Bear1975 Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 1 year and 3 months afer I started reducing respiridone. Was on 0.5mg one at night and one in morning. 1 year ago I reduced to halthe morning and 9 weeks ago I am down to half in morning and half at night - so 0.25 twice a day. The waves are so up and down. I have an amazing 2/3 weeks and then a crap 2 weeks and it continues. Just had a good 2/3 weeks and since sunday feel terrible - flu like, headache, flat, brain fog, can't concentrate and emotional. When will this get better?????? 2006 - present - Venlafaxine 2010 - Present - Respiridone Tried to taper off respiridone several times over the years and failed. May 2018 - Half tablet in morning and full in evening. August 2018 - Half morning and night October 2018 - back up to full in evening. Kept half in morning. June 2019 - reduced to half at night again. 3 weeks in and withdrawal symptoms August 2019 - Now at 0.25 morning and 0.25 evening 2010 - 2018 Everol HRT 75 2019 - Increase Everol to 100 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelly Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 I hope it does get better for you. I was just thinking exactly the same, and thought I would take a look and see how others are feeling. I thought it was just me, and the way I am, and until finding this forum realise it’s the effects of AD and withdrawal. I just think I have to live day to day. I don’t plan too much because I don’t know how I will be. I hate life. I’m tired. I hope you feel better soon. Xx Prescribed Venlafaxine 150mg .......... 19 Feb 2019 stopped Venlafaxine 150mg cold turkey. 06 March 2019 restarted Ven 125mg. 04 April 2019 9 mini pills. 02 May 2019 8 mini pills. 01July 2019 7 mini pills. 18 Aug 2019 6 mini pills. 24 Sept 2019 5.50 mini pills. 11 October 2019 5 mini pills. 5th May 2020 Reinstated Ven 125 mg XR 9 pills. 9th Nov 2020 Update Started splitting dose to twice per day 02/02/2021 can’t stabilise without symptoms. 03/02/21 9 mini pills @ 10am Updated.... July 2021 108mg, Sept 2021 107mg, tapering steps to be updated current dose 14 July 2023 80mg 23.07.23 75mg half way ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted August 18, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 18, 2019 On 5/4/2015 at 9:36 AM, JanCarol said: The waves will come, the windows will come, the waves will come again, and so will the windows. You breathe in, you breathe out. You are alive. Let your brain have it's own schedule, don't try to pin it to a calendar or a clock. I believe that to do so, will actually hinder its repair - but to let go - will help it heal more quickly. (just my belief) Thank you for this. It is very helpful to me right now. Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persistente Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 Back to wave. So far not so bad as before. Anxiety, depression, apathy. I have been having them in my waves for nearly 2 years now. It doeas not really feel like that at the moment but I am doing much better than at the beggining of this hell. 3/2012 - sertralin 50 mg, no major side effects 1/2014 - ct sertralin 50 mg (tappered 3 weeks as doctor ordered) 7/2014 - back to sertalin 50 mg, no issues 4/2016 - ct sertralin 50 mg (tappered 3 weeks, my decision) 12/2016 - back to sertalin, major side effects from the first pill and the begginning of hell 2/2017 - mirtazepine 15 mg added for insomnia 6/2017 - stopped sertralin (2 months tapper) 9/2017 - stopped mirtazepine (3 weeks taper) waves and windows Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wassimlapino Posted September 6, 2019 Share Posted September 6, 2019 Its been 4 years since i stoped zyprexa 5 mg ct , and 3 years since i stoped imipramine an antidepressant ... at first i had no waves windows pattern , ive been having very bad withdrawl for 1 year with almost daily suffer and panic feelings , windows started to show up very slowly at my 3rd year off but they were short and the misery was still.. now at the bwgining of 4rth year waves are shorter comparing to what it has been , it shows up every 2-3 week and lasts to a maximum of 3 days ( it was much longer) ... although my waves are short , im sorry to say my windows arent full of joy or emotions full with deep euphoria or highness .. i can feel calm and pretty stabilized during a window but if i manage to be in a stressful situation i would fall back very bad and way deep ... may god guide me through this battle , its taking time and years outta my life Was on zyprexa and fluanxol ,imipramine for 8 months. Got off all! Still have issues with cognition, insomnia and fatigue, depression. -no supplements -no sugar/caffein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persistente Posted September 11, 2019 Share Posted September 11, 2019 On 9/6/2019 at 10:54 PM, Wassimlapino said: Its been 4 years since i stoped zyprexa 5 mg ct , and 3 years since i stoped imipramine an antidepressant ... at first i had no waves windows pattern , ive been having very bad withdrawl for 1 year with almost daily suffer and panic feelings , windows started to show up very slowly at my 3rd year off but they were short and the misery was still.. now at the bwgining of 4rth year waves are shorter comparing to what it has been , it shows up every 2-3 week and lasts to a maximum of 3 days ( it was much longer) ... although my waves are short , im sorry to say my windows arent full of joy or emotions full with deep euphoria or highness .. i can feel calm and pretty stabilized during a window but if i manage to be in a stressful situation i would fall back very bad and way deep ... may god guide me through this battle , its taking time and years outta my life you must have been very brave and strong person to stay off everything, not having windows at all for such a long time...i am glad you are so much better now i have been having windows from the beginning of wd and it was hard enough to believe this is wd and not relapse 3/2012 - sertralin 50 mg, no major side effects 1/2014 - ct sertralin 50 mg (tappered 3 weeks as doctor ordered) 7/2014 - back to sertalin 50 mg, no issues 4/2016 - ct sertralin 50 mg (tappered 3 weeks, my decision) 12/2016 - back to sertalin, major side effects from the first pill and the begginning of hell 2/2017 - mirtazepine 15 mg added for insomnia 6/2017 - stopped sertralin (2 months tapper) 9/2017 - stopped mirtazepine (3 weeks taper) waves and windows Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweet Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 You are so strong to have fought your way through the paws so far with so few windows, persistente! Give yourself a huge oat on the back, and a hug from me! Your ability to have good emotions will come back, ad they assured us on this wonderful site, so do not get discouraged. For me, the really negative ones came back first and we're sputtering and spurting uncontrollably at first, and most of the time I have to focus on not over-emoting and destroying relationships. Lately, I have begun to feel good emotions more and more, but they are sort of fading in and come and go. I am talking about love, joy, peace, thankfulness. I am also learning to mentally remind myself that for example this is a time to feel thankful, etc. That is how it is working for me, anyway. And as you know from this forum everyone is different. Keep plodding along, persistente, and it will pay off in time. Lack of emotions is really hard! You have come this far, and the only way to a normal life is THROUGH this mess! Psalms 65 is a great reminder. Blessings ☺️ This is the best of my recollection. 20 mg Prozac 3-4 days per week from 1994 until May 2018. Beginning May 15 I began to drop doses. I dropped 1 dose per week for the next 4 weeks. It was not systematic at all. I don't have which days I took what. so the week of May 13 I took 4 doses, which was pretty normal for me. Then the week of May 20 I took 3 doses 20 mg. The week of May 27 I took 3 doses 20 mg. The 1st week in June l took 2 doses 20 mg. The week of June 10, 2018 was my last dose 20 mg. I had been on Prozac only for over 20 years. No other medications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persistente Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 Thank you Tweet but you probably wanted to applaud to Wassimlapino. Anyhow, we are all brave and strong and we deserve to heal. We just need to stay patient. 3/2012 - sertralin 50 mg, no major side effects 1/2014 - ct sertralin 50 mg (tappered 3 weeks as doctor ordered) 7/2014 - back to sertalin 50 mg, no issues 4/2016 - ct sertralin 50 mg (tappered 3 weeks, my decision) 12/2016 - back to sertalin, major side effects from the first pill and the begginning of hell 2/2017 - mirtazepine 15 mg added for insomnia 6/2017 - stopped sertralin (2 months tapper) 9/2017 - stopped mirtazepine (3 weeks taper) waves and windows Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Onmyway Posted September 18, 2019 Moderator Share Posted September 18, 2019 I'm wondering if the veterans are still reading this and if I can tap into your wisdom @brassmonkey, @Petunia @Rhiannon regarding the so-called 8/10 month wave. Have you had/observed in others such a wave while still tapering after a cold turkey (5 month taper from 40-0mg of citalopram) and a small dose reinstatement (2.5 mg) and tapering at the recommended rate from the reinstatement dose? Things had gotten a bit better for me over a 2.5-3 month hold and predictable in terms of symptoms with resumed tapering but I am back to intense cortisol mornings, relentless nausea, pins and needles, depression, emotional spirals, detached from reality feelings (what feels like a milder form of DP/DR). I'm not planning any drops (have been holding for almost 5 weeks now from the last 10% drop) and was expecting that I would be miserable for at least a couple of more years but was hoping that the level of misery would not be as high as what it was in the first 4 months and what it is now. Thanks in advance for any input and may all of us have some peace and calm. "Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used) Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up) September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering) citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg, 7/27/19 -1.5 mg, 8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator brassmonkey Posted September 18, 2019 Moderator Share Posted September 18, 2019 Hi Onmyway-- I'm sorry to hear that you're having a bad wave right now. The 8/10 month wave is associated more with a slow taper then with a CT/RI. The symptom pattern from a CT/RI can be so intense and unpredictable that it is hard to build a time line for when things will happen. The best we can do is the Windows and Waves pattern that we talk about. It sounds like you've been hit with a bad wave and a long hold is called for. That hold could last several months before things settle out. The whole healing/recovery period from a CT/RI is not going to be acute misery. As time passes things will heal and the symptoms will decrease. It can be hard to see at times but there will be a steady improvement in your WDnormal baseline that can be observed over time. A CT/RI is a rough way to go but things do get better. 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Onmyway Posted September 28, 2019 Moderator Share Posted September 28, 2019 On 9/18/2019 at 7:53 PM, brassmonkey said: Hi Onmyway-- I'm sorry to hear that you're having a bad wave right now. The 8/10 month wave is associated more with a slow taper then with a CT/RI. The symptom pattern from a CT/RI can be so intense and unpredictable that it is hard to build a time line for when things will happen. The best we can do is the Windows and Waves pattern that we talk about. It sounds like you've been hit with a bad wave and a long hold is called for. That hold could last several months before things settle out. The whole healing/recovery period from a CT/RI is not going to be acute misery. As time passes things will heal and the symptoms will decrease. It can be hard to see at times but there will be a steady improvement in your WDnormal baseline that can be observed over time. A CT/RI is a rough way to go but things do get better. Thank you so much for your kind reply BM! I have been hanging onto your words of comfort even though I didn't get to respond until now. I am holding until I stabilize as it's no way to live like this. Things got a bit better and then worse again since I posted this but I somehow think that my resilience is wearing off. I also don't get the good evening windows as much and things have been to "I'd rather not live if I have to live like this" a couple of times. I very much appreciate your words of wisdom and I'm holding, holding until it's necessary... "Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used) Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up) September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering) citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg, 7/27/19 -1.5 mg, 8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmunds Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 My psychiatrist had me taper off venlafaxine/Effexor in mid May 2019 after 3.5 years of taking it. We did this taper in 3 weeks. Then in mid July we tapered off bupropion/Wellbutrin, which I had taken for slightly less time. We did that in 3 weeks as well. WD followed and continues as of mid November 2019. On the advice of this group, I am staying on 20 mg of Prozac (which was to be the substitute for Effexor), until I feel more stabilized than I do so far. Recovery in waves and windows is occurring but of course very slowly. My symptoms during the first 5 months: recurring, persistent anxiety surges almost every day; 2) heavy DR, which for me is perceptual fogginess, disconnect from the world "out there", and a feeling of my head stuffed with cotton balls; somewhat blurry vision; fatigue most of the time (current exercise is serious yoga and walking); neuro-emotion manifested in crying episodes in the morning; cortisol anxiety spikes for a short time after waking; moderate diarrhea. I have not had panic attacks, insomnia, brain zaps, or weird depersonalization episodes. Window days or hours (the window opening a crack!) were few until the past two months. About that time, the neuro-emotion crying pretty much went away. In the past three weeks, I have had no visceral anxiety surges, though continued periods of low level anxiety. Diarrhea has given way to several BMs a day. (Is that a known pattern?) The DR, blurry vision, and fatigue remain as they have been for the past 4-6 months. I wonder if anyone shares this sequence of anxiety as the first symptom to decrease, though I know I can have another wave of it? During these past 3 weeks I have also had days or hours of window opening, when the low-level anxiety, stuffed head, and lack of energy stopped or diminished. That's where I am as of November 19, 2019. Fluoxetine 1997-2014, 2015, 10-40 mg. GAD and DR symptoms returned April 2013. Bupropion 2013-14, 4 mos; Lexapro 2014; Cymbalta 2014. Gabapentin 2014; Mirtazapene 2014. Buspirone 2015. Venlafaxine Dec. 2015 – May 2019, 150 mg, tapered to 0 in 3 weeks, May-June 2019 Bupropion Mar 2017 – July 2019 300 mg, tapered to 0 in 3 weeks, July 2019 Fluoxetine/Prozac May 2019 – present, tapered from 20 mg started Jan 2020, linear 10% every 4 wks.; tapered 6 to 4 mg June, 2, 2020; 4 to 1.8 mg Aug. 26, 2020; updose from 1.8 mg to 2.0 Nov. 16, 2020. Holding at 2.0 mg as of Mar 14,2021. April 14, 2021 updosed to 2.5 mg. D3 2,000 mg; Omega 3 360 EPA/240 DHA; Magnesium Chelate 250 mg; Inositol powder started Nov 12, 2020; Theanine 400 mg; cranial electrotherapy stimulation device, self-treatments started Mar 14, 2021. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snorky Posted December 2, 2019 Share Posted December 2, 2019 My “wave” following failed reinstatement of v low dose of amitriptyline has been so bad and so long, I’m now sceptical as to whether it is a wave. It’s been going on solidly for a few days, intensifying existing symptoms and adding new ones. The other factor is the very obvious path downwards over time. Cymbalta 2007 Lyrica 2010 Venlafaxine 2010-2018 Amitriptyline October 2018-2019. (25, 50, 75, 100, 75, 50, 25) CT 10 Sept 2019 Reinstate amitriptyline 5 mg 29 Oct 2019 Reinstate amitriptyline 2.5mg 19 Nov 2019 CT 24 Nov 2019 Vitamin D 16 Dec and Promethazine 25mg 16 Dec (one month only) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom37 Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 Anyone gone into a long wave where the symptoms are the same all the time but they vary in intensity? I mean like a few days of them being lower in severity and then a few days higher in severity? My waves until now have been quite defined and then I return back to baseline with symptoms that are different than the wave but at the moment it’s the same symptoms just so up and down but no baseline in between.....or am I having windows and waves in a large wave....who knows. 20mg Lexapro 2007 10mg Lexapro 2012 Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3. Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction. Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October. Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018 Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov. Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweet Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 Tom, I have had this. Sorry you are having a problem with it. Seemed like one long, long, weeks long wave with varying intensity. I viewed it as yet another hellish attempt of the wd to discourage me into getting back on the poison. It's your brain fooling you. Hang in there and you will outlast it as you have so many smaller waves. This really seemed to start happening after I began to see myself feeling better overall. Be encouraged. When the dust settles you will still be standing, and this mess will be only a bad memory.😉 This is the best of my recollection. 20 mg Prozac 3-4 days per week from 1994 until May 2018. Beginning May 15 I began to drop doses. I dropped 1 dose per week for the next 4 weeks. It was not systematic at all. I don't have which days I took what. so the week of May 13 I took 4 doses, which was pretty normal for me. Then the week of May 20 I took 3 doses 20 mg. The week of May 27 I took 3 doses 20 mg. The 1st week in June l took 2 doses 20 mg. The week of June 10, 2018 was my last dose 20 mg. I had been on Prozac only for over 20 years. No other medications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweet Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 Also, 2 days ago I came out of one of those that lasted 6 weeks. Feel way better than when I went into it.🙂 This is the best of my recollection. 20 mg Prozac 3-4 days per week from 1994 until May 2018. Beginning May 15 I began to drop doses. I dropped 1 dose per week for the next 4 weeks. It was not systematic at all. I don't have which days I took what. so the week of May 13 I took 4 doses, which was pretty normal for me. Then the week of May 20 I took 3 doses 20 mg. The week of May 27 I took 3 doses 20 mg. The 1st week in June l took 2 doses 20 mg. The week of June 10, 2018 was my last dose 20 mg. I had been on Prozac only for over 20 years. No other medications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom37 Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 Thanks @Tweet I saw you had been in a wave for a while so really pleased you have come out of it and feeling even better than before it started. I’m about 4 or 5 weeks into one so hopefully ends soon. 20mg Lexapro 2007 10mg Lexapro 2012 Started tapering approx (October 2017) 12 months ago from 10mg to 9mg then 8 then 7 then 6 then 5 then 4 then 3. Held for approx 4 to 6 weeks min on each reduction. Hit severe symptoms (started 7th Nov) after dropping to 3mg. Dropped to 3mg approx 22nd October. Back to 4mg (7th November) and stabilising. Current symptoms started 23rd November 2018 Used diazepam (2018) 10mg 10th Nov, 5mg 11th Nov, 2.5mg 12 Nov, 2mg 13th Nov. Used diazepam 10mg 24th Nov, 7.5 25th Nov and 5mg 26th November 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenlady Posted December 7, 2019 Share Posted December 7, 2019 In all my years of tapering and withdrawal, I've never had a window. I can't imagine what it would be like. I just get worse the lower in AD dose that I am despite going very, very slowly. 2016-Aug-Prescribed 2 mg Ativan & 10 mg Ambien; Oct-c/o from 20 mg Lexapro to 60 mg Cymbalta; Nov-Dec-Tapered off 10 mg Ambien 2017-Jan-Feb c/o from 1.75 mg Ativan to 13 mg Valium & begin daily liquid micro taper; May-taper Cymbalta 60 mg to 48 mg with severe withdrawals. Begin 11 month Cymbalta hold. 2018-Jan 11 completed Valium taper; Apr-Resume Cymbalta taper. Interval dose progress: Apr 43 mg; May 40 mg; Jul 35 mg; Sep 29 mg; Dec 21 mg; 2019- Apr 14 mg; Jun 11 mg; Aug 9 mg; Oct 7 mg; Nov 6 mg 2020-Jan 5.2 mg; Feb 4.8 mg; Mar 4.3 mg; Apr 3.9 mg; May 3.5 mg; Jun 3.3 mg; Jul 2.9 mg; Aug 2.7 mg; 28 Sep 2.4 mg/12 beads; 25 Oct 2.2 mg/11 beads; 22 Nov 2.0 mg/10 beads; 20 Dec 1.8 mg/9 beads 2021- 17 Jan 1.6 mg/8 beads; 14 Feb 1.4 mg/7 beads; 18 Mar 1.2 mg/6 beads; 18 Apr 1.0 mg/5 beads; 16 May 0.8 mg/4 beads; 13 Jun 0.6 mg/3 beads; 11 Jul 0.5 mg/2 beads; 8 Aug .03 mg/1 bead; 5 Sep 0 mg. Brutal, agonizing, slow 4.5 year Cymbalta taper completed as of 5 Sep 2021. 100% psych drug free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snorky Posted December 7, 2019 Share Posted December 7, 2019 6 hours ago, gardenlady said: In all my years of tapering and withdrawal, I've never had a window. I can't imagine what it would be like. I just get worse the lower in AD dose that I am despite going very, very slowly. V odd that everyone on this forum talks the language of windows and waves, holding on to the evidence of recovery afforded by the windows. I’m different to you in being CT for three months (excluding recent four week reinstatement that proved to be a disaster). I just naively thought there would be some respite in some of the crippling symptoms as my CNS tried to get back to normal. That is not how it is panning out. Been on sick leave for three weeks, with prospect of this becoming longer term. Massive escalation of physical and mental side effects. Can’t tolerate much longer. Cymbalta 2007 Lyrica 2010 Venlafaxine 2010-2018 Amitriptyline October 2018-2019. (25, 50, 75, 100, 75, 50, 25) CT 10 Sept 2019 Reinstate amitriptyline 5 mg 29 Oct 2019 Reinstate amitriptyline 2.5mg 19 Nov 2019 CT 24 Nov 2019 Vitamin D 16 Dec and Promethazine 25mg 16 Dec (one month only) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnysideup69 Posted December 7, 2019 Share Posted December 7, 2019 57 minutes ago, Snorky said: V odd that everyone on this forum talks the language of windows and waves, holding on to the evidence of recovery afforded by the windows. I’m different to you in being CT for three months (excluding recent four week reinstatement that proved to be a disaster). I just naively thought there would be some respite in some of the crippling symptoms as my CNS tried to get back to normal. That is not how it is panning out. Been on sick leave for three weeks, with prospect of this becoming longer term. Massive escalation of physical and mental side effects. Can’t tolerate much longer. Hi Snorky. I definitely go through windows/ waves patterns. I think you CT'd Amitryptiline? A friend of mine CTed Citalopram which involved 4-5 months of pretty relentless hell, not windows at all. Then up and down improvements, so the windows/waves came later. I know it's not the same drug, but her experience definitely sounds atypical, also.Sorry you're suffering, hoping it eases somewhat for you very soon. January 2008 to April 2015 Citalopram 20mg to 5mg, reducing in 50 per cent leaps. Jumped off at 5mg March 2016 used MDMA triggered setback April 2016 Citalopram 10mg October 2016 cut to 5mg, May 2017 cut to 2.5mg May 2018 used MDMA triggered setback June 2018 Citalopram 2.5mg up to 10mg, then back to 5mg July/ August 2018 7.5mg, then 10mg June 2019 updosed to 20mg Citalopram August 2019 cold switch to Venlafaxine 75mg XR Supplements; 1100mg fish oil daily; also 100mg Magnesium Glycinate. Tried Vagifem 10mcg from mid May 2021 to mid June 2021; caused depression, so stopped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snorky Posted December 7, 2019 Share Posted December 7, 2019 3 hours ago, sunnysideup69 said: Hi Snorky. I definitely go through windows/ waves patterns. I think you CT'd Amitryptiline? A friend of mine CTed Citalopram which involved 4-5 months of pretty relentless hell, not windows at all. Then up and down improvements, so the windows/waves came later. I know it's not the same drug, but her experience definitely sounds atypical, also.Sorry you're suffering, hoping it eases somewhat for you very soon. Thanks. Worried it won’t ease, as symptoms only going in one direction. On a knife edge now, as utterly unbearable at moment, but terrified about risks of reintroducing a new (or old) AD. This is the worst I’ve felt in 30 years. Cymbalta 2007 Lyrica 2010 Venlafaxine 2010-2018 Amitriptyline October 2018-2019. (25, 50, 75, 100, 75, 50, 25) CT 10 Sept 2019 Reinstate amitriptyline 5 mg 29 Oct 2019 Reinstate amitriptyline 2.5mg 19 Nov 2019 CT 24 Nov 2019 Vitamin D 16 Dec and Promethazine 25mg 16 Dec (one month only) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eboyd Posted December 7, 2019 Share Posted December 7, 2019 I am 16 months post reinstatement failure. I had to go on medical leave a couple of times. Now, I miss time at work during high symptom days when I can't function and work days where I can muscle through. I have windows now which is nice and am super productive those days. Hang in there. It gets better. 2002-2008 On and off Effexor XR 75mg 2010 Effexor XR 75mg Trazadone 150mg 2012 Abilify 5mg and Buspar added increased Effexor XR 150mg quick taper after 6 months due to pregnancy. 2014 Reinstate Effexor XR 75mg increase to 150mg, 150mg Trazadone, Buspar, Abilify 5mg. Quick taper after about 1 year from Effexor, Abilify, and Buspar. 2018 Trazadone taper over 1 month 2018 Attempted Effexor reinstatement due to digestive distress 37.5 mg. Failed 2xs after 4 days. Gastro preacribed Elavil 2 weeks later. Failed after 2 days. 3 days later full withdrawl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snorky Posted December 7, 2019 Share Posted December 7, 2019 12 minutes ago, eboyd said: I am 16 months post reinstatement failure. I had to go on medical leave a couple of times. Now, I miss time at work during high symptom days when I can't function and work days where I can muscle through. I have windows now which is nice and am super productive those days. Hang in there. It gets better. Hi Just posted update in the symptoms forum. There is no prospect of working through this. Feel ghastly in the house, could never function in work with these symptoms. Cymbalta 2007 Lyrica 2010 Venlafaxine 2010-2018 Amitriptyline October 2018-2019. (25, 50, 75, 100, 75, 50, 25) CT 10 Sept 2019 Reinstate amitriptyline 5 mg 29 Oct 2019 Reinstate amitriptyline 2.5mg 19 Nov 2019 CT 24 Nov 2019 Vitamin D 16 Dec and Promethazine 25mg 16 Dec (one month only) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenlady Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 Slow tapering is agony...being on the drug makes me sick and non-functional and tapering it is even worse. I can't imagine how I'll survive 2+ more years of tapering as I get worse the lower in dose I get. Not to mention however many years of recovery will be required after being off the drug. I've lost my family, friends and home because of psychiatrists and their poison drugs and am completely alone with no one at age 67. 2016-Aug-Prescribed 2 mg Ativan & 10 mg Ambien; Oct-c/o from 20 mg Lexapro to 60 mg Cymbalta; Nov-Dec-Tapered off 10 mg Ambien 2017-Jan-Feb c/o from 1.75 mg Ativan to 13 mg Valium & begin daily liquid micro taper; May-taper Cymbalta 60 mg to 48 mg with severe withdrawals. Begin 11 month Cymbalta hold. 2018-Jan 11 completed Valium taper; Apr-Resume Cymbalta taper. Interval dose progress: Apr 43 mg; May 40 mg; Jul 35 mg; Sep 29 mg; Dec 21 mg; 2019- Apr 14 mg; Jun 11 mg; Aug 9 mg; Oct 7 mg; Nov 6 mg 2020-Jan 5.2 mg; Feb 4.8 mg; Mar 4.3 mg; Apr 3.9 mg; May 3.5 mg; Jun 3.3 mg; Jul 2.9 mg; Aug 2.7 mg; 28 Sep 2.4 mg/12 beads; 25 Oct 2.2 mg/11 beads; 22 Nov 2.0 mg/10 beads; 20 Dec 1.8 mg/9 beads 2021- 17 Jan 1.6 mg/8 beads; 14 Feb 1.4 mg/7 beads; 18 Mar 1.2 mg/6 beads; 18 Apr 1.0 mg/5 beads; 16 May 0.8 mg/4 beads; 13 Jun 0.6 mg/3 beads; 11 Jul 0.5 mg/2 beads; 8 Aug .03 mg/1 bead; 5 Sep 0 mg. Brutal, agonizing, slow 4.5 year Cymbalta taper completed as of 5 Sep 2021. 100% psych drug free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gem92 Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 3 hours ago, gardenlady said: Slow tapering is agony...being on the drug makes me sick and non-functional and tapering it is even worse. I can't imagine how I'll survive 2+ more years of tapering as I get worse the lower in dose I get. Not to mention however many years of recovery will be required after being off the drug. I've lost my family, friends and home because of psychiatrists and their poison drugs and am completely alone with no one at age 67. You are not alone. You have me and I will walk through hell right beside you! Gemma92's signature(now Gem92) (added in by mod mmt 4/23/22) 90s and 2008:Prozac for a year 2016:ADHD drug for a few months CT 2017:Right thyroid removed. May-June 2018: Lexapro 10-20mg. July 4th 2018 Lex CT and took Penicillin, Z-pack. August 2018: 3rd antibiotic and Effexor for 5 days CT. September 2018: Lexapro 5mg (CT after month) Ativan 1-.5mg(CT after 2 weeks) and Hydroxyine 50mg (2 weeks) SEVERE REACTIONS AND SEVERE WITHDRAWAL October 2018: Ashwahganda 2 weeks, Probiotics 2 weeks. Mirt 15mg 6 days CT Oct- Nov 2018: gaba gummies, cbd oil, magnesium. December 2018: Mirt 7.5mg, 15mg, 30mg, Zyprexa 2.5mg, 5mg for 1 week back to 2.5mg. 4th antibiotic used. Hydroxyine. Jan 2019: Mirtazapine 26.5mg. Different brands used when hospitalized. Hydroxyine. Feb 2019: Mirtazapine 22.5mg, 15mg. Zyprexa 2.5mg CT. Prozac 1 pill, Trazadone 4 pills, Hydroxyine few pills, INJECTED with steroids, antibiotics and pain killers for 2 days. Took high doses of benadryl a few times, few more pain killers June 2019: Mirt 14.5mg-13.5mg Sept 2019: 13mg, 12mg, sep 25th 11 mg. 4/22/22- 6.3mg (Tapering between 2 and 3% every 2 weeks). 11/27/2022- 5.4mg 1/8/23- 5.25mg 1/30/23-5.2mg 2/22/23-5.15mg 3/10/23-5.1mg 4/4/23-5.05mg 4/16/23-5mg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenlady Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 Thank you, Gemma!!! 1 2016-Aug-Prescribed 2 mg Ativan & 10 mg Ambien; Oct-c/o from 20 mg Lexapro to 60 mg Cymbalta; Nov-Dec-Tapered off 10 mg Ambien 2017-Jan-Feb c/o from 1.75 mg Ativan to 13 mg Valium & begin daily liquid micro taper; May-taper Cymbalta 60 mg to 48 mg with severe withdrawals. Begin 11 month Cymbalta hold. 2018-Jan 11 completed Valium taper; Apr-Resume Cymbalta taper. Interval dose progress: Apr 43 mg; May 40 mg; Jul 35 mg; Sep 29 mg; Dec 21 mg; 2019- Apr 14 mg; Jun 11 mg; Aug 9 mg; Oct 7 mg; Nov 6 mg 2020-Jan 5.2 mg; Feb 4.8 mg; Mar 4.3 mg; Apr 3.9 mg; May 3.5 mg; Jun 3.3 mg; Jul 2.9 mg; Aug 2.7 mg; 28 Sep 2.4 mg/12 beads; 25 Oct 2.2 mg/11 beads; 22 Nov 2.0 mg/10 beads; 20 Dec 1.8 mg/9 beads 2021- 17 Jan 1.6 mg/8 beads; 14 Feb 1.4 mg/7 beads; 18 Mar 1.2 mg/6 beads; 18 Apr 1.0 mg/5 beads; 16 May 0.8 mg/4 beads; 13 Jun 0.6 mg/3 beads; 11 Jul 0.5 mg/2 beads; 8 Aug .03 mg/1 bead; 5 Sep 0 mg. Brutal, agonizing, slow 4.5 year Cymbalta taper completed as of 5 Sep 2021. 100% psych drug free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted December 12, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 12, 2019 On 12/7/2019 at 8:28 AM, Snorky said: Thanks. Worried it won’t ease, as symptoms only going in one direction. On a knife edge now, as utterly unbearable at moment, but terrified about risks of reintroducing a new (or old) AD. This is the worst I’ve felt in 30 years. Snorky, I felt really awful a year ago due to a too fast taper. I was following the instructions of my doctor to cut my dose by 50% each month. I couldn't sleep, and had akathisia, feeling like I wanted to jump out of my skin. Now, a year later, I feel MUCH better. I discovered this forum back in March, and slowed my taper way down. That helped tremendously. Hang in there, it will get better. I'm praying for you. Jennifer Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snorky Posted December 12, 2019 Share Posted December 12, 2019 1 hour ago, getofflex said: Snorky, I felt really awful a year ago due to a too fast taper. I was following the instructions of my doctor to cut my dose by 50% each month. I couldn't sleep, and had akathisia, feeling like I wanted to jump out of my skin. Now, a year later, I feel MUCH better. I discovered this forum back in March, and slowed my taper way down. That helped tremendously. Hang in there, it will get better. I'm praying for you. Jennifer Hi Jennifer The problem I had was my attempt at reinstatement failed. (Tried for four weeks- Oct-24 Nov) Prior to that I ended on 25mg amitriptyline on 10 Sept. I understand the advice about delayed onset WD and windows and waves, but am going downhill v quickly. Horrible mental anguish, confusion anxiety and depression. Also Parkinson’s like tremors and constant nerve pain. Finally insomnia every night. Apart from that, I feel ok. Hope you’re ok. Cymbalta 2007 Lyrica 2010 Venlafaxine 2010-2018 Amitriptyline October 2018-2019. (25, 50, 75, 100, 75, 50, 25) CT 10 Sept 2019 Reinstate amitriptyline 5 mg 29 Oct 2019 Reinstate amitriptyline 2.5mg 19 Nov 2019 CT 24 Nov 2019 Vitamin D 16 Dec and Promethazine 25mg 16 Dec (one month only) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweet Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 If it's any comfort, your symptoms are just like what I had a year ago during my CT withdrawal. I, too, feel MUCH better now. Just hang in there. The only way out is through this process. And it is horrible, confusing, and full of hellish anguish, for sure. But it will get better if you tough it out. This is the best of my recollection. 20 mg Prozac 3-4 days per week from 1994 until May 2018. Beginning May 15 I began to drop doses. I dropped 1 dose per week for the next 4 weeks. It was not systematic at all. I don't have which days I took what. so the week of May 13 I took 4 doses, which was pretty normal for me. Then the week of May 20 I took 3 doses 20 mg. The week of May 27 I took 3 doses 20 mg. The 1st week in June l took 2 doses 20 mg. The week of June 10, 2018 was my last dose 20 mg. I had been on Prozac only for over 20 years. No other medications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snorky Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 10 hours ago, Tweet said: If it's any comfort, your symptoms are just like what I had a year ago during my CT withdrawal. I, too, feel MUCH better now. Just hang in there. The only way out is through this process. And it is horrible, confusing, and full of hellish anguish, for sure. But it will get better if you tough it out. Thanks for your support. I’m 60 now and previously on ADs for 30 plus years. I have a terrible fear that by coming off (Sept), I’ve unleashed a massive neurological/psychological event. I’m not sure I’n robust enough or young enough to tolerate years of this. Thanks again Cymbalta 2007 Lyrica 2010 Venlafaxine 2010-2018 Amitriptyline October 2018-2019. (25, 50, 75, 100, 75, 50, 25) CT 10 Sept 2019 Reinstate amitriptyline 5 mg 29 Oct 2019 Reinstate amitriptyline 2.5mg 19 Nov 2019 CT 24 Nov 2019 Vitamin D 16 Dec and Promethazine 25mg 16 Dec (one month only) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nevertoolate Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Snorky said: Thanks for your support. I’m 60 now and previously on ADs for 30 plus years. I have a terrible fear that by coming off (Sept), I’ve unleashed a massive neurological/psychological event. I’m not sure I’n robust enough or young enough to tolerate years of this. Thanks again Snorky you can do it! I'm the same 63 and was on Lexapro for 30 odd years. It's early days for you but I promise it does get better. It will take time but just take reach day as it comes. Listen to your body be kind to yourself and just know all of this will pass. You have so much support here. Use it as often as you need. We can do this! 😁 Lexapro 10MG Almost continually for 25 odd years Reduced to 5MG beginning July 2018- end August 2018 August 2018 til now off completely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snorky Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 44 minutes ago, Nevertoolate said: Snorky you can do it! I'm the same 63 and was on Lexapro for 30 odd years. It's early days for you but I promise it does get better. It will take time but just take reach day as it comes. Listen to your body be kind to yourself and just know all of this will pass. You have so much support here. Use it as often as you need. We can do this! 😁 Hi Many thanks. Problem is not just severity of symptoms, but v obvious deterioration. Not a hint of “stabilisation” or the odd window. Just deterioration of existing and some new ones. Today-,overwhelmingly head tremors and massive anxiety, preventing understanding and simple conversation. Much appreciated. Cymbalta 2007 Lyrica 2010 Venlafaxine 2010-2018 Amitriptyline October 2018-2019. (25, 50, 75, 100, 75, 50, 25) CT 10 Sept 2019 Reinstate amitriptyline 5 mg 29 Oct 2019 Reinstate amitriptyline 2.5mg 19 Nov 2019 CT 24 Nov 2019 Vitamin D 16 Dec and Promethazine 25mg 16 Dec (one month only) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweet Posted December 13, 2019 Share Posted December 13, 2019 I am 59 and I was on ads 24 years and survived the worst of it. You can do it, too! Take your life back from the drug! I can't stress enough how absolutely vital it is to not think any thoughts about the extended future, or read posts about others for whom it took years. Their experience is not your experience, their body and brain not your body and brain. Nothing productive or positive comes from thinking thoughts that begin, How long...?, Or, If this keeps up...., Or How am I going to go through life(or the next year or 5 years), like this. Thoughts like that just discourage you and upset you. YOU don't know that it will take that long, or how long it will take. Give yourself a break and do like nevertoolate says: one day at a time. Each day is another day of healing. Trust the process and healing will come for you!😘 This is the best of my recollection. 20 mg Prozac 3-4 days per week from 1994 until May 2018. Beginning May 15 I began to drop doses. I dropped 1 dose per week for the next 4 weeks. It was not systematic at all. I don't have which days I took what. so the week of May 13 I took 4 doses, which was pretty normal for me. Then the week of May 20 I took 3 doses 20 mg. The week of May 27 I took 3 doses 20 mg. The 1st week in June l took 2 doses 20 mg. The week of June 10, 2018 was my last dose 20 mg. I had been on Prozac only for over 20 years. No other medications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus getofflex Posted December 14, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 14, 2019 On 12/12/2019 at 8:43 AM, Snorky said: Hi Jennifer The problem I had was my attempt at reinstatement failed. (Tried for four weeks- Oct-24 Nov) Prior to that I ended on 25mg amitriptyline on 10 Sept. I understand the advice about delayed onset WD and windows and waves, but am going downhill v quickly. Horrible mental anguish, confusion anxiety and depression. Also Parkinson’s like tremors and constant nerve pain. Finally insomnia every night. Apart from that, I feel ok. Hope you’re ok. Snorky my heart goes out to you. It sounds difficult. I am praying for you right now. I'm having a wave today of sadness and crying, which isn't good as my 25 yr old son is here for the last of 3 days. This is a hard time of year for me with the cold dark short days, and the holidays are a hard time for me too, for various reasons. It helps to read these forums, and realize I'm not alone. I have faith that this too shall pass, since I've read some recovery stories. They really give me hope. Hang in there. I'll pray. Please do not private message me. Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you. ***Please note this is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one. Lexapro Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg; started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20 0.18 mg; Jul 16 0.17 mg, Aug 23 0.16 mg, Oct 7 0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005, Jul 8, 0.00. Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!! Woohoo!!! other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snorky Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 2 hours ago, getofflex said: Snorky my heart goes out to you. It sounds difficult. I am praying for you right now. I'm having a wave today of sadness and crying, which isn't good as my 25 yr old son is here for the last of 3 days. This is a hard time of year for me with the cold dark short days, and the holidays are a hard time for me too, for various reasons. It helps to read these forums, and realize I'm not alone. I have faith that this too shall pass, since I've read some recovery stories. They really give me hope. Hang in there. I'll pray. Thanks again, I don’t think my symptoms are anywhere near stabilising, more rapid deterioration. This is why I fear its return of original depression.Ie serotonin now being reabsorbed by brain and now palpably generating depressive feelings, anguish and gloom like I’ve never had. Cymbalta 2007 Lyrica 2010 Venlafaxine 2010-2018 Amitriptyline October 2018-2019. (25, 50, 75, 100, 75, 50, 25) CT 10 Sept 2019 Reinstate amitriptyline 5 mg 29 Oct 2019 Reinstate amitriptyline 2.5mg 19 Nov 2019 CT 24 Nov 2019 Vitamin D 16 Dec and Promethazine 25mg 16 Dec (one month only) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junglechicken Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 I'm 18 months out from having stopped taking Lexapro, and I think I've hit a wave. I believe it was triggered following a routine smear test (PAP), where the nurse said something that set off my health anxiety. Symptoms include: Anxiety, chills/flu-like symptoms, headaches, IBS/gut trouble, tinnitus, aches and pains, fatigue...... ADs, the gift that keeps on giving. I will be increasing the self-care to get through this. Dose History: 19 Feb 2014 - Escitalopram 10mg daily June 2015 - Started taper, 5mg every other day July 2015 - 5mg every 2 days August 2015 - 5mg every 3 days September 2015 - 5mg every 4 days Sept 14th - Completed tapering, but at 7 weeks "drug free" I suffered serious WD symptoms as a consequence of "incorrect" tapering. Nov 25 2015 - Re-instated Cipralex @ 2.5mg daily. WD symptoms faded. Held at this dose and experienced "windows and waves". 12 Oct 2017 Reduced dose to 1.25mg. 13 Mar 2018 Reduced dose to 0.625mg (approx.). 16 April 2018 0mg. Windows and waves triggered by stress (IBS/reflux, headaches, sinus issues) Aug 2019 Mirena coil fitted 6 Jan 2020 MAJOR Wave hit 19 months following last dose (protracted WD). Symptoms listed below Mar 2020 Mirena coil removal. Therapy: Nov 15th 2016 Re-started therapy Jan 19th 2017 Started CBT Dec 2017 Started listening to Hypnotherapy CD (self-esteem). Nov 2019 Started couples therapy. Supplements: "Bioglan" Biotic Balance Ultimate Flora 10 billion CFU, live Bacteria, Probiotic, suitable for Vegetarians, with Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Longum. "Pukka" Vitalise a unique blend of 30 energising botanicals. Diet: 16 April 2018 Detox cleanse / anti-candida for 90 days. Jan 2020 Started "small plate" diet (i.e child size portions). Exercise: Stretching, Yoga, Pilates, Spinning, Elliptical/upper body workout, walking. Medical Test Results: 4 Jan 2017 Homeopathic Treatment starts 24 Feb 2017 Started weight loss program 24 Mar 2017 Naturopathic Treatment + anti-Candida diet started due to suspected Candida Related Complex (CRC). DETOXED for 7 weeks to "re-set" gut. April 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Comprehensive Stool Analysis NEGATIVE; Full Blood Count (Normal) / Blood Cholesterol: 5.6 (Borderline) / Blood Sugar (Normal) / 28 Jun 2017 FSH 8.2 / 14 Nov 2017 FSH 17.7 Dec 2017 Blood Cholesterol: 3.9 (Normal) / Kidney Function (Normal) / Blood Sugar (Normal). December 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Food panel allergy (bloodwork) analysis - a few "VERY LOW/VL" allergens; Mar 2018 "Genova Diagnostics" SIBO urine analysis: High Level of Yeast/fungal markers found in small intestine but NO SIBO. April 2018 Thyroid (Normal) / Full Blood Count (Normal) / FSH (Normal). 16 April 2018 Started anti-Candida diet - 3 month protocol. 25 March 2020 All test results "Normal". CRP" 5 mg/L (normal range to 0-5 mg/L). Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms, anxiety, anhedonia, sinus headaches right-side (severe), IBS issues/reflux (severe)**, tinnitus, fatigue, inner tremor, nausea, chills/hot flushes, pounding heart, muscular issues including stiff left hip flexor, intense anger, PSSD (ongoing). **Histhamine intolerance (suspected). Major Life Events: Re-located to UK from Canada: Jan 2016 My father died: 5:05pm, Monday 5 Feb 2018 Last Lexapro dose: 16 April 2018 (its now been over a year since I quit ADs) Moved house: Friday 23rd February 2018 "Divorced" toxic Mother: Monday 26 March 2018 Starting working again: 19 November 2018 Diagnosed with: 5th August 2021 PTSD/C-PTSD Diagnosed with: March 2022 Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Painful bladder syndrome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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