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Interesting subtopic, Nelly!

I find the research on neuroplasticity encouraging, and I use a number of energy psychology techniques to bring down or eliminate the emotional charge from people and situations.

 

Logosynthesis and the cortices technique are daily practices, supplemented with EFT and hook-ups (from Brain Gym) as needed.

3/2018: 10mg/day escalitopram; 10/19/18: blood tests revealed mild hypothyroidism & higher than normal cholesterol, so decided to discontinue by tapering off & reduced to 5mg/day; 11/11/18: reduced to approx. 2.5mg/day (inexact since using pill splitter). Resumed long-discontinued Solgar cal/mag/zinc but the exhaustion came back so will try to cut dosage. Taking a plethora of vits/minerals for many years; wondering whether some of what I'm on is causing the exhaustion that came on 3.5 yrs ago w/broken foot & never left. Discontinued 12/2/18. Each step down. Took 3 weeks to stabilize enough for next stage. A month out from discontinuation, I am symptom free except for occasional cognitive fog, and intermittent muscle soreness. 6 weeks out (1/19/19), feeling pretty good, a bit active bowel still and gym stamina back to 80% pre-medication levels.

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  • 3 months later...

Irene Lyons is an expert on the nervous system and neuroplasticity.  Her life's work is to help everyone regulate our nervous systems.  Her podcasts are very watchable.  l find understanding my physiology helps me as well working on building my capacity for healthy stress (before trying to process old traumas) and grounding techniques.  A good podcast to start with is: https://youtu.be/DvVp9fXhAAk

MissyE x

MissyE

2008 Dec-Feb 2009 GP diazipam; Dec-Jun 2009 fluoxetine. 2010 Jan citalopram approx 4 weeks, Jan- Aug fluox, Oct-Jun 2011 paroxetine; Aug - Dec venlafaxine 37.5mg - 75mg. 2012 Mar-Jul reinstate ven 150mg; Aug swap to fluox 40mg (preg) - Mar 2013  reinstate ven 150mg. 2015 Nov swap to fluox 40mg (preg) Dec suicidal reinstated ven 300mg

2018 Jan ven "pooped" buspirone added/stopped; pentagablin added; March pent stopped & ven taper - 0 June; August betablockers started/ stopped; September mirtazapine 15mg and diazepam 2mg started/stopped; October ven 300mg reinstated. 

2019 Jan psychiatrist added mirt 15mg (aiming for "California rocket fuel" therapeutic dose).  No more meds: gradual taper mirt Feb-April (taken for < 3 weeks).

Commenced ven taper 5-10% 6-10 weekly 2019 April - Nov: 225mg.  Tapering 8 weekly in alignment with menstrual cycle 2020 Jan 212.5mg; Mar 200mg; Jun 187.5mg hold

Oct all meds stopped sectioned under mental health act psychosis olanzapine 20mg PRN lorazepam

Dec 600mg lithium 15mg olanzapine

1-2g omega 3 & 400ug folic acid

2 puffs pulmicort inhaler.

This too shall pass.

 

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  • 3 months later...

Hello Everybody!

 

I found an anonymous case study on the web about reducing and eliminating anxiety/panic attack. I think it might be quite interesting for anyone who suffers from these symthomps.

 

http://nothingworks.weebly.com/

For my background story, see the about me section!

 

Current medication:

9 am Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Stimuloton (sertraline) 100 mg

9 pm Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg

 

Xanax SR (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: August 2020, Stimulotone (sertraline) 100 mg restarted: August 2020, Xanax (alprazolam) 1 mg, started: October 2020 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay.  Lyrica (pregabalin) 75 mg, started: November 2020

Trittico (tradozone) 50 mg, started with 100 mg, Feb 2021 with a 3 months break taken away during a hospital stay. Kwentiax (Quetiapine) 50 mg, started March 2021 Xanax (alprazolam) 2 X 0.25 mg, started: some days ago, stopped 27/08/2021

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I've just discovered something which might be good as a distraction.

 

Squishing Play Doh around in your hands.

 

I bought some yesterday after seeing my physiotherapist and finding out that I have lost some muscle mass in my thumbs because I haven't been using them much after developing trigger thumbs (caused by pressure at base of thumbs from using walking stick).

 

Apart from it being beneficial for my issue, I like the sensation of playing with it in my hands.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

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

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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I have found it essential to find ways to be able to be by myself and allow the pain to be there that is associated with withdrawals and recovery while I go do the things I want to build and grow in my life. Obviously the symptoms of withdrawal can really put us down and out mentally and physically. I have found it most useful to learn skills and tools to not ruminate on fixing the problem. That just seems to make it worse and recovery slower.

 

There is a guy that recovered from all kinds of disorders that he no longer has issues with. Although he never took medication, he learned the skills to progress past the issues he was having of Anxiety, depression, OCD, DP/DR etc. He no longer suffers with any of those conditions. I have found the mental workouts that he suggests are very helpful in recovering with the symptoms of withdrawal. His book is called, "You Are Not A Rock". I would recommend this book to all the individuals on this forum. His focus is all about recovering and leaving it all behind instead of just managing poor mental health the rest of our lives we can truly recover and leave it all behind.

 

I would love to talk with anyone that has questions on it. It has been a major support for me on my journey of recovery.

Fluoxetine 10 mg for 2 months

Fluoxetine 25mg for 4 years

Fluoxetine 10 mg for a few months

Fluoxetine zero

Brain zaps

Back up to Fluoxetine 10mg

Zero Fluoxetine for 4 months - After 4 months extreme withdrawal symptoms surfaced

Sertraline 25 mg for 4 weeks - couldn't stabilize. 

Fluoxetine 10mg then 5mg 2 weeks couldn't stabilize

Fluoxetine zero - Experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms since 4/2021

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  • 2 months later...
On 12/16/2021 at 9:06 AM, ChessieCat said:

Squishing Play Doh around in your hands.

 

I bought some yesterday after seeing my physiotherapist and finding out that I have lost some muscle mass in my thumbs because I haven't been using them much after developing trigger thumbs (caused by pressure at base of thumbs from using walking stick).

 

Apart from it being beneficial for my issue, I like the sensation of playing with it in my hands.

 

I had a teacher who always held a few chestnuts in one hand during his lectures. He would play with them and sort of "knead" them as he was talking. I learned later that it was to deal with his anxiety.

 

This thread has some truly great advice, thank you to everyone who contributed !

I found that for me, right now, it works really well to do some sort of housework, like folding the laundry. It makes me more focused and less self centered. I might try to also wash dishes but when I'm really anxious, I'm worried I might break some...

Pottery sounds very appealing to me, I might try that. Although I don't have the material. Maybe I could take a class or something.

 

One thing I use sometimes is an acupressure mat my mom gave me. It's made of hundred of tiny plastic points. (picture attached). You lie on it and it sorts of stimulate your back. I find it very soothing even if the effects don't always last as long as I wish. Still, it's helpful. I have a friend who cured her insomnia by using it every night. I found out it's quite expensive (didn't know as it was a gift), but there is also a pillow version that is cheaper.

 

 

https://lesdenicheurs.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/51gk4r1PrVL.jpg

 

December 2020 : got prescribed 20 mg paroxetine (paxil) for an anxiety disorder

Tried tapering in July 2021 by taking 20 mg every other day and failed.

 

Started tapering with the 10% method in January 2022 and switched to an oral suspension. 20 mg = 10 ml

Turned out to be a bit hard. Continuing with 5% drops approx.

 

25 January 2022 : 9 ml / 24 February 2022 : 8,1 ml / 06 April 2022 : 7,3 ml / 2 June 2022 : 7 ml / 11 July 2022 : 6,5 ml / 09 August 2022 : 6,3 ml / 26 August 2022 : 6 ml / 18 Septembre 2022 : 5,8 ml / 17 December 2022 : 5,7 ml / 04 January 2023 : 5,6 / 17 January 2023 : 5,5

 

Xanax from december 2020 to January 2021 / Omeprazol on and off for GERD since december 2020 : 20 mg / Birth control pill since february 2021.

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Earlier I posted some videos about vagus nerve exercises for anxiety, sleep, and depression. I think it may have been better to post it here.

 

I have also found that using an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the back of my neck for 15 minutes in the morning has a significant calming effect. I lay on my couch with my head on a pillow with the ice pack on the back of my neck and do 4 sec in / 6 sec out deep breathing. It's very calming. Here is a link on this.

 

https://www.longcounseling.org/post/relieving-anxiety-by-icing-your-vagus-nerve

 

Current Psychiatric Medications

  1. Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present
  2. Carbamazepine IR  190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering)

Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021   Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary)

Current Non Psychiatric Medications Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray

Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals

Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf

Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

@FeralCatman

 

You're absolutely right, I do the vagus nerve exercises as well, they are quite effective. And I also freeze wet towels in a U shape, that I then put in the back of my neck. It's been a lifesaver during the heatwave we had this summer. And quite relaxing also, I agree.

December 2020 : got prescribed 20 mg paroxetine (paxil) for an anxiety disorder

Tried tapering in July 2021 by taking 20 mg every other day and failed.

 

Started tapering with the 10% method in January 2022 and switched to an oral suspension. 20 mg = 10 ml

Turned out to be a bit hard. Continuing with 5% drops approx.

 

25 January 2022 : 9 ml / 24 February 2022 : 8,1 ml / 06 April 2022 : 7,3 ml / 2 June 2022 : 7 ml / 11 July 2022 : 6,5 ml / 09 August 2022 : 6,3 ml / 26 August 2022 : 6 ml / 18 Septembre 2022 : 5,8 ml / 17 December 2022 : 5,7 ml / 04 January 2023 : 5,6 / 17 January 2023 : 5,5

 

Xanax from december 2020 to January 2021 / Omeprazol on and off for GERD since december 2020 : 20 mg / Birth control pill since february 2021.

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  • 2 months later...

Three things that help me:

 

Vagus nerve massage

 

Donna Eden's Daily Energy Routine

 

Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping) https://thetappingsolution.app.link/GetTSApp 

venlafaxine 2001? to Aug 15, 2022 (up to 225 mg, quit cold turkey at 37.5 mg)

fluoxetine 2015 to Aug 15, 2022 (quit cold turkey at 20 mg)

lamotrigine 2005? to 2021? don't remember dosage

hydroxyzine Dec 2022 to mid-Apr 2023 50 mg

hydroxyzine 25 mg started on May 16, 2023

lithium first week of January 2023 don't remember dosage 

risperidone 2011 to present (up to 2 mg, now at 0.75 mg, not currently tapering)

lorazepam Sept 2021 to present 1 mg

 

 

 

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Has anyone used to Linden method and had success? 
 

I just purchased it yesterday and I’m going through the first modules. It promises a cure, which sounds too good to be true. 

**all dosages are of Escitalopram**

April 2009:  20mg • Dec 2012- Feb 2014: quit no WD! • Feb 2014-2019: 20mg • April 2019: taper failed at 5mg severe physical withdrawal symptoms • Apr 2019-July 2020: 10mg  • July 2020-Jan 2022: 20mg ->  Feb 2022: 17.5 mg  Mar 2022: 15 mg Apr 2022: 12.5 mg  May 2022: 10 mg  June 2022: 10 mg  July 2022: 7.5 mg

 Aug 2022: 5mg first 4 weeks then down to  2.5mg- severe dizziness after 3-4days so I stopped taking the drug completely on September 1, 2022 • night terrors started sept 5, 2022 • cannabis QUIT Nov 17, 2022 
**reinstatement **

sept 9- 1mg escitalopram

oct 7 - 0.9mg

nov 13 - 0.8mg - severe panic attack-hospitalized
**reinstatement **

nov 17 -1mg escitalopram 2mg abilify, 2mg Diazepam

Dec 5- 2.5mg escitalopram

dec 14- 5mg escitalopram - 0 mg Abilify 

dec 16- 0mg diazepam

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  • 3 weeks later...
On 12/6/2022 at 8:35 AM, Withdrawingcipralex said:

Has anyone used to Linden method and had success? 
 

I just purchased it yesterday and I’m going through the first modules. It promises a cure, which sounds too good to be true. 


I feel information is inaccurate and dangerous even… he claims you can’t have anxiety and depression at the same time which is complete nonsense. 
 

The method is to develop a routine where you stay occupied every waking moment. Routine is great but this is not a cure as they claim. 

**all dosages are of Escitalopram**

April 2009:  20mg • Dec 2012- Feb 2014: quit no WD! • Feb 2014-2019: 20mg • April 2019: taper failed at 5mg severe physical withdrawal symptoms • Apr 2019-July 2020: 10mg  • July 2020-Jan 2022: 20mg ->  Feb 2022: 17.5 mg  Mar 2022: 15 mg Apr 2022: 12.5 mg  May 2022: 10 mg  June 2022: 10 mg  July 2022: 7.5 mg

 Aug 2022: 5mg first 4 weeks then down to  2.5mg- severe dizziness after 3-4days so I stopped taking the drug completely on September 1, 2022 • night terrors started sept 5, 2022 • cannabis QUIT Nov 17, 2022 
**reinstatement **

sept 9- 1mg escitalopram

oct 7 - 0.9mg

nov 13 - 0.8mg - severe panic attack-hospitalized
**reinstatement **

nov 17 -1mg escitalopram 2mg abilify, 2mg Diazepam

Dec 5- 2.5mg escitalopram

dec 14- 5mg escitalopram - 0 mg Abilify 

dec 16- 0mg diazepam

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