violet: My Introduction

[violet]

Hello to all!

 

I have been in psychiatric treatment and on many different drugs for 25 years. I am currently taking Prozac, Wellbutrin XL and Remeron, as well as Klonopin. With such a long history, it would be difficult to share all that I have experienced from psychiatric "treatment", so I will spare you the details. Let me just say, that I am alive by the grace of God, and I have suffered much. I am recently in treatment with a clinical psychologist who shares my faith (I am Catholic) and is having me read the book, The Mindful Way Through Depression, and doing "mindfullness" meditation exercises. He is very optomistic that this method of treatment will be successful if I am dedicated to doing it, and for the first time in many years I have hope that I will experience relief from depression and anxiety. I have also read Dr. Peter Breggin's book, Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal:A Guide for Prescribers, Therapists, Patients, and Their Families, and am determined to attempt withdrawal from these drugs. When my "mindfullness" treatment is complete, my Psychologist believes that I will no longer need the drugs, so I am highly motivated to follow the treatment plan. I'm curious to know if there are others on this Forum who are familiar with "mindfullness" therapy.

 

I realize that withdrawal may be difficult, but I am experiencing a tremendous weight gain and bizarre nightmares and other physical conditions which my Psychologist believes can be attributed to the drugs. I'm hopeful that I will receive support on this Forum from others who are withdrawing or have been successful in doing so, and I hope to be an inspiration and support to others as I make this journey. God bless you all.

 

Violet

[basildev]

Hello Violet,

 

and welcome to the forum!

 

It sounds like you are very well-informed and you will find lots of friendly advice and support here.

 

Mindfulness meditation is an excellent tool and one I use myself.

 

Would I be right in assuming you haven't begun to taper off any of your medications?

 

In any case here is some information about tapering if you haven't already read it:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/300-important-topics-in-the-tapering-forum-and-faq/

 

When you get a chance, please add your medication histroy to your signature:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

I wish you the best of luck with your taper.

[violet]

Thanks for your welcome! You are correct, I have yet to begin tapering. I'm currently prescribed medications by a nurse-practitioner, so I don't have a psychiatrist. However, my psychologist wants me to find one in order to withdraw. Not an easy task, to say the least. Thanks for the links on tapering. I will add my medication history, but I'm not sure how. Where do I go to do so?

 

Violet

 

P.S. Whoops! I see the link you provided...

[tezza]

Hi violet,

 

Welcome! It looks like you've done some research! Prozac is available in liquid form, you are probably already aware of this.

 

I'm tapering Remeron by mixing with water to make my own liquid but some prefer to have it mixed by a compounding pharmacy.

 

We have a members only benzo forum but I'd save that for later, if I were you.

 

Here are some links that may be helpful:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2693-how-to-make-a-liquid-from-tablets-or-capsules/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/877-tips-for-tapering-off-wellbutrin-sr-xr-xl-buproprion/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/759-tips-for-tapering-off-prozac-fluoxetine/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2028-tips-for-tapering-off-remeron-mirtazapine/

 

Thank you for adding your drug history. It would be even more helpful it you would add your dosages to it.

 

I'm very glad you've found us!

[Altostrata]

Welcome, violet.

 

Here is our list of doctors who understand tapering http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/988-recommended-doctors-therapists-or-clinics/

 

If you find another, please let me know -- I'm always looking to add to this list.

 

Please be aware some will claim to understand tapering but don't really. They will taper too fast or skip doses to taper.

 

I'm sorry Dr. Breggin's book doesn't have more information in it about tapering.

[Meimeiquest]

Hi Violet,

 

Welcome! Sounds like you are doing a great job!

 

I have a very nice, experienced psychiatrist. He has been virtually no help except mostly writing the scripts that I request from him.

 

I think your biggest decision is deciding the order of your taper. I wish I had done the Wellbutrin first, but I am probably unique.

 

I really hope things go well with you.

[violet]

[Hello Tezza and Altostrata! Thank you both for your response. Tezza, Actually I did not know that Prozac is available as a liquid. I printed copies of information on all three drugs from the links you provided. I do have a question....I am taking the generic forms of all three drugs. Does that make a difference in the tapering instructions?

 

Altostrata, I looked at the list of doctors, but I am in Ohio near Cincinnati, and there is no one in Ohio. I'm not surprised. However, my Psychologist is in NYC, Manhattan. I see him via Skype web cam weekly. There is one female psychiatrist in NYC on the list. Perhaps I can work something out with her. But would you advise tapering with a psychiatrist via web cam? (Given that she would do it.) Are many people tapering on their own? In viewing the information on tapering, it is intimidating, and my psychologist insists that I have a psychiatrist. I don't think he is aware of how complicated the tapering process is and how difficult it is to find a psychiatrist who understands the process. I would welcome your suggestions...

 

Violet

 

Hello Meimeiquest! Thanks for your good wishes. Yes, I am not sure about the order of my tapering. ??? So many unknowns in doing this.

[tezza]

Here is another link that explains why we need to taper slowly.

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/

 

I wish you the best in this journey!

[Rhiannon]

[Hello Tezza and Altostrata! Thank you both for your response. Tezza, Actually I did not know that Prozac is available as a liquid. I printed copies of information on all three drugs from the links you provided. I do have a question....I am taking the generic forms of all three drugs. Does that make a difference in the tapering instructions?

 

Altostrata, I looked at the list of doctors, but I am in Ohio near Cincinnati, and there is no one in Ohio. I'm not surprised. However, my Psychologist is in NYC, Manhattan. I see him via Skype web cam weekly. There is one female psychiatrist in NYC on the list. Perhaps I can work something out with her. But would you advise tapering with a psychiatrist via web cam? (Given that she would do it.) Are many people tapering on their own? In viewing the information on tapering, it is intimidating, and my psychologist insists that I have a psychiatrist. I don't think he is aware of how complicated the tapering process is and how difficult it is to find a psychiatrist who understands the process. I would welcome your suggestions...

 

Violet

 

Hello Meimeiquest! Thanks for your good wishes. Yes, I am not sure about the order of my tapering. ??? So many unknowns in doing this.

 

Just in my own experience (which is pretty extensive though)--there are very few doctors or psychiatrists who know as much about tapering as the people on this site do. Many of us find cooperative doctors who will provide us with prescriptions, and do the tapering ourselves with advice and help from people we trust here. That's often easier than finding a psychiatrist who has half a clue.

[basildev]

I agree with Rhi,

 

The only thing the medical profession does is provide my scripts.

[Altostrata]

As others have indicated above, you probably will have to direct your own taper. Any MD can write the prescriptions. Do you have a doctor you can work with, who will write prescriptions to help you taper?

 

You are taking "Prozac, Wellbutrin XL and Remeron, as well as Klonopin."

 

If I were you, I'd taper the Wellbutrin first. Side effects of this drug are anxiety and insomnia.

 

If you are sleeping better off Wellbutrin, you may be able to reduce the Remeron.

 

If you are not sleeping better, Prozac could also be adding to sleep problems, so that would be the next reduction, then Remeron.

 

The benzo would be last.

[violet]

Hello Altostrata,

 

I had tried to approach this with my FP, but he wanted to refer me to a psychiatrist. To tell you the truth, I'd like to avoid psychiatrists altogether! I may approach him again, because he was supportive of withdrawal. I'll let him know about this website...perhaps I can talk him into it. I'd really like him to do it with me, because he is close.

 

I'm not sure I understand about Wellbutrin XL. Do you mean that I would experience side effects of anxiety and insomnia during my taper of the Wellbutrin XL? I know the Remeron helps with sleep, but I wasn't having sleep issues when it was prescribed. Actually I was taking .5 mg of Klonopin at bedtime before she prescribed the Remeron. The Klonopin seemed to help with nightmares and awakening with panic. But I was told I was wasting the Klonopin using it at bedtime and she prescribed the Remeron. I've not really had problems with insomnia before.

 

Thanks for your suggestions. I see in perusing the website that you have a wealth of information!

 

God Bless,

Christine

[tezza]

violet,,

 

Wellbutrin can cause anxiety and insomnia while taking it that's one of the reasons Alto suggested you taper it first. Another reason is that ii is usually easier to come off of for most people.

 

Definitely, only taper one at a time, best to start with Wellbutrin and leave the benzo for later.

 

There is definitely more knowledge here than any doctor I know of.