TownCryer: too many drugs - Seroquel, Effexor, mirtazapine, benzos

[TownCryer]

Original topic title:  too many drugs, DK where to start. Anyone here lose IQ points on Seroquel, Effexor, mirtazapine, benzos?

 

Hi. Although this is an antidepressant withdrawal site, seems many of us have danced with antipsychotics, benzos and other devils as well. So I'm wondering if anyone has experienced significant cognitive impairment while taking

- quetiapine/Seroquel (or similar anti-psychotic), or

- mirtazapine/Remeron, or

- venlafaxine/Effexor, or 

- clonazepam or other benzos, but taken only occasionally (less often than once a week).

 

My short-term memory, executive function, and word-finding ability have gone to **** since I started or upped the dose of these drugs. Academic sources suggest any them might be a culprit. I'm more interested in hearing from people who've actually been on them for months or years at a time.

 

Edited August 30, 2022 by ChessieCat
added original intro title before shortening

[ChessieCat]

Hi TownCryer and welcome to SA,

 

Taking a psychiatric drug can numb the emotions; that is what they are designed to do.  They can have other unwanted side effects too, including "dumbness".  If the "dumbness" didn't exist before tapering, and starts once you taper, then it is most likely a withdrawal symptom.

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

 

SA's recommended taper rate is no more than 10% of the current dose followed by a hold of about 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug. 

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

It is generally recommended to only taper one drug at a time.

 

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).

 

Please follow these instructions and create your drug signature.  We need to see details (drug name, dose and the date you started that dose) for the last 2 years and a summary for anything older.  This is different from the drug history you provided when you joined SA.  The drug signature will appear below every post you make and will allow staff and other members to see your drug history at a glance.

 

Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature

 

Q:  What drugs are you currently taking?  Please post a list and the dose and the times that you take them.

 

Please also put all the drugs you are currently taking into a drug interaction checker and copy and paste the results here in your Introduction topic.    Both of these are helpful, but personally I prefer the Medscape checker.

 

Drug.com Interactions Checker
Medscape Drug Interaction Checker

 

This topic includes links to various drugs and how to get non standard doses for tapering.

 

You might be interested in these two members who have successfully managed to get free of psychiatric poly-drugging:

 

sheps-success-leaving-platos-cave

 

giak-radical-transformative-healing-of-bodymindspirit

 

This is your own Introduction topic which is where you should ask questions specific to your own situation and where you can journal your progress.  This keeps your history in one place and means you do not have to repeat your story.

 

Edited April 20, 2022 by ChessieCat

[TownCryer]

withdrawal effects with cross-taper? (decreasing A while introducing

 

Has anyone here seemed to have withdrawal effects from progressively lowering then stopping an antidepressant while also introducing and increasing a new antidepressant? I can't really tell if this is a common scenario, as most withdrawal stories I'm seeing don't mention cross-tapering. Of course it might be difficult if not impossible to disentangle if new symptoms are from withdrawal of drug A or side effects of drug B. But if you've gone through one of these cross-tapers, I'd be curious to hear your story, whether or not you had bad effects that you felt were due to withdrawal more than the new drug. Many thanks.

 

(PS: I wasn't sure where to post this question. Not really an update on me, but I can't see any other forum where I'd be able to post it and that's relevant. I'm still learning how this site works.)

 

Edited August 30, 2022 by ChessieCat
added Intro topic title before merging with intro topic

[ChessieCat]

1 hour ago, TownCryer said:

Of course it might be difficult if not impossible to disentangle if new symptoms are from withdrawal of drug A or side effects of drug B.

 

You've answered your own question.

 

I suggest you read Post #1 of this topic much of which is relevant to bridges/switches of other psychiatric drugs:

 

the-prozac-switch-or-bridging-with-fluoxetine

 

[ChessieCat]

Please update your drug signature with ALL changes stating drugs, dates and doses:

 

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