Stabilizing, what does that mean? How long does it take after reinstating or updosing?

[basildev]

Thanks Tezza.

 

It's just hard to know what dose to finally settle on.

[strawberry17]

Thanks Basildev that's lovley

Sadly I didn't and feel pretty rubbish again.

[Altostrata]

It takes 3-4 days for a dosage change to reach steady-state in your bloodstream. You may not feel the entire effect until then.

 

This is a good topic for others to see, too, basildev. Your experience could be a good example (I hope) of fine-tuning dosage when updosing.

[basildev]

Yes I agree Alto,

 

I searched high and low for a thread like this until I started it myself.

 

Today is day 4 of drop to 19 mg and sleep is no better. But hot flushes have gone away.

 

I really don't have any other withdrawal symptoms except poor sleep. I think I'll wait maybe a few more days.

[lexicon]

And what are the chances that someone like me, who had two AD 'S dropped within 15 days, and has been, and is completely in distress, totally unstable, and debilitated after almost 3 months?

What are chances that I can stabilize in this century?

Thank you for any input ..

[Altostrata]

People heal at different rates. In 6 months, you might find you're much better.

[Hope1]

i am concerned about my local mental health group want now to "help" with my withdrawl. i feel the "standard" withdrawl amounts & timescales are too high & too fast for me.

 

how do you guys manage this situation & health workers who won't listen?

[strawberry17]

Hope1 I would make sure you have someone with you, like your husband or a close friend to help fight your corner, write down your thoughts and feelings in bullet points as it's so easy to forget things and get bamboozled by "professionals", maybe print some information out from here to back up your arguments. Remember it's your body and your mind and you want to be in control of what happens to you, you know yourself better than anyone.

[Altostrata]

You can listen to what they have to say and calmly tell them you'll take it into consideration and make your own decisions given what you know about withdrawal. You do not have to let them bully you into whatever.

 

Open the dialog, you may need them at some time.

[SaltedGingkoNuts]

After 4 years of Prozac, I quit Cold Turkey. I didn't know about withdrawals at all. After three months off, after enduring major withdrawal symptoms, I reinstated. As I level off on Prozac again, I am wondering how long should I let my body adjust before I can begin a proper TAPER schedule?

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

-Tim

[basildev]

Hi Tim,

 

Are you having any symptoms at the moment?

 

It doesn't seem to be that long since you have reinstated.

 

If I were you I would wait until all of the current symptoms have subsided before even beginning to think about tapering.

[Jemima]

There is no set time for adjusting after reinstatement. Everything about antidepressant withdrawal is unique to the individual, their physiology, their history of drug use, and numerous other factors. Once withdrawal symptoms have been mostly relieved by reinstatement, I would guess that at least a month should pass before considering tapering, but the most important thing is to listen to one's body and act accordingly. If bothersome withdrawal symptoms remain after a month of stabilization it may be necessary to updose a bit and try again rather than start tapering down.

 

I wish that there were easy answers that fit everybody, but the whole field of antidepressant "discontinuation" syndrome (a term preferred by the medical establishment which claims that antidepressants are not addictive) is in its infancy and much is still to be learned.

[SaltedGingkoNuts]

Actually I'm only on my eighth day of Prozac reinstatement, so it hasn't been that long. Felt like *#!@ until today, and even then only about a 7 out of 10. The thing that has me bummed is that this "reinstatement" is actaully a higher dose (doctor recommended) than I took for years (was on 10mg daily, now at 20mg daily). So, I know I'm getting my body 'used' to 20mg now. So it'll take LONGER to taper, but right now, I don't care HOW LONG IT TAKES!!!!

Thanks for the replies, my new friends.

-Tim

[basildev]

Tim,

 

the higher dose of Prozac might indeed take your body longer to get used to.

 

Don't be in a hurry to taper just yet.

 

Listen to your body and take it slowly.

[Rhiannon]

I'm confused, did you also stop the lorazepam cold turkey recently? If so I highly recommend reinstating and once you're stable doing a reasonable taper on that. Benzo withdrawal is NOT a good thing.

[SaltedGingkoNuts]

I'm confused, did you also stop the lorazepam cold turkey recently? If so I highly recommend reinstating and once you're stable doing a reasonable taper on that. Benzo withdrawal is NOT a good thing.

 

Actually I did also quit the benzos Cold Turkey. (I didn't know I wasn't supposed to either)! I think I'm actally ok regarding those though because I only took them for about 21 days. Today is Day 19 off of them. Let me attach the whole story.

 

I'm so grateful for this forum!

 

-Tim

AntiDepressant Nightmare Complete Edited.pdf

[Altostrata]

You need to let your nervous system stabilize after reinstating. How long this might take depends on how long you've been off the drug and other factors.

 

If you were off only a couple of days, you might stabilize for a month before trying to taper. If you've been off longer, to be safe, you should give your nervous system longer to stabilize, even if symptoms go away right away.

 

If you've been off months, it might take months before you stabilize.

 

Do not attempt to taper again until you feel symptom-free.

 

(Cold turkey off another psych drug simultaneously compounds the situation.)

[SaltedGingkoNuts]

You need to let your nervous system stabilize after reinstating. How long this might take depends on how long you've been off the drug and other factors.

 

If you were off only a couple of days, you might stabilize for a month before trying to taper. If you've been off longer, to be safe, you should give your nervous system longer to stabilize, even if symptoms go away right away.

 

If you've been off months, it might take months before you stabilize.

 

Do not attempt to taper again until you feel symptom-free.

 

(Cold turkey off another psych drug simultaneously compounds the situation.)

 

 

Yes, that's what I hope to do. I'm in no hurry and will take how ever long is best. Thanks for the advisement. Grateful!

 

-Tim

[Rhiannon]

 

I'm confused, did you also stop the lorazepam cold turkey recently? If so I highly recommend reinstating and once you're stable doing a reasonable taper on that. Benzo withdrawal is NOT a good thing.

 

Actually I did also quit the benzos Cold Turkey. (I didn't know I wasn't supposed to either)! I think I'm actally ok regarding those though because I only took them for about 21 days. Today is Day 19 off of them. Let me attach the whole story.

 

I'm so grateful for this forum!

 

-Tim

 

21 days only? good. It's probably contributing to your symptoms now but hopefully will balance out quickly.

[SaltedGingkoNuts]

That's definitely my hope.

-Tim

[Altostrata]

Salted, I moved your latest long post, which was more of a journal entry, to your Intro topic http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4226-saltedginkgonuts-benzo-and-ssri-withdrawal/

[basildev]

Yeah

 

I'm still experiencing fluctuating sleep after 2 months (since updosing). I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever get better. It's comforting to know that others here have take longer than the seemingly 'average' 4-6 weeks to completely stabilize.

 

(Not that I want to take any pleasure whatsoever in other people's discomfort!)

 

I wish I could believe my sleep is going to get back to normal. Everything else has(:

 

I'd love to hear from anybody who has experienced complete (symptom free) stabilization after updosing/reinstating, but had to wait a much longer than average time for this to happen(EG: months instead of weeks).

 

Anybody out there?

[strawberry17]

I'm interested in this as well Basildev, I'm in a similar boat and wondering if I'll ever get back to normal.

[Rhiannon]

I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever get better. It's comforting to know that others here have take longer than the seemingly 'average' 4-6 weeks to completely stabilize...I'd love to hear from anybody who has experienced complete (symptom free) stabilization after updosing/reinstating, but had to wait a much longer than average time for this to happen(EG: months instead of weeks).Anybody out there?

 

After a severe CT in 2009 it took me about six months to get to feeling stable again. I've seen this in dozens of people, here on this forum and elsewhere.  It's not at all uncommon, especially after a CT or a series of ups and downs in dosage or a series of changes of meds, to take many months to stabilize; sometimes a year or more.

 

Seems like everyone does get better eventually, though. I know there must be rare exceptions, but from what I've seen they're extremely rare.

 

Anyway, months instead of weeks is a common variation.

 

It does require more patience but it's not a sign of a bad outcome. Many people have gone through spells like this, stabilized, and then gone on to do slow tapers quite successfully. 

[basildev]

That's very comforting to know, Rhi.

 

For my part it's definitely months.

 

I'm learning to just take it as it comes now.

[abir]

it seems that it is going to be months for me too... it has been 3 months since re-instating, but i still have not stabilized yet, lthough I am feeling better now...

[Rhiannon]

That's very comforting to know, Rhi.

 

For my part it's definitely months.

 

I'm learning to just take it as it comes now.

 

With your history I would expect it to take a while. You've gone up and down a number of times now rather traumatically, it sounds like, if I'm reading your sig line right. Like Alto says, our nervous system (not to mention endocrine) isn't made of rubber. I know I used up all my slack a long time ago.

 

If and when you decide to taper again I think you'd probably do better with smaller cuts and longer holds--especially the long holds. Plan on taking at least a couple of years.

[basildev]

With your history I would expect it to take a while. You've gone up and down a number of times now rather traumatically, it sounds like, if I'm reading your sig line right. Like Alto says, our nervous system (not to mention endocrine) isn't made of rubber. I know I used up all my slack a long time ago.

 

You're right Rhi,

 

In fact my last taper was too fast. In hindsight I was actually cutting by 25% and that's why I got into trouble. I was feeling fine so was cutting faster, then it all caught up with me. Then I added the whole Valium debacle into the mix and I'm now trying to stabilise from that mistake!

 

 

 

it seems that it is going to be months for me too... it has been 3 months since re-instating, but i still have not stabilized yet, lthough I am feeling better now...

 

Abir, I have been following your story and you've made huge progress since your first post here. Often others can see our progress more clearly than we can:). I believe you will fully recover.

Edited January 28, 2014 by Petu
fixed text

[abir]

 

Abir, I have been following your story and you've made huge progress since your first post here. Often others can see our progress more clearly than we can:). I believe you will fully recover.

 

I hope so, and I hope the same for everyone on this site...

[cmusic]

What if a person reinstates and is having bad side effects? In my case I reinstated Prozac at 5mg and have been in it for a month and a half. I am getting severe burning and sensitivity in the palms of my hands, feet, forearms, neck, and face. I can't be completely sure it's the Prozac since I was on a low dose of Remeron with it. But if I need to get off again am I now stuck with enduring this hell through a slow taper?

[Altostrata]

When you reduce dosage, side effects usually decrease. You might try reducing the Prozac slightly to see if it's causing your symptoms.

 

It could be Prozac is reacting with another drug you're taking. Use the interactions checker at http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html to see if this is possible.

[SaltedGingkoNuts]

If you've been off months, it might take months before you stabilize. 

I think I'm learning this the hard way - and with only a small dosage of Prozac too. After reinstatement it's been a relatively comfortable number of weeks - thinking I've completely stabilized. Then, WHAMMO! a miserable week. So dizzy right now, it's hard to type. . . 

[basildev]

Hang in there Salted. Many of us have taken months as opposed to weeks to stabilize.

[SaltedGingkoNuts]

Thank-you basildev.

After feeling 'normal' for awhile, it's just hard to go backwards a bit.

Of course, I'll do my best to hang in there. Besides, what are our options? = to keep on!!

-Salted

[MissSerene]

Salted: I am new here and just read your full story. Omigosh!! While I am not glad that anyone else has suffered from w/d, I am relieved to be in good company. Sounds like our histories are similar in some respects, having been prescribed Prozac and a benzo; learning what these drugs actually were; and then trying to get off. I am your age and also have an incredible spouse and, like your wife, am wrestling with menopause and unwanted side effects from long-term Prozac use (which I chalked up to aging and family-of-origin issues). Am also very interested, when I return to work after a hiatus, in using my writing/editing skills for Type II diabetes info/education!

 

I am on way to beach tomorrow for a family vacation where there will be huge amounts of junk food and alcohol among our beloved twenty-somethings. Am resolving to walk every morning and look up some good mocktail recipes for evening treats. It's not easy with all these temptations, is it?

[misterZ]

Hi All,

This is my first post.  I've been consistently on ADs in various combinations for 20 years.  I got got off everything about five years ago in a difficult taper and stayed off for about three month untill the stress and super- rapid cycling got the best of me and I started back on ending up at 300mg Wellbutrin XR, 300mg Lamictal and 900mg Neurontin.  I have functioned, at least holding down a responsible job, taking care of a disabled parent, who died six months ago and a disabled sibling.  But my personal life isn't good. All my relationships are tainted by my anxiety. Any, six weeks ago I started to taper the Lamictal, 50mgs a week and it went smoothly, but when I got to zero, after a few days I started to feel really bad, fuzzy headed, anxious (sorry I can't better describe it).  At that point I called my psychiatrist who said to go back up on the Lamictal,  I immediately took 50mg and in a hour a so I felt okay. (that's my contribution to the topic)  Now I've started to go down on the Neurontin, 800mg as of three days and it's tolerable.  I'm seeing the doc tomorrow to strategize on how best to continuing to taper.  I guess I don't really have any questions as I've read about the ideas of super slow tapering and doing the ADs first, (of course I'm ignoring them by doing a fast Lamictal taper and moving on to the Neurontin instead of the Wellbutrin).  Patience isn't my strong suit.  I'm happy to have found this site.