Kaye Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Well, this is my first post. I took my last pill on July 1st. And now I'm miserable. I was on 40 mg of Paxil for two years followed by 150 mg of Zoloft for two more. I tapered off the medicine (Against my doctors advice, but I did it anyway--thanks, Doc) for two months before quitting altogether. They say this isn't withdrawal--the articles I keep finding say that implies addiction, and that isn't accurate--but even though I may not physically crave the drug, I mentally do, so I think withdrawal is a good term. . I've actually been through this process several times by "accident." The doctor I went to initially treated a lot of drug addicts, and I got treated the same. Whenever I asked for a refill, it would take a minimum of a week to get filled, and if their records said I should still have pills, it wouldn't get filled at all. So I've gone without the medicine before--abruptly, without giving my body and mind any adjustment period--and so I knew what I was in for when I started. I'm depressed. Not constantly, but if I don't have a distraction, I'll constantly want to cry. For no reason. I don't, because I don't want to--I can tell it won't be a good cry and I'll feel worse at the end of it. And the dizzy spells. This was something I knew was coming from my short-term withdrawal. I have never before been dizzy -all the time-. Sitting, standing, lying--it doesn't matter! Nausea, too. Headaches. Trouble sleeping. The feelings of depression worry me most. I worry it's not withdrawal but relapse. I feel like part of that worry comes from my desire to feel better, ie to take the medicine again. I know from my own history if I start the medicine again I'll almost immediately feel better. But I don't want to, and I'm hoping this community will help. 2002-2004: Zoloft. I was a teenager and I don't remember the dose. Had no problem going off.2011-2013: Paxil. 30-50 mg. Experienced short-term withdrawal at least three times. Symptoms: depression, insomnia, nausea, dizziness 2014-2015: Zoloft, 100-150 mg. Never stopped taking. Started tapering from Zoloft: May 1, 2015 --No assistance from physician-- Last pill taken: June 30, 2015 Withdrawal Symptoms: depression, nausea, dizziness, trouble sleeping (not as bad as insomnia) Reinstated at 10 mg: July 15, 2015 Link to comment
nz11 Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Welcome to sa Kaye. It really is very sad that doctors do not acknowledge withdrawal. You are correct this is wdl and you are manifesting classic symptoms; crying nausea headaches insomnia depression dizzy spells the list goes on. Glenmullen has put together a list of 58 symptoms , crying spells is number one on the list. Dr. Joseph Glenmullen's withdrawal symptom checklist (PDF) I know from my own history if I start the medicine again I'll almost immediately feel better. This is a sign of addiction ie its not you its the drug. Wow 4 years use and a 2 month taper if i am correct is very fast and not surprising you are now in a difficult place. Sounds to me like the wdl symptoms from taper off the paxil 2 yrs ago were covered by the doc giving you zoloft. Did you know that the rec taper here is 10 % of previous dose per month. Why taper by 10% of my dosage? Tips for tapering off Zoloft (sertraline) Whenever I asked for a refill, it would take a minimum of a week to get filled, and if their records said I should still have pills, it wouldn't get filled at all. So I've gone without the medicine before--abruptly, without giving my body and mind any adjustment period--and so I knew what I was in for when I started. Goodness this is terrible. unethical even. This is an appalling practice they are putting peoples lives at risk by doing this. two months is not too far out to reinstate should you wish to do that and then stabilise and then taper in a safer manner. You havent told us how you tapered for the 2 months, either way it is too fast. Just where to ri too is the curly one. It may be worth reading this to get an idea of what may be some wise options if you feel the wdl is too much. Believe me wdl can humble the strongest of wills and intentions. About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms Here are some other good stuff to read. HOW DOES HEALING HAPPEN?The Windows and Waves Pattern of Recovery"Is it always going to be like this?" Anyway you have definitely come to the right place to get informed help. Hopefully a mod will be in soon to greet you. In the meantime welcome to sa a place sought by millions but found by few. imo Sorry you are in this difficult situation. You are not alone. Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted July 10, 2015 Administrator Share Posted July 10, 2015 Welcome, Kaye. Well, nz did a great job of sending you to the right reading! Thank you, nz. Doctors do not sufficiently recognize psychiatric drug withdrawal syndrome and hold a lot of incorrect assumptions about it. Technically, it's not an addiction, it's a physiological dependency. See What is withdrawal syndrome? Please do consider reinstating a partial dose of Zoloft immediately. Even 10mg might help. Do you have any tablets left? You can make a liquid to measure small amounts, this is explained in Tips for tapering off Zoloft (sertraline) Zoloft also comes in a liquid form. Any doctor can prescribe it or the tablets, even your GP. It sounds like that addiction specialist is not worth seeing again. 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
Kaye Posted July 11, 2015 Author Share Posted July 11, 2015 I didn't know about the 10% taper before I started. I found this site after looking for ways to deal with symptoms. As for "reinstating," I'm not emotionally in a place I want to try that yet. I actually got irrationally angry at the suggestion. I want to see how I do first. It took a lot to get to the point I am and reinstating seems like going back. I'll certainly keep it as an option. Right now, my symptoms are manageable. I'm not actually having crying fits, just the urge. The worst symptoms are nausea and trouble sleeping. I want to give this a chance before I take a step back and try again. Any suggestions/advice on how long I should wait before giving reinstating a try? I was thinking a month or two, but that isn't really based on anything. 2002-2004: Zoloft. I was a teenager and I don't remember the dose. Had no problem going off.2011-2013: Paxil. 30-50 mg. Experienced short-term withdrawal at least three times. Symptoms: depression, insomnia, nausea, dizziness 2014-2015: Zoloft, 100-150 mg. Never stopped taking. Started tapering from Zoloft: May 1, 2015 --No assistance from physician-- Last pill taken: June 30, 2015 Withdrawal Symptoms: depression, nausea, dizziness, trouble sleeping (not as bad as insomnia) Reinstated at 10 mg: July 15, 2015 Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted July 12, 2015 Administrator Share Posted July 12, 2015 Nobody wants to reinstate. However, it is a good way to reduce withdrawal symptoms, which can last many months, even years. After reinstating, you would stabilize, then taper slower. It's a way to do over the taper. 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
Kaye Posted July 12, 2015 Author Share Posted July 12, 2015 If I reinstate at 10 mg, and taper using the 10% method, it would take ten months to be fully tapered? I'm just making sure I understand the math and method. 2002-2004: Zoloft. I was a teenager and I don't remember the dose. Had no problem going off.2011-2013: Paxil. 30-50 mg. Experienced short-term withdrawal at least three times. Symptoms: depression, insomnia, nausea, dizziness 2014-2015: Zoloft, 100-150 mg. Never stopped taking. Started tapering from Zoloft: May 1, 2015 --No assistance from physician-- Last pill taken: June 30, 2015 Withdrawal Symptoms: depression, nausea, dizziness, trouble sleeping (not as bad as insomnia) Reinstated at 10 mg: July 15, 2015 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus areyouthere Posted July 12, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 12, 2015 Hi Kaye. Welcome. The 10 % is calculated by cutting 10 % of the last dose. So your first cut would be .9 X 10 = 9.1 mg. And then after a hold and you stabilize , you would calculate 9.1 mg X .9 = 8.1 mg. and so forth. I understand your anger, both real and exaggerated ( exacerbated?) by being in withdrawal. It is incredibly WRONG to be advised by professionals incorrectly. But the sooner we accept it and dedicate our life to healing and slowly withdrawing, the sooner we can get back to our old self. Yes. It will take quite a long time but I can tell you from personal experience , that done correctly, you will feel better as you go along. Not all. the. time ( because it truly can suck) but it pays off in the end. I have seen people over and over and over reinstate and very quickly feel better. Then you can begin a journey that doesn't have to be incredibly awful...and you have a big plus going for you and that is your history only includes TWO different drugs and bonus, bonus... not a long drawn- out history with them. You are ahead of the game. Don't mess it up. I'd do as Alto suggests and report back. RU Fall 1995 xanax, zoloft. switched to Serzone 1996- spring 2003serzone/ xanax/ lightbox. b]Fall 2003- Fall 2004? Lexapro 10 mg. Light box /4 mg. xanax.[/b] 2004 - Fall of 2009 10 mg Lex, 150 mg Wellbutrin XL % 4 mg xanax November 2009- Sept. 2011 10 mg lex., 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax [/b Sept.2012- July 2012 20 mg Lex 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax My mantra " go slow & with the flow " 3/2/13.. Began equal dosing 5 Xs /day xanax, while simultaneously incorporating a 2.5 % drop ( from 3.5 mg/day to 3.4 mg/day) 4/6/13 dropped from 300 mg. Wellbutrin XL to 150 mg. Difficult but DONE! Down to 3.3 mg xanax/ day / 6/10/13 3 mg xanax/day; 7/15/2013 2.88mg xanax/day. 10/ 1/2013...... 2.5 mg xanax… ( switched to tablets again) WOO HOO!!!!!! Holding here… cont. with Lexapro. 1/ 2/2014.. tapered to 18mg ( by weight) of a 26 mg ( by weight) pill of 20 mg tab. lexapro. goal is 13mg (by weight OR 10 mg by ingredient content) and STOPPED. Feeling very down with unbalanced, unpredictable WD symptoms. 1/2/2014- ??? Taking a brain-healing break from tapering anything after actively tapering something for 1.5 years. So… daily doses as of 2/2/2014: 18 mg by weight Lex, 150 mg Well. XL, 2.5 mg xanax, down from 26 mg by weight Lex., 300 mg well. XL, 4 mg xanax in August, 2012. I'll take it. 5/8/14 started equivalent dose liquid./ tabs. 5/13/14 1.5 % cut. Link to comment
Aliwill Posted July 12, 2015 Share Posted July 12, 2015 As someone who up dosed a couple of days ago can I urge you to give reinstatement a try. I felt noticeably better within 24 hours. I'm a taperer. Am down to a really low dose and even then had to make a small adjustment. I just went too fast in my desperation to get off this drug. We are all desperate to get off but doing it in a way that is manageable rather than horrific is definitely the better option. You also may find that if you hold off your symptoms don't get better for years, but if you taper you may actually get off sooner and without the huge symptoms. You can look at the last few posts in my thread. I cried when I made the decision to updose. I felt a failure. Like this drug had got me, yet again. I hate it too. But I know, in my heart, that it was the right thing to do. I have to make this journey as painless as it can be. I have a family to consider as well. Best of luck with whatever you decide. 2003 Zoloft for PND. No other Psych history before this. 2009 CT. Huge withdrawal. Voluntary hospital admission. Successfully stabilized on 40mg Prozac. 2012 CT after 2 years of tapering to 10mg. Another Disaster. No hospital admission. Stabilized 40mg Prozac 2014 CT after 2 years of tapering to 5mg. Destabilized but not as bad as previous. Found this site. Reinstated 5mg. Stabilized quickly but held for 6 months. Feb 2015 4mg Prozac March 2015 Tramadol for Pain after an OP. Didn’t realize it was an SNRI. March 2015 3 mg Prozac April 2015 2.5mg Prozac May 2015 2mg Prozac June 2015 Destabilized (After research believe it was delayed withdrawal due to the Tramadol) July 11th 2015. Updosed to 2.5mg Link to comment
Kaye Posted July 21, 2015 Author Share Posted July 21, 2015 So... I tapered too quickly. I went from 150 mg of Zoloft to zero in two months. So, after finding this website--despite my stupidly stubborn aversion to the idea--I decided to reinstate and taper using the 10%. I have been back on Zoloft at 10 mg for one week now. I feel nauseated. It happened when I first started antidepressants--the first two weeks I was so nauseated I could barely eat. I guess this is just the same thing? I was off the drug for about two weeks before I reinstated. I'm hoping another week will cure me of the nausea. The reason I finally broke down and reinstated was the uncontrollable fits of crying. And I'm not crying anymore. Actually, I stopped just two days after reinstating. But, I'm still depressed. Not always, and not nearly at the same level I was, but I still feel down. I'm hoping it's just the readjustment period--like the nausea, I guess--but I wonder if it is a sign I need to up the medication? How long should I wait before I make that decision? Part of me wants to make that decision now, hoping I'll feel better, but I'm typically a very impatient person so I'm trying to fight that instinct. 2002-2004: Zoloft. I was a teenager and I don't remember the dose. Had no problem going off.2011-2013: Paxil. 30-50 mg. Experienced short-term withdrawal at least three times. Symptoms: depression, insomnia, nausea, dizziness 2014-2015: Zoloft, 100-150 mg. Never stopped taking. Started tapering from Zoloft: May 1, 2015 --No assistance from physician-- Last pill taken: June 30, 2015 Withdrawal Symptoms: depression, nausea, dizziness, trouble sleeping (not as bad as insomnia) Reinstated at 10 mg: July 15, 2015 Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted July 22, 2015 Administrator Share Posted July 22, 2015 I merged your Intro topics -- only one Intro topic to a member. Please put all your updates in this topic. You may wish to try 5mg Zoloft. 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
Kaye Posted July 22, 2015 Author Share Posted July 22, 2015 A smaller dose? 2002-2004: Zoloft. I was a teenager and I don't remember the dose. Had no problem going off.2011-2013: Paxil. 30-50 mg. Experienced short-term withdrawal at least three times. Symptoms: depression, insomnia, nausea, dizziness 2014-2015: Zoloft, 100-150 mg. Never stopped taking. Started tapering from Zoloft: May 1, 2015 --No assistance from physician-- Last pill taken: June 30, 2015 Withdrawal Symptoms: depression, nausea, dizziness, trouble sleeping (not as bad as insomnia) Reinstated at 10 mg: July 15, 2015 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Petunia Posted July 22, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 22, 2015 If the nausea began when you reinstated 10mg, then perhaps taking less will stop the nausea or reduce it. But, you have started to feel better in other ways and have stopped crying. It can take a while to stabilize fully after a reinstatement, up to 2-3 months, please read through this again: About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms and The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization You can give it a bit more time at 10mg, or reduce to 5mg as Alto suggested, I wouldn't recommend increasing the dose at this stage. Keeping the dose low means you have less to taper off of. I'm not a doctor. My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one. My Introduction Thread Full Drug and Withdrawal History Brief Summary Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects 2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010 Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal) May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins. Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens. Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days. April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close. VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from? VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made? VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes? VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects? VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted July 22, 2015 Administrator Share Posted July 22, 2015 Or even 7.5mg. More is not necessarily better. 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
Kaye Posted July 23, 2015 Author Share Posted July 23, 2015 Huh! That's interesting. I never considered that. I'll definitely try. Of course, this involves math. Ugh. 2002-2004: Zoloft. I was a teenager and I don't remember the dose. Had no problem going off.2011-2013: Paxil. 30-50 mg. Experienced short-term withdrawal at least three times. Symptoms: depression, insomnia, nausea, dizziness 2014-2015: Zoloft, 100-150 mg. Never stopped taking. Started tapering from Zoloft: May 1, 2015 --No assistance from physician-- Last pill taken: June 30, 2015 Withdrawal Symptoms: depression, nausea, dizziness, trouble sleeping (not as bad as insomnia) Reinstated at 10 mg: July 15, 2015 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus areyouthere Posted July 23, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 23, 2015 Kaye... are you making a liquid or using a scale to weigh you Zolft? I can help you with the math. Are you going to try 7.5 or 5 grams? RU Fall 1995 xanax, zoloft. switched to Serzone 1996- spring 2003serzone/ xanax/ lightbox. b]Fall 2003- Fall 2004? Lexapro 10 mg. Light box /4 mg. xanax.[/b] 2004 - Fall of 2009 10 mg Lex, 150 mg Wellbutrin XL % 4 mg xanax November 2009- Sept. 2011 10 mg lex., 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax [/b Sept.2012- July 2012 20 mg Lex 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax My mantra " go slow & with the flow " 3/2/13.. Began equal dosing 5 Xs /day xanax, while simultaneously incorporating a 2.5 % drop ( from 3.5 mg/day to 3.4 mg/day) 4/6/13 dropped from 300 mg. Wellbutrin XL to 150 mg. Difficult but DONE! Down to 3.3 mg xanax/ day / 6/10/13 3 mg xanax/day; 7/15/2013 2.88mg xanax/day. 10/ 1/2013...... 2.5 mg xanax… ( switched to tablets again) WOO HOO!!!!!! Holding here… cont. with Lexapro. 1/ 2/2014.. tapered to 18mg ( by weight) of a 26 mg ( by weight) pill of 20 mg tab. lexapro. goal is 13mg (by weight OR 10 mg by ingredient content) and STOPPED. Feeling very down with unbalanced, unpredictable WD symptoms. 1/2/2014- ??? Taking a brain-healing break from tapering anything after actively tapering something for 1.5 years. So… daily doses as of 2/2/2014: 18 mg by weight Lex, 150 mg Well. XL, 2.5 mg xanax, down from 26 mg by weight Lex., 300 mg well. XL, 4 mg xanax in August, 2012. I'll take it. 5/8/14 started equivalent dose liquid./ tabs. 5/13/14 1.5 % cut. Link to comment
Kaye Posted July 24, 2015 Author Share Posted July 24, 2015 I figured I'd try the 7.5. How I figured it before: I put a 50 mg tablet of Zoloft in a bottle of water (16.9 fl oz). I then converted the fl oz to ml (because my measuring cup is in ml) and then divided by five to know how much to take each day. So...I can figure out how to get to 5 mg (divide by ten instead, right?) but not really 7.5 unless for some wacky reason that divides evenly into 50. Any help with math is much appreciated I teach English. It's like my kryptonite! 2002-2004: Zoloft. I was a teenager and I don't remember the dose. Had no problem going off.2011-2013: Paxil. 30-50 mg. Experienced short-term withdrawal at least three times. Symptoms: depression, insomnia, nausea, dizziness 2014-2015: Zoloft, 100-150 mg. Never stopped taking. Started tapering from Zoloft: May 1, 2015 --No assistance from physician-- Last pill taken: June 30, 2015 Withdrawal Symptoms: depression, nausea, dizziness, trouble sleeping (not as bad as insomnia) Reinstated at 10 mg: July 15, 2015 Link to comment
Moderator brassmonkey Posted July 24, 2015 Moderator Share Posted July 24, 2015 (edited) Hi Kaye-- I don't know if you have had a look at this thread but it will give you a bunch of good info on making your own liquid; How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules Edited July 24, 2015 by Altostrata fixed link 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus areyouthere Posted July 25, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 25, 2015 I figured I'd try the 7.5. How I figured it before: I put a 50 mg tablet of Zoloft in a bottle of water (16.9 fl oz). I then converted the fl oz to ml (because my measuring cup is in ml) and then divided by five to know how much to take each day. So...I can figure out how to get to 5 mg (divide by ten instead, right?) but not really 7.5 unless for some wacky reason that divides evenly into 50. Any help with math is much appreciated I teach English. It's like my kryptonite! OK. I'm a little confused. What, exactly, are you using to measure the water? The measuring cup or the "bottle of water". ? Fall 1995 xanax, zoloft. switched to Serzone 1996- spring 2003serzone/ xanax/ lightbox. b]Fall 2003- Fall 2004? Lexapro 10 mg. Light box /4 mg. xanax.[/b] 2004 - Fall of 2009 10 mg Lex, 150 mg Wellbutrin XL % 4 mg xanax November 2009- Sept. 2011 10 mg lex., 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax [/b Sept.2012- July 2012 20 mg Lex 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax My mantra " go slow & with the flow " 3/2/13.. Began equal dosing 5 Xs /day xanax, while simultaneously incorporating a 2.5 % drop ( from 3.5 mg/day to 3.4 mg/day) 4/6/13 dropped from 300 mg. Wellbutrin XL to 150 mg. Difficult but DONE! Down to 3.3 mg xanax/ day / 6/10/13 3 mg xanax/day; 7/15/2013 2.88mg xanax/day. 10/ 1/2013...... 2.5 mg xanax… ( switched to tablets again) WOO HOO!!!!!! Holding here… cont. with Lexapro. 1/ 2/2014.. tapered to 18mg ( by weight) of a 26 mg ( by weight) pill of 20 mg tab. lexapro. goal is 13mg (by weight OR 10 mg by ingredient content) and STOPPED. Feeling very down with unbalanced, unpredictable WD symptoms. 1/2/2014- ??? Taking a brain-healing break from tapering anything after actively tapering something for 1.5 years. So… daily doses as of 2/2/2014: 18 mg by weight Lex, 150 mg Well. XL, 2.5 mg xanax, down from 26 mg by weight Lex., 300 mg well. XL, 4 mg xanax in August, 2012. I'll take it. 5/8/14 started equivalent dose liquid./ tabs. 5/13/14 1.5 % cut. Link to comment
Kaye Posted July 25, 2015 Author Share Posted July 25, 2015 I use the cup to measure how much to take. I dilute the pill in the bottle of water because that is what is easiest for me. 2002-2004: Zoloft. I was a teenager and I don't remember the dose. Had no problem going off.2011-2013: Paxil. 30-50 mg. Experienced short-term withdrawal at least three times. Symptoms: depression, insomnia, nausea, dizziness 2014-2015: Zoloft, 100-150 mg. Never stopped taking. Started tapering from Zoloft: May 1, 2015 --No assistance from physician-- Last pill taken: June 30, 2015 Withdrawal Symptoms: depression, nausea, dizziness, trouble sleeping (not as bad as insomnia) Reinstated at 10 mg: July 15, 2015 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus areyouthere Posted July 25, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 25, 2015 OK. So you measure the amount of water to use to make for your solution by using a cup that is graduated by milliliters? You put that measured water into a bottle that has the pill , stir it up & THEN take your dose? Sorry... Just trying to help! Fall 1995 xanax, zoloft. switched to Serzone 1996- spring 2003serzone/ xanax/ lightbox. b]Fall 2003- Fall 2004? Lexapro 10 mg. Light box /4 mg. xanax.[/b] 2004 - Fall of 2009 10 mg Lex, 150 mg Wellbutrin XL % 4 mg xanax November 2009- Sept. 2011 10 mg lex., 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax [/b Sept.2012- July 2012 20 mg Lex 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax My mantra " go slow & with the flow " 3/2/13.. Began equal dosing 5 Xs /day xanax, while simultaneously incorporating a 2.5 % drop ( from 3.5 mg/day to 3.4 mg/day) 4/6/13 dropped from 300 mg. Wellbutrin XL to 150 mg. Difficult but DONE! Down to 3.3 mg xanax/ day / 6/10/13 3 mg xanax/day; 7/15/2013 2.88mg xanax/day. 10/ 1/2013...... 2.5 mg xanax… ( switched to tablets again) WOO HOO!!!!!! Holding here… cont. with Lexapro. 1/ 2/2014.. tapered to 18mg ( by weight) of a 26 mg ( by weight) pill of 20 mg tab. lexapro. goal is 13mg (by weight OR 10 mg by ingredient content) and STOPPED. Feeling very down with unbalanced, unpredictable WD symptoms. 1/2/2014- ??? Taking a brain-healing break from tapering anything after actively tapering something for 1.5 years. So… daily doses as of 2/2/2014: 18 mg by weight Lex, 150 mg Well. XL, 2.5 mg xanax, down from 26 mg by weight Lex., 300 mg well. XL, 4 mg xanax in August, 2012. I'll take it. 5/8/14 started equivalent dose liquid./ tabs. 5/13/14 1.5 % cut. Link to comment
Kaye Posted July 26, 2015 Author Share Posted July 26, 2015 Haha, it's okay! I put a 50 mg tablet into a regular bottle of water (16.9 fl, it's Deer Park). I divide the 16.9 fl oz by 5 (to get a 10 mg dose) and then convert that to ml because that is how I measure out the dose (one of those caps you get with nyquil). So, the (hopefully correct) math looks like:16.9 / 5 = 3.38 fl oz Convert 3.38 fl oz to ml 3.38 fl oz = 99.96 ml I just round that up to 100 ml and I take that as my dose. The 50 mg tablet is just dissolved in the bottle of water. 2002-2004: Zoloft. I was a teenager and I don't remember the dose. Had no problem going off.2011-2013: Paxil. 30-50 mg. Experienced short-term withdrawal at least three times. Symptoms: depression, insomnia, nausea, dizziness 2014-2015: Zoloft, 100-150 mg. Never stopped taking. Started tapering from Zoloft: May 1, 2015 --No assistance from physician-- Last pill taken: June 30, 2015 Withdrawal Symptoms: depression, nausea, dizziness, trouble sleeping (not as bad as insomnia) Reinstated at 10 mg: July 15, 2015 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus areyouthere Posted July 26, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 26, 2015 Yes... your math is correct!! So you're taking 10 mg. per day? How are you feeling, Kaye? RU Fall 1995 xanax, zoloft. switched to Serzone 1996- spring 2003serzone/ xanax/ lightbox. b]Fall 2003- Fall 2004? Lexapro 10 mg. Light box /4 mg. xanax.[/b] 2004 - Fall of 2009 10 mg Lex, 150 mg Wellbutrin XL % 4 mg xanax November 2009- Sept. 2011 10 mg lex., 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax [/b Sept.2012- July 2012 20 mg Lex 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax My mantra " go slow & with the flow " 3/2/13.. Began equal dosing 5 Xs /day xanax, while simultaneously incorporating a 2.5 % drop ( from 3.5 mg/day to 3.4 mg/day) 4/6/13 dropped from 300 mg. Wellbutrin XL to 150 mg. Difficult but DONE! Down to 3.3 mg xanax/ day / 6/10/13 3 mg xanax/day; 7/15/2013 2.88mg xanax/day. 10/ 1/2013...... 2.5 mg xanax… ( switched to tablets again) WOO HOO!!!!!! Holding here… cont. with Lexapro. 1/ 2/2014.. tapered to 18mg ( by weight) of a 26 mg ( by weight) pill of 20 mg tab. lexapro. goal is 13mg (by weight OR 10 mg by ingredient content) and STOPPED. Feeling very down with unbalanced, unpredictable WD symptoms. 1/2/2014- ??? Taking a brain-healing break from tapering anything after actively tapering something for 1.5 years. So… daily doses as of 2/2/2014: 18 mg by weight Lex, 150 mg Well. XL, 2.5 mg xanax, down from 26 mg by weight Lex., 300 mg well. XL, 4 mg xanax in August, 2012. I'll take it. 5/8/14 started equivalent dose liquid./ tabs. 5/13/14 1.5 % cut. Link to comment
Kaye Posted July 26, 2015 Author Share Posted July 26, 2015 Better! Actually, I recently started taking 5 mg (suggested here!) to cope with the nausea I was getting. I'm think it's helping so far! 2002-2004: Zoloft. I was a teenager and I don't remember the dose. Had no problem going off.2011-2013: Paxil. 30-50 mg. Experienced short-term withdrawal at least three times. Symptoms: depression, insomnia, nausea, dizziness 2014-2015: Zoloft, 100-150 mg. Never stopped taking. Started tapering from Zoloft: May 1, 2015 --No assistance from physician-- Last pill taken: June 30, 2015 Withdrawal Symptoms: depression, nausea, dizziness, trouble sleeping (not as bad as insomnia) Reinstated at 10 mg: July 15, 2015 Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted July 27, 2015 Administrator Share Posted July 27, 2015 Good to hear. How long have you been taking 5mg? 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
Kaye Posted July 28, 2015 Author Share Posted July 28, 2015 Four or five days. I also started taking it at night. It seems to help with the nausea. 2002-2004: Zoloft. I was a teenager and I don't remember the dose. Had no problem going off.2011-2013: Paxil. 30-50 mg. Experienced short-term withdrawal at least three times. Symptoms: depression, insomnia, nausea, dizziness 2014-2015: Zoloft, 100-150 mg. Never stopped taking. Started tapering from Zoloft: May 1, 2015 --No assistance from physician-- Last pill taken: June 30, 2015 Withdrawal Symptoms: depression, nausea, dizziness, trouble sleeping (not as bad as insomnia) Reinstated at 10 mg: July 15, 2015 Link to comment
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