Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted February 26, 2019 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 26, 2019 (edited) 17 hours ago, Locuststar said: Has anyone experienced anything similar? Is this alcoholism or just drug induced? See this: https://davidhealy.org/out-of-my-mind-driven-to-drink/ Many alcoholic drinks are also high in sugar: sugar-cravings-sweets-chocolate-carbs-etc Edited February 26, 2019 by ChessieCat * * * * * * PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO * * * * * * Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 Woohoo!!! Finally off Pristiq Post 0 updates start here ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg My full tapering program My Intro (goes to my tapering graph) My website PLEASE NOTE: I am not a medical professional. I provide information and make suggestions. Please DO NOT TAG me - thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locuststar Posted February 26, 2019 Share Posted February 26, 2019 5 hours ago, ChessieCat said: See this: https://davidhealy.org/out-of-my-mind-driven-to-drink/ Many alcoholic drinks are also high in sugar: sugar-cravings-sweets-chocolate-carbs-etc Thank for the links! This is very interesting and I suspect this is one explanation for my binge drinking 5-6 years ago. On 4/1/2016 at 1:12 AM, brassmonkey said: Hi tinker-- Drinking while taking ADs is not a good idea. Been there, done that, almost destroyed my life. There are several things to keep in mind, the first as CC pointed out is the interaction between the drug and alcohol. Frequently the drug will intensify the effects of the alcohol while the alcohol can decrease the effectiveness of the drug. The drug can mask the negative effects of alcohol such as the hangover or the realization that you've had too much. The drugs also lower ones inhibitions and dull ones common sense leading to risky activities and binging. And the big one is that many of these drugs actually increase a persons craving for alcohol to an extreme extent, making it very easy to consume way more than what is healthy or polite. Once a person is tapering off of these drugs and is having WD symptoms the whole thing can switch very quickly. To the point that one can of beer or glass of wine can give you the hangover from h*** for several weeks and set off a bad wave of WD symptoms. We have a large number of members that have experienced this first hand. So after all of that the short answer is: Don't do it. I guess the whole thing can switch if you have big dose changes also? One major updose caused cravings for me but I could not tolerate alcohol when I tried to drink... So I got the cravings without the relief. 2000-2008 Citalopram 20-40 mg, May 2008 switched from Citalopram to Sertraline/Zoloft 50 mg, 100 mg at most. 2000-2013 Benzos on and off (Diazepam, Xanax, Oxazepam), quit due to overuse. Quit alcohol February 2014. Jan - 17 Theralene, Nozinan and Promethazine as needed for sleep/anxiety. Quit the Nozinan immediately because of feeling hungover June -17: Dropped Sertraline by myself from 50mg to 25mg. Aug -17: reinstated Sertraline to 50mg, after 3 days increased to 75mg. Sep -17: Adverse reaction/panic attack and doctors increased Sertraline to 100mg. Oct -17: tapered to 75mg by myself because of side effects Dec-17: Doctor added Mirtazapine, 15mg for two weeks, then 30mg. Feb 10 -18: Dropped Sertraline (doctor´s suggestion) to 50 mg because of emotional numbness March 8 -18 Reinstated (with doctor´s consent) to 75 mg because of panic attacks/withdrawal syndrom Tapering Mirtazapine: Starting dose 30 mg, 2018 May 29 22,5 mg, August 23 19,1 mg, October 8 15 mg, October 28 11 mg, November 26 7,5 mg Tapering Sertraline: Starting dose 75 mg, 2018 June 30 65 mg, August 5 60 mg, September 15 55 mg, December 27 50 mg, 2019 February 27 Updose 55 mg and holding... Supplements: Brain Oil (Fish Oil, MCT Oil), Omega 3, Magnesium, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3K2,, Vitamin C, Betaine, GABA, Coenzym Q10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee5 Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Unfortunately, there does not appear to be a clear answer. I just know that alcohol works on the GABA receptors, so it has an influence on neurotransmitters and/or their activity. I am steering completely clear of alcohol during my taper, which is planned for the next few years. I will make an exception for a wedding or a milestone birthday, but even there I will not get drunk. Drinking has sent me into an anxiety spiral recently (New Years) so I'm not touching it for a while. 7 months of prescribed polypharmacy in 2015-2016, including several classes of psych meds. 1st attempt at taper was too fast. 2nd attempt is underway. 1 Mar 2018: 37.5 mg paroxetine, 150 mg lamotrigine, 300 mg quetiapine 1 Oct 2020: 30 mg paroxetine, 150 mg lamotrigine, 37.5 mg quetiapine 15 May 2022: 25 mg paroxetine, 150 mg lamotrigine, 0 mg quetiapine Supplements: Iron, probiotics, D-mannose, Vit D. I am not a medical professional. All my posts are my opinions only, based on my experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruinedbyprozac Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 On 4/19/2012 at 5:10 PM, drb said: Hello people- On David Healy's blog there's a post by Anne-Marie: http://davidhealy.org/out-of-my-mind-driven-to-drink In this she explains, in short, that SSRI-medications (paroxetine, citalopram for her part) can cause intense craving for alcohol in a person who earlier had not had an alcohol problem. How common is this problem? How have people come to grips with it? I had to quit prozac for this exact reason. Was drinking all day every day. Could not stop..... -Prozac 6 years 20mg(2011-2017) -3 months off no taper -reinstatement Citalopram 6 month 10mg(2017) -3 week taper -15 months drug free(2018-2019) -3-4 months numerous ssris,antipsychotics(apr-sep 2019) -discontinued all except 10mg amitriptyline(sep 2019) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyStreamer Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 Hi RBP! I decided to connect with you on your thread, so we don't colonize the other person's. Just wanted to followup and additionally recommend this YouTube audio talk on acceptance by Eckhart Tolle: https://bit.ly/2HBeynh. I'm constantly revisiting this talk myself. 09/2011- 01/2014: 10mg Cipralex / 02/2014: increased to 15mg Cipralex 02/2014 - 10/2016: 15mg Cipralex / 11/2016: reduced to 12.5mg Cipralex (over 2 weeks) 12/2016: reduced to 10mg Cipralex (over 2 weeks) / 01/2017 - 09/2018: 10mg Cipralex 10/2018 - 11/2018: reduced gradually to 7.5mg Cipralex / 12/2018: found SA & first learned about the 10% taper method 2019: 6.9mg / 2020: 5.1mg (0.064-0.065) 06/01/21/2021: 4.8mg (0.061-0.062) / 06/01/21/2021-04/15/2022: 3.8mg (0.048) Please Note: I am not a medical professional. Consult a knowledgeable medical professional when making decisions about your medical care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruinedbyprozac Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 15 minutes ago, SkyStreamer said: Hi RBP! I decided to connect with you on your thread, so we don't colonize the other person's. Just wanted to followup and additionally recommend this YouTube audio talk on acceptance by Eckhart Tolle: https://bit.ly/2HBeynh. I'm constantly revisiting this talk myself. 15 minutes ago, SkyStreamer said: Hi RBP! I decided to connect with you on your thread, so we don't colonize the other person's. Just wanted to followup and additionally recommend this YouTube audio talk on acceptance by Eckhart Tolle: https://bit.ly/2HBeynh. I'm constantly revisiting this talk myself. On 4/19/2012 at 5:10 PM, drb said: Hello people- On David Healy's blog there's a post by Anne-Marie: http://davidhealy.org/out-of-my-mind-driven-to-drink In this she explains, in short, that SSRI-medications (paroxetine, citalopram for her part) can cause intense craving for alcohol in a person who earlier had not had an alcohol problem. How common is this problem? How have people come to grips with it? I had to quit prozac for this exact reason. Was drinking all day every day. Could not stop..... -Prozac 6 years 20mg(2011-2017) -3 months off no taper -reinstatement Citalopram 6 month 10mg(2017) -3 week taper -15 months drug free(2018-2019) -3-4 months numerous ssris,antipsychotics(apr-sep 2019) -discontinued all except 10mg amitriptyline(sep 2019) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruinedbyprozac Posted March 15, 2019 Share Posted March 15, 2019 I'll have a listen before bed tonight. Tx -Prozac 6 years 20mg(2011-2017) -3 months off no taper -reinstatement Citalopram 6 month 10mg(2017) -3 week taper -15 months drug free(2018-2019) -3-4 months numerous ssris,antipsychotics(apr-sep 2019) -discontinued all except 10mg amitriptyline(sep 2019) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meeto Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 Can eating food cooked with beer have an affect on symptoms? I may have eaten some steak that was grilled with a little bit of beer. I feel like I’m back in acute, but was also starting to feel a decline a few weeks prior to this incident. I’m not sure what caused it, or if it’s just a wave. Lexapro 1/17 - 3/17 10 mg. Switched to Elavil 3/27/17 10 mg Upped to 20 mg June 5, 2017 3 days, back down to 10mg June 8 Up again to 20 mg June 12, 2017 4 days, back down to 10 June 16 9/17 dropped to 9.5 mg 11/17 dropped to 9.3mg 2/18/17 dropped to 8.8 mg February 14/2018 Adverse reaction to zofran pill at clinic 10/7/19 8.48 mg 12/22/19 7.3 mg 2/7/20 6.5 mg 5/23/20 5.84 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsagg Posted March 12, 2020 Share Posted March 12, 2020 (edited) After reading your enlightening posts i understood that alcohol is very bad for withdrawal and i didnt have any drink for 5 months and i continue but I want to ask a question. During the first month of withdrawal i didn't know I had withdrawal and I drank several times. i even got drunk a few times.My symptoms have improved a lot and now in the seventh month I'm starting to feel more like myself but I'm afraid that the alcohol I drank in the beginning permanently damaged me and I will not recover fully?Is this possible or does alcohol just slows down the process of recovery? Please answer me I am stressing myself out over this..Thanks in advance Edited February 12 by ChessieCat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Onmyway Posted March 13, 2020 Moderator Share Posted March 13, 2020 11 hours ago, tsagg said: After reading your enlightening posts i understood that alcohol is very bad for withdrawal and i didnt have any drink for 5 months and i continue but I want to ask a question. During the first month of withdrawal i didn't know I had withdrawal and I drank several times. i even got drunk a few times.My symptoms have improved a lot and now in the seventh month I'm starting to feel more like myself but I'm afraid that the alcohol I drank in the beginning permanently damaged me and I will not recover fully?Is this possible or does alcohol just slows down the process of recovery? Please answer me I am stressing myself out over this..Thanks in advance No reason to think permanent damage if you're already getting better. Alcohol destabilizes further an already destabilized system. It will restabilize so not to worry but I'd stay away from it for a very long time. I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. If you would like to get a response from me directly please type @Onmyway some place in your message so I get notified of your post. I am not able to follow all of the threads all the time. 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, 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 Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsagg Posted March 13, 2020 Share Posted March 13, 2020 Thank you very much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slim Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 (edited) Alcohol cravings Did anyone find that alcohol cravings increased or even went off the charts while on ADs? An interesting article on Risk.org highlights this situation and many people commented that they had the same reaction. Edited December 16, 2020 by ChessieCat added topic title Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted December 16, 2020 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 16, 2020 I've done a search for the word craving in this topic and this is the link to the results. * * * * * * PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO * * * * * * Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 Woohoo!!! Finally off Pristiq Post 0 updates start here ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg My full tapering program My Intro (goes to my tapering graph) My website PLEASE NOTE: I am not a medical professional. I provide information and make suggestions. Please DO NOT TAG me - thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnfoldingSky Posted December 17, 2020 Share Posted December 17, 2020 On 10/10/2019 at 9:06 AM, Meeto said: Can eating food cooked with beer have an affect on symptoms? I may have eaten some steak that was grilled with a little bit of beer. I feel like I’m back in acute, but was also starting to feel a decline a few weeks prior to this incident. I’m not sure what caused it, or if it’s just a wave. Not sure how you are doing now but if the alcohol was cooked it changes the nature of the alcohol so it should be fine. I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnfoldingSky Posted December 17, 2020 Share Posted December 17, 2020 6 hours ago, Slim said: Alcohol cravings Did anyone find that alcohol cravings increased or even went off the charts while on ADs? An interesting article on Risk.org highlights this situation and many people commented that they had the same reaction. This is a known effect of a number of antidepressants. There have been cases of people who didn't drink starting the drugs, who then go on to become serious alcoholics and then "coincidentally" when they finally get off the pills, they no longer have any cravings for alcohol at all. I was never big into drinking I got weird effects if I mixed enough alcohol with Celexa. My face would break out in tiny broken blood vessels. The first time it happened I woke up and saw my face and I was sure it was going to be stuck like that lol I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kindler Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 I had a small beer last night, 1st time in weeks. Feel ok today, but noticed a herbal tea revved me up a bit. I'm already very sensitive, just wondering if alcohol would make me more sensitive? I'm not planning on hitting the bottle, just curious really 2006 - 2009 20mg Citalopram fast taper, 2011 - 2016 40mg Citalopram fast taper, June 2016 10mg Valium 1 month CTJan 2018 40mg Citalopram, Feb 2019 cymbalta for pain - too many side effects, April - 10mg Valium for 1 month- made me depressed stopped CT, July - 0.5mg of Xanax + Prozac, bad reaction stopped after 6 weeks CT, Sept - 14 days Ativan CT October 2019 - 5mg Valium + 10mg Citalopram, too much, December 2019 - CT Citalopram, February 2020 - reinstate 5mg Citalopram April 2020 Stopped Valium CT, sart May tried to increase Citalopram to 10mg, think I OD'd 22 June ER visit tried to reinstate Valium, paradoxical 2 failed attempts to reinstate Citalopram 1mg and 0.5mg 20 Oct CBD oil - wave, 27 Oct 10mg trimipramine BAD IDEA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Onmyway Posted January 19, 2021 Moderator Share Posted January 19, 2021 Kindler, alcohol is generally not a good idea in withdrawal and has been known to set people back. It really is best not to experiment with it but up to you. I've had severe dizziness from tiny amounts of alcohol in WD. Be well I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. If you would like to get a response from me directly please type @Onmyway some place in your message so I get notified of your post. I am not able to follow all of the threads all the time. 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, 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 Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevman2112 Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 (edited) Please note there are 2 related topics: Alcohol and Beer Wanted to share an experience I have/had. I searched for others sharing a similar experience but couldn’t find anything too close so hopefully this is helpful. After updosing to 6mg per day, I entered into my first extended window. I had the lowest symptoms on my tracker since the start of my taper in December 2020. I hadn’t had a sip of alcohol since Feb/March 2020 knowing that it certainly wasn’t helping my anxiety. On vacation, feeling great in my window, I decided, perhaps against better judgement, to have one beer during a family dinner out. This single corona made me dizzy about half way through it. I felt ok after about an hour or two. The next day, I started to feel a wave coming on. By mid-morning, I had extreme confusion. It almost felt cognitively like brain zaps without the actual physical feeling of a zap. I would ever so briefly forget where I was, what I was talking about or who I was talking to. It’s happened around the same time every day since (3 days), but is gradually improving. I understand that this wave could have been coming all along as the window had lasted about 2 weeks, but nonetheless I believe the beer exacerbated or initiated the wave. anyone have a similar experience? Edited July 6, 2021 by getofflex Multiple drugs for my teen years. ~10 years on Pristiq 100mg. January 2021: 50mg Pristiq to 43.75. Stopped Viibryd at 10mg March 2021: holding at 37.5mg. April 2021: 25mg. May 2021: 18.75 to 12.5. June 2021: 12.5 to (accidentally) 4.29mg. Updose to 6mg using compounded Pristiq August 2020: Crashed at day 35 of 5mg. Updose to 6mg September 2020: 5.5mg from 6 after 38 days 10/2021: 5mg, 11/2021: 4.5mg, 12/21:4mg, 3/22:3.75mg, Propranolol 10mg prn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mva96 Posted June 30, 2021 Share Posted June 30, 2021 Not with a beer, but i took a single zopiclone (sleeping pill) which affects the brain pretty similarly to alcohol and it screwed me up for a good week or so. Started Lexapro 5mg Mid March 2020 Came off Completely September 2020 Hospitalised september 2021 Slowly worked up to 50mg lamictal and 60mg Prozac reduced to 20mg Prozac September 2021 Holding 20mg Prozac and 50mg Lamictal for a good while to stabilise. November 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surviving82 Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 Yep. Yep yep. If I take even 1 glass of wine with dinner, the next day my anxiety is through the roof. I am recovering pretty nicely so far but even a single drink brings a huge set back. Thankfully the setback didn't last and after a couple days I was back to where I was and keep recovering since. I used to drink alcohol without a problem before this happened, but I guess now it is too much for my sensitized nervous system. So no alcohol for me 😞 My thread: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/24990-surviving82-my-story-wd-from-antidepressants-please-help/ 2016-2017: sertraline for approx. 1.5 years for anxiety and OCD outbreak following birth of my son (all the way from 2mg to 200mg), rapid tapered from 150mg for about 6 weeks without issues. Approximately 2 years psych drug free. Nov 2019 - Feb 2020: fluvoxamine to prevent anxiety/OCD outbreak following birth of my daughter. Had to go off due to constant somnolence. Feb 2020 - Dec 2020: started escitalopram while rapid tapering fluvoxamine. After 9 months decided to get off due to weight gain, rapid tapered from [I think] 15mg for about 6 weeks without immediate issues. March-April 2021: started excessive strenuous exercise and dieting regimen for weight loss. Was doing great (or so I thought) for 3 weeks until early April 2021 when out of nowhere massive panic attacks, other dysautonomia symptoms. AWFUL CRASH. Mid-April 2021: fluoxetine 10mg for 1 week then 20mg for 1 week. Massive side effects, suicidality. Was told to go CT. Side effects gradually started resolving. Mid-Late May 2021: sertraline for 11 days, fine at low doses but same side effects as prozac at 25 to 50mg. Was told to either drop CT or hold at 1/4 of a 25mg pill. April-May 2021: trazodone 50mg PRN for sleep. Do not take every day, the only side effect I noticed is dry mouth. June 8, 2021: stopped all psych meds. Truing to trust that with God's help, my body will heal on its own. September 9, 2021: reinstated escitalopram 1mg. Gradually worked up to 2.5mg by September 30. Reinstatement seems to be helping! Other: Hashimoto thyroiditis for 11 years (on levothyroxine varying doses, between 88mcg and 125mcg), history of anxiety/GAD including health anxiety, OCD. History of autonomic dysfunction (migraines, vasovagal episodes). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leoxx Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 I've found that any kind of stress brings on waves. Hypothetically, I think it's the nervous system struggling to remember how to tolerate stress and distress without the drugs. I know for me, owing to the depressive effects of alcohol, I have to be very careful with it to avoid waves. Keep in mind that alcohol is a serotonergic, among other things, so it's not surprising if this trips up your nervous system. 2014-2015. Paxil 2015-2021. Switched to Welbutrin 2016-2018. Added Effexor 2018. Stopped Effexor. Added Cymbalta for about 1 month 2018-2020. Replaced Cymbalta with Pristiq 50mg October 2020. Stopped the Pristiq December 2020 - Added 25mg Zoloft to try and bridge the withdrawal March 2021 - Reduced Zoloft to half doses (About 12.5mg). Started medical cannabis, 5mg (edibles) 2-3x a day as needed. May 17, 2021 - Discontinued Zoloft September 2021. Reduced Welbutrin from 300mg to 150mg January 2022. Stopped the Welbutrin. Currently only taking the medical cannabis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevman2112 Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 Thanks for the replies. Things have been very different during this post beer wave. I usually get brain zaps about a week after a drop, they last for about 3 days to a week and then disappear until the next drop. Instead, I am about a month into a drop and have been getting zaps pretty frequently as well as a bit of mania. Really strange. Needless to say, alcohol is not in my future for a while. Multiple drugs for my teen years. ~10 years on Pristiq 100mg. January 2021: 50mg Pristiq to 43.75. Stopped Viibryd at 10mg March 2021: holding at 37.5mg. April 2021: 25mg. May 2021: 18.75 to 12.5. June 2021: 12.5 to (accidentally) 4.29mg. Updose to 6mg using compounded Pristiq August 2020: Crashed at day 35 of 5mg. Updose to 6mg September 2020: 5.5mg from 6 after 38 days 10/2021: 5mg, 11/2021: 4.5mg, 12/21:4mg, 3/22:3.75mg, Propranolol 10mg prn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 In my withdrawal I found out the tough way that alcohol would trigger a wave. I kept reducing it down until I had to admit even one would trigger a 2 week intensive agitated wave with off the scale anxiety. Just the weekend for a friend's 40th I drank myself silly with no anxiety the next day. My hangovers are nearly non existent as well, they were so bad on Paroxetine. Best knocking it on the head until clear of withdrawal. It also saves you a lot of money and the waistline! 1 April 2007 - Seroxat 20mg August 2008 - Cold Turkey August 2009 - Cold Turkey November 2009 - Reinstatement adverse reaction akathesia/suicidal/anxiety March 2011 - Start taper November 2012 - Crash badly at 1.25mg akathesia/suicidal/extreme anxiety January 2013 - 5mg Seroxat, 300mg Lyrica April 2017 - Successfully get off Seroxat with taper followed by 4 month of withdrawal January 2018 - Start with constant urinary urge/pain/burning/genital sensations 2 week after anxiety/akathesia ends January 2019 - Started reducing Lyrica as I suspect it's causing frequent urination, tinnitus, fatigue, brain fog and mental decline. December 2019 - Off all pysch meds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator getofflex Posted July 6, 2021 Moderator Share Posted July 6, 2021 Merged 2 similar topics: One Beer = Wave merged with Alcohol During Withdrawal. Please do not tag me, unless it is a question about tapering or withdrawal. ***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 '02 - 10 mg; 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 Ibuprofen 800 mg, or Tylenol 1000 mg as needed other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg Trazodone on occasion, stopped in late 2019 Xanax on occasion, stopped in late 2019 magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, breakfast, 3 PM, before bed suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, calcium suppl PM: magnesium 350 mg, GABA 750 mg, Estroven, melatonin 2.5 mg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariel Posted May 29 Share Posted May 29 For the record: Experiencing rare but unmistakable alcohol craving. Riding it out. 1 1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs) 2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?) Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg --> July 2018 - 0mg 2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg 2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg --> July 2021 - 0mg March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT) --> April 28th, 2021 - 0mg supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 9pm Courage is fear that has said its prayers. - Karle Wilson Baker love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters. - Rev. angel Kyodo williams Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are. - text on homemade banner at Afiya house I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat66 Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 On 5/29/2022 at 5:56 PM, Ariel said: For the record: Experiencing rare but unmistakable alcohol craving. Riding it out. Hi @Ariel just wondering how you’re getting on with the alcohol cravings? History of depression and anxiety. Symptoms of PTSD. 1998-1999 Venlafaxine 2006-2007 Prozac. 2013-15 Sertraline 50mg. 2015 cross-tapered to citalopram 20mg. 2015-2021 Citalopram 20mg (brief increase to 30mg for 2/3 months in 2019. 01/2021 Dropped from 20mg to 10mg, back up to 20mg til June. 25/6/21 stopped CT. Started 50mg 5htp after a week without citalopram in the hope this would balance out my serotonin levels. After 3 days increased to 100mg 5htp.11/7/21 Stopped 5htp with the intention of reinstating citalopram at 1mg. 16/7/21 Reinstated cit at 1mg. 2/8/21 Increased dose to 2mg. 28/11/21 10% reduction to 1.8mg. 8/12/21 Back up to 2mg 6/1/22 10% reduction to 1.8mg 10/2/22 10% reduction to 1.6mg 13/5/22 cut to 1.5mg 4/6/22 updose to 1.55mg Multiple unsuccessful previous attempts to taper off citalopram. Vegan, otherwise healthy lifestyle. Other medications; kliovance (HRT) Other supplements; magnesium glycinate, calcium, B12, vitD and vegan omega3. I use valerian and lemon balm tea for anxiety relief Completely OFF booze (since 6/11/21) and caffeine (since July 21) now. Main symptoms; crushing depression, anhedonia/emotional anesthesia, irritability, rage, anxiety/fear, cognitive fog, inability to focus, restlessness and some insomnia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariel Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 @Kat66 Hi there. 1 hour ago, Kat66 said: just wondering how you’re getting on with the alcohol cravings? It was only that one time that was clear and intense. Don't know why. How are you going? How's the cold water experiment? 1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs) 2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?) Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg --> July 2018 - 0mg 2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg 2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg --> July 2021 - 0mg March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT) --> April 28th, 2021 - 0mg supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 9pm Courage is fear that has said its prayers. - Karle Wilson Baker love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters. - Rev. angel Kyodo williams Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are. - text on homemade banner at Afiya house I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat66 Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 @Ariel I’m probably the worst I’ve felt overall. However amazingly I’ve not felt the need to have a drink in weeks. I’ve discovered there are some nice alcohol free beers out there so I’m enjoying those. The cold water thing is still something I’m doing. I don’t know if it’s helping majorly but I do feel strangely addicted to it. It’s a pleasure pain thing. History of depression and anxiety. Symptoms of PTSD. 1998-1999 Venlafaxine 2006-2007 Prozac. 2013-15 Sertraline 50mg. 2015 cross-tapered to citalopram 20mg. 2015-2021 Citalopram 20mg (brief increase to 30mg for 2/3 months in 2019. 01/2021 Dropped from 20mg to 10mg, back up to 20mg til June. 25/6/21 stopped CT. Started 50mg 5htp after a week without citalopram in the hope this would balance out my serotonin levels. After 3 days increased to 100mg 5htp.11/7/21 Stopped 5htp with the intention of reinstating citalopram at 1mg. 16/7/21 Reinstated cit at 1mg. 2/8/21 Increased dose to 2mg. 28/11/21 10% reduction to 1.8mg. 8/12/21 Back up to 2mg 6/1/22 10% reduction to 1.8mg 10/2/22 10% reduction to 1.6mg 13/5/22 cut to 1.5mg 4/6/22 updose to 1.55mg Multiple unsuccessful previous attempts to taper off citalopram. Vegan, otherwise healthy lifestyle. Other medications; kliovance (HRT) Other supplements; magnesium glycinate, calcium, B12, vitD and vegan omega3. I use valerian and lemon balm tea for anxiety relief Completely OFF booze (since 6/11/21) and caffeine (since July 21) now. Main symptoms; crushing depression, anhedonia/emotional anesthesia, irritability, rage, anxiety/fear, cognitive fog, inability to focus, restlessness and some insomnia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariel Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 @Kat66 1 hour ago, Kat66 said: I’m probably the worst I’ve felt overall. However amazingly I’ve not felt the need to have a drink in weeks. I’ve discovered there are some nice alcohol free beers out there so I’m enjoying those. The cold water thing is still something I’m doing. I don’t know if it’s helping majorly but I do feel strangely addicted to it. It’s a pleasure pain thing. Hi Kat, Very sorry to hear you're feeling at your worst. We have to keep reminding ourselves that healing is happening even when we feel right sh*te. Great to hear you're taking care of yourself with no alcohol and lots of cold water. This is serving you well, I'm sure. Give yourself lots of credit for your efforts. I trust they will pay off, and that your brain and nervous system are already rewarding you. It always helps to hear when someone is rocking the non-drug coping techniques and self-love. Thanks for the inspiration! Healing is happening <3 1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs) 2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?) Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg --> July 2018 - 0mg 2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg 2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg --> July 2021 - 0mg March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT) --> April 28th, 2021 - 0mg supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 9pm Courage is fear that has said its prayers. - Karle Wilson Baker love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters. - Rev. angel Kyodo williams Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are. - text on homemade banner at Afiya house I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat66 Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 2 hours ago, Ariel said: We have to keep reminding ourselves that healing is happening even when we feel right sh*te. Thanks for the inspiration! Healing is happening ❤️ Which reminds me, I’m wondering if worsening symptoms may mean greater healing? Is that a thing or am I wishful thinking? You’re welcome! 😊 History of depression and anxiety. Symptoms of PTSD. 1998-1999 Venlafaxine 2006-2007 Prozac. 2013-15 Sertraline 50mg. 2015 cross-tapered to citalopram 20mg. 2015-2021 Citalopram 20mg (brief increase to 30mg for 2/3 months in 2019. 01/2021 Dropped from 20mg to 10mg, back up to 20mg til June. 25/6/21 stopped CT. Started 50mg 5htp after a week without citalopram in the hope this would balance out my serotonin levels. After 3 days increased to 100mg 5htp.11/7/21 Stopped 5htp with the intention of reinstating citalopram at 1mg. 16/7/21 Reinstated cit at 1mg. 2/8/21 Increased dose to 2mg. 28/11/21 10% reduction to 1.8mg. 8/12/21 Back up to 2mg 6/1/22 10% reduction to 1.8mg 10/2/22 10% reduction to 1.6mg 13/5/22 cut to 1.5mg 4/6/22 updose to 1.55mg Multiple unsuccessful previous attempts to taper off citalopram. Vegan, otherwise healthy lifestyle. Other medications; kliovance (HRT) Other supplements; magnesium glycinate, calcium, B12, vitD and vegan omega3. I use valerian and lemon balm tea for anxiety relief Completely OFF booze (since 6/11/21) and caffeine (since July 21) now. Main symptoms; crushing depression, anhedonia/emotional anesthesia, irritability, rage, anxiety/fear, cognitive fog, inability to focus, restlessness and some insomnia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariel Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 6 minutes ago, Kat66 said: I’m wondering if worsening symptoms may mean greater healing? Is that a thing or am I wishful thinking? I've heard a lot of people say this (not clear to me whether this is stated as a sort of motivational, metaphorical affirmation or whether people believe it to be actual fact) and I confess I feel skeptical about it. I don't know whether it's true or not. Not to be a party pooper, it just doesn't make sense to me as a blanket rule, because we could drink and drug our faces off and feel worse and it seems improbable that that worsening of symptoms would be indicative of greater healing. So how can one know, you know? But I've decided to take a pragmatic approach and remain agnostic, allowing for the possibility without attaching to it. Do you know this post, What is happening in your brain? That's the one I keep coming back to in the context of your question. Not that it provides answers, per se, but at least it sort of ties in possible behind-the-scenes workings to potential ways we experience the workings as symptoms. Bottom line: if it feels helpful to believe that worse symptoms mean greater healing, I say go ahead and embrace that mantra. Whatever works! 1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs) 2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?) Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg --> July 2018 - 0mg 2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg 2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg --> July 2021 - 0mg March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT) --> April 28th, 2021 - 0mg supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 9pm Courage is fear that has said its prayers. - Karle Wilson Baker love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters. - Rev. angel Kyodo williams Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are. - text on homemade banner at Afiya house I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat66 Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 I know what you mean @Ariel it does sound counterintuitive, and some sort of loose permission to start drinking again lol. If worsening symptoms mean healing then, cheers! I just thought I’d seen something written about it. Yes I’ve read the what’s happening in your brain a couple of times, and find that useful. Another time won’t hurt. At this point I’ll hang onto anything. My mantra is something along the lines of ‘be kind and gentle with yourself’ 1 History of depression and anxiety. Symptoms of PTSD. 1998-1999 Venlafaxine 2006-2007 Prozac. 2013-15 Sertraline 50mg. 2015 cross-tapered to citalopram 20mg. 2015-2021 Citalopram 20mg (brief increase to 30mg for 2/3 months in 2019. 01/2021 Dropped from 20mg to 10mg, back up to 20mg til June. 25/6/21 stopped CT. Started 50mg 5htp after a week without citalopram in the hope this would balance out my serotonin levels. After 3 days increased to 100mg 5htp.11/7/21 Stopped 5htp with the intention of reinstating citalopram at 1mg. 16/7/21 Reinstated cit at 1mg. 2/8/21 Increased dose to 2mg. 28/11/21 10% reduction to 1.8mg. 8/12/21 Back up to 2mg 6/1/22 10% reduction to 1.8mg 10/2/22 10% reduction to 1.6mg 13/5/22 cut to 1.5mg 4/6/22 updose to 1.55mg Multiple unsuccessful previous attempts to taper off citalopram. Vegan, otherwise healthy lifestyle. Other medications; kliovance (HRT) Other supplements; magnesium glycinate, calcium, B12, vitD and vegan omega3. I use valerian and lemon balm tea for anxiety relief Completely OFF booze (since 6/11/21) and caffeine (since July 21) now. Main symptoms; crushing depression, anhedonia/emotional anesthesia, irritability, rage, anxiety/fear, cognitive fog, inability to focus, restlessness and some insomnia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariel Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 @Kat66 The mantras do tend to pile up over years of WD, haha! 4 minutes ago, Kat66 said: At this point I’ll hang onto anything. My mantra is something along the lines of ‘be kind and gentle with yourself’ A good one for sure. And just in case my other post came off as ambiguous/ambivalent/confusing, I absolutely 100% unequivocally wholeheartedly endorse the zero alcohol during WD recommendation. Makes a huge difference. I've also eliminated sugar, caffeine, and a bunch of other stuff which has helped enormously. Hang in there, Kat, you're doing a great job! Healing is happening <3 1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs) 2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?) Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg --> July 2018 - 0mg 2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg 2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg --> July 2021 - 0mg March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT) --> April 28th, 2021 - 0mg supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 9pm Courage is fear that has said its prayers. - Karle Wilson Baker love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters. - Rev. angel Kyodo williams Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are. - text on homemade banner at Afiya house I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat66 Posted June 23 Share Posted June 23 4 hours ago, Ariel said: And just in case my other post came off as ambiguous/ambivalent/confusing, I absolutely 100% unequivocally wholeheartedly endorse the zero alcohol during WD recommendation. Makes a huge difference. I've also eliminated sugar, caffeine, and a bunch of other stuff which has helped enormously. It’s taken me a long time and learning by bitter experience to know you’re right about zero alcohol. I made the mistake of having a caffeinated coffee yesterday thinking ‘just one won’t hurt’. Since then I am barely functioning! I seem to be getting more, not less, sensitive to everything! how are you doing generally? Xx History of depression and anxiety. Symptoms of PTSD. 1998-1999 Venlafaxine 2006-2007 Prozac. 2013-15 Sertraline 50mg. 2015 cross-tapered to citalopram 20mg. 2015-2021 Citalopram 20mg (brief increase to 30mg for 2/3 months in 2019. 01/2021 Dropped from 20mg to 10mg, back up to 20mg til June. 25/6/21 stopped CT. Started 50mg 5htp after a week without citalopram in the hope this would balance out my serotonin levels. After 3 days increased to 100mg 5htp.11/7/21 Stopped 5htp with the intention of reinstating citalopram at 1mg. 16/7/21 Reinstated cit at 1mg. 2/8/21 Increased dose to 2mg. 28/11/21 10% reduction to 1.8mg. 8/12/21 Back up to 2mg 6/1/22 10% reduction to 1.8mg 10/2/22 10% reduction to 1.6mg 13/5/22 cut to 1.5mg 4/6/22 updose to 1.55mg Multiple unsuccessful previous attempts to taper off citalopram. Vegan, otherwise healthy lifestyle. Other medications; kliovance (HRT) Other supplements; magnesium glycinate, calcium, B12, vitD and vegan omega3. I use valerian and lemon balm tea for anxiety relief Completely OFF booze (since 6/11/21) and caffeine (since July 21) now. Main symptoms; crushing depression, anhedonia/emotional anesthesia, irritability, rage, anxiety/fear, cognitive fog, inability to focus, restlessness and some insomnia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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