffee, nicotine etc.). It would be very helpful if you could create a drug history in your signature like this one. This link will take you directly to the signature. Signatures generally look like this: 

 

Example:

2001–2002 paroxetine 
2003  citalopram 
2004  paroxetine
2008  paroxetine slow taper down to 2016 Aug off paroxetine
2016  citalopram May 20mg  Oct slow taper down
2018  citalopram 13 Feb 4.6mg 15 Mar 4.4mg 29 Apr 4.2mg

 

This will allow any moderator or member to quickly see your history and where you are in your taper, and thus be able to help more easily without too much reading (most people here are volunteers and have other jobs). Once you do this we can discuss what to do next. I think I would favor getting rid of the supplements to avoid having too many different pharmacological effects at once. Then likely prozac, then the klonopin. 

 

In the meantime, you might find some of these non drug coping techniques helpful to ease your symptoms. Hope you start feeling better soon : )

Edited by DataGuy

Remeron - 2004-2005 (bad withdrawal)

Clonazepam - 2005-2018 (jumped around March)

Olanzapine - 2014- late 2017

Domperidone - 2008-2018

Many drugs in between including Lexapro, other benzos and z-drugs.

Still suffering post-withdrawal from Clonazepam (Klonopin), Olanzapine and Domperidone. 

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Marykay157 Rookie

Marykay157

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Hi,thanks for responding.  I have had some good and bad days lately. Today  no anxiety, and got my appetite.   But still  have symptom of mild depression  and often  can't  watch TV or movie.  Not sure what that is symptom is called?

 The sleepy tea mostly has chamomile. Tiny bit of lemon grass, peppermint, spearmint.

 

I did become dependent on klon to sleep. When  I reduce it about 10 days later I  can't sleep much for a few days.

 

Which do I  taper first? Klon or prozac. 

1

2010- 3/30/21 CT off 20 mg prozac

5/1/2021 - 5/26/21  20 mg prozac

5/27/21 - 6/17/21 10mg prozac

6/18/21 -  present 20mg prozac 

6/25/21 - 10/15/21 .5 -.25 klon

10/16/21-12/20/21 lowered to 0 klon 

10/13/21-11/18/21  10 mg doxepin

11/18/21-11/25/21  20 mg doxepin

11/25/21-12/10/21 15 mg doxepin

12/10/21 - present  10 mg doxepin

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DataGuy Contributor

DataGuy

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Hi @Marykay157,

 

This is actually a tough one. Normally we would taper the prozac first because it is less sedating and we typically taper sedating agents last. But if you have only been on Klonopin for 11 week or so, it may be best to get rid of that first. But you should taper it slowly. 10% at a time to start off. Benzos typically are not good for sleep long term anyway. And they are VERY tough to taper if you have been on for a long time. They are also neurotoxic, according to this and any other papers. But stopping quickly can really produce even more of an injury than taking them long term. So be very careful coming off. The Ashton Manual, linked her. provides a pretty thorough guide to tapering benzos. 

 

Do you mean you can't concentrate well enough to watch TV or movies? What is the reason you have trouble watching them? 

Remeron - 2004-2005 (bad withdrawal)

Clonazepam - 2005-2018 (jumped around March)

Olanzapine - 2014- late 2017

Domperidone - 2008-2018

Many drugs in between including Lexapro, other benzos and z-drugs.

Still suffering post-withdrawal from Clonazepam (Klonopin), Olanzapine and Domperidone. 

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Marykay157 Rookie

Marykay157

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I think a combination of anxiety and depression  stops me from being able to watch TV,movies   I don't have any happiness or interest in them I guess.    When  I  quit prozac for  5 weeks I just had a tiny bit of anxiety... but got scared and went back on.  But trying to get back on this past 4 1/2  months has been awful,  and sadly the Dr prescribed klon and I stupidly started taking it every night to sleep.   Which  it did help  the first few weeks until I started lowering it because I was worried about becoming addicted  to it.  

The prozac is so stimulating that I have not felt sleepy since I went back on it May 1, 2021.  I'm literally never sleepy. I'm anxious and or have depression.   

 

Am I in for years of a horrible experience?  😕 

1

2010- 3/30/21 CT off 20 mg prozac

5/1/2021 - 5/26/21  20 mg prozac

5/27/21 - 6/17/21 10mg prozac

6/18/21 -  present 20mg prozac 

6/25/21 - 10/15/21 .5 -.25 klon

10/16/21-12/20/21 lowered to 0 klon 

10/13/21-11/18/21  10 mg doxepin

11/18/21-11/25/21  20 mg doxepin

11/25/21-12/10/21 15 mg doxepin

12/10/21 - present  10 mg doxepin

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DataGuy Contributor

DataGuy

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Hopefully not years. You might be able to make yourself a bit more comfortable by adjusting the prozac before you start tapering the klonopin. If you find the Prozac too stimulating at the current dose, it might help just to lower it until you feel sleepy more regularly. I would just start by lowering the dose by 10% or so. Prozac has a long half life, so it can take awhile to feel the full effect of dose changes. Here are some tips on tapering fluoxetine, where you can learn about the half-life and how to make a liquid for easy tapering. 

 

Sounds like the symptom causing you not to be able to watch movies is anhedonia, loss of pleasure in things we normally find pleasurable. 

Remeron - 2004-2005 (bad withdrawal)

Clonazepam - 2005-2018 (jumped around March)

Olanzapine - 2014- late 2017

Domperidone - 2008-2018

Many drugs in between including Lexapro, other benzos and z-drugs.

Still suffering post-withdrawal from Clonazepam (Klonopin), Olanzapine and Domperidone. 

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  • DataGuy changed the title to Marykay157: Cold Turkey Prozac, reinstated in 30 days but after 4.5 months still have anxiety and insomnia.
  • 2 months later...
Marykay157 Rookie

Marykay157

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Hi   It's been 2 months since I have posted here. I'm still on 20 mg Prozac daily.  My anxiety and depression and inability to feel joy have mostly gone away, but insomnia got way worse so my dr put me on 10 mg doxepin to sleep and she increased doxepin to 20 mg a week ago.

 

I have a couple of questions

1)  Since I've only increased the doxepin from 10 to 20  for 6 days, can I just  go back to 10 mg and stay at that?

2) I've gradually reduced my Klon since I started it June 25. I'm now at .0625 so will be done at end of the year. Do I wait until I am completely off Klon to reduce my Prozac? 

3) Would doxepin be last med I wean off?

4) Both my 20 mg Prozac and 10 mg of doxepin are powder capsules.  Can I dissolve them  in water and lower dose that way, or is it better to buy a scale  and capsules and put lower dose in capsules? 

 

Thank you for your help and support. 

 

2010- 3/30/21 CT off 20 mg prozac

5/1/2021 - 5/26/21  20 mg prozac

5/27/21 - 6/17/21 10mg prozac

6/18/21 -  present 20mg prozac 

6/25/21 - 10/15/21 .5 -.25 klon

10/16/21-12/20/21 lowered to 0 klon 

10/13/21-11/18/21  10 mg doxepin

11/18/21-11/25/21  20 mg doxepin

11/25/21-12/10/21 15 mg doxepin

12/10/21 - present  10 mg doxepin

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Marykay157 Rookie

Marykay157

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On 11/26/2021 at 6:56 PM, Marykay157 said:

Hi  @DataGuy It's been 2 months since I have posted here. I'm still on 20 mg Prozac daily.  My anxiety and depression and inability to feel joy have mostly gone away, but insomnia got way worse so my dr put me on 10 mg doxepin to sleep and she increased doxepin to 20 mg a week ago.

 

I have a couple of questions

1)  Since I've only increased the doxepin from 10 to 20  for 6 days, can I just  go back to 10 mg and stay at that?

2) I've gradually reduced my Klon since I started it June 25. I'm now at .0625 so will be done at end of the year. Do I wait until I am completely off Klon to reduce my Prozac? 

3) Would doxepin be last med I wean off?

4) Both my 20 mg Prozac and 10 mg of doxepin are powder capsules.  Can I dissolve them  in water and lower dose that way, or is it better to buy a scale  and capsules and put lower dose in capsules? 

 

Thank you for your help and support. 

 

 

2010- 3/30/21 CT off 20 mg prozac

5/1/2021 - 5/26/21  20 mg prozac

5/27/21 - 6/17/21 10mg prozac

6/18/21 -  present 20mg prozac 

6/25/21 - 10/15/21 .5 -.25 klon

10/16/21-12/20/21 lowered to 0 klon 

10/13/21-11/18/21  10 mg doxepin

11/18/21-11/25/21  20 mg doxepin

11/25/21-12/10/21 15 mg doxepin

12/10/21 - present  10 mg doxepin

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manymoretodays Grand Master

manymoretodays

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Hi there Marykay157, and I'll @DataGuytoo, so when they come around, they can have a look,

On 11/26/2021 at 5:56 PM, Marykay157 said:

Hi   It's been 2 months since I have posted here. I'm still on 20 mg Prozac daily.  My anxiety and depression and inability to feel joy have mostly gone away, but insomnia got way worse so my dr put me on 10 mg doxepin to sleep and she increased doxepin to 20 mg a week ago.

 

I have a couple of questions

1)  Since I've only increased the doxepin from 10 to 20  for 6 days, can I just  go back to 10 mg and stay at that?

2) I've gradually reduced my Klon since I started it June 25. I'm now at .0625 so will be done at end of the year. Do I wait until I am completely off Klon to reduce my Prozac? 

3) Would doxepin be last med I wean off?

4) Both my 20 mg Prozac and 10 mg of doxepin are powder capsules.  Can I dissolve them  in water and lower dose that way, or is it better to buy a scale  and capsules and put lower dose in capsules? 

 

Thank you for your help and support. 

 

 

Did you see this:

On 9/18/2021 at 6:16 PM, DataGuy said:

Hopefully not years. You might be able to make yourself a bit more comfortable by adjusting the prozac before you start tapering the klonopin. If you find the Prozac too stimulating at the current dose, it might help just to lower it until you feel sleepy more regularly. I would just start by lowering the dose by 10% or so. Prozac has a long half life, so it can take awhile to feel the full effect of dose changes. Here are some tips on tapering fluoxetine, where you can learn about the half-life and how to make a liquid for easy tapering. 

 

Have you been doing further tapers of your klonopin, since you last visited?

What symptoms were you having that prompted the updose of doxepin?

And okay, insomnia.  Forgive, I just saw your quote post when heading offline.  And your other symptoms of anxiety, depression, and anhedonia had improved.

Did it help?

What symptoms are you having now?

When do you take your drugs, the time of day?

 

Frustrating to get more questions to you, than answers right now I'm sure.  I just need to get a better feel for your situation/case.

And.....I don't know how much you've perused the site yet, so will give you a few links to topics, that should prove helpful too.

Dr.Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list.

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

And this ^, generally applies to benzo tapering as well

What is withdrawal syndrome

Brain Remodelling

 
You've got the tapering topic for Prozac, above already I see.
 
 
You may be making too many drug changes, too soon.......it's not clear to me yet. 
And how are you doing right now?
 
I'll stop there, as I don't wish to overwhelm you.  You can certainly, look at the links, as you can, you'll have them now for reference, here on your Introduction page.
 
And it's okay by me, or if it was me, I might reduce my doxepin back to 15 mg, as it's only been a week since the increase.  I can't see increasing drugs now, if your intention is to taper and reduce drugs completely.  You might experience some bumpiness along the way, with this decrease, just so you know.  As your system readjusts to the doxepin change, and reaches a new steady state.  This can often take from 4-7 days.  If that goes well, then I'd likely go down again to the 10 mg after that, in another week or two, before you have completely adapted to the new dosage.
 
Hoping you have some non-drug skills honed now to deal with symptoms too.
 
There are many, as you'll see.....
 
And best,
 
Love, peace, healing, and growth,
moderator manymoretodays
Edited by manymoretodays
founds answers to my questions in members previous post, and so added to my response

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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Marykay157 Rookie

Marykay157

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Hi @manymoretodays I'm currently tapering klon.  I'm at  .0625 klon and will be done by Dec  31.  My only symptoms left right now are super mild  anxiety and the insomnia which is why I'm taking Doxepin. Doxepin  helps me stay asleep, but not get to sleep.   My Dr put me on 10 mg  Doxepin  a little over a month ago, then increased it to 20mg  8 days ago.  I was deserperate to sleep. I should have told my Dr I don't want to increase.  I've been on 20 mg prozac since  June and haven't yet decreased it. I take all of my meds at night except prozac in the am.  I will lower my Doxepin to 15 for a week and then 10.  

Thanks for your help.... 

2010- 3/30/21 CT off 20 mg prozac

5/1/2021 - 5/26/21  20 mg prozac

5/27/21 - 6/17/21 10mg prozac

6/18/21 -  present 20mg prozac 

6/25/21 - 10/15/21 .5 -.25 klon

10/16/21-12/20/21 lowered to 0 klon 

10/13/21-11/18/21  10 mg doxepin

11/18/21-11/25/21  20 mg doxepin

11/25/21-12/10/21 15 mg doxepin

12/10/21 - present  10 mg doxepin

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manymoretodays Grand Master

manymoretodays

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You're welcome,

 

Sounds like a plan.  Do try to not change anything else right now, and for the immediate future........as too many changes, can make it very difficult to know what is going on exactly or what might be responsible for what.  Not to mention the increased stress on your nervous system.

The rule of 3KIS: keep it simple, slow, and stable

 

And then do keep us updated too.  It can be helpful to others, and in continuing to gather data, as far as what works best in tapering, and for mitigating WD.

 

Best, L, P, H, and G,

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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Marykay157 Rookie

Marykay157

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Hi @manymoretodays I have been down to 10 mg doxepin for about 3 weeks   after doing 15 mg for 2 weeks.  I've also been  off the klon completely for about a week now. I didn't notice  any side effects at all with either.

 

My next step will be to start to lower my 20 mg prozac.  They are capsules so I'm thinking I will need to do liquid titration.   I think I'll probably wait at least a month or two before I try to start lowering the prozac.  I will keep you updated. 

 

Thanks. 

2010- 3/30/21 CT off 20 mg prozac

5/1/2021 - 5/26/21  20 mg prozac

5/27/21 - 6/17/21 10mg prozac

6/18/21 -  present 20mg prozac 

6/25/21 - 10/15/21 .5 -.25 klon

10/16/21-12/20/21 lowered to 0 klon 

10/13/21-11/18/21  10 mg doxepin

11/18/21-11/25/21  20 mg doxepin

11/25/21-12/10/21 15 mg doxepin

12/10/21 - present  10 mg doxepin

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to Marykay157: Cold Turkey Prozac, reinstated in 30 days but after 4.5 months still have anxiety and insomnia
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manymoretodays Grand Master

manymoretodays

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Marykay157,

I'd be wary about going too fast with the other tapers, and or doing this rotating taper thing that you are doing.

You just got off of the klonopin a week ago.

Are you having any WD symptoms at present?

Would you show me what a day looks like with your current drugs, doses, times, and symptoms?

Do even just one day of drug and symptom logs/notes for us.  Note the date at the top.

Then times to the left.  On the right note symptoms, if any, throughout the day, both before and after you take your drugs.

Also on the right note your drugs, name, and dose.

Include any supplements on the right, activities, make a note of sleep.

And then here is a link that makes that even clearer with a sample note:

I am worried you might be going too fast with things, and generally when members are on multiple drugs or polypharmacy, it's best to do one drug at a time.  You've got the link above from DataGuy, and also got some good suggests there too.

 

So I'm wondering what you are doing?  I don't think I am just being jaded in expressing concern......it's just that I've seen so many get into trouble when proceeding on autopilot, and then ending up re-medicated, and having to wait even longer to achieve freedom from medications and drugs.  And often all the while experiencing symptoms that might be avoided with a nice judicious approach to their taper(s).

I hope that makes sense.  Maybe the link below will help guide you to slow down a bit.

Put some time between tapers.

Especially give that taper completely off klonopin time to settle.  Time to see where you are at, with the other drugs.  Usually we have polypharmacy members save the benzo taper for last.

 

The rule of 3 KI's, simple, slow, and stable

 

 

Did you want help and suggests with your tapering?  I think you do, or you wouldn't be here.  Maybe tell me more about why you are doing what you are doing.  Were you having adverse effects from the klonopin?  Are you wanting off the drugs more recently started?  Just an idea of your thinking might help.

 

Okay, thanks for the update too by the way.  I do appreciate you coming back around.

 

L, P, H, and G,

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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manymoretodays Grand Master

manymoretodays

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Hi again Marykay157,

I did get a chance to read through more of you posts here, and then previous suggests. 

On 9/18/2021 at 5:22 PM, DataGuy said:

Hi @Marykay157,

 

This is actually a tough one. Normally we would taper the prozac first because it is less sedating and we typically taper sedating agents last. But if you have only been on Klonopin for 11 week or so, it may be best to get rid of that first. But you should taper it slowly. 10% at a time to start off. Benzos typically are not good for sleep long term anyway. And they are VERY tough to taper if you have been on for a long time. They are also neurotoxic, according to this and any other papers. But stopping quickly can really produce even more of an injury than taking them long term. So be very careful coming off. The Ashton Manual, linked her. provides a pretty thorough guide to tapering benzos. 

 

Do you mean you can't concentrate well enough to watch TV or movies? What is the reason you have trouble watching them? 

 

This one especially ^, although that was back in September.

 

Anyway, I might have come off sounding a bit harsh in my previous post, so did want to recant a bit.

Why did you start the doxepin in October?

How did you taper the klonopin?  By what percentages, or mg's over what kind of time period?

 

Today is day 11 off klonopin.  I'm hoping congrats are still in order.  Congrats.  Me, I'd pause, or HOLD at least for a month, 2 might be better before further tapers now.

 

Okay.  Posted above this one too.

 

L, P, H, and G,

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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Marykay157 Rookie

Marykay157

Posted
  • Author
Posted
23 minutes ago, manymoretodays said:

Hi again Marykay157,

I did get a chance to read through more of you posts here, and then previous suggests. 

 

This one especially ^, although that was back in September.

 

Anyway, I might have come off sounding a bit harsh in my previous post, so did want to recant a bit.

Why did you start the doxepin in October?

How did you taper the klonopin?  By what percentages, or mg's over what kind of time period?

 

Today is day 11 off klonopin.  I'm hoping congrats are still in order.  Congrats.  Me, I'd pause, or HOLD at least for a month, 2 might be better before further tapers now.

 

Okay.  Posted above this one too.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

Hi, @manymoretodays. 

Thanks for your response. I really do appreciate your time  spent helping me. 

 

I  started .5 mg  klon in June and have been basically tapering off it since I started it. I went down from .5 mg to 0 mg over 7 months. My symptoms now are occasional mild anxiety and some insomnia.  I can enjoy  TV and reading etc now. Adohenia is gone. So far so good on the being off the klon. 

 

I'm only on 2 drugs now.  Plus 300 mg magnesium glycinate.  

 

8 pm -  20 mg prozac 

11 pm  - 10 mg doxepin  & 300 mg  magnesium 

 

I went on doxepin in October because I had severe insomnia. The insomnia is from the prozac as far as I k ow.  I was only was sleeping 2 hours a night in Septemberand October.  I now can sleep 7 or 8 hours. It doesn't make me sleepy, just allows me to sleep longer. 

 

Yes, I want help tapering  prozac eventually, but think I will wait a few months before changing up anything else.  

 

Thanks again for your help. 

 

 

1

2010- 3/30/21 CT off 20 mg prozac

5/1/2021 - 5/26/21  20 mg prozac

5/27/21 - 6/17/21 10mg prozac

6/18/21 -  present 20mg prozac 

6/25/21 - 10/15/21 .5 -.25 klon

10/16/21-12/20/21 lowered to 0 klon 

10/13/21-11/18/21  10 mg doxepin

11/18/21-11/25/21  20 mg doxepin

11/25/21-12/10/21 15 mg doxepin

12/10/21 - present  10 mg doxepin

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Marykay157 Rookie

Marykay157

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Im Hoping 2022 is a whole lot better for everyone  at Surviving Antidepressants  than 2021.   Wishing us all healing and happiness.  

 

Day one of 2022 has been an  okay day for me.  Low mood until this evening. This evening lm actually in a good mood. 

 

Will take my 20 mg prozac at 8 pm and 10 mg Doxepin and magnesium at 10 pm. 

2010- 3/30/21 CT off 20 mg prozac

5/1/2021 - 5/26/21  20 mg prozac

5/27/21 - 6/17/21 10mg prozac

6/18/21 -  present 20mg prozac 

6/25/21 - 10/15/21 .5 -.25 klon

10/16/21-12/20/21 lowered to 0 klon 

10/13/21-11/18/21  10 mg doxepin

11/18/21-11/25/21  20 mg doxepin

11/25/21-12/10/21 15 mg doxepin

12/10/21 - present  10 mg doxepin

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UserMan1775 Contributor

UserMan1775

Posted
Posted
31 minutes ago, Marykay157 said:

Im Hoping 2022 is a whole lot better for everyone  at Surviving Antidepressants  than 2021.   Wishing us all healing and happiness.  

 

Day one of 2022 has been an  okay day for me.  Low mood until this evening. This evening lm actually in a good mood. 

 

Will take my 20 mg prozac at 8 pm and 10 mg Doxepin and magnesium at 10 pm. 

 

Do you get any headaches? Did the doxepin help you sleep immediately?

Klonopin Mar 2013 - Feb 2021 - used .000 gram scale to cut pills did very slowly from 2017-2021, had no issues stopping after final dose that was sub .5mg diazepam equivalent (If anyone wants advice for tapering Klonopin with a gram scale, feel free to ask!)

tapered off zyprexa twice over 2 weeks in my 20's, had little issue with that after about 3-4 years of use both times.

Prozac 40MG for 5 years - 2016 - 2021 (Total of 13 years of consecutive use)

(Most recent after last break, been on cumulatively in my life 14 years all times combined, 3 separate on/off occasions, all successful except most recent 3/4)

Recent Issue:  Tapered gradually from 40MG down to 0MG from May 7th - Aug 18th

Felt fine through Oct 5th, slowly started getting depression, panic, and anxiety (Was original thing I was treated for)

Decided to go back on SSRI Nov 1st, reacted very bad to 20mg reinstatement, day 1 was fine, day 2 had ADR. Doctor said to drop dosage.

Took 5mg for 2 weeks, 10mg for 2 weeks, still felt physically sick, could not take 20mg for more than 3 days, looking for advice going forward (ADR)

Not happy about it, but on 1.5mg 3x ativan and temazepam 15mg for sleep

(Was sleeping 2-3 hrs nightly prior to temazepam, was first thing that broke 2-3 hr then wide awake sleep cycle)

Main symptoms: headaches from certain foods and meds, sleep is broken, anxiety and agitation is extremely high, cortisol spike sensitive, bad in morning better at night, panic attacks, concentration is awful, focus is awful, anhedonia is awful, sensitive to light and noise, especially noise, extreme depression, intense bouts of fear, every looks and feels 'scary' at times, stress tolerance extremely low, have bouts of extreme anxiety, and bouts akathesia, and bouts extreme anticipatory anxiety over basic events/tasks. Nervous system is clearly crashed.

No Prozac for 249 days.

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to Marykay157: Cold Turkey Prozac, reinstated but still have anxiety and insomnia
Marykay157 Rookie

Marykay157

Posted
  • Author
Posted
23 minutes ago, UserMan1775 said:

Do you get any headaches? Did the doxepin help you sleep immediately

Hi. I'm doing a lot better than I was. I don't get headaches no.  As far as the Doxepin  it worked right away. It doesn't pit me to sleep, but  It let's me stay asleep 7 or 8 hours.  

2010- 3/30/21 CT off 20 mg prozac

5/1/2021 - 5/26/21  20 mg prozac

5/27/21 - 6/17/21 10mg prozac

6/18/21 -  present 20mg prozac 

6/25/21 - 10/15/21 .5 -.25 klon

10/16/21-12/20/21 lowered to 0 klon 

10/13/21-11/18/21  10 mg doxepin

11/18/21-11/25/21  20 mg doxepin

11/25/21-12/10/21 15 mg doxepin

12/10/21 - present  10 mg doxepin

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manymoretodays Grand Master

manymoretodays

Posted
  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted (edited)
On 12/31/2021 at 8:44 AM, Marykay157 said:

I went on doxepin in October because I had severe insomnia. The insomnia is from the prozac as far as I k ow.  I was only was sleeping 2 hours a night in Septemberand October.  I now can sleep 7 or 8 hours. It doesn't make me sleepy, just allows me to sleep longer. 

 

Yes, I want help tapering  prozac eventually, but think I will wait a few months before changing up anything else.  

 

Thanks Marykay157, and I liked your post yesterday to acknowledge it......I was on my way off site, and out the door,

 

Good on the improvement in WD symptoms since off klonopin.  Do you have a repertoire of non-drug coping skills to access, should insomnia, or anxiety increase?  Good to work on practices that help with symptoms.  That can be key going forward into a life free of drugs eventually. 

 

I think congratulations ARE still in order then!!  Woohoo!  Party hats.  Fireworks.  Cake.

And I get that better, started in June, and didn't want to further that dependency.

So so far, so good.

 

So I don't know how much you've explored but do go to Symptoms and Self Care Forum, and begin to look at some of topics for ideas.  Start with the pinned topics at the top, you can skip the reinstatement one, and then you'll find whole libraries of indexed topics in some of the first posts, around all kinds of coping with all kinds of symptoms.  You'll see something you like I'm sure.

 

Have you always taken the Prozac at night? 

 

And yay, a good mood......good way to start the year.

 

Okay, best, L, P, H, and G,

mmt

 

 

Edited by manymoretodays

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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Marykay157 Rookie

Marykay157

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hi..

Thanks,  so far I'm doing pretty good now completely off the klonopin.   

 

 I've experimented several times  with when I take my prozac.  Im trying to see what time of day is best and if it matters.  I think I will try to stay with around 10 pm in the   evening again.  I know I  need to find a time and stick with it. 

 

So thankful for the support of this site. 

2010- 3/30/21 CT off 20 mg prozac

5/1/2021 - 5/26/21  20 mg prozac

5/27/21 - 6/17/21 10mg prozac

6/18/21 -  present 20mg prozac 

6/25/21 - 10/15/21 .5 -.25 klon

10/16/21-12/20/21 lowered to 0 klon 

10/13/21-11/18/21  10 mg doxepin

11/18/21-11/25/21  20 mg doxepin

11/25/21-12/10/21 15 mg doxepin

12/10/21 - present  10 mg doxepin

Link to comment
UserMan1775 Contributor

UserMan1775

Posted
Posted

It kinda sounds like your hypersensitivity went away around the 6th month mark, is that right?

Klonopin Mar 2013 - Feb 2021 - used .000 gram scale to cut pills did very slowly from 2017-2021, had no issues stopping after final dose that was sub .5mg diazepam equivalent (If anyone wants advice for tapering Klonopin with a gram scale, feel free to ask!)

tapered off zyprexa twice over 2 weeks in my 20's, had little issue with that after about 3-4 years of use both times.

Prozac 40MG for 5 years - 2016 - 2021 (Total of 13 years of consecutive use)

(Most recent after last break, been on cumulatively in my life 14 years all times combined, 3 separate on/off occasions, all successful except most recent 3/4)

Recent Issue:  Tapered gradually from 40MG down to 0MG from May 7th - Aug 18th

Felt fine through Oct 5th, slowly started getting depression, panic, and anxiety (Was original thing I was treated for)

Decided to go back on SSRI Nov 1st, reacted very bad to 20mg reinstatement, day 1 was fine, day 2 had ADR. Doctor said to drop dosage.

Took 5mg for 2 weeks, 10mg for 2 weeks, still felt physically sick, could not take 20mg for more than 3 days, looking for advice going forward (ADR)

Not happy about it, but on 1.5mg 3x ativan and temazepam 15mg for sleep

(Was sleeping 2-3 hrs nightly prior to temazepam, was first thing that broke 2-3 hr then wide awake sleep cycle)

Main symptoms: headaches from certain foods and meds, sleep is broken, anxiety and agitation is extremely high, cortisol spike sensitive, bad in morning better at night, panic attacks, concentration is awful, focus is awful, anhedonia is awful, sensitive to light and noise, especially noise, extreme depression, intense bouts of fear, every looks and feels 'scary' at times, stress tolerance extremely low, have bouts of extreme anxiety, and bouts akathesia, and bouts extreme anticipatory anxiety over basic events/tasks. Nervous system is clearly crashed.

No Prozac for 249 days.

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Marykay157 Rookie

Marykay157

Posted
  • Author
Posted
5 minutes ago, UserMan1775 said:

kinda sounds like your hypersensitivity went away around the 6th month mark, is that right?

Yes. My anxiety hypersensitive went away after 6 months of reinstating.  I havecactinybbitbof brain fog and some mild depression off and on still.  

2010- 3/30/21 CT off 20 mg prozac

5/1/2021 - 5/26/21  20 mg prozac

5/27/21 - 6/17/21 10mg prozac

6/18/21 -  present 20mg prozac 

6/25/21 - 10/15/21 .5 -.25 klon

10/16/21-12/20/21 lowered to 0 klon 

10/13/21-11/18/21  10 mg doxepin

11/18/21-11/25/21  20 mg doxepin

11/25/21-12/10/21 15 mg doxepin

12/10/21 - present  10 mg doxepin

Link to comment
UserMan1775 Contributor

UserMan1775

Posted
Posted
10 minutes ago, Marykay157 said:

Yes. My anxiety hypersensitive went away after 6 months of reinstating.  I havecactinybbitbof brain fog and some mild depression off and on still.  

Hey, thats not too darn bad comparatively, good job!

Klonopin Mar 2013 - Feb 2021 - used .000 gram scale to cut pills did very slowly from 2017-2021, had no issues stopping after final dose that was sub .5mg diazepam equivalent (If anyone wants advice for tapering Klonopin with a gram scale, feel free to ask!)

tapered off zyprexa twice over 2 weeks in my 20's, had little issue with that after about 3-4 years of use both times.

Prozac 40MG for 5 years - 2016 - 2021 (Total of 13 years of consecutive use)

(Most recent after last break, been on cumulatively in my life 14 years all times combined, 3 separate on/off occasions, all successful except most recent 3/4)

Recent Issue:  Tapered gradually from 40MG down to 0MG from May 7th - Aug 18th

Felt fine through Oct 5th, slowly started getting depression, panic, and anxiety (Was original thing I was treated for)

Decided to go back on SSRI Nov 1st, reacted very bad to 20mg reinstatement, day 1 was fine, day 2 had ADR. Doctor said to drop dosage.

Took 5mg for 2 weeks, 10mg for 2 weeks, still felt physically sick, could not take 20mg for more than 3 days, looking for advice going forward (ADR)

Not happy about it, but on 1.5mg 3x ativan and temazepam 15mg for sleep

(Was sleeping 2-3 hrs nightly prior to temazepam, was first thing that broke 2-3 hr then wide awake sleep cycle)

Main symptoms: headaches from certain foods and meds, sleep is broken, anxiety and agitation is extremely high, cortisol spike sensitive, bad in morning better at night, panic attacks, concentration is awful, focus is awful, anhedonia is awful, sensitive to light and noise, especially noise, extreme depression, intense bouts of fear, every looks and feels 'scary' at times, stress tolerance extremely low, have bouts of extreme anxiety, and bouts akathesia, and bouts extreme anticipatory anxiety over basic events/tasks. Nervous system is clearly crashed.

No Prozac for 249 days.

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  • 3 months later...
Marykay157 Rookie

Marykay157

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On 12/31/2021 at 9:07 AM, manymoretodays said:

Hi again Marykay157,

I did get a chance to read through more of you posts here, and then previous suggests. 

 

This one especially ^, although that was back in September.

 

Anyway, I might have come off sounding a bit harsh in my previous post, so did want to recant a bit.

Why did you start the doxepin in October?

How did you taper the klonopin?  By what percentages, or mg's over what kind of time period?

 

Today is day 11 off klonopin.  I'm hoping congrats are still in order.  Congrats.  Me, I'd pause, or HOLD at least for a month, 2 might be better before further tapers now.

 

Okay.  Posted above this one too.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

Hi, I've been off the klonopin  now for almost 4 months.   I am still on 20 mg prozac  and 10 mg doxepin.   I want to get off the doxepin completely  before I try to reduce my prozac.  So need advice on getting off the doxepin.   I have 10 mg capsules. Thanks.  Do I need to take the powder out and weigh  them and take 10% less ?  I had a tablet lowering the klonopin  so I just shaved it smaller each time I went lower,  but don't know how to do it with powder capsules.  

2010- 3/30/21 CT off 20 mg prozac

5/1/2021 - 5/26/21  20 mg prozac

5/27/21 - 6/17/21 10mg prozac

6/18/21 -  present 20mg prozac 

6/25/21 - 10/15/21 .5 -.25 klon

10/16/21-12/20/21 lowered to 0 klon 

10/13/21-11/18/21  10 mg doxepin

11/18/21-11/25/21  20 mg doxepin

11/25/21-12/10/21 15 mg doxepin

12/10/21 - present  10 mg doxepin

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ChessieCat Grand Master

ChessieCat

Posted
  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted
6 hours ago, Marykay157 said:

So need advice on getting off the doxepin. 

 

Post #1 of this topic explains how to get non-standard doses:

 

Tips for tapering doxepin (Sinequan, Zonalon)

* 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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Marykay157 Rookie

Marykay157

Posted
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Posted

Thank you @ChessieCat I have been taking 10 mg of doxepin since mid October,  so 6 months,  but when I skipped a couple of doses last week, woof, man did I feel it. Depressed,  and especiallly I was  nauseated for 4 or 5  days.   Ugggh.  I'm going to have to go super slow to get off this. Maybe take  6 months.  My Dr doesn't really think people have to go so slow,  but apparently she hasn't had a patient like me before.  I hate being on these drugs.   Once I get off doxepin I'll attempt my last drug, prozac.   That will be the hardest 😫.  So glad you got off Pristiq. Yay for you!! Congrats.  

2010- 3/30/21 CT off 20 mg prozac

5/1/2021 - 5/26/21  20 mg prozac

5/27/21 - 6/17/21 10mg prozac

6/18/21 -  present 20mg prozac 

6/25/21 - 10/15/21 .5 -.25 klon

10/16/21-12/20/21 lowered to 0 klon 

10/13/21-11/18/21  10 mg doxepin

11/18/21-11/25/21  20 mg doxepin

11/25/21-12/10/21 15 mg doxepin

12/10/21 - present  10 mg doxepin

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ChessieCat Grand Master

ChessieCat

Posted
  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Yes, missing doses can upset things.  One good thing is that you know about it so you know to taper carefully, and not do it by skipping doses!!!

* 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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Marykay157 Rookie

Marykay157

Posted
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Posted

Would you recommend I get off the 20 mg  prozac  first, then the doxepin  after that since I use the doxepin to  stay asleep?  I'm probably still going to wait a few more months, but don't know which I should go off first.  

2010- 3/30/21 CT off 20 mg prozac

5/1/2021 - 5/26/21  20 mg prozac

5/27/21 - 6/17/21 10mg prozac

6/18/21 -  present 20mg prozac 

6/25/21 - 10/15/21 .5 -.25 klon

10/16/21-12/20/21 lowered to 0 klon 

10/13/21-11/18/21  10 mg doxepin

11/18/21-11/25/21  20 mg doxepin

11/25/21-12/10/21 15 mg doxepin

12/10/21 - present  10 mg doxepin

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ChessieCat Grand Master

ChessieCat

Posted
  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted
On 4/15/2022 at 8:18 AM, Marykay157 said:

but when I skipped a couple of doses last week, woof, man did I feel it.

 

It may take 2 months before you are stable enough to start tapering any drug.  And you need to take into consideration that you only stopped your Klonopin in mid December 2021.

 

Non-drug techniques to cope

 

It is important to listen to your body/symptoms and hold for longer if you are not stable.

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

 

Stability

 

WDnormal

 

And Brassmonkey talks more about it here:

 

tao-of-the-brassmonkey

 

Even if you feel okay, it is better to hold for longer and start from a stable base than to taper too soon.  And when you do commence tapering you might consider making a small test reduction, eg 1%, especially if you decide to taper Prozac first, because Prozac has a very long half life and it can take 2-4 weeks after a dose change to notice any effects.

 

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?
If you're not having an adverse reaction from the other medications, taper the most activating drug first. This is usually an antidepressant or stimulant (ADHD drug).

 

Tips for tapering off fluoxetine (Prozac)

* 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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