Kat66 Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 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 2mg 6/1/22 1.8mg 10/2/22 1.6mg 13/5/22 1.5mg 4/6/22 1.55mg 4/7/22 1.4mg 4/8/22 1.25mg 1/11/22 1.1mg 3/3/23 1mg 18/4/23 0.9mg 2/6/23 0.8mg 4/10/23 0.7mg 11/11/23 jumped off @0.7mg started on 5htp 200mg -400mg, L-Theanine, and L-tyrosine 200mg. 25/11/23 came off 5-htp, l-tyrosine and l-Theanine. 24/12/23 went on 7.5mg mirtazapine. 27/12/23 stopped mirtazapine & reinstated citalopram @.35mg. 1/1/24 increased to 0.5mg. PTSD diagnosis October 2023. 11/11/23 started EMDR therapy for PTSD. Multiple unsuccessful attempts to taper off citalopram. Vegan, otherwise healthy lifestyle. Other medications; tapering off combined HRT. Other supplements; magnesium glycinate, vegan omega3. Completely OFF caffeine (since July 21). Finding it difficult to completely give up alcohol but haven’t had any since 25/12/23. Main symptoms; crushing depression, anhedonia/emotional anesthesia, irritability, rage, anxiety/fear, intrusive thoughts, cognitive fog, inability to focus, restlessness and some insomnia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariel Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 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 August 2021 - 2mg melatonin August 1, 2022 - 1mg melatonin March 31, 2023 - 0mg melatonin 2024 supplements update: electrolyte blend in water sipped throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil blend w/ morning meal (incl. vit. A+D+E); calcium; vitamin C+zinc 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, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 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 2mg 6/1/22 1.8mg 10/2/22 1.6mg 13/5/22 1.5mg 4/6/22 1.55mg 4/7/22 1.4mg 4/8/22 1.25mg 1/11/22 1.1mg 3/3/23 1mg 18/4/23 0.9mg 2/6/23 0.8mg 4/10/23 0.7mg 11/11/23 jumped off @0.7mg started on 5htp 200mg -400mg, L-Theanine, and L-tyrosine 200mg. 25/11/23 came off 5-htp, l-tyrosine and l-Theanine. 24/12/23 went on 7.5mg mirtazapine. 27/12/23 stopped mirtazapine & reinstated citalopram @.35mg. 1/1/24 increased to 0.5mg. PTSD diagnosis October 2023. 11/11/23 started EMDR therapy for PTSD. Multiple unsuccessful attempts to taper off citalopram. Vegan, otherwise healthy lifestyle. Other medications; tapering off combined HRT. Other supplements; magnesium glycinate, vegan omega3. Completely OFF caffeine (since July 21). Finding it difficult to completely give up alcohol but haven’t had any since 25/12/23. Main symptoms; crushing depression, anhedonia/emotional anesthesia, irritability, rage, anxiety/fear, intrusive thoughts, cognitive fog, inability to focus, restlessness and some insomnia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ariel Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 @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 August 2021 - 2mg melatonin August 1, 2022 - 1mg melatonin March 31, 2023 - 0mg melatonin 2024 supplements update: electrolyte blend in water sipped throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil blend w/ morning meal (incl. vit. A+D+E); calcium; vitamin C+zinc 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, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 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 2mg 6/1/22 1.8mg 10/2/22 1.6mg 13/5/22 1.5mg 4/6/22 1.55mg 4/7/22 1.4mg 4/8/22 1.25mg 1/11/22 1.1mg 3/3/23 1mg 18/4/23 0.9mg 2/6/23 0.8mg 4/10/23 0.7mg 11/11/23 jumped off @0.7mg started on 5htp 200mg -400mg, L-Theanine, and L-tyrosine 200mg. 25/11/23 came off 5-htp, l-tyrosine and l-Theanine. 24/12/23 went on 7.5mg mirtazapine. 27/12/23 stopped mirtazapine & reinstated citalopram @.35mg. 1/1/24 increased to 0.5mg. PTSD diagnosis October 2023. 11/11/23 started EMDR therapy for PTSD. Multiple unsuccessful attempts to taper off citalopram. Vegan, otherwise healthy lifestyle. Other medications; tapering off combined HRT. Other supplements; magnesium glycinate, vegan omega3. Completely OFF caffeine (since July 21). Finding it difficult to completely give up alcohol but haven’t had any since 25/12/23. Main symptoms; crushing depression, anhedonia/emotional anesthesia, irritability, rage, anxiety/fear, intrusive thoughts, cognitive fog, inability to focus, restlessness and some insomnia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conkaia Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 Just thinking out loud here. Alcohol temporarily increases serotonin, which will reduce as the alcohol metabolises out the body. So it makes sense that this serotonin variation will interfere with the brain trying to repair its serotonin receptors. Hence an increase in horrific withdrawal symptoms and prolonging of recovery. Thoughts anyone? August 2004: Citalopram 20mg for "postnatal anxiety". May-Sept 2011: Adverse reaction to the contraceptive pill, causing severe anxiety and panic. Was switched from 7 years on Citalopram to Lofepramine briefly, then Mirtazapine 30mg. Was an anxious, depressed, suicidal wreck and got misdiagnosed with GAD by a psychiatrist. I now realise my symptoms were all medication related, as opposed to so-called psychiatric diagnosis. October 2011: Pregabalin 450mg and propranolol 40mg TID added by psychiatrist. Feb 2013: Tapered off pregabalin 450mg; stopped propranolol. July 2013: Switched from Mirtazapine 30mg to Cipralex 10mg in a two-week cross titration, which caused horrific withdrawal symptoms lasting months. April 2015: Increased to 15mg Cipralex. 2017: Was treated by a clinical psychologist for medication-related trauma and slowly tapered down to 2mg Cipralex over the next four years. December 2021: Switched from Cipralex tablets to drops to facilitate further tapering; this caused withdrawal reaction lasting approx 6 weeks. May 2022: Experienced severe withdrawal reaction after inadvertently taking expired drops. 3rd June 2022: Reinstated 2mg Cipralex drops. Stabilisation hindered by drinking alcohol socially; didn't realise impact of this. Nil alcohol since September 2022. Supplements: Cycling Magnesium, Omega 3, Evening Primrose, Vitamin D3, Vitamin C, Vitamin B Complex, Zinc, Ashwagandha, Sage. Had been taking these prior to withdrawal incident. Feb 2023: Relatively stable and aiming to hold on 2mg Cipralex and with a view to tapering down in 2024. Tapered off Ashwagandha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driksdog Posted October 30, 2022 Share Posted October 30, 2022 Hi! Been a long time since my last visit and I found this post. I can say alcohol crashed me 3 times very badly. I still suffer from last crash in February this year. It was something better before. After a few days with alc I first felt bad then lost all improvements again and felt terrible for month. Mostly I am total aphatic, weak and I got strong headpressure and burning sensation in the neck and my back. Often the last felt like antz or like someone peels my skink away. It's horrible. I didn't found any similar stories all over the web. This time I guess it's because I had an ketamin circle. It works on glutamate. Alc and cigs also changes gluta and gaba balance. Sometimes the burning symptoms reminds me on short feelings when I had Chinese food in the past. This sometimes is full of glutamate to make it more spicy. I don't know. I am still very desperate and start to think it's forever. Feels like a major alteration all over the system. Does any experience something similar after alcohol during WD? I got this symptoms the whole year now. Not to forget to say ofc I quit all consumption after the crash. Also no other drugs or meds or supps. What the hell this pills can do? Never experienced any similar in my life. Thanks for answering. Greetings dog 09/2018 Quetiapin 100 mg 8 weeks 10/2018 Prozac 20 mg 2 weeks 05/2019 - 10/2019 abilify 2.5 mg 12/2019-03/2020 Moclobemid 600 01/2020 - 04/2020 Lithium 1125 03/2020 8 ketamin injections 05/2020 drug free 11/2020 lots of improvements 12/2020 cigs crash, huge setback 07/2021 a bit better but far from my state in autumn 2020 01/2024 I crashed again 2022. I live an disabled life and start to think it's forever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CopperPhoenix Posted December 20, 2022 Share Posted December 20, 2022 Hello, I have been away for a while doing well since my last posting regarding a short-term trial of Zoloft and experiencing bad side effects for months back in 2019. Overall, I have been doing well with symptoms popping up rarely when I was significantly stressed out, but never like I had experienced previously back in 2019. About 2 weeks ago though, my wife made a fruit cake with fruit she has been marinating in brandy for about 6 weeks. She told me that it would evaporate with cooking. I had a couple pieces about 2 weeks ago and I feel like I am back in withdrawal. My symptoms include brain fog, apathy, akathisia/restless legs during day and evenings, bilateral leg pain that switches from hot to cold, and of course anxiety. I feel like I am going through a window...Is this possible after 3 years being off? I don't know what else it could be. AD (Last 2 years): Sertraline - 5 days @ 12.5 mg (December 2016), 7 days @ 12.5 mg (December 2018), Lorazepam - 5 times total over last 2 years @ 0.5 mg intermittently I tried unknown AD ~10 years ago for 1 day and quit, and another time ~12 years ago for 1 day and quit. No withdrawal symptoms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driksdog Posted December 20, 2022 Share Posted December 20, 2022 Hi! I give u an fast answer because I know sometimes or even often no one ever respond to any questions here. I am not very deep in neurobiology. But I can tell u that alcohol is a very dirty drug and acts on serval transmitter systems. It's a bit like one of those old TCAs. Mostly **** for me was.... Gluta and gaba balance is disrupted by it. Someone told me once it's called the poor men benzo. So yeah. What happened to u can really be an result of alc. I destroyed my improvements 3 times with it and learned my lesson. Hope it becomes better again. Greetings dog 09/2018 Quetiapin 100 mg 8 weeks 10/2018 Prozac 20 mg 2 weeks 05/2019 - 10/2019 abilify 2.5 mg 12/2019-03/2020 Moclobemid 600 01/2020 - 04/2020 Lithium 1125 03/2020 8 ketamin injections 05/2020 drug free 11/2020 lots of improvements 12/2020 cigs crash, huge setback 07/2021 a bit better but far from my state in autumn 2020 01/2024 I crashed again 2022. I live an disabled life and start to think it's forever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CopperPhoenix Posted December 20, 2022 Share Posted December 20, 2022 Thank you Dog for the reply! It helps to have someone else understand and confirm what I was thinking. AD (Last 2 years): Sertraline - 5 days @ 12.5 mg (December 2016), 7 days @ 12.5 mg (December 2018), Lorazepam - 5 times total over last 2 years @ 0.5 mg intermittently I tried unknown AD ~10 years ago for 1 day and quit, and another time ~12 years ago for 1 day and quit. No withdrawal symptoms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driksdog Posted December 20, 2022 Share Posted December 20, 2022 Hey! Yeah sadly to know that we are so vulnerable. BeFor my last crash I drunk a bit more alc. 8 times in a few weeks. I just wanted to run away for a few hours from my wd life and ended in server symptoms again for month. not really recovered again. Cheers 09/2018 Quetiapin 100 mg 8 weeks 10/2018 Prozac 20 mg 2 weeks 05/2019 - 10/2019 abilify 2.5 mg 12/2019-03/2020 Moclobemid 600 01/2020 - 04/2020 Lithium 1125 03/2020 8 ketamin injections 05/2020 drug free 11/2020 lots of improvements 12/2020 cigs crash, huge setback 07/2021 a bit better but far from my state in autumn 2020 01/2024 I crashed again 2022. I live an disabled life and start to think it's forever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Erimus Posted December 21, 2022 Moderator Share Posted December 21, 2022 It’s often demoralising how sensitive we are to everyday substances after psychiatric drug withdrawal. You might find the information on this website useful re alcohol content in food after cooking. 6-week brandy soaked fruit retains A LOT of alcohol even when baked. https://www.isu.edu/news/2019-fall/no-worries-the-alcohol-burns-off-during-cookingbut-does-it-really.html Active Monday-Friday UK time MEDICATION: 1) Sertraline: 50mg - Oct 2020, 100mg - Dec 2020, 50mg - April 2021, 75mg - May 2021, 50mg - Sep 2021; Failed taper attempt (50 -> 49) - Jan 2024; Second attempt to start taper - 17 Feb 2024 Current dose: 48.9mg (Feb 2024) 2) Mirtazapine: 15mg - Nov 2020 SUPPLEMENTS: Cod liver oil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CopperPhoenix Posted December 22, 2022 Share Posted December 22, 2022 Great article Erimus. Everything is starting to make sense now. I fall in the kindling category I think and this alcoholic fruit cake sent my body off the edge again. It is frustrating...very frustrating. These withdrawal symptoms are no joke. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my concerns. 1 AD (Last 2 years): Sertraline - 5 days @ 12.5 mg (December 2016), 7 days @ 12.5 mg (December 2018), Lorazepam - 5 times total over last 2 years @ 0.5 mg intermittently I tried unknown AD ~10 years ago for 1 day and quit, and another time ~12 years ago for 1 day and quit. No withdrawal symptoms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice1 Posted January 6, 2023 Share Posted January 6, 2023 On 12/5/2012 at 8:52 PM, Altostrata said: Being a psychoactive substance, alcohol throws another possibly destabilizing factor into recovering from withdrawal. Hey Alto , What are your thoughts about vapors. Let's say you're in WD and you go to a pub and have lunch with a friend. You're there for an hour and you can clearly smell the beer and whiskey. Would that be enough for a destabilizing effect ? Possibly anyways ? Jeff December 2014 - Lexapro 20 mg August 2016 Med free (6 week taper) December 22 2021 added Abilify 5mg / Ativan .5mg / Depakote ER 1000mg Discontinued Abilify 5mg on 12-30-21---accidental dose on 1-13-22 (looks like Ativan) Ativan PRN/Discontinued 1-14-22 Only drug is Depakote ER 1000mg ( looking to taper slow and safe for once ) 3/24/22 Depakote 625mg Propranolol 20-40mg PRN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted January 8, 2023 Administrator Share Posted January 8, 2023 If you have developed hypersensitivity to odors, you may feel ill under those circumstances. The vapors themselves are not dangerous. 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shashal Posted January 8, 2023 Share Posted January 8, 2023 On 1/7/2023 at 7:11 AM, Alice1 said: Hey Alto , What are your thoughts about vapors. Let's say you're in WD and you go to a pub and have lunch with a friend. You're there for an hour and you can clearly smell the beer and whiskey. Would that be enough for a destabilizing effect ? Possibly anyways ? Jeff Hi Alice, two days ago I accidentally knocked the alcohol bottle down lot of alcohol was volatilized in my room and I was terrified about the vapors, but now I think I’m just fine for that. Because now I’m just in a wave and I don’t know if it was related to the alcohol I used to sanitize the coronavirus Xanax 0.4mg on and off only for bedtime occasionally from 2015 2019.6 Xanax Inter-dose withdraw after 8 weeks continuous usage 2019.6.3 100mg Zoloft 2019.6.27 CT 0.4mg Xanax cross over to 7.14mg Valium 75mg Trazodone 2019.8.29 Jumped Valium at 0.5mg 2019.12.15 Jumped Zoloft at 4mg 2020.1.4 Jumped Trazodone at 5mg 2020.6.1 95% healed with no symptoms and sleep very well 2021.4.6 Reinstated 1mg Zoloft and 10mg x3 Tandospirone for anxiety setback from antibiotics 2021.4.25 0.5mg Zoloft and 10mg x3 Tandospirone 2021.5.7 Jumped Zoloft at 0.25mg as adverse effects 2021.6.2Tapered and jumped Tandospirone as mild serotonin syndrome Couldn’t take Seremind (Lavender oil) neither it could also cause the serotonin syndrome 2021.6.13 1mg Cyproheptadine before bed and got better and better 2021.8.13 Bad wave don’t know if triggered by chocolate ice cream Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip52 Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 My withdrawals have calmed a bit the last few days. I had lots of beer night before last and I’m noticing this evening and last night that I’m having some depression. Could this be from the alcohol? 94-2000 Prozac, 2000-2001 zoloft 2001-2003 paxil, 2002 1 mg klonopin 2003-2004 effexor, ct klonopin, in hospital put on Seroquel & lexapro , 2005 Ct lexapro, in the hospital again, imipramine 250mg, 2009-2010 weaned off seroquel, 2016-17tapered imipramine to 150, 2017-19 100 mg, 2020 jumped to 50 mg a week later went back up to 60. 11/22 56 mg 12-22 50mg 4/5/23 - 47mg 4/16 - 40 mg 6/27/23-35mg, 4/15/24 33mg 1/20 1 mg ropinirol 3/21 ropinirol 2 mg 4/23 Ozempic .25, 6/26/23 .37mg 12/1/23 .39mg, 4/24 40mg 1/24 1mg clonidine Supplements: boron, diatomaceous earth, cream of tartar and Celtic sea salt, transdermal magnesium oil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Erimus Posted January 17, 2023 Moderator Share Posted January 17, 2023 Stop drinking, your brain and body will thank you for it. Please see Active Monday-Friday UK time MEDICATION: 1) Sertraline: 50mg - Oct 2020, 100mg - Dec 2020, 50mg - April 2021, 75mg - May 2021, 50mg - Sep 2021; Failed taper attempt (50 -> 49) - Jan 2024; Second attempt to start taper - 17 Feb 2024 Current dose: 48.9mg (Feb 2024) 2) Mirtazapine: 15mg - Nov 2020 SUPPLEMENTS: Cod liver oil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Onmyway Posted February 3, 2023 Moderator Share Posted February 3, 2023 @Tulip52we find that alcohol can set people back in withdrawal and sometimes really badly return the worst of the withdrawal symptoms. Avoiding it for a long time would help. OMW "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...
Tulip52 Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 I’m so sorry, guys. I’m just finding your comments. I’m finding the same to be true.. it does feel like it’s set me back. 94-2000 Prozac, 2000-2001 zoloft 2001-2003 paxil, 2002 1 mg klonopin 2003-2004 effexor, ct klonopin, in hospital put on Seroquel & lexapro , 2005 Ct lexapro, in the hospital again, imipramine 250mg, 2009-2010 weaned off seroquel, 2016-17tapered imipramine to 150, 2017-19 100 mg, 2020 jumped to 50 mg a week later went back up to 60. 11/22 56 mg 12-22 50mg 4/5/23 - 47mg 4/16 - 40 mg 6/27/23-35mg, 4/15/24 33mg 1/20 1 mg ropinirol 3/21 ropinirol 2 mg 4/23 Ozempic .25, 6/26/23 .37mg 12/1/23 .39mg, 4/24 40mg 1/24 1mg clonidine Supplements: boron, diatomaceous earth, cream of tartar and Celtic sea salt, transdermal magnesium oil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Onmyway Posted February 3, 2023 Moderator Share Posted February 3, 2023 @Tulip52 There is a long thread on alcohol. Most of these questions have already been discussed. Before starting new threads pls look up if a thread exists both to help yourself and to keep this place tidy and organized. Every time you start a thread when one already exists on the topic you are creating extra work for the moderators who are volunteers who then have to merge your topic with the old one. "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...
Tulip52 Posted February 4, 2023 Share Posted February 4, 2023 I apologize 94-2000 Prozac, 2000-2001 zoloft 2001-2003 paxil, 2002 1 mg klonopin 2003-2004 effexor, ct klonopin, in hospital put on Seroquel & lexapro , 2005 Ct lexapro, in the hospital again, imipramine 250mg, 2009-2010 weaned off seroquel, 2016-17tapered imipramine to 150, 2017-19 100 mg, 2020 jumped to 50 mg a week later went back up to 60. 11/22 56 mg 12-22 50mg 4/5/23 - 47mg 4/16 - 40 mg 6/27/23-35mg, 4/15/24 33mg 1/20 1 mg ropinirol 3/21 ropinirol 2 mg 4/23 Ozempic .25, 6/26/23 .37mg 12/1/23 .39mg, 4/24 40mg 1/24 1mg clonidine Supplements: boron, diatomaceous earth, cream of tartar and Celtic sea salt, transdermal magnesium oil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Onmyway Posted February 6, 2023 Moderator Share Posted February 6, 2023 No worries @Tulip52, takes time to learn. Just remember for the future. "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...
CopperPhoenix Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 I wanted to come back an update on my recent reply to this post. My symptoms from my alcoholic fruit cake incident resolved to almost nothing around the last week of December 2022 putting my length of "wave" about 4 weeks or so. I was doing well until the beginning of February and the symptoms seemed to roll in again, but this time seem to be even more intense. I am assuming this is a "wave", but are "windows and waves" possible in my situation? I had assumed that my setback in in December was temporary and I did not expect to be back in a "windows and waves" situation after being drug free for so long. 1 AD (Last 2 years): Sertraline - 5 days @ 12.5 mg (December 2016), 7 days @ 12.5 mg (December 2018), Lorazepam - 5 times total over last 2 years @ 0.5 mg intermittently I tried unknown AD ~10 years ago for 1 day and quit, and another time ~12 years ago for 1 day and quit. No withdrawal symptoms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 13, 2023 Administrator Share Posted February 13, 2023 Did anything else happen that might have shaken up your nervous system? 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CopperPhoenix Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 We welcomed a new baby girl in October (at 45 y/o), 2 job changes, trying to blend a family with new wife, trying to implement a running program (walk/jog), and my diet has been abysmal with lots of sugar and processed foods. Now that I type this out I see it... AD (Last 2 years): Sertraline - 5 days @ 12.5 mg (December 2016), 7 days @ 12.5 mg (December 2018), Lorazepam - 5 times total over last 2 years @ 0.5 mg intermittently I tried unknown AD ~10 years ago for 1 day and quit, and another time ~12 years ago for 1 day and quit. No withdrawal symptoms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 13, 2023 Administrator Share Posted February 13, 2023 @CopperPhoenix please update your Introductions 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driksdog Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 Hey! @onmyway After alcohol worest me so badly I searched for answers here. Didn't really find something. It was pretty scary because I felt worse then ever before. Sometimes I thought I have taken another psycomed again. Which was not. I also didn't found the magical thread u are talking about!? Maybe u can link it. The only place I found was this thread after time. Also no one really answered in my own thread. But I don't really wonder, because lots of ppl all over the world are in SA. I got the feeling it's getting a bit better after another year past. I crashed two times. First mainly cigarettes and 2nd alc. Sometimes it takes time to learn ur lessons. Never alcohol or cigarettes again. Greetings dog 09/2018 Quetiapin 100 mg 8 weeks 10/2018 Prozac 20 mg 2 weeks 05/2019 - 10/2019 abilify 2.5 mg 12/2019-03/2020 Moclobemid 600 01/2020 - 04/2020 Lithium 1125 03/2020 8 ketamin injections 05/2020 drug free 11/2020 lots of improvements 12/2020 cigs crash, huge setback 07/2021 a bit better but far from my state in autumn 2020 01/2024 I crashed again 2022. I live an disabled life and start to think it's forever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Onmyway Posted February 13, 2023 Moderator Share Posted February 13, 2023 (edited) @Driksdog, your post is in that magical thread so you have found it. This is it. OMW Edited February 13, 2023 by Onmyway "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...
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 13, 2023 Administrator Share Posted February 13, 2023 We're very clear that drinking alcohol usually makes people who already have drug-induced problems worse. In fact, we will turn away people who are drinking, even socially, because they are causing their own problems and counseling people who do this is a waste of time for peer support. This is not a moral judgment about alcohol, it comes from the observation that if you want to come off psychiatric drugs or recover from withdrawal, you can't be throwing your nervous system into chaos with alcohol. You'll continue to feel terrible, and we cannot help you. If you want peer support here, you must stop drinking. If you cannot stop drinking, we cannot offer you peer support. If your self-induced problems become disruptive to the community, we will ask you to leave. 1 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driksdog Posted February 15, 2023 Share Posted February 15, 2023 Ähm sorry I answer now because I feel like u speak to me when u write "you". First at all... I don't drink. I am also not an alcoholic. I have not touched any drink for over an year now. Also as I crashed I didn't waste my time drinking all day long. But yes I drunk alcohol there and I crashed which means I worsen my state for month. As I didn't really found something I asked around. That's all. What more support can I Expect? Just wanted to know if someone had similar experience. Also I am long out of pills. So no taper help needed. I just looked for ppl with silmlar experience. Sorry about it. And why disruptive? Did i anything wrong by asking that? I wonder about ur statements because I thought this is the place for ppl suffering from post psycomed illness. 09/2018 Quetiapin 100 mg 8 weeks 10/2018 Prozac 20 mg 2 weeks 05/2019 - 10/2019 abilify 2.5 mg 12/2019-03/2020 Moclobemid 600 01/2020 - 04/2020 Lithium 1125 03/2020 8 ketamin injections 05/2020 drug free 11/2020 lots of improvements 12/2020 cigs crash, huge setback 07/2021 a bit better but far from my state in autumn 2020 01/2024 I crashed again 2022. I live an disabled life and start to think it's forever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 16, 2023 Administrator Share Posted February 16, 2023 The "you" does not mean you specifically, @Driksdog There are several conversations going on here. If you read this topic from the beginning, you'll see we often have to tell people that drinking alcohol may cause them problems. 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Driksdog Posted February 16, 2023 Share Posted February 16, 2023 Ah ok! Then I misunderstood it. Yeah it's pretty bad to drink in this situation. It can cause serval more problems and new symptoms. Now I know this. Last days I saw an Article which says alcohol is altering ur dopa system longterm. So I don't wonder longer. Greetings https://neurosciencenews.com/dopamine-aud-22457/ 1 09/2018 Quetiapin 100 mg 8 weeks 10/2018 Prozac 20 mg 2 weeks 05/2019 - 10/2019 abilify 2.5 mg 12/2019-03/2020 Moclobemid 600 01/2020 - 04/2020 Lithium 1125 03/2020 8 ketamin injections 05/2020 drug free 11/2020 lots of improvements 12/2020 cigs crash, huge setback 07/2021 a bit better but far from my state in autumn 2020 01/2024 I crashed again 2022. I live an disabled life and start to think it's forever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus Shep Posted February 19, 2023 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 19, 2023 On 4/24/2016 at 1:29 PM, Shep said: There's an article on the Rsk.org site (Dr. David Healy's site): Driven To Drink: Antidepressants and Cravings for Alcohol Please note there's a new, updated article: Did My Doctor Make Me Alcoholic or Substance Abusing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giuly88 Posted May 24, 2023 Share Posted May 24, 2023 On 4/20/2012 at 9:18 AM, alexjuice said: Hello drb, I've got personal experience in the matter. I was a non-drinker, unappreciative of the effects or side effects of alcohol as a teen. In my early 20s, while on SSRIs, I became an alcohol abuser, eventually attending addiction rehabs on several occasions over multiple years. Because many with social anxiety turn to alcohol to cope with social situations, the true nature of my alcoholic drinking was obscured. Of course, the situation contained other complications but, for a variety of reasons the possibilty of psych meds influencing the drinking was never considered. Not even by me. I took Lexapro (escitalopram) manufactured by a company called Forrest Labs, now a Pfizer subsidiary. At the time, alcohol abuse was not listed as a side effect by the manufacturer. Last I talked to a rep at Forrest, they do not acknowledge a connection. And that's a bunch of baloney and the poor guy on the phone with me choose his words very, very carefully on the matter. GSK, maker of Paxil (paroxetine) acknowledges alcohol abuse as a documented side effect. I believe they list it in the 'uncommon' category neither 'common' nor 'rare'. An uncommon side effect according to GSK, and my memory, should occur in 1 in 100 or fewer users... so it is quite uncommon... If you are happy to take GSK's interpretation as gospel truth which I am not. I've read accounts of psychiatrist's noticing this connectionin their own practices. I don't recall the specific authors, but remember one doc noticed this effect occurred frequently enough that he started vigilantly monitoring patients for any unusual compulsive behavior (usually expressed as alcohol/drugs/sex/spending) in the first months after initiation. On lexapro I found alcohol very powerful and euphoric. I ended up in rehab multiple times. In 2008 I was switched from Lexapro to Effexor and. though I endeavored to stay sober, sometimes I gave in to temptation. On Effexor I found it easier to sometimes stop after a few drinks, though most frequently drinking to significant excess, and noticed the alcohol lacked some kick. When I discontinued Effexor (too quickly) I felt terrible. I tried to drink the w/d away. I discovered, shockingly, that no euphoria arrived at all. I drank many times in the first 6 months of discontinuation. I rarely had more than one drink, often not finishing the one. Alcohol felt like it had when I was a teenager; I didn't really like it much. I realized perhaps I was never alcoholic. Talk about a shock... Anyway, I realized drinking alcohol in any capacity wasn't helpful so I suspended the activity, satisfied that at the very least something was different. For over a year I was totally abstinent without any cravings. In August 2011 I ordered an alcoholic drink -- partly to test 'alcoholism' and partly to test a reflux problem -- and I didn't care to finish the drink. I was still not an alcoholic. On December 3rd, out late at a coffeeshop/bar I ordered a drink for kicks and to test. I lost interest halfway through and left half a glass on the table. I've not had a drink or a craving to drink since Dec 3. Between 2000 and 2010, while on psych Drugs, I drank hundreds of times, 90+% of the time drinking more than 6 six drinks, frequently exceeding 10, even 20 drinks or more. Since early 2010 I've had alcohol probably 20 times and only exceeded two drinks once. I was written off as an alcoholic and a drug addict. I made friends and got 'sober' with other alcoholics. They can't fathom how I so easily stopped drinking (and drug use) without using 12 steps or antabuse or whatever. I've explained the connection to SSRIs, but they can't understand it. I still frequently talk to a couple guys who struggle with cravings like I used to. It's odd to hear this now, and remember how I used to be that way too. Today substance abuse has no allure and I contemplate it as often as I contemplate gathering up all my money and favorite things -- and lighting them on fire. For about 10 years, I was an alcoholic and drug addict by side effect. At the end of it all, I had lost about everything to drinking and drugging only to then discover I wasn't even a true alcoholic. With which part? The not drinking? Well, it's pretty easy when you don't crave the drink. The tragic destruction of finances, reputation, body and spirit from years of 'phony alcoholism'? I don't know how you come to grips with it. Slowly, I suppose. You put the pieces of your life back to together, one by one as best you can. Cope with the anger and shock as best you can with the support of others who know what it's like. Try to speak openly of your experience to benefit those otherwise next-in-line, if you are able to do so. Drinking, drugging, risk-taking, suicidality, violent outburts... there are reports of drugs causing 'out of character' behavior of all sorts. It's just a part of the tragedy. For a lot of people the side effects of taking the drugs is the hardest part, since afterwards it becomes clear that none of the wreckage needed to occur and it wasn't the 'real' you driving those decisions. Still the real and unmedicated you will live on with the traumas, memories, consequences and "unfair" circumstances of the complusivity. In the end though, the past is the past and we hope to move on and live positive, healthy lives in the future. At least, that is the plan. The positivity part being maybe easier to come to than the health. Alex So true! Greedy pharmaceutical factories chemically constructed mental conditions. Started 10mg escitalopram March 2016 and stopped CT Feb 2017. Started 10mg citalopram May 2019 Swapped with mirtazapine mid June 2019 used for a week and then switched to Escitalopram 5mg at the end of July 2019, increased gradually to 10mg in September, 15mg in October and 20mg in January 2020. Tapered down to 15mg in April. 10mg in June then a week tapering to 5mg and then stopped CT. Resumed escitalopram in November 2020 at 5mg, increased to 10mg in February 2021, tapered down to 5mg in May 2021 and tapered down to 2.5 in the space of a week in September 2021. Resumed escitalopram at the end of December 2022 at 5mg, increased it to 10mg in March 2023 then tapered down to 5mg in June and down to 2.5mg in July. Started escitalopram 5mg beginning of December 2023 then stopped after 4 days. Took amytryptamine for 2 days then restarted escitalopram at 5mg, after two weeks increased it to 7.5mg, kept it for 1 week then 10mg for 1 week but two many side effects so went back to 5mg. Beginning of January 2023 stopped escitalopram for 1 day then 2.5mg for the next day. Developed discontinuation symptoms reinstated it at 2.5 for 1 week and 1.5 for the following week then stopped. I’m currently experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PortugueseSea Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 I am a wine lover, so reducing my consumption of wine to zero during my acute stage and to stay away from it has been very challenging. I definitely feel that wine may have made my recovery slower though, interestingly enough, I have only been able to clearly link it to the outset of a wave when it was dessert wine, e.a very high on sugar. Also, the few times where it might have been to wine to trigger a wave happened when I drank more than one or two glasses. This stands in stark contrast to coffee, one cup will 100% of the time bring excruciating levels of agitation and somatic discomfort. No exceptions. I have had maybe 3 cups in the last two years and it always happened. Tea also has similar, but not so dire, effects. Enough said, it is a sad necessity I should stay away from wine for the time being. My recovery is more important and my family needs me. 1 December 2021 - Metoclopramide started. Akathisia symptoms start; Metoclopramide gets changed to PRN. March 2022 - Akathisia diagnosed; Metoclopramide stopped; Propranolol 10mg x twice a day. Biperiden PRN (0.5mg to 1mg). April 2022 - Tandospirone 30mg (10mg 3x day), Quetiapine 25mg (only taken once, immediate adr). Mirtazapine 7.5mg. . Discontinued Propranolol. May 2022 - Mirtazapine upped to 15mg. Tandospirone cut to 2x 10mg. Low dose Depakote for the month; 100 to 200 to 100 to 0. Mirtazapine cut back to 11.75mg (3/4 of a 15mg pill).June 2022 - Mirtazapine updose to 15mg. Tandospirone, Biperiden discontinued. Klonopin started PRN (0.5mg). September 2022 - Akathisia slowly starts improving, WD/ADR normal sets in in mid September. Hold for 4 months.March 2023 - Off mirtazapine; no Klonopin for 5 months either! Started quercetin (250mg x 2) to soften the histamine rebound. May 2023 - Stopped quercetin and changed from magnesium carbonate to oxide - reacted badly. Reverted back to carbonate. June 2023 - Added fish oil.Current regimen: CALM Magnesium (Carbonate into Citrate) 175mg x2; Vitamin E 268mg x2; Fish oil (100mg Omega3; EPA 30mg; DHA 37mg)x2 Intro thread: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/27095-portuguesesea-metoclopramide-akathisia-and-mirtazapine/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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