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Ketamine and esketamine treatment


Phil

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merged related threads.

 

People love the idea of a new wonder drug for the pains of life.

 

There will be future treatments for depression which may be a wonder. Science is advancing. Depression will be eventually be able to be kept in check completely.

trintellix 1 mg and rexulti .5mg

 

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Oh, great. Now we can get our brains crippled even faster. Both Scopolamine and Ketamine are extremely dangerous drugs and I would encourage anyone who is tempted to try either to read up on both of them first. Ketamine is an anesthetic, for Pete's sake, and Scopolamine is used by criminals to "zombify" their victims. Legitimatizing these drugs for depression is right out of 1984 by George Orwell.

 

Another variation on the chemical imbalance theory, but even scarier than SSRI/SNRI antidepressants.

 

That's why ketamine should be administrated by doctors in low doses. And honestly, SSRIs are horrible if just as bad. I will never take SSRIs again.

trintellix 1 mg and rexulti .5mg

 

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Back in February I had two back to back infusions. I did not have a good reaction and it did nothing for me. I was extremely disassociated and thought I was going to die. This was two months after withdrawing from Lexapro.  

1994-2015: Many trials of SSRIs for anxiety and depersonalization coupled to the anxiety. 

2013 to 04-2016: Clonazepam .5 three times a day. Slowly tapered on 04-2016. Withdrawal was hell for 6 months them stabilized. 

2013 to 2014: Celexa 20mg 

2014- to 01-2016: 20mg Prozac

01-2016 to 11-15-2016: 10mg Lexapro. Did a 2 month taper to zero on 11-15-2016. the last 5mg were water titration. 

12-25-2016 Started having sleeping issues. By 01-01-2017 sleep disappeared for 4 days. Was hospitalized for three days.

01-01-17 to 01-10-2017 Trial of 37.5mg for three days than 75mg Effexor. Created major anxiety so I stopped it. 

01-16-2017 to 01-26-2017 Trial of Brintellix 10mg. Stopped due to aggravating sleep issue and anxiety.

02-10-2017 to 02-17-2017 Reinstated 5mg of Lexapro. Usual startup anxiety and foggy head. Started getting tinnitus. Stopped the Lexapro thinking that caused the tinnitus.  

 

 

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  • 1 year later...

Short report of my experience with esketamine (clinical trial).

I had 5 applications. It didn't help for any of my problems.
However, I was taking also AD med (I had no choice, it was requirement of this version of trial). And I'd like to try it once again when I'm 'clean' - with no real hope but curiosity.

[2013 - 2017] >10 meds and combos (some breaks without meds; last in May-Sep 2016)

[2017] Mar 22 - venlafaxine 150; initially with mianserine 20 which I stopped around June due to serious stomachaches and bloating; 1 month of break in Aug when: duloxetine 60 + esketamine clinical trial)
Sep 05 - venlafaxine 150 + bupropion 150
Oct 11 - tapering off venlafaxine while still on bupro 150; Oct 21 - venla 37,5
Nov 06 - venla 37,5 + bupro 150 + >START buspirone 30>
Nov 20 - venla 12,5 + bupro 150 + buspirone 30;   Nov 29 - [STOP venla]
Dec 01 - [tried to STOP buspi cold turkey] / Dec 03 - HELL unleashed;   Dec 10 - buspi 10;   Dec 17 - buspi 20 (+ still bupro 150); Jan 02 [STOP] bupro;
[2018] Mar 17 - >START quetiapine 50 SR> for tension, restlessness and attacks of fury (buspirone persisting w/d symptom)

Apr 24 - FINALLY STOPPED buspirone (5-month taper; worst in my life) - w/d symptoms continue... Jun 02 - STOP quetiapine
Now taking: mirtazapine 7,5 mg (helps to fall asleep quickly, doesn't help for waking at dawn; didn't tolerate higher doses); for restlessness / akathisia: taurine; antihistamines (small amounts cause still can cause headache and dry mouth even at 12,5 mg of hydroxyzine or promethazine); melatonin 1 mg; omega-3 (330 EPA, 220 DHA); Mg.

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  • 2 months later...

I’m in severe withdrawal, polydrugged, the whole bag. My last window was bout 2 1/2 years ago. My psych is a leading proponent for ketamine therapy. I’m not thinking it’s a good idea. Any thoughts bout this procedure?? Not sure this is the right section, sorry

17 years on Zoloft, 47 years old now

3 years on Ativan for sleep cold turkeyed in 2014

Reinstated after 1 week, cold turkey again 1 month later with phenobarbital. Dp/dr, intrusive thoughts, insomnia, depression, still able to work, exercise heavily, be a parent

After 4 months went to doc, wanted off of Zoloft, didn’t know risks, starting dose 100mg

Rapid taper, got down to 35mg in 6 weeks.  hit real real trouble, akathesia, terror, awake for 6 weeks, hospitalization, put me in 15 temazapam to put me asleep, transfered to some swanky ocean front place in Malibu Ca. Massive polydrugged, got sicker and sicker

10mg zyprexa for 5 months, then tapered

1000mg depakote for 8 months, 10 month taper

Still on 15mg temazapam

Start SSRI taper in jan.

current dose 40mg Zoloft 

15mg temazapam 

 

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  • 1 month later...

I had six Ketamine infusions in September.  It greatly helped with my depression and helped my anxiety very little, but I was glad I did it and would do a few more treatments if possible.  

 

Please see Rezten's follow up post here.

 

Edited by ChessieCat
added link to follow up post

 

Effexor 2008 - 2017 37.5 Mg . Upped to 150 mg on 2017.  November of 2017 to March 2018 went from 150 mg to 0.

Ativan May 2018 started 1 - 2 mg daily stayed at 1mg Sept 2018. 03/9/19 .975mg, 03/16 .950mg, 04/13 .94, 04/20 .93, 04/27 .916 slowly tapered from April to  August 2019 at .77mg,  December 2020 .10mg, Jan 2021 0.0 MG 

Valium June 2018 started 10 mg currently 2.5 mg daily, September 2021 0.0 mg

Trazadone started March 2018 100 mg at night to sleep Oct 16, 2018 went to 75 mg , November 13, 2018 67.5 mg, Dec 11 60.75 mg, January 21, 2019  54 mg, 02/09 50 mg, March 2022 0.0 mg

Six Ketamine treatments September 2018.  2 treatments a week for 3 weeks

Completely drug free as of March 2022

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  • 4 months later...

https://abcnews4.com/news/nation-world/mind-altering-ketamine-like-drug-okd-for-severe-depression?fbclid=IwAR0hvkJiWjdelLCh58mtu8h0HaY0U_Qb6EDFVV0qL_xVLEmrTsKurPVRXcs

 

Hello,

 

I found news about  The Food and Drug Administration approved Spravato as a fast-acting treatment for patients who have failed to find relief with at least two antidepressants.

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to Ketamine-like drug okayed for severe depression
  • 2 weeks later...
On 3/7/2019 at 3:00 PM, dante said:

https://abcnews4.com/news/nation-world/mind-altering-ketamine-like-drug-okd-for-severe-depression?fbclid=IwAR0hvkJiWjdelLCh58mtu8h0HaY0U_Qb6EDFVV0qL_xVLEmrTsKurPVRXcs

 

Hello,

 

I found news about  The Food and Drug Administration approved Spravato as a fast-acting treatment for patients who have failed to find relief with at least two antidepressants.

 

I would not take this drug. See why here:

 

https://rxisk.org/bait-and-switch-the-great-ketamine-breakthrough/

Escitalopram 1.05 mg (max of 30 mg, taper from 10 mg to now started september 2016)

 

Klonopin 0.3 mg (one dosage reduction of 25 percent, from 0.4 to 0.3 mg september 2017)

 

Supplements: magnesium malate, fish oil, curcumin, multivitamin, iodine, probiotics, vitamine D along with eating healthy 80 percent of the time, I have no problem whatsoever taking supplements.

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  • 2 months later...
On 10/11/2018 at 12:16 PM, Rezten said:

I had six Ketamine infusions in September.  It greatly helped with my depression and helped my anxiety very little, but I was glad I did it and would do a few more treatments if possible.  

hey! how long did the depression go away for? any other side effects from the treatments? would you say it helped with WD symptoms? Thanks!

 

med history: 17 years total

Concerta: 2 yrs - cold turkey, brought on first "depression" 

Short trials of Zoloft and Effexor: 1-3 years - multiple cold turkey's brought on OCD intrusive thoughts for the first time

Lexapro 15-20 mg (16 yrs)  - tried to quit once, cold turkey, worst WD ever, had to go on to 20mg to stop WD

Welbutrin 150mg (8-ish yrs) NO w/d symptoms from CT

Adderall 5-7.5mg (8-10-ish yrs) quit CT, brought on many WD symptoms, but manageable. 

 

Begin taper March 2018 Currently on 4.4 mg lexapro - down from 20mg

 

Symptoms depression, horrible intrusive thoughts and urges, new onset PMS/PMDD, constant extreme irritation and anger, visual hallucinations, irrational thinking patterns, panic, nausea, dizzy, intolerance to working out, chemical sensitivities, noise sensitivities, memory issues, heart palps, etc. 

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29 minutes ago, Peachy said:

hey! how long did the depression go away for? any other side effects from the treatments? would you say it helped with WD symptoms? Thanks

Since I wrote that, I have changed my take on the ketamine.  My depression lifted for a short time and I am still in severe withdrawal with a lot of depression and SI.  The ketamine in the long run did nothing for me and possibly damaged my CNS even more.  I wish now I never posted that. Sorry for that.

 

 

 

Effexor 2008 - 2017 37.5 Mg . Upped to 150 mg on 2017.  November of 2017 to March 2018 went from 150 mg to 0.

Ativan May 2018 started 1 - 2 mg daily stayed at 1mg Sept 2018. 03/9/19 .975mg, 03/16 .950mg, 04/13 .94, 04/20 .93, 04/27 .916 slowly tapered from April to  August 2019 at .77mg,  December 2020 .10mg, Jan 2021 0.0 MG 

Valium June 2018 started 10 mg currently 2.5 mg daily, September 2021 0.0 mg

Trazadone started March 2018 100 mg at night to sleep Oct 16, 2018 went to 75 mg , November 13, 2018 67.5 mg, Dec 11 60.75 mg, January 21, 2019  54 mg, 02/09 50 mg, March 2022 0.0 mg

Six Ketamine treatments September 2018.  2 treatments a week for 3 weeks

Completely drug free as of March 2022

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thanks for telling me!

 

med history: 17 years total

Concerta: 2 yrs - cold turkey, brought on first "depression" 

Short trials of Zoloft and Effexor: 1-3 years - multiple cold turkey's brought on OCD intrusive thoughts for the first time

Lexapro 15-20 mg (16 yrs)  - tried to quit once, cold turkey, worst WD ever, had to go on to 20mg to stop WD

Welbutrin 150mg (8-ish yrs) NO w/d symptoms from CT

Adderall 5-7.5mg (8-10-ish yrs) quit CT, brought on many WD symptoms, but manageable. 

 

Begin taper March 2018 Currently on 4.4 mg lexapro - down from 20mg

 

Symptoms depression, horrible intrusive thoughts and urges, new onset PMS/PMDD, constant extreme irritation and anger, visual hallucinations, irrational thinking patterns, panic, nausea, dizzy, intolerance to working out, chemical sensitivities, noise sensitivities, memory issues, heart palps, etc. 

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7 hours ago, Rezten said:

Since I wrote that, I have changed my take on the ketamine.  My depression lifted for a short time and I am still in severe withdrawal with a lot of depression and SI.  The ketamine in the long run did nothing for me and possibly damaged my CNS even more.  I wish now I never posted that. Sorry for that.

 

 

I'm glad I found this. I was considering ketamine treatment, since I rea an article on it. However I do know that I'm not taking any more chemicals without prior research.

Also I am currently withdrawing from Effexor 75 mg. I notice that you did a relatively quick taper from 150 mg to 0 in about 6 months. What was your experience like? Should I go for a similar taper? 

2012- Citalopram 40- Axal 0.5mg  2017- Stopped Axal CT. No WD.

2017 - Effexor XR 75 mg.

For Epilepsy:1983 - Tegral 400 mg/day  2009 - Lumark 1000 mg/day- Biotim eyedrops for glaucoma.

27 April 2019 - Effexor XR taper started. 40 beads removed - 16% - 63mg20 May - 10% - 20 beads. 57mg / 3 June - 10% - 20 beads - 51mg / 18 July - 6% -10 beads - 48mg / 20 July - 7% -10 beads- 44.5mg/ 1 Sept - 75 mg alternate days = 37.5 mg/ 14 Sept - 75 mg every 3rd day = 25mg/  22 Sept - Effexor XR stopped.

27 Oct - Tegral = 300mg. Citalopram = 30 mg. Lumark = 500mg Busron = 10 mg. Somna = 2.5 mg

1-Jan 2020 Tegral 200mg BD- Citalopram 20mg OD- Lumark 500BD

25 Apr 2020 Tegral 200 mg BD- Citalopram alternate days 20 mg and 10 mg OD - Lumark 500BD

May June 2020 Dropped to 10 mg citalopram due to drug shortages.

Early July 2020: CT'ed citalopram - nonavailability of medicine. Tegral + Lumark remains same as before.

 

 

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1 hour ago, crashcourse said:

Also I am currently withdrawing from Effexor 75 mg. I notice that you did a relatively quick taper from 150 mg to 0 in about 6 months. What was your experience like? Should I go for a similar taper? 

My taper was too quick and done at the advice of uneducated prescribers, and I was uneducated as well.  No, you should not do a quick taper like I did. My CNS has crashed, I am unable to work, i was bed bound for many months and still find it hard to function most days.  This has been living hell, as it is for most people going through this.

 

It is recommended that you taper 10% or less of the current dose a month and holding when necessary. Listen to your body.  There is information on the site about the best way to taper Effexor.  You can do a search if you havent already. The moderators can assist you as well.

 

I wish I knew then what I know now.  

 

Effexor 2008 - 2017 37.5 Mg . Upped to 150 mg on 2017.  November of 2017 to March 2018 went from 150 mg to 0.

Ativan May 2018 started 1 - 2 mg daily stayed at 1mg Sept 2018. 03/9/19 .975mg, 03/16 .950mg, 04/13 .94, 04/20 .93, 04/27 .916 slowly tapered from April to  August 2019 at .77mg,  December 2020 .10mg, Jan 2021 0.0 MG 

Valium June 2018 started 10 mg currently 2.5 mg daily, September 2021 0.0 mg

Trazadone started March 2018 100 mg at night to sleep Oct 16, 2018 went to 75 mg , November 13, 2018 67.5 mg, Dec 11 60.75 mg, January 21, 2019  54 mg, 02/09 50 mg, March 2022 0.0 mg

Six Ketamine treatments September 2018.  2 treatments a week for 3 weeks

Completely drug free as of March 2022

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Thanks @Rezten

 

I've read a lot of the stuff on SA, and do plan to try and follow best I can. There's this desire to get rid off drugs asap, so I start getting back to normal.

I know you're correct. Hope you get better.

2012- Citalopram 40- Axal 0.5mg  2017- Stopped Axal CT. No WD.

2017 - Effexor XR 75 mg.

For Epilepsy:1983 - Tegral 400 mg/day  2009 - Lumark 1000 mg/day- Biotim eyedrops for glaucoma.

27 April 2019 - Effexor XR taper started. 40 beads removed - 16% - 63mg20 May - 10% - 20 beads. 57mg / 3 June - 10% - 20 beads - 51mg / 18 July - 6% -10 beads - 48mg / 20 July - 7% -10 beads- 44.5mg/ 1 Sept - 75 mg alternate days = 37.5 mg/ 14 Sept - 75 mg every 3rd day = 25mg/  22 Sept - Effexor XR stopped.

27 Oct - Tegral = 300mg. Citalopram = 30 mg. Lumark = 500mg Busron = 10 mg. Somna = 2.5 mg

1-Jan 2020 Tegral 200mg BD- Citalopram 20mg OD- Lumark 500BD

25 Apr 2020 Tegral 200 mg BD- Citalopram alternate days 20 mg and 10 mg OD - Lumark 500BD

May June 2020 Dropped to 10 mg citalopram due to drug shortages.

Early July 2020: CT'ed citalopram - nonavailability of medicine. Tegral + Lumark remains same as before.

 

 

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On 5/17/2019 at 5:09 AM, Rezten said:

My taper was too quick and done at the advice of uneducated prescribers, and I was uneducated as well.  No, you should not do a quick taper like I did. My CNS has crashed, I am unable to work, i was bed bound for many months and still find it hard to function most days.  This has been living hell, as it is for most people going through this.

 

It is recommended that you taper 10% or less of the current dose a month and holding when necessary. Listen to your body.  There is information on the site about the best way to taper Effexor.  You can do a search if you havent already. The moderators can assist you as well.

 

I wish I knew then what I know now.  

 

On 5/16/2019 at 8:10 PM, Rezten said:

Since I wrote that, I have changed my take on the ketamine.  My depression lifted for a short time and I am still in severe withdrawal with a lot of depression and SI.  The ketamine in the long run did nothing for me and possibly damaged my CNS even more.  I wish now I never posted that. Sorry for that.

 

 

So does that mean it's impossible for me to recover now since I had two infusions while withdrawing? I was on psych meds since I was 11 while brain was still developing. So it seems kind of impossible to begin with. I'm 22. Should I just give up at this point? Or wait it out a few years and see if things get better. 

My sexual function is still really weird. Where sometimes my orgasms are close to normal but then they are non existent again. The only improvement I have seen so far is that I Dream again when I sleep sometimes. 

Still have intense depersonalization/derealization.

 

The last psych med I was on before doing the two infusions was an MAOI inhibitor called EMSam.

Drugs I have been on- Vyvanse 30mg, Adderal, citalopram 30mg, Zoloft 20mg, rexulti 10mg,Wellbutrin, Lexapro 20mg, buspar, Prozac 20mg, Trazodone 50mg, Ritalin 20mg.

some of them I can't remember doses for. 

 

was on on Zoloft, Ritalin, and adderal between the ages of 11-13. Then I was on Celexa and Vyvanse, between the ages of 13-21. Don't remember exact dates. 

 

Then when I went off the celexa and Vyvanse abruptly and went on all of the other medications. Between the ages of 21 and 22. 

 I saw psychiatrist for about 3 months and was put on most of them on and off. I think it was the other SSRI's besides celexa and Zoloft , buspar, Wellbutrin, and rexulti. 

 

 Then I went inpatient a few times after that where it was diagnosed as a recurrence of depression and went on and off medications like celexa, Trazodone, and most recently about 3-4 weeks ago EMSam. I have been completely off medication since than.

supplements- magnesium 250mg, and 2 omega 3's. 

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15 minutes ago, Mikegs96 said:

does that mean it's impossible for me to recover now since I had two infusions while withdrawing? I was on psych meds since I was 11 while brain was still developing. So it seems kind of impossible to begin with. I'm 22. Should I just give up at this point? Or wait it out a few years and see if things get better. 

My sexual function is still really weird. Where sometimes my orgasms are close to normal but then they are non existent again. The only improvement I have seen so far is that I Dream again when I sleep sometimes. 

Still have intense depersonalization/derealization.

 

The last psych med I was on before doing the two infusions was an MAOI inhibitor called EMSam.

You absolutely can and will recover!  Do not give up.  Our CNS takes time to heal.  While I am still very symptomatic, I am much better than 6 months ago. Some days I'm in bed some days I'm running errands. Now, I always have symptoms of some kind, but some days are easier than others. As time goes on they are lessening and one day they will be gone.  I trust the Lord to get me through in the mean time . There are many success stories here and online of people who have recovered even after being on psyche drugs from a young age.  

 

You are young, you have a whole life ahead of you.  You can do this. Be kind to yourself.  Listen to your body.  I recommend going to Baylissa.com.  She went through years of WD but has completely healed. She now supports others in WD.

 

Effexor 2008 - 2017 37.5 Mg . Upped to 150 mg on 2017.  November of 2017 to March 2018 went from 150 mg to 0.

Ativan May 2018 started 1 - 2 mg daily stayed at 1mg Sept 2018. 03/9/19 .975mg, 03/16 .950mg, 04/13 .94, 04/20 .93, 04/27 .916 slowly tapered from April to  August 2019 at .77mg,  December 2020 .10mg, Jan 2021 0.0 MG 

Valium June 2018 started 10 mg currently 2.5 mg daily, September 2021 0.0 mg

Trazadone started March 2018 100 mg at night to sleep Oct 16, 2018 went to 75 mg , November 13, 2018 67.5 mg, Dec 11 60.75 mg, January 21, 2019  54 mg, 02/09 50 mg, March 2022 0.0 mg

Six Ketamine treatments September 2018.  2 treatments a week for 3 weeks

Completely drug free as of March 2022

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16 minutes ago, Rezten said:

You absolutely can and will recover!  Do not give up.  Our CNS takes time to heal.  While I am still very symptomatic, I am much better than 6 months ago. Some days I'm in bed some days I'm running errands. Now, I always have symptoms of some kind, but some days are easier than others. As time goes on they are lessening and one day they will be gone.  I trust the Lord to get me through in the mean time . There are many success stories here and online of people who have recovered even after being on psyche drugs from a young age.  

 

You are young, you have a whole life ahead of you.  You can do this. Be kind to yourself.  Listen to your body.  I recommend going to Baylissa.com.  She went through years of WD but has completely healed. She now supports others in WD.

Ok thanks, I will keep all of that in mind and check out the website. Does sexual function eventually improve too?  Because sometimes they it's hard to tell if it is. Also have you heard of people that were on psych meds throughout childhood and teenage years and were able to recover?

Drugs I have been on- Vyvanse 30mg, Adderal, citalopram 30mg, Zoloft 20mg, rexulti 10mg,Wellbutrin, Lexapro 20mg, buspar, Prozac 20mg, Trazodone 50mg, Ritalin 20mg.

some of them I can't remember doses for. 

 

was on on Zoloft, Ritalin, and adderal between the ages of 11-13. Then I was on Celexa and Vyvanse, between the ages of 13-21. Don't remember exact dates. 

 

Then when I went off the celexa and Vyvanse abruptly and went on all of the other medications. Between the ages of 21 and 22. 

 I saw psychiatrist for about 3 months and was put on most of them on and off. I think it was the other SSRI's besides celexa and Zoloft , buspar, Wellbutrin, and rexulti. 

 

 Then I went inpatient a few times after that where it was diagnosed as a recurrence of depression and went on and off medications like celexa, Trazodone, and most recently about 3-4 weeks ago EMSam. I have been completely off medication since than.

supplements- magnesium 250mg, and 2 omega 3's. 

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11 minutes ago, Mikegs96 said:

Does sexual function eventually improve too?  Because sometimes they it's hard to tell if it is. Also have you heard of people that were on psych meds throughout childhood and teenage years and were able to recover?

I am not an expert on this symptom, but as with other symptoms, they eventually fade away.  Im Sure as time goes on that one will too. And yes, I have read success stories of people on meds throughout childhood that have recovered. Your story is yours, you may or may not have similar symptoms as some one else. But what I have read by those who have experience, we all recover!  Check out the success stories of others on this site

 

Effexor 2008 - 2017 37.5 Mg . Upped to 150 mg on 2017.  November of 2017 to March 2018 went from 150 mg to 0.

Ativan May 2018 started 1 - 2 mg daily stayed at 1mg Sept 2018. 03/9/19 .975mg, 03/16 .950mg, 04/13 .94, 04/20 .93, 04/27 .916 slowly tapered from April to  August 2019 at .77mg,  December 2020 .10mg, Jan 2021 0.0 MG 

Valium June 2018 started 10 mg currently 2.5 mg daily, September 2021 0.0 mg

Trazadone started March 2018 100 mg at night to sleep Oct 16, 2018 went to 75 mg , November 13, 2018 67.5 mg, Dec 11 60.75 mg, January 21, 2019  54 mg, 02/09 50 mg, March 2022 0.0 mg

Six Ketamine treatments September 2018.  2 treatments a week for 3 weeks

Completely drug free as of March 2022

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20 minutes ago, Rezten said:

I am not an expert on this symptom, but as with other symptoms, they eventually fade away.  Im Sure as time goes on that one will too. And yes, I have read success stories of people on meds throughout childhood that have recovered. Your story is yours, you may or may not have similar symptoms as some one else. But what I have read by those who have experience, we all recover!  Check out the success stories of others on this site

I definitely will! Sometimes it feels like there's not a lot of success stories considering how many people go through withdrawal. Last time I checked I think it was only four pages. But I have been reading them. I can't really find any that have EMSam in there recovery story

Drugs I have been on- Vyvanse 30mg, Adderal, citalopram 30mg, Zoloft 20mg, rexulti 10mg,Wellbutrin, Lexapro 20mg, buspar, Prozac 20mg, Trazodone 50mg, Ritalin 20mg.

some of them I can't remember doses for. 

 

was on on Zoloft, Ritalin, and adderal between the ages of 11-13. Then I was on Celexa and Vyvanse, between the ages of 13-21. Don't remember exact dates. 

 

Then when I went off the celexa and Vyvanse abruptly and went on all of the other medications. Between the ages of 21 and 22. 

 I saw psychiatrist for about 3 months and was put on most of them on and off. I think it was the other SSRI's besides celexa and Zoloft , buspar, Wellbutrin, and rexulti. 

 

 Then I went inpatient a few times after that where it was diagnosed as a recurrence of depression and went on and off medications like celexa, Trazodone, and most recently about 3-4 weeks ago EMSam. I have been completely off medication since than.

supplements- magnesium 250mg, and 2 omega 3's. 

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It was no better than placebo in two of the three short-term Phase-III studies submitted to the FDA for approval.

 

But the biggest problem at hand is not the drug itself. It’s the fact that instead of representing a revolution in mental health treatment, as it has been touted to do, esketamine is not a breakthrough at all. It’s just a way for pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson to make a significant profit off gullible insurance companies and vulnerable patients.

 

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/pajkjy/opinion-the-new-ketamine-based-antidepressant-is-a-rip-off?fbclid=IwAR2HdQjDaaGdn2rvIwtPdllr0czgUYm8ES8fyX6NcyQAiZiqLDemZIxcwjk

Escitalopram 1.05 mg (max of 30 mg, taper from 10 mg to now started september 2016)

 

Klonopin 0.3 mg (one dosage reduction of 25 percent, from 0.4 to 0.3 mg september 2017)

 

Supplements: magnesium malate, fish oil, curcumin, multivitamin, iodine, probiotics, vitamine D along with eating healthy 80 percent of the time, I have no problem whatsoever taking supplements.

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Not to mention the negative effects and downsides which undoubtedly have been hidden, downplayed and outright denied.  At $900 a dose and $7,000 for the first month of treatment let's hope very few people have the "opportunity" to be "helped" by this new drug.  After what has happened with fosamax, Vioxxx, oxycontin and all the benzos as well as the ADs, I don't trust the pharmaceutical companies with regard to anything at all. 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

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  • 3 months later...

Has anyone here had any recent experience with IV ketamine therapy?

 

If so, was it helpful or harmful?

Sertraline 50mg 12/16-06/17

Cipralex 5mg 09/17-11/17

Elatrolet 2.5 mg6 days 02/18

Sertraline 37.5 mg 02/18--04/18

Sertraline 25mg down to 0 05/18-07/18

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  • 8 months later...

I was just wandering what is your opinion on ketamine infusion to help through withdrawals. My friend was really bad for quite some time and couldn’t take it any more so she went to a ketamine clinic for consultation and they did 6 treatments it was 1 and half ago she is perfectly fine and  happier than ever . It worked for her . I know it’s pretty costly but in this hell I feel we are all so desperate. The ketamine kind of rebooted her brain I guess . Thank u for any input .

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  • Administrator

I think you may be mistaking withdrawal syndrome for what doctors call "depression."

 

We're not advocates of taking new drugs to treat withdrawal syndrome. As a matter of fact, people having withdrawal symptoms often react badly to treatments intended for "depression."

 

You may be on the wrong Web site. If you're looking for depression treatments, try patientslikeme.com or depressionforums.org

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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Thank you for your response.I am aware of the fact that this is a website to help people through withdrawals currently I am going through one myself . It was just a step she took almost 7 months after drugs because her symptoms were so bad and she couldn’t take it and that help her through the withdrawals. I guess everyone is different I am not an advocate either for reinstating meds at all it was just something I gave witness that help her and she never return for any more infusion after she was done . Right or wrong it was just her case and I was curious if anyone have done it . Thank you for all you do to give ppl like me some guidance. Very appreciate it . 

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You're welcome. We don't know anything about ketamine for withdrawal syndrome.

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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  • 3 weeks later...

Was your friend who used ketamine infusions withdrawing from antidepressants?

Started SSRIs and Adderall in 2003.

June 2019 - quit 15mg Adderall XR, no problems

August - October 2019 - tapered Prozac from 40mg to 0mg with no WD symptoms

January 2020 - WD started 

January 2020 reinstated 15mg Adderall XR, taken as needed, about 3 times a week

Early June 2020 - reinstated 5mg Prozac, increased to 20mg, decreased to 5mg. Increased Adderall XR to daily usage of 15mg, started 50mg Trazodone. 

Mid June 2020 - increased to 10mg Prozac

August 13, 2020 - decreased to 5mg Prozac

Sept 5, 2020  - decreased to 10mg Adderall

Sept 15, 2020 - decreased to 5mg Adderall

October 1, 2020 - decreased to 0 mg Adderall

May 15, 2023 - tapered Prozac by 10% per month, using oral solution, currently taking 0.1mg every other day. 50mg Trazodone. 10mg Adderall. 

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  • 5 months later...

Hello my fellow Kiwis! By any chance has anyone heard of the trial of slow release small dose Ketamine being used by severely depressed participants who are treatment resistant? It was on tv today.  I wonder if anyone here is in the trial? I know this site doesn't advocate for use of drugs but given the  participants are treatment resistant they're probably in fact going through withdrawal. See https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/11/trials-for-new-ketamine-antidepressant-report-major-breakthroughs-in-depression-patients.amp.html

In Jan 2011 started Lexapro 10 mg after 10 minutes consultation with doctor telling him I felt anxious in confined spaces and had an anxiety attack on plane and underground. Remained on that dosage until Sept 2014. Tapered following a doctor's schedule on 2.5 mg drops every three weeks. Once stopped I developed severe withdrawals. Three weeks of Prozac beginning of Oct 2014 but had adverse reaction and stopped CT. Protracted withdrawals since. Supp now - magnesium, fish oil, turmeric, vit D, melatonin (but recently it's made me depressed), castus vitex capsule with ginger, Withania, Vit E, zinc, Lutein for PMS.
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  • Moderator Emeritus

SA's topic:

 

ketamine-treatment

 

43 minutes ago, DaisyBell said:

they're probably in fact going through withdrawal.

 

  

On 10/9/2012 at 10:17 AM, Altostrata said:

What is reinstatement?

Reinstatement means resuming the drug or its equivalent when withdrawal symptoms appear.

 

According to what medicine knows about psychiatric drug withdrawal syndrome, reinstatement is the only way to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. All the papers about withdrawal symptoms allude to how symptoms usually resolve after reinstatement. This is considered a hallmark of withdrawal syndrome.

 

Some papers recommend resuming a partial dose of the drug rather than a full dose. See below for discussion.


The inserts in all the newer antidepressants and many other psychiatric drugs advise reinstatement if withdrawal symptoms appear. This is all medicine knows about how to treat withdrawal.

 

* 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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Should I post it in there? (post has been moved from NZ members topic - link will be posted there)

 

From what I read this is not normal Ketamine. It's a trial in NZ only of a particular small dose slow release formula. They've had massive success so far with treatment resistant participants. Eg those that have had no success with SSRI. I was wondering if in fact  those participants were most likely in withdrawal that were having the success. .. given that people in withdrawal get labeled a whole lot things, even treatment resistant. Sorry if this doesn't belong here or I was confusing.  Only wondering if any participants were on here and could elaborate.

 

Edited by ChessieCat
added note
In Jan 2011 started Lexapro 10 mg after 10 minutes consultation with doctor telling him I felt anxious in confined spaces and had an anxiety attack on plane and underground. Remained on that dosage until Sept 2014. Tapered following a doctor's schedule on 2.5 mg drops every three weeks. Once stopped I developed severe withdrawals. Three weeks of Prozac beginning of Oct 2014 but had adverse reaction and stopped CT. Protracted withdrawals since. Supp now - magnesium, fish oil, turmeric, vit D, melatonin (but recently it's made me depressed), castus vitex capsule with ginger, Withania, Vit E, zinc, Lutein for PMS.
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Just want to add I am definitely not advocating for Ketamine use for those in withdrawal.  Just interested in results/experience of any participants of the trial if they are on here.  

In Jan 2011 started Lexapro 10 mg after 10 minutes consultation with doctor telling him I felt anxious in confined spaces and had an anxiety attack on plane and underground. Remained on that dosage until Sept 2014. Tapered following a doctor's schedule on 2.5 mg drops every three weeks. Once stopped I developed severe withdrawals. Three weeks of Prozac beginning of Oct 2014 but had adverse reaction and stopped CT. Protracted withdrawals since. Supp now - magnesium, fish oil, turmeric, vit D, melatonin (but recently it's made me depressed), castus vitex capsule with ginger, Withania, Vit E, zinc, Lutein for PMS.
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  • Administrator

Any random psychotropic is likely to help somebody somewhere among the billions on Earth. As you say, could be some of those "treatment-resistant" cases might have protracted withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) or other iatrogenic damage. Who knows, a little anesthetic -- which is what ketamine is -- might give temporary relief. But the law of psychotropics says the effect always wears off and you must come down.

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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  • 2 weeks later...

Does anyone know if there are any indications if this ketamine  would help  me if I tried to do another taper off my ssri meds Paroxetine?

Maree 
20 yrs on 60mg per day paroxitine(paxil)then:

last 3 years tapering now on 30 mg per day

2-12 April/18 Unsuccessful taper by sliver off tabs. Aborted taper and stabilised

My tablets are Paroxitine/Paxil Tables 20mg(APO) and the writing on the back of the foil sheet says:  Apo-paroxitine 20mg (as hydrochloride)(B)NA3817

Reminder to myself: We recommend reductions at monthly intervals to give the nervous system a good 3 weeks to settle down between cuts. To save wear and tear on your nervous system, after a taper stay at that level for a month to see if withdrawal symptoms develop.

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I should probably tell my experience with Spravato, which is basically ketamine. I had been following it for years because it just sounded like it would work for me. This is hard, because my experience was very bad. To top it off I had pretty much healed so I really didn't need it but after my insurance approved it I was so shocked that I decided to go ahead and take the leap. The first 10 days were like heaven. I truly thought I was healed I had never felt better in my life. Then they changed the dose and my world fell apart. It totally changed who I was. I thought I could do anything  and tried many silly things. Remembering it now its like Im seeing those through another person’s eyes. It took me months to get over that crap. It was a blessing in disguise though because it just strengthened my resolve.

As requested. In the last 3 years to the best of my recollection I first dropped the max dose of Lamictal. Yes I just stopped it was doing absolutely nothing. Then I dropped Lexapro, that was even easier I had been on and off that a dozen times before. There were at least 2 odd off label attempts at anxiety that I won’t be able to remember. Then there was sweet/evil Seroquel. That was the last to go it’s been around 16 months.

Lithium, Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Celexa, Lamictal, Lexapro, Luvox, Viibryd, Brintellix, Pristiq, Zoloft, Seroquel, Zyprexa, Geodon, Abilify, Latuda, Ritalin, Adderall, Valium, Clonazepam, Alprazolam, Propanalol, Spravato

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  • Administrator

Thanks, Iamfine. People should know this is not a miracle drug, any more than the others.

 

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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  • Altostrata changed the title to Ketamine and esketamine treatment
  • Administrator

Yes, ketamine is going down the same road of hype as every other psychiatric drug. It rewires neurotransmitters or increases BDNF or some damn thing, like all the others. The "evidence" for efficacy in the usual poorly designed studies is very weak, in the grand tradition of all the other blockbuster psychiatric drugs.

 

Tremendous amount of interest in this, it's a very attractive fad. Given how gullible both doctors and patients are, it's going to make somebody a lot of money.

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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