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SaraBee New and Needing Help


SaraBee

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Hi,

I COLD TURKEY'D off of Cymbalta about a year ago, per doctors orders. I was on it for 15 years.

 

I also have been taking Klonopin for 15 years. (2MG TWICE A DAY)

 

I also have been taking Restoril 30 MG for about 15 years.

 

After I CT'd off of the Cymbalta, I was at the doctor with symptoms.

 

She gave me Xanax 2MG TWICE A DAY PRN  ( I have taken this for about a year)

 

Then, when came back, she gave me Valium 10 MG twice a day (I have taken this for about a year)

 

The next time I went to the doctor, I was very sick. I am very weak, I can hardly walk, and I have severe depression and anxiety. She told me that if these meds were not working we would wean off of them. She had me start with the Klonopin, and she D/C'd it.

 

I got sicker. She also cut the Xanax in half. So, Now I am taking 2MG once a day, PRN and Valium 10 MG twice a day. NO Klonopin.

 

The plan was the next time I see her to come off the rest of the Xanax and then getting off of the Valium.

 

I feel so sick, I am really weak and I can hardly eat, my head hurts, my whole body hurts. I am in pain all the time. Then, the depression and anxiety are worse than I have ever experienced.

 

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

1999 - Cymbalta 30 mg/day - Cold Turkey 12/2013 went into WD

1999 - Klonopin 4 mg/day - Rapid Reduction to Zero 8/2014

12/2013- Xanax 4 mg /day - Rapid Reduction to 2 mg 8/2014

1/2014- Valium 20 mg/day

 

Current: Xanax 2 mg/day Valium 20 mg/day Restoril 30 mg/day

My doctor is going to cold turkey me off everything this month 9/2014.

I believe I may still be in WD from the Cymbalta CT + Rapid Reduction of Benzos.

Not stable at this point.

 
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Hi Sarabee,

 

So sorry to hear you're feeling this way. That's a lot of anti-anxiety meds! I don't have much to say as I am currently trying to get myself sorted after stopping Lexapro cold turkey but I wanted you to know that it's all a learning process and that's why I continue to come here as there are incredibly knowledgable people who will certainly be chiming in to offer guidance.  Welcome and I hope you feel better soon.

1995-Zoloft 100mg 

1996-Off Zoloft C/T

2000-Zoloft 100mg

2002-Off Zoloft after 50mg decrease then C/T

2006-Zoloft 50mg

2009- Off of everything except occasional Xanax as needed for anxiety

Fall 2009-Pregnant with extreme morning sickness, doc prescribed Zoloft again 50mg

Summer 2010-Zoloft and Klonopin for anxiety

Fall 2011-Quite Zoloft C/T had severe withdrawal, ended up on Lexapro

Fall 2011- Lexapro 20mg and Klonopin .5mg

May 2014-After weaning myself down to 5mg of Lexapro,I quit. I was fine for the first month 

August 4th-started back on 5mg of Lexapro, hoping to do a proper taper this time. Also on .5mg of Klonopin and .25mg of Xanax as needed.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Sara, I am so sorry to read your story. Doctors have done you a great disservice by ordering you

to quit cymbalta cold turkey  :angry: . And adding 3 different benzodiazepines is disgraceful in my book!

He/she han't got a clue, not even a tiny inkling of what they are doing! 

 

You are in withdrawal and suffering terribly, to carry on withdrawing your meds is is criminal in my book!

 

I am really sorry that you are going through this, I don't know enough about the benzos to advise but

I do know that tapering them so fast is not the way to do it. 

 

I will put an alert for someone to come and advise you on the best course of action for you.  In the meantime

it will help if you can put your drug history in your signature strip, it will appear at the bottom of all your posts 

and we can see at a glance the drugs you have been on and still taking. Doses and dates started/stopped

would be good. You will see a link at the top of my signature that will tell you how to do that.

 

Welcome to SA, you are among friends here and we all know what you are going through. 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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Hi,

Thanks. I am having trouble with figuring out this site. I think everything is just feeling overwhelming right now. I clicked on the link to do the signature but I don't understand it. I think its the anxiety and depression and feeling so sick, I just can't figure it out.

 

I will wait for any advice/tips.

1999 - Cymbalta 30 mg/day - Cold Turkey 12/2013 went into WD

1999 - Klonopin 4 mg/day - Rapid Reduction to Zero 8/2014

12/2013- Xanax 4 mg /day - Rapid Reduction to 2 mg 8/2014

1/2014- Valium 20 mg/day

 

Current: Xanax 2 mg/day Valium 20 mg/day Restoril 30 mg/day

My doctor is going to cold turkey me off everything this month 9/2014.

I believe I may still be in WD from the Cymbalta CT + Rapid Reduction of Benzos.

Not stable at this point.

 
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  • Moderator Emeritus

Click your name at the top right hand corner of the page. Click settings.....then signature.....

When you have listed the meds, click save.  Someone will be along who can help more than I can, but

we are all volunteers with commitments so it can be a while sometimes. 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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  • Administrator

Welcome, SaraBee.

 

I also question your doctor's judgment. Is she your PCP?

 

You need to talk to a doctor who knows about benzo withdrawal. Are you near any of these http://benzodocs.com/

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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Hi,

Yes, this is my PCP, but I have an appointment with a new doctor next week. Part of the problem is that when I saw my doctor, I told her that I think the medicine was making me sick, so she figured she would take me off ASAP.

 

I also have my husband that is really wanting me OFF of these meds. He is against medicine.

 

Actually, I am too. I want to come off of the medications. I am looking for suggestions to bring up with the new doctor.

 

Thank you.

1999 - Cymbalta 30 mg/day - Cold Turkey 12/2013 went into WD

1999 - Klonopin 4 mg/day - Rapid Reduction to Zero 8/2014

12/2013- Xanax 4 mg /day - Rapid Reduction to 2 mg 8/2014

1/2014- Valium 20 mg/day

 

Current: Xanax 2 mg/day Valium 20 mg/day Restoril 30 mg/day

My doctor is going to cold turkey me off everything this month 9/2014.

I believe I may still be in WD from the Cymbalta CT + Rapid Reduction of Benzos.

Not stable at this point.

 
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  • Administrator

Hi SaraBee

 

We can all relate to wanting off of the medication, but these drugs aren't like aspirin where once they are out of your system you are free of the effects.  These drugs cause changes in the system and we have to gently remove them while allowing the system to change back to a stable state.

 

We have a few benzo knowledgeable moderators and I'm sure one will be along soon to provide some suggestions that you can share with your new doctor.

 

I would not cold turkey anything else at this point.  That is not likely to help.

 

Karma

2007 @ 375 mg Effexor - 11/29/2011 - 43.75 mg Effexor (regular) & .625 mg Xanax

200 mg Gabapentin 2/27/21 - 194.5 mg, 5/28/21 - 183 mg, 8/2/21 - 170 mg, 11/28/21 - 150 mg, 4/19/22 - 122 mg; 8//7/22 - 100 mg; 12/17 - 75mg; 8/17 - 45 mg; 10/16 40 mg
Xanax taper: 3/11/12 - 0.9375 mg, 3/25/12 - 0.875 mg, 4/6/12 - 0.8125 mg, 4/18/12 - 0.75 ; 10/16 40mg;

1/16 0.6875 mg; at some point 0.625 mg
Effexor taper: 1/29/12 - 40.625 mg, 4/29/12 - 39.875 mg, 5/11/12 - Switched to liquid Effexor, 5/25/12 - 38 mg, 7/6/12 - 35 mg, 8/17/12 - 32 mg, 9/14/12 - 30 mg, 10/19/12 - 28 mg, 11/9/12 - 26 mg, 11/30/12 - 24 mg, 01/14/13 - 22 mg. 02/25/13 - 20.8 mg, 03/18/13 - 19.2 mg, 4/15/13 - 17.6 mg, 8/10/13 - 16.4 mg, 9/7/13 - 15.2 mg, 10/19/13 - 14 mg, 1/15/14 - 13.2 mg, 3/1/2014 - 12.6 mg, 5/4/14 - 12 mg, 8/1/14 - 11.4 mg, 8/29/14 - 10.8 mg; 10/14/14 - 10.2 mg; 12/15/14 - 10 mg, 1/11/15 - 9.5 mg, 2/8/15 - 9 mg, 3/21/15 - 8.5 mg, 5/1/15 - 8 mg, 6/9/15 - 7.5 mg, 7/8/15 - 7 mg, 8/22/15 - 6.5 mg, 10/4/15 - 6 mg; 1/1/16 - 5.6 mg; 2/6/16 - 5.2 mg; 4/9 - 4.8 mg; 7/7 4.5 mg; 10/7 4.25 mg; 11/4 4.0 mg; 11/25 3.8 mg; 4/24 3.6 mg; 5/27 3.4 mg; 7/8 3.2 mg ... 10/18 2.8 mg; 1/18 2.6 mg; 4/7 2.4 mg; 5/26 2.15mg; 8/18 1.85 mg; 10/7 1.7 mg; 12/1 1.45 mg; 3/2 1.2 mg; 5/4 0.90 mg; 6/1 0.80 mg; 6/22 0.65 mg; 08/03 0.50 mg, 08/10 0.45 mg, 10/05 0.325 mg, 11/23 0.2 mg, 12/14 0.15 mg, 12/21 0.125 mg, 02/28 0.03125 mg, 2/15 0.015625 mg, 2/29/20 0.00 mg - OFF Effexor


I am not a medical professional - this is not medical advice. My suggestions are based on personal experience, reading, observation and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers

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Thank you. I hope I can get some help, suggestions, tips as I am feeling very overwhelmed. I am also seeing a new doctor, so I hoping this new doctor has some different ideas about tapering. I was hoping to get some ideas from others as to what to ask of the doctor.

1999 - Cymbalta 30 mg/day - Cold Turkey 12/2013 went into WD

1999 - Klonopin 4 mg/day - Rapid Reduction to Zero 8/2014

12/2013- Xanax 4 mg /day - Rapid Reduction to 2 mg 8/2014

1/2014- Valium 20 mg/day

 

Current: Xanax 2 mg/day Valium 20 mg/day Restoril 30 mg/day

My doctor is going to cold turkey me off everything this month 9/2014.

I believe I may still be in WD from the Cymbalta CT + Rapid Reduction of Benzos.

Not stable at this point.

 
Link to comment
  • Administrator

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 will be seeing a new doctor this week. Can I please have some suggestions on what to ask for, such as  a plan to taper more slowly? Please see the meds I am taking now below.

1999 - Cymbalta 30 mg/day - Cold Turkey 12/2013 went into WD

1999 - Klonopin 4 mg/day - Rapid Reduction to Zero 8/2014

12/2013- Xanax 4 mg /day - Rapid Reduction to 2 mg 8/2014

1/2014- Valium 20 mg/day

 

Current: Xanax 2 mg/day Valium 20 mg/day Restoril 30 mg/day

My doctor is going to cold turkey me off everything this month 9/2014.

I believe I may still be in WD from the Cymbalta CT + Rapid Reduction of Benzos.

Not stable at this point.

 
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  • Moderator Emeritus

I'm sorry we don't seem to be much help for you Sara  :( . Your situation is quite complex with so many

benzo's to taper.  I have learned lots of things about drugs, but the main thing is that cold turkey from

ANY prescription drug has problems but especially with AD's and benzos.  I hope your new doctor knows

what he/she is doing because your last one is clueless! 

 

I hope you get someone responding to you in the benzo forum. 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi--I'll be checking for your thread in the benzo area next and we can talk specifics about benzos there. But I just wanted to let you know that you definitely need to find a doctor who has a clue, because the one you've been seeing has been doing some dangerous stuff. You should never CT off Cymbalta OR Klonopin, and I'm not surprised you're not feeling well now.

 

I understand that you want off meds, of course you do, but you can't just CT them and expect to feel well.

 

Please read through as much as you can of the information on this forum: the FAQs, the stuff about tapering, the KI's. All the general information about ADs, as far as the need to taper, and how they change your brain and you need to give it time to change itself back when you quit them, applies to benzos. All drugs that alter neurotransmitter function cause our nervous system to change and remodel itself, and when we quit them we need to reduce them gradually so that our nervous system can renormalize itself as we go down. 

 

So please start by reading that general information and informing yourself about tapering in general.

Started on Prozac and Xanax in 1992 for PTSD after an assault. One drug led to more, the usual story. Got sicker and sicker, but believed I needed the drugs for my "underlying disease". Long story...lost everything. Life savings, home, physical and mental health, relationships, friendships, ability to work, everything. Amitryptiline, Prozac, bupropion, buspirone, flurazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, Paxil, citalopram, lamotrigine, gabapentin...probably more I've forgotten. 

Started multidrug taper in Feb 2010.  Doing a very slow microtaper, down to low doses now and feeling SO much better, getting my old personality and my brain back! Able to work full time, have a full social life, and cope with stress better than ever. Not perfect, but much better. After 23 lost years. Big Pharma has a lot to answer for. And "medicine for profit" is just not a great idea.

 

Feb 15 2010:  300 mg Neurontin  200 Lamictal   10 Celexa      0.65 Xanax   and 5 mg Ambien 

Feb 10 2014:   62 Lamictal    1.1 Celexa         0.135 Xanax    1.8 Valium

Feb 10 2015:   50 Lamictal      0.875 Celexa    0.11 Xanax      1.5 Valium

Feb 15 2016:   47.5 Lamictal   0.75 Celexa      0.0875 Xanax    1.42 Valium    

2/12/20             12                       0.045               0.007                   1 

May 2021            7                       0.01                  0.0037                1

Feb 2022            6                      0!!!                     0.00167               0.98                2.5 mg Ambien

Oct 2022       4.5 mg Lamictal    (off Celexa, off Xanax)   0.95 Valium    Ambien, 1/4 to 1/2 of a 5 mg tablet 

 

I'm not a doctor. Any advice I give is just my civilian opinion.

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  • Administrator

You need to tell your new doctor you are suffering withdrawal symptoms from the prior drug changes. If the doctor doesn't know what that means, you need to find another doctor.

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

If you have a Kindle, you might want to read this book by Stuart Shipko, M.D. : Xanax Withdrawal   While I don't agree with him 100%, he's probably the most knowledgeable doctor in the U.S. when it comes to benzos and benzo withdrawal. All of the benzodiazepines are pretty much alike, differing only in strength ( as compared to 10 mgs. of Valium) and half-life. You also might want to read this topic on The Ashton Manual when you feel up to it.  Dr. Laura Ashton is THE authority on benzo withdrawal and her book has helped many, many people.

 

What your first doctor has done to you is nearly criminal.  He or she is obviously completely ignorant regarding benzo addiction and withdrawal.  I hope your new doc is lots more educated about these drugs, or is at least willing to go along with a slow taper off of them.

Psychotropic drug history: Pristiq 50 mg. (mid-September 2010 through February 2011), Remeron (mid-September 2010 through January 2011), Lexapro 10 mg. (mid-February 2011 through mid-December 2011), Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg. as needed mid-September 2010 through early March 2012

"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." -Hanlon's Razor


Introduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1588-introducing-jemima/

 

Success Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6263-success-jemima-survives-lexapro-and-dr-dickhead-too/

Please note that I am not a medical professional and my advice is based on personal experience, reading, and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers.

 

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