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Did antidepressant reinstatement work for you?


ajay

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I"ve tried reinstating at a low dose of 1mg multiple times after cold turkeying only 10mg for 3 weeks. Each time I've tried I get worsened WD symptoms. These reinstatements were at about a month off each time, (I'm about 3 months into withdrawal now).

I only stayed with the reinstatement for about a week but my intuition told me to get off the drug each time. (Still not 100% if this was just how my withdrawals were naturally progressing anyway). So after still not knowing if the reinstatement was actually making me worse, I tried a third time (still at just 1mg) and I woke up racing thoughts that I did not create on my own and seemed very much like auditory hallucinations but with just thoughts, high anxiety, and worsened memory/concentration the following day.

So after experiencing these, today I'm just hoping that the neuro-adaptation that happened effortlessly going on prozac will somehow translate into going back to a normal, non psychiatric drug function brain.

Was put on Abilify from about March 2012 to September 2012, 10mg, self tapered no withdrawals

Last drugs I was put on - 10 mg fluoxetine (prozac) and 5mg trifluoperazine from December 17th 2017 - Jan 10th 2018. withdrawals about 1 week after quitting cold turkey

reinstated about Feb 2nd, prozac, 2.5 mg for about 1 week, withdrawals worsened, quit again cold turkey

tried reinstating 3/4/2018, stopped 3/7/2018

Currently taking fish oil

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  • 1 month later...

Bump

Effexor XR 300 (brand) mg & various SSRIs 15 yrs (Effexor XR 300 mg past 10 yrs

Clonazepam, 1.0 mg. am, .5 mg pm. - 15 yrs, 7-17-16- Began .5 three times a day

Vyvanse 60 mg, - 2 yrs, Cut to 50 mg for 6 mths, Cut to 30 mg. on 4-1-16. Tapering.

Approx. 4-1-15 began Effexor XR 300 taper, very slowly for a year. Held at 37.5 for about 3 mths. Cut to 18 mg for 2 wks to 0. WD began 2 wks later. Depression, anxiety, paranoia, low appetite, nausea.

7-14-16-Reinstated 5 beads Effx after 4 mths misery.Pooped out 10 days.

9-12-16-to present- Wide eyed terror, bedridden fear, no appetite/feeling of being full.

10-30-16- Began 15% liquid tapering of 30 mg Vyvanse. (25 mg)

11-13-16- Liquid Vyvanse 22 mg,11-27-16- Liquid 15 mg, 12-12-16- Vyvanse 12.5 for 5 days. 12-16 - 12-29, 15 mg.

11-20-16- Switched back to 1.0 clonazepam am & .5 bedtime

12-30-16- Moved to 15 mg COMPOUNDED Vyvanse.Current 4/11-4/25 7.5 mg.(10% ev 2 wks) Off Vyvanse

Current meds:Effexor XR- 3 Beads, Clonazepam-1.0 mg am, .5 mg bedtime,Vyvanse-(tapering) Estradiol- 2

mg,Progesterone 200 mg,Testosterone 30 mg/ml,Nature Throid- 48.75 mg.(12-21-16-65 mg.) (4-18-17-81.25 mg) Current supplements: Fish Oil-1360 mg, Curamin- 2706 mg.

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  • 7 months later...

Can you stabilize on Mirtazapine when you’re withdrawing from Lexapro (and possibly Lorazepam)? My sister cold turkeyed Lexapro twice before even knowing about withdrawal and has been in Hell for 6 months. She’s been trying to stabilize on Mirtazapine and Zyprexa for one month. Her appetite is back and it took the edge off the anxiety but she’s still very suicidal. What do we do now?? Can the Mirtazapine kick in later on?

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  • Administrator

icerose, one might stabilize on anything, including no drugs at all. Your sister's situation is a little more complicated, please see your Intro topic.

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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  • 9 months later...
  • Administrator

bumping -- please post about your experience with reinstatement!

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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I quitted Seroplex cold turkey in November 2017, reinstated a month later, it took about 4 months to stabilize

2017 Feb : Lexapro 10mg.

2017 May : Lexapro 20mg.

2017 Nov : CT Lexapro

2017 Dec Reinstated Lexapro 20mg.

2018 Feb : Lexapro 20 + Effexor 75

May to December : Taper Lexapro 

2019 Apr : Effexor 56mg

2019 May : Effexor 37,5mg

2019 Jun : Effexor 18,75mg

2019 Aug : Reinstated Effexor 37,5mg.

2020 Oct : Slowly updose Effexor

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

what's the longest anyone's been off a drug before they reinstated?

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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On 11/16/2019 at 8:07 PM, thecowisback said:

what's the longest anyone's been off a drug before they reinstated?

How come you reinstated after 2 years, you didn't feel like you were healing even after this long ?

2017 Feb : Lexapro 10mg.

2017 May : Lexapro 20mg.

2017 Nov : CT Lexapro

2017 Dec Reinstated Lexapro 20mg.

2018 Feb : Lexapro 20 + Effexor 75

May to December : Taper Lexapro 

2019 Apr : Effexor 56mg

2019 May : Effexor 37,5mg

2019 Jun : Effexor 18,75mg

2019 Aug : Reinstated Effexor 37,5mg.

2020 Oct : Slowly updose Effexor

 

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no, not at all. mentally i was sinking deeper and deeper and felt like i had nothing to lose by trying as things were desperate. 

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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Ok and since you reinstated, you'd say things are getting better or not ?

2017 Feb : Lexapro 10mg.

2017 May : Lexapro 20mg.

2017 Nov : CT Lexapro

2017 Dec Reinstated Lexapro 20mg.

2018 Feb : Lexapro 20 + Effexor 75

May to December : Taper Lexapro 

2019 Apr : Effexor 56mg

2019 May : Effexor 37,5mg

2019 Jun : Effexor 18,75mg

2019 Aug : Reinstated Effexor 37,5mg.

2020 Oct : Slowly updose Effexor

 

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my depression has mostly gone, but the anxiety panic and ocd remain. my husband thinks my ocd is a little better but i have a hard time seeing it.

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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7 hours ago, thecowisback said:

my depression has mostly gone, but the anxiety panic and ocd remain. my husband thinks my ocd is a little better but i have a hard time seeing it.

 

Have you ever thought about taking another drug instead of Prozac?

2017 Feb : Lexapro 10mg.

2017 May : Lexapro 20mg.

2017 Nov : CT Lexapro

2017 Dec Reinstated Lexapro 20mg.

2018 Feb : Lexapro 20 + Effexor 75

May to December : Taper Lexapro 

2019 Apr : Effexor 56mg

2019 May : Effexor 37,5mg

2019 Jun : Effexor 18,75mg

2019 Aug : Reinstated Effexor 37,5mg.

2020 Oct : Slowly updose Effexor

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
3 minutes ago, Subzero42 said:

Have you ever thought about taking another drug instead of Prozac?

Subzero,

 

We are a site for going off drugs and as such we don't make recommendations about switching or adding drugs.  

Gridley Introduction

 

Lexapro 20 mg since 2004.  Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017.   

End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg 

End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg

End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg  

Oct. 30, 2020  Jump to zero from 0.025mg.  Current dose: 0.000mg

3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete.

 

Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements

Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium

Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium 

End 2021  year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg

End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg 

End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg

Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper.

Taper is 95% complete.

 

Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986.  Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg  

March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper

Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper

Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper.  Current dose as of Feb. 22: 7.6mg

Taper is 90% complete.  

  

Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotics, zinc, melatonin .3mg, anti-candida, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase


I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice but simply information based on my own experience, as well as other members who have survived these drugs.

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3 minutes ago, Gridley said:

Subzero,

 

We are a site for going off drugs and as such we don't make recommendations about switching or adding drugs.  

 

Ok got it.

2017 Feb : Lexapro 10mg.

2017 May : Lexapro 20mg.

2017 Nov : CT Lexapro

2017 Dec Reinstated Lexapro 20mg.

2018 Feb : Lexapro 20 + Effexor 75

May to December : Taper Lexapro 

2019 Apr : Effexor 56mg

2019 May : Effexor 37,5mg

2019 Jun : Effexor 18,75mg

2019 Aug : Reinstated Effexor 37,5mg.

2020 Oct : Slowly updose Effexor

 

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  • Moderator
On 11/18/2019 at 8:57 AM, thecowisback said:

my depression has mostly gone, but the anxiety panic and ocd remain. my husband thinks my ocd is a little better but i have a hard time seeing it.

Have you tried CBT for OCD in specialist clinics? OCD for sure is amplified by WD, even ppl who never had it get it during WD but CBT can provide great tools for managing it.

"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

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 i was assessed many months ago at my local psych clinic but am now on an endless waiting list for cbt. god knows how long it will take until i'm seen. i first asked for help over 2 years ago and was assessed earlier this year so i'm not holding my breath :(

 

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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  • 1 month later...

has anyone else been off more than a year before going back on the meds?

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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I was off Effexor for over 1.5 years and reinstated a full 37.5mg. Felt better within a few hours which proved that it was discontinuation syndrome. I'm currently off at the moment and my discontinuation is more severe this time around.

Paroxatine - 2004-2006

Effexor XR 75mg 2006 - 2016 (Discontinued Feb 2016) - Withdrawal for 6 months.

Effexor XR 75mg Re-instated June 2017 (Discontinued Dec 2017)

Effexor XR 2-3 mg Re-instated March 10 2018 - 1 day (Didn't work)

Effexor XR 2mg Reinstated (Again) May 11 2018. 6 Beads

July 2018 - 0.0mg of Effexor. Zilch

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wow! how long did you take it before deciding to taper off again?

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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  • 1 year later...

I tapered too quickly Lexapro 15mg to 2,5mg (over the course of 3-4 months) and had major withdrawal symptoms when lowering to 2,5mg. I stayed on 2,5mg for 3 days , then increased to 5mg for about 5 days, then 7,5 for 5 days and then reinstated 10mg. It took about 1,5 month after the 10mg reinstatement for me to be better again and for the withdrawal to stop.

Unfortunately, I didn't learn from my mistakes and decreased from 10mg to 7,5mg (so a 25% decrease, way too much for me) in September 2020, immediately my mood became depressed and nothing improved at all (it didn't worsen either) so I reinstated 9,375 beginning of December. Around beginning of January 2020, my mood still hadn't improved and I didn't have the patience to wait anymore so I reinstated my full 10mg. It was 5 days ago, so I'll keep you updated when (or if) things improved.

But as a conclusion, I would say that I think reinstatement is generally a good idea when you tapered too fast, but it doesn't resolve things immediately, you have to wait 1-2 months for things to be back to normal

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On 8/4/2011 at 12:15 PM, Nadia said:

I think it "worked" for me to reinstate after 4 months because I put up with a couple of weeks of jitteriness and such created by the ADs and didn't freak out about it. I had JUST started to suffer from anxiety, though... maybe one or two weeks. The other stuff, like depression, depersonalization, anhedonia, etc. had also just started, and those were immediately relieved by reinstating. I should mention that I felt immediately bad after quitting the meds, but in a way I could handle... really emotional, getting back in touch with my huge sensitivity, etc. But not that creepy weird-bad that I now think of as withdrawal... probably my brain starting to spastically find its way back to normal.

@Nadia This sounds exactly like me, the way you described how you felt after quitting the meds, and how the anxiety and depression started after. Did you reinstate at a microdose? And then when you CTed in 11/10 was that from the reinstatement?

Zoloft 100mg - June 2015-April 2018 - 2 month taper, had extreme antsiness (different from my normal anxiety) previously said 25mg, was wrong

Xanax 0.25-0.5mg - Aug 2018- Dec 2020 - Rarely took, probably less than every other month. Over 2020 holidays took 0.5mg 5-6times

Escitalopram 10mg - Aug 2018 - Nov 2020 - tapered over 5 months:

June 25 2020 - Aug 14 2020 - Can't remember what I did but assuming it was 5mg this whole time.

Aug 14 2020 - Oct 24th 2020?? - 2.5mg for awhile, then every 27 hrs. Kept trying to extend length of hrs, up to 36. This is where symptoms got bad but I was able to tolerate as it was more fatigue and irritability.

Oct 25 2020 - mid Nov 2020 - 1.25mg every 24-36 hours, then ct. These are estimates because I was cutting the pills and this is 1/8 of 10mg but by now, it was dust. Tried just having the dust toward the end.

Dec 27 2020 major crying spells and depressive, empty/hopeless feeling dead thoughts. Had a couple ok days, a couple really bad ones a week out.

Reinstated liquid Escitalopram 0.15mg - Jan 12 2021  -  Mar 5 2021 - 0.14mg. Mar 16 2021 - 2.5mg. Mar 17 2021 - 5mg. May 21 2021 - 4.8mg. May 28 2021 4.6mg. Jun 9 2021 4.5mg. Jul 7 4mg. Aug 7 2021 3.6mg. Sep 7 2021 3.2mg. Oct 7 2021 2.8mg. Nov 5 2021 2.45mg. Dec 6 2021 2.2mg. Jan 22 2022 2mg. Feb 13 2022 1.9mg. Mar 2 2022 1.8mg. Mar 18 2022 1.7mg. Apr 5 2022 1.6mg. Apr 22 2022 1.5mg. May 13 2022 1.34mg. Jun 16 2022 1.2mg. Jul 16 2022 1.08mg. Aug 13 2022 .97mg. Sep 11 2022 .87mg. Sep 21 2022 .8mg. Sep 27 2022 .7mg. Oct 8 .6mg. Oct 20 .5mg. Nov 1 .4mg. Nov 13 .34mg. Nov 17 .3mg. Nov 24 .24mg. Nov 30 .18mg. Dec 7 .14mg. Dec 8 .12mg. Dec .1mg. Dec 19 .06mg. Dec 24 .02mg. Dec 31 0mg!!

Fluoxetine bridge - Mar 31 2021 - 10mg. Still on this

Reinstated BC (Nuvaring) - Feb 21 2021. 

 

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  • 10 months later...
  • Mentor

I came off Paxil too fast in 2006 reinstated and again tapered too fast  in 2013 reinstated. I tapered Zoloft too fast in 2017 reinstated. And I updosed once while tapering lexapro. Every time it took me about 3 or 4 months to feel better and about 6 months back to my normal self after the reinstatement or up dose. Each reinstatement was within a month or so of onset of withdrawal symptoms. 

2000-2013 Paxil - 1 year fast taper

2013-2018 merry go round
zoloft, cymbalta, lamictal, Prozac.

 Nov. 2018 lexapro 15 mgs, Dec. 2019 to Mar. 2020 taper to 10mg. Jul 2020 to October 2020 taper to 8.5 ml.
Oct 2020 reinstated to 9 ml.
Apr 2021 to Jul  taper to 7ml. Oct 2021 to Jan 2022 taper to 5.9ml, Mar 5 2022 5.8 ml, Mar 12 5.7ml, Mar 20 5.6ml, Mar 27 5.5ml, April 23 5.4ml, April 30 5.3ml, May 7 5.2ml,  Jul 9 2022 5.4ml, 

Klonopin prn, Allegra 180 for 3 seasons, aspirin 81 mg, plavix , nitroglycerin 0.4 mg prn, 2k mg  turmeric Qunol, 4- Trader Joe’s omega 3 -2400 mg, Pepcid 20mg,  Prilosec 40 mg, Tylenol arthritis 4 tablets daily, 350mg calm magnesium citrate, melatonin 2.5- 5mg as needed to sleep. Saline spray as needed. 

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Reinstatement definitely worked for me I think anyway. I crashed around 2.5 months. Lost all appetite, had lots of heart problems from weakness' shortness of breath to super high heart rate and the final thing that got me was the inability to sleep. A few days after reinstatement all my minor withdrawal symptoms went away and my appetite returned to normal. A few weeks after my heart symptoms went away. It wasn't until about 6 weeks after that I started to be able to sleep enough to really start recovering though. And at the 2 month mark melatonin was enough for me to get 6 hours. Unfortunately though now every time I taper I get lesser versions of my 2 worst cold turkey withdrawal symptoms.  Heart issues that weaken me but my heartrate remains normal, that so far only has lasted about 1 week each time before it gradually improves and goes away. Sleep issues, however I need a small about of otc sleep aids for about a week or 2 before I can just use melatonin again. My sleep has not yet fully healed, at its best I was able to stop with all sleep aids but still got like around 2 to 3 hour chunks of sleep that added up to somewhere around 6 to 8 hours.

???? To  early April 2021: citalopram 20mg. This was a about 12+years

April 2021: stopped taking citalopram 

6/10/2021 to 6/11/2021: started taking buspirone for anxiety . Got ringing in the ears and insomnia so I stopped

6/16/2021 reinstatement of citalopram at 10mg

8/12/2021: 4.5ml/9mg citalopram 10/11/21 4ml 11/15/21 3.5ml 12/28/2021: 3ml/6mg 1/28/2022 2.5ml/5mg  2mL/4mg 3/6/2022 1.5ml/3mg 4/12/2022  5/31/2022 1ml/2mg  7/31/2022 .5ml/1mg

9/3/2022: .4ml/.8mg citalopram. after a few days got some severe withdrawal so  .45ml/.9mg 9/8/2022 10/6/2022 1mg again .45ml/.9mg 12/9/2022

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On 7/6/2016 at 2:10 PM, Rachel1963 said:

I was on Remeron 30 mg for three years. I quickly tapered off to 0 over two months.

 

At five weeks off I went into severe withdrawal. I reinstated to a smaller dose without much effect. I was in an awful state and so the doctor tried me on two other ssri's for about a week each. I thought I was going to crawl out of my skin.

 

I reinstated to my original dose of 30 mg. I slowly got better over four months and my system has been settling down. Now at six months reinstated I am pretty much back to normal with occasional morning grogginess and a little anxiety that passes in a couple of hours.

 

I am back at work full time and am much relieved that I got better and every week the symptoms continue to fade. I am continuing to allow my nervous system to heal and will start a very very slow taper at the end of the year to get off this stuff.

 

I'm not in any rush, I did a turtle taper off Valium 8 years ago after a too quick taper and reinstatement and it worked because it was so slow that my body had time to adjust to the changes. It was almost 3 years spent tapering. It was a year off that I felt like my old self again. I had been on a very small dose of serzone years before and slowly weaned myself off and had no trouble.

 

I rushed off this time because I was so upset about the weight I gained from the Remeron. I am very regretful now, this experience was awful but I know from experience that the body does eventually heal itself. I'm a bit nervous about the weaning process ahead of me but I'll also be happy to be off this stuff.

@Rachel1963 I also failed after quite a slow taper and never actually got off the meds. I reinstated at 30mg but still didn't feel right and dropped the dose down to 22.5mg. I went in to full withdrawal. It's two months now and I feel like I should be feeling better,  but after reading your account it also took you a long time to feel well again. Can I ask what symptoms you suffered with during those 6 months? Mine is insomnia, tinnitus and noise sensitivity, feeling very flat and emotionless, and occasional crying spells (normally after a couple of bad night sleeps). TIA 😊

2011 - started 15 mg mirtazepine. 2015- successfully tapered off. 2016 - Reinstated on 3.75mg as a sleep aid. July 2019 - 3.75mg Stopped working, increased to 15 then 22.5mg.Sept 2020 initiated slow liquid taper. Sept 2021 at 7.5mg for 3 months hit very bad withdrawals (also very stressed). Increased dose to 30 for 3 weeks then reduced to 22.5mg3rd Nov - Started magnesium supplement. 3rd Nov - started oestrogen hrt gel. 20th Dec - stopped oestrogen after 3 week taper. Currently still on 22.5mg mirtazepine and oral magnesium. 12/1 started with 1 capsule omega 3 fish oil. 14/ developed very loose motions so stopping the fish oil. 14/2/2022: after 5 months on the same dose decided to restart taper with a 5% cut: 21.4mg mirtazepine. Low histamine diet and magnesium. 14/03 reduced another 5% 20. 25mg 01/05 reduced to 19mg 01/06 reduced to 18.3mg 01/08 reduced to 17.3 mg 01/10 reduced to 16.5mg

 

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On 12/5/2021 at 4:17 AM, Heath said:

I came off Paxil too fast in 2006 reinstated and again tapered too fast  in 2013 reinstated. I tapered Zoloft too fast in 2017 reinstated. And I updosed once while tapering lexapro. Every time it took me about 3 or 4 months to feel better and about 6 months back to my normal self after the reinstatement or up dose. Each reinstatement was within a month or so of onset of withdrawal symptoms. 

@Heath I am 2 months after reinstating, although I really ballsed it up by reinstating and then dropping the dose quite dramatically after 3 weeks as I didn't  feel right which set off even worse withdrawal symptoms. Can I ask you which symptoms persisted for you in those 3-6 months? TIA 😊

2011 - started 15 mg mirtazepine. 2015- successfully tapered off. 2016 - Reinstated on 3.75mg as a sleep aid. July 2019 - 3.75mg Stopped working, increased to 15 then 22.5mg.Sept 2020 initiated slow liquid taper. Sept 2021 at 7.5mg for 3 months hit very bad withdrawals (also very stressed). Increased dose to 30 for 3 weeks then reduced to 22.5mg3rd Nov - Started magnesium supplement. 3rd Nov - started oestrogen hrt gel. 20th Dec - stopped oestrogen after 3 week taper. Currently still on 22.5mg mirtazepine and oral magnesium. 12/1 started with 1 capsule omega 3 fish oil. 14/ developed very loose motions so stopping the fish oil. 14/2/2022: after 5 months on the same dose decided to restart taper with a 5% cut: 21.4mg mirtazepine. Low histamine diet and magnesium. 14/03 reduced another 5% 20. 25mg 01/05 reduced to 19mg 01/06 reduced to 18.3mg 01/08 reduced to 17.3 mg 01/10 reduced to 16.5mg

 

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@Jools44 from memory the one that persisted and last one to go was a obsessive type worry anxiety. It would get better gradually over the months. I also didn’t feel myself I didn’t want to do anything but I think that may have been caused by the obsessive type worry feelings. 

2000-2013 Paxil - 1 year fast taper

2013-2018 merry go round
zoloft, cymbalta, lamictal, Prozac.

 Nov. 2018 lexapro 15 mgs, Dec. 2019 to Mar. 2020 taper to 10mg. Jul 2020 to October 2020 taper to 8.5 ml.
Oct 2020 reinstated to 9 ml.
Apr 2021 to Jul  taper to 7ml. Oct 2021 to Jan 2022 taper to 5.9ml, Mar 5 2022 5.8 ml, Mar 12 5.7ml, Mar 20 5.6ml, Mar 27 5.5ml, April 23 5.4ml, April 30 5.3ml, May 7 5.2ml,  Jul 9 2022 5.4ml, 

Klonopin prn, Allegra 180 for 3 seasons, aspirin 81 mg, plavix , nitroglycerin 0.4 mg prn, 2k mg  turmeric Qunol, 4- Trader Joe’s omega 3 -2400 mg, Pepcid 20mg,  Prilosec 40 mg, Tylenol arthritis 4 tablets daily, 350mg calm magnesium citrate, melatonin 2.5- 5mg as needed to sleep. Saline spray as needed. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I wish I knew of this forum before I began my taper.  Came off 100mg of Luvox too quickly.  After a month or so, my emotions took over with non stop crying.  Someone prescribed me 10mg of Prozac and I took it twice, but the second time (last night), I went into another crying fit.

 

Finally found someone who wrote me a prescription for 1mg Luvox and a compounding pharmacy to make it.  Onmyway has been graciously helping me in my intro thread.  
 

I hope I am doing the right thing.

Starting around 2014 - 100mg Luvox / mid-August 2021 - 100mg Luvox to 50mg (30days) / mid-September 2021  - 25mg Luvox (30 days) / mid-October 2021 - Stopped completely / Tried 10mg of Prosac for 2 nights only (Dec 14-15, 2021) / Before all this in 2014, I was taking around 10mg of Lexapro for around 2-3 years

Supplements:  Chelated Magnesium / Fish Oil / Vitamin E

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  • 3 weeks later...

Anyone have any stories about reinstating with a DIFFERENT ssri than the one which caused withdrawal symptoms ? Would appreciate any info. Reinstating sertraline is not working for me and I want to try switching to use citalopram for my reinstatement 

Sept 2021 - CT sertraline 25mg. told it was a 'placebo dose', knew nothing about the dangers or mechanism of these drugs

Nov 2021 - Jan 2022 - failed reinstatement attempt which exacerbated symptoms as it gave me severe serotonin syndrome, unrecognised by doctors who told me to double my dose (!!!!). this was a very awful period, was still trying to work and go to uni, eventually had to quit everything & move back in with family. horrific 'altered reality' symptoms of dissociation, hallucinations, insomnia, chemical dread, racing heart, agitation, nausea, burning & more 

Jan 14th 2022 - 0mg SSRI

Currently, 2023: in recovery from drug-induced neurological dysfunction/PAWS. only meds- 10mg amitriptyline at night.

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I reinstated 0.5mg of Trintellix (viorexetine, very long half life) 15 days ago, and have tracked my symptoms and scores fairly closely. The pills are crushed and dosed at to 0.015g. The first week of reinstatement seemed to show improvement from my symptoms (4 months after a 4 months taper). But this past/second week seemed to trend back upwards (slight increase in symptoms). I had one much better day and one much worse, which has made it difficult to decide on next steps. Anxiety/fear, elevated HR, head pressure, malaise, chills, chest pain and chest "thumps" all steady to slightly worse with one true window that lasted just under 24 hours. But I seem to be tolerating the medication, if it is even having an impact at such a low dose (vs a 20-10-5mg taper). Will either stay at 0.5mg as advised or ramp up to 1mg in January. Further updates in my Intro post if interested.

My Introduction thread

2002-2003 Celexa/Lexapro (first ride, very mild withdrawal). 2004-2012 Drug free
2013-2018 Cymbalta 60mg | 2019 Effexor 75mg - 150mg (can't recall specifics)
2020-Apr 2021 Trintellix 20mg | May-Jun 10mg | Jul-Aug 5mg (stopped Aug 12th, 2021)

WD symptoms began 4-6 weeks after last dose, increased severely at the 4 month mark
2021 Oct 9th Propranolol 10mg 2x/day (10am and 7pm) tapered to 5mg. Stopped 2/1/22.
Lorazepam (Ativan) 0.5-1mg as needed

Started a 0.5mg Trintellix reinstatement on 12/17/21 

Tapered to ~0.4mg and 0.3mg by end of May 2022

Stopped Caffeine 1/1/2022 and Nicotine on 4/1/2022.

Jan 19, 2022 - Added Vitamin D3 (2000iu), Super Omega-3 (2500mg) 

December 2022 - Finished taper of reinstatement dose around 0.09mg

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  • 2 months later...
On 1/1/2022 at 2:52 PM, eileen1111 said:

Anyone have any stories about reinstating with a DIFFERENT ssri than the one which caused withdrawal symptoms ? Would appreciate any info. Reinstating sertraline is not working for me and I want to try switching to use citalopram for my reinstatement 

Coming back to my post here to say that reinstatement definitely kindled me and made my withdrawal worse (although I did reinstate initially at too high of a dose, not knowing any better!). I now feel like I'm recovering from the original CT plus an adverse reaction to reinstatement, and subsequently another rapid taper off. The switch to 1mg of citalopram caused the same sensations of burning, activation, insomnia and nausea as well as increased dpdr - my body was not having any more of the drug, and I felt like I was poisoning myself. I think I kept pushing with it because I really hoped it would work, and was told by my GP that it was start up side effects / that I should actually increase even further. 

 

Anyway i'm writing this from two months down the line and I'm so glad that I stopped the reinstatement and decided to weather the withdrawal process, gruelling as it has been. 

Sept 2021 - CT sertraline 25mg. told it was a 'placebo dose', knew nothing about the dangers or mechanism of these drugs

Nov 2021 - Jan 2022 - failed reinstatement attempt which exacerbated symptoms as it gave me severe serotonin syndrome, unrecognised by doctors who told me to double my dose (!!!!). this was a very awful period, was still trying to work and go to uni, eventually had to quit everything & move back in with family. horrific 'altered reality' symptoms of dissociation, hallucinations, insomnia, chemical dread, racing heart, agitation, nausea, burning & more 

Jan 14th 2022 - 0mg SSRI

Currently, 2023: in recovery from drug-induced neurological dysfunction/PAWS. only meds- 10mg amitriptyline at night.

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  • 9 months later...

I tapered too fast and developed PWS. Acute ones like panic, pounding and racing heart, head-breaking migraine, are gone, but derealization(things look 2D), constant fatigue,  migraine, deep depression, desperation, lack of motivation are still there. As far as I have read these symptoms tend to linger for years, and the energy level and productivity may never return to the normal level.

I am only 24, and I want to finish my PhD. With migraine and fatigue like this I cannot do my daily work. I cannot afford the risk of living unfunctional for years. Is it possible to go onto another AD or the AD I have taken before, recover the functionality first, and then do a proper taper?

Thank you so much!

2021/2 - 2021/5: Xanax 1mg, zopiclone 3.75mg; 2021/5 - 2021/8: Xanax 1mg, zopiclone 3.75mg, venlafaxine 225mg; 2021/8 - 2021/11: Clonazapem 2mg, venlafaxine 225mg, rexulti 2mg, mirtazapine 30mg, zopiclone 3.75mg; 2021/11 - 2021/12: Clonazapem 2mg, venlafaxine 225mg, rexulti 2mg

Crashed, mirtazapine WD(didn't know at that time)

2022/1 - 2022/3: Clonazapem 2mg, venlafaxine 225mg, bupropion 300mg; 2022/4 - 2022/5:Clonazapem 1mg, venlafaxine 187.5mg, trazodone 100mg

2022/5 - 2022/8/15: Clonazepam 0.5mg(wean off), trazodone 100mg, lexapro 20mg(cross taper), rexulti 3mg

Crashed, suspect to be benzo WD

2022/8/16 - 2022/9/7: Clonazepam  0.5mg, venlafaxine 150mg(side effect this time), rexulti 3mg, trazodone 100mg, seroquel 25mg; 2022/9/8 - 2022/10/1: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 20mg(cross taper), rexulti 3mg, trazodone 50mg, seroquel 25mg; 2022/10/2 - 2022/11/8: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 10mg, trazodone 25mg

Crashed since 10/9

2022/11/9 - 2022/11/15: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 5mg; 2022/11/16 - 2022/12/2: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 5mg, dayvigo 5mg; 2022/12/3 - 2022/12/21: Clonazapem 1mg, trintellix 5mg, dayvigo 2.5mg

Fly back to China from Canada, 13hrs jet lag triggered severe wave til today.

2022/12/22 - 2023/3/21: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 5mg, dayvigo 5mg

2023/3/21 - now: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 10mg, dayvigo 5mg

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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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On 7/12/2011 at 7:53 PM, stan said:

you are in withdrawal, and as you have been many years on drugs, it will take many months to be better

insomnia is classic withdrawal

i would not reinstate to not lose all these efforts, or else you will be entire life on meds,

each time you will be off, you will suffer insomnia and many others,

with time insomnia improves(i had it and have it less)

hang on

I don't wanna be negative but you at least have a life of 50+ years. I am only 24, starting my PhD. If I know that coming off will ruin my life, I will choose to stay on the med until it poop-out. Then at least I have some years of life. 

2021/2 - 2021/5: Xanax 1mg, zopiclone 3.75mg; 2021/5 - 2021/8: Xanax 1mg, zopiclone 3.75mg, venlafaxine 225mg; 2021/8 - 2021/11: Clonazapem 2mg, venlafaxine 225mg, rexulti 2mg, mirtazapine 30mg, zopiclone 3.75mg; 2021/11 - 2021/12: Clonazapem 2mg, venlafaxine 225mg, rexulti 2mg

Crashed, mirtazapine WD(didn't know at that time)

2022/1 - 2022/3: Clonazapem 2mg, venlafaxine 225mg, bupropion 300mg; 2022/4 - 2022/5:Clonazapem 1mg, venlafaxine 187.5mg, trazodone 100mg

2022/5 - 2022/8/15: Clonazepam 0.5mg(wean off), trazodone 100mg, lexapro 20mg(cross taper), rexulti 3mg

Crashed, suspect to be benzo WD

2022/8/16 - 2022/9/7: Clonazepam  0.5mg, venlafaxine 150mg(side effect this time), rexulti 3mg, trazodone 100mg, seroquel 25mg; 2022/9/8 - 2022/10/1: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 20mg(cross taper), rexulti 3mg, trazodone 50mg, seroquel 25mg; 2022/10/2 - 2022/11/8: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 10mg, trazodone 25mg

Crashed since 10/9

2022/11/9 - 2022/11/15: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 5mg; 2022/11/16 - 2022/12/2: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 5mg, dayvigo 5mg; 2022/12/3 - 2022/12/21: Clonazapem 1mg, trintellix 5mg, dayvigo 2.5mg

Fly back to China from Canada, 13hrs jet lag triggered severe wave til today.

2022/12/22 - 2023/3/21: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 5mg, dayvigo 5mg

2023/3/21 - now: Clonazepam 1mg, trintellix 10mg, dayvigo 5mg

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4 hours ago, angela9985 said:

I don't wanna be negative but you at least have a life of 50+ years. I am only 24, starting my PhD. If I know that coming off will ruin my life, I will choose to stay on the med until it poop-out. Then at least I have some years of life. 

Dear @angela9985

It is up to you too decide what to do with your drugs and your life. We only share our collective experience and provide advice. You may choose to take it or not.

 

 

However, it is not helpful to dismiss other people's pain just because of their age. Withdrawal is hard at any age. Older people may worry about the other health effects of the drugs or what has happened to their life, being helpless and out of work. This attitude of comparing whose pain is worse is not constructive. A little empathy goes a long way on SA. If you choose to read other people's stories you can learn a lot from their experience.

 

OMG

"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

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  • 10 months later...

Just wanted to chip in with my experience with reinstatement of fluoxetine after my disastrous cold turkey from 40mg that started it all.
After almost a month of debilitating insomnia, gi issues, anhedonia,  brain fog, panic, I reinstated at 20 mg. Didn’t find immediate relief but I think things like insomnia were improving. My biggest regret is not tapering more slowly the second time, I was too fast and loose, decreasing something like 3 mgs a week.

And to cap it all off, I missed 3 days in early August during a visit to a friend in another city which resulted in a day of akathisia. Thankfully that symptom didn’t stick but afterwards I gained heart palpitations/arrythmia, pssd, and tinnitus.
I’m still holding at 2.5 because of the trauma and definitely won’t go any slower than 10%. If I had held off of that reckless taper I would be in a better place than now.

2013 Was put on fluoxetine 10mg for anxiety at 14

2014 six months on risperidone, taken off due to side effects

2015 one month of abilify, fluoxetine increased to 20 mg

2020 fluoxetine increased to 40 mg, trazadone 15mg for insomnia

2023 May 15 ct stopped both meds, reinstated 20mg of fluoxetine after suicide ideation

currently tapered down to 2.5mg

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Hello!

 

I reinstated Citalopram a couple of years ago. Was on 2.5ml daily until about six weeks ago when I made a 0.1ml cut. After a couple of weeks I felt ok so make another 0.1ml cut. The WDs have come & gone in waves but now 17 days after my last 0.1ml cut, I'm feeling about as bad as I ever have done at any point. Got such massive feelings of abandonment, loss & a sense that I'd rather not be here anymore. I'm still at 2.3ml but was thinking about going back up to where I was to try to alleviate the symptoms. If I did this is it going to get better or worse as a result of kindling? I need to do something cos this feels like the waves I had 3 years ago & I don't see this getting any better any time soon. Any suggestions or guidance please? x

Olanzapine 2.5mg 2007 - 8.5.2020. 1.25mg held for 4 weeks then stopped.

 

Citalopram 20mg 2007 - December 2020. Tapered down from 20mg daily, to 1.25, by halving the dose, holding for 3/4 weeks after each reduction, then jumping off in March 2021.

 

23/6/ 2021 Reinstated Citalopram, 0.5mg, held for a week then increased to 1mg. Held for four weeks then increased to 1.5mg. Held for two weeks then increased to 2mg. held for two weeks then increased to 2.5mg. been on 2.5mg since 24/8/21

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