Search the Community

This update is in reply to the Go2Zero inquiry regarding my progress …he asked about it a year ago. My apologies to Go2Zero for not responding sooner – but I’ve been through Hell and back. Today, February 14, 2024, my dosage stands at 4.5 mg. I began with a 300 mg dosage back in November 2018. I’ve been tapering at a rate of 7%. 45-mg to 30-mg Tapering Range I vividly recall the time when my dosage was in the 30-mg range. To give you some context, I come from a highly toxic family background, where my early life trauma was never addressed. However, during the tapering phase between 45-mg and 30-mg, it felt as though I was awakening from a chemical lobotomy. That period marked the beginning of my realization of the trauma, neglect, and abuse I had endured. While I'll spare you the specifics, it was profoundly challenging, to the extent that I sought out a therapist to help me work through these issues. The majority of therapists I've met throughout my life were not helpful, except one who assisted me in discussing my family of origin trauma. Unfortunately, she relocated to another state. Following her departure, the subsequent therapists (Big Pharma's prison guards, I call them) I consulted failed to acknowledge that it takes years to discontinue antidepressants SAFELY. Moreover, they attributed the withdrawal symptoms I faced with each tapering attempt to a resurgence of my 'depression' rather than recognizing them as part of the withdrawal process. Since when does a migraine, so severe it makes me wish for death, actually indicate my 'depression' is returning? At 45-mg to 30-mg, the flashbacks were horrific, bringing to light numerous unresolved issues, especially since my parents had passed away. I felt manipulated into looking after them in their old age, dedicating thirteen years of my life to their care, only to be disinherited. It was later that I truly came to understand the depth of their cruelty, realizing they were my abusers who deliberately undermined my potential for personal growth and survival. With their passing, I was left again to deal with the aftermath of their actions, facing the challenge of cleaning up the mess they left behind. Journaling has helped with overcoming emotional spirals and ruination. I also started working with a personal trainer and focused on exercise during this period. Throughout my tapering journey, I had an unexplained craving for sweets. My trainer suggested tracking my diet on Cronometer because it monitors nutrient intake. This exercise led to a revelation: I was under-eating. Growing up in poverty, where ketchup served as spaghetti sauce and breakfast often meant boxed pancakes mixed with water, under-eating had been a constant in my life. This deficiency led me to crave sweets. However, my cravings for sweets disappeared once I adjusted my diet to ensure I consumed enough food to meet my nutrient requirements, supplementing it with vitamin D, magnesium, potassium, fish oil, B12, and calcium. I use nutritional yeast to get my B vitamins, but I discovered that B supplements activate my symptoms. I struggled to find information specifically on how nutrition could aid in tapering off antidepressants, so I turned my focus to nutrition in addiction recovery. Through my research, I discovered that professionals in addiction recovery are quite familiar with the nutritional challenges faced by individuals tapering off drugs. According to one article, 'Addiction can lead to diet-related problems such as hypoglycemia, adrenal fatigue, allergies, and digestive issues.' This statement (code word addiction in actuality means the drug itself and/or its tapering) essentially results in these health complications, highlighting the importance of addressing nutritional needs during the tapering process. I discovered that I must cook every single meal I eat because gluten, refined sugars, dairy, and MSG make my symptoms worse. Growing up, my dietary habits aligned with those that Dr. Barbara Reed Stitt, see reference below, suggests can predispose individuals to 'addiction' (IMHO, my eating habits made me a candidate for future antidepressant use). These are the eating patterns I recognized and needed to modify during my tapering process: Skipping breakfast – I had to eat a high-protein breakfast. A high sugar intake and refined carbohydrates – I had to cut out everything, including fruit, except blueberries. Frequent consumption of processed foods – Now, I cook everything I eat. Insufficient protein intake, fresh fruits, and vegetables - needless to say, I often go to the store, and eggs are my new best buddies! High consumption of milk - I can't drink milk. Adjusting these habits was crucial for supporting my journey away from antidepressants and improving my overall health. Reference: https://mhof.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Nutrition_in_Addiction_Recovery.pdf As I progress to lower doses, I've observed that my periods of stabilization, or "holding," need to be extended. I must maintain each dose for at least 63 days at these reduced levels before attempting further reduction. Question: why is it harder to taper at lower doses? Is Bupropion like traditional antidepressants? I didn't think so, but am I wrong? This is what I understand: Tapering off antidepressants like Bupropion becomes more challenging at lower doses for several reasons, and this phenomenon is not unique to Bupropion but is common across many psychiatric medications, including traditional antidepressants. Pharmacokinetics: As the dose decreases, the relative change in dosage represents a larger percentage of the total dose. For instance, reducing from 300 mg to 150 mg is a 50% reduction, whereas going from 6 mg to 3 mg is also a 50% reduction but might have a more pronounced effect on the body because the drug’s presence is much less, to begin with. Brain Sensitivity: The brain adjusts to the presence of the medication over time, a process known as neuroadaptation. Even small reductions can significantly change neurotransmitter activity at lower doses. Bupropion specifically affects dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, which may become more sensitive to changes as the dosage is reduced. Non-linear Pharmacodynamics: The relationship between the dose of a medication and its effect on the body is not always linear. For some medications, including antidepressants, the effects at lower doses can change in unexpected ways. This can mean that a small decrease in dose can lead to disproportionately large changes in drug action. Withdrawal Symptoms: Withdrawal symptoms can become more pronounced at lower doses due to the body's increased sensitivity to changes in medication levels. This is especially true for drugs the body has become dependent on for maintaining neurotransmitter balance. Additionally, I've noticed that encountering a cold or infection significantly impacts my ability to taper. Under these conditions, the withdrawal symptoms intensify to such an extent that I'm compelled to temporarily reinstate my previous dose for about a week to manage. Understanding that Bupropion functions similarly to a stimulant, I've learned to avoid any substances that might have a stimulating effect as they exacerbate my condition. Staying hydrated has become a pivotal aspect of my routine. Consuming a diet rich in green vegetables has been particularly beneficial in maintaining hydration and numerous other health benefits. Wellbutrin Withdrawal, Bupropion Tapering Help, Side Effects & Alternatives | Alternative to Meds. - Alternative to Meds Center This video might be helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9tZZ6-YSwc&t=523s

ADMIN NOTE Also see Injured by True Hope Truehope's EmpowerPlus vs an ordinary multivitamin Brain scans - fMRI, QEEG, PET, or SPECT - for psychiatric problems Genetic testing: "Personalized medicine," liver enzymes, genotypes, GeneSightRx, Genomind, etc. Alternative to Meds Center (ATMC) in Sedona, Arizona? Is there anyone out there that has tried the True Hope program? Has anyone had success on it and what were your experiences? I am currently on it but went off the drugs much too quickly.

I am only 12 clean; are we calling it clean? This is the 5th time I have gotten off of an anti-depressant; Lexapro. The first 4 times was Celexa. All I ever took was Celexa until 16 months ago when I started Lexapro. In the past, with Celexa, I weaned for a year. No reading about weaning and no direction with a doctor. Just me thinking I needed a year. But this time I came off in only 2 months unfortunately. Because thats what the doctor told me to do and I wanted to get pregnant. I am 37 and my first son is 7. They are far enough apart already. But I am no longer ready to have a child at this moment. And after reading all these post about the horrible withdrawal that comes in waves and can last a long time, I am a bit nervous about trying at all. I dont know what to expect and Id hate to find out the hard way. Knowing about the waves does give me some relief. Had I known about them, I would have tried to stick it out in the past; saw them as the normal healing process. However, as soon as times get hard, I wanted the only life I ever knew, which is a life on Celexa. I wonder how much of this is withdrawal anxiety and how much of what we experience is "fear of the unknown". It feels like I am going into a gun fight without a gun. I havent been doing life without Celexa, my whole life. I was put on Celexa when I spent a summer depressed from a heart break and group of "mean girls". Now dont get me wrong, I am a sensitive, free spirit so women like me are often medicated. But I find that I take after my mom and am a very positive little bee but I also take after my dad and can think too much and worry. My parents are complete opposites and I got some of both. However I have no family history of mental health issues other than my grandfather being a racist, mean, angry piece of crap. Who knows what he would have been diagnosed with during these times. I was never allowed to meet him. Anyways, I wake up with anxiety. I wake up wondering how each day is going to go, not being on medicine. What scares me is that even though i only tapered over 2 months, it has been slightly easier than the other times which took 12 months. I don't know if it makes a difference but I live a much healthier lifestyle than I did before. I have been taking ALOT of magnesium. From what I read, we lose magnesium when we are stressed. And I knew tapering would be extremely stressful and I was experiencing alot of anxiety so I loaded up. I also have been cleansing my gut this past year with herbs and a special pro-biotic made for mental health. Did you know studies have shown that people without mental health issues have microbiota in their gut that people with mental health issues don't have?! So now they have probiotics that contain those microbiota. How cool! At least they are trying to figure it out! I am a bi of a science nerd. I also try to eat mostly whole foods. I eat a crap ton of high antioxidant foods. I don't often eat gluten, dairy or added sugar because I read it causes inflammation and who needs that! I also take Juice Plus which is just fruits and vegetables juiced down and then ground down into powder and put into a capsule. Its a sneaky way for your body to think you are eating tons of fruits and vegetables, which I still do. Anyways, my point is is that I am alot nicer to my body than I ever was before. And I am hoping it helps. Taking medicine daily at such a long age really made me feel out of control. But make good healthy decisions helped me gain some control back. My therapist told me that part of my problem is that my antidepressant was also my "teddy bear" or "baby blanket". It made me feel safe. And she is 100% right. After I had my son, I was so anxious, I couldn't sleep. And after I got back on Celexa, I started sleeping 3 days later. And I know it didn't help that fast but just the thought that I was taking it, made me feel better. And often times, when heading into a stressful situation, I would think, "Its ok. My antidepressants will get me through it". But now I don't have it. And now I am reading about so many people that go through such hard times after they get off. And it makes sense. I have been on it since I was 14!!!! I am 37 now!! Thats a long time. I did get off of it for about 3 years and those were the best 3 years of my life. I had anxiety but would laugh at it. I never got depressed. But 3 years later, I all of a sudden had a little mini panic attack and then stopped sleeping. I asked the doctor to put me back on Celexa and I asked for Xanax to help me sleep until the Celexa kicked in. I hadn't taken Xanax before but I heard it would help. Only took it for a month but I quickly got dependent on it because when I ran out, I stopped sleeping again and had a panic attack which caused me to go to the hospital. There they convinced me to stay so that they could get me to sleep! Well, if you cant sleep at home, you aint sleeping in a psychiatric ward. And it was an awful experience. Being told you cant leave and are basically locked up are incredibly traumatizing. This past year, I learned that the insomnia and nervousness started the week after I got shots of Steroids in my back and is often a side effect of Steroids for some people. Maybe if I had known that, maybe I would have been able to get through it and maybe I would be able to say I have been off of antidepressants for 6 years. Oh well, we live, and we learn. And we hope to teach others about our mistakes so that they don't make more. I believe people can be depressed for many reasons. Trauma, vitamin deficiencies, lake of exercise, poor diet, lifestyle, drug or alcohol use, etc. And I think their are many things to change or fix before resorting to medication but that is not the way the world works right now. 14 was young to be medicated but I know they are medicating children much younger than that now and that sucks. If all else fails, and ones quality of life is awful than thank goodness for medication! Thank goodness!!! BUT, it shouldn't be the first go to, like I know it is. So I am scared of the unknown. I am terrified. I am sad I didn't give my son a sibling because his mom couldn't on medicine. Id really like to do that for him. We just learned he will never have a cousin. I love him so much and want to give him more family and I want to mother another child. But like I said, after reading yalls post, I am wondering if that is a good idea because I don't know what is in store with me in the withdrawal process. Only time well tell, but I don't have that time of time.

Awhile back JanCarol asked me what I was going to do if tapering lithium didn't work. It hasn't been disastrous, but I am really stuck. I am thinking about going to Mensah Medical in the Chicago area. Has anyone related to them? The two doctors there were part of the Pheiffer Institute which closed. Dr. Walsh was head of the Institute and now heads the Walsh Institute, which does research into the biochemical basis of mental illness (this whole post may need to be deleted) and educates physicians on nutrient therapies. The Mensah Medical docs are the clinical people. The website mensahmedical.com has a resources page, if you can get it to come up with lots of resources, they are really interesting. Sadly, I am not nearly smart enough to know if the theories are true. My sister has been going to a very expensive integrative doc for about four years. I think he has been doing these concepts (she isn't quite as fascinated as me, lol). Anyway, he pronounced her ready to go off Prozac after seventeen years of therapy with a two-week taper...and so far she is fine. I'm not jealous at all .

After speaking on the phone to the practice manager of the health centre of our town, she passed me her email (not available on website, by the way - it does not seem to encourage emails, surprise, surprise) and, apparently sympathetic and understanding, she agreed to circulate this link among our GPs. I have been using this health centre since 1978. Currently, and for the last couple of years, my GP is supporting my attempted tapering down of the beast that is Effexor. Our GPs are mostly very good to us, but, it is clear to me, that they are firefighting and do not have the resources available to get people like us, support from, say, nutritionists and other potentially useful therapists. Nor do they have the lived experience so many of us have acquired. Here's hoping actions like this can someday help other desperate, suffering folks. At almost 73 I am not at my peak, but if even I can do this, perhaps many others can, too - maybe we can help turn the tide? I have to confirm at this point that I am only doing this after gaining knowledge myself, through research, and that includes visiting the wonderful survivingantidepressants.org site, its admirable moderators, leader and fellow sufferers. http://cepuk.org/2018/03/01/royal-college-psychiatrists-challenged-burying-inconvenient-antidepressant-data/

Hi, I watched a documentary a few years ago called 'Food Matters' that talked about taking vitamins for nutrition (http://documentarylovers.com/film/food-matters/). Not only did it talk about Nutrition, but it talked about the work of Abram Hoffer (who I think might or might not have been a Nobel prize winner) and his work with Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3. In this documentary and other Google+ webinars Andrew Saul talks about using high doses of Niacin for dealing with depression and schizophrenia amongst many other conditions. The documentary also mentions that Abram Hoffer lived to his 90's and that he claimed it to be because of his 40years on Niacin. In another Webinar by Andrew Saul on Youtube called '6 Proven Ways to Improve Your Health', he says that high doses of Vitamin C (in the 10's of thousands of milligrams -[way beyond the dose recommended by the RDA]) was a good treatment for treating various different diseases like Polio, Pneumonia, Cardiovascular disease, Dyptheria, Cancer etc etc. Andrew Saul also has a website that he claims is peer reviewed called: http://www.doctoryourself.com/. On the sites page for depression it says that 'Depression is the most frequently searched-for topic at DoctorYourself.com' (http://www.doctoryourself.com/depression.html). So this got me thinking and wanting to ask the question here, has anyone on this website Surviving Antidepressants tried to use Andrew Sauls websites, books or videos to attempt to deal with depression/anxiety/schizophrenia or to cope with coming off their antidepressants? Also I was wondering, does anyone have any experience with taking high doses of Niacin/Vitamin C or any other vitamins (as recommended by Andrew Saul .Phd) in coping with depression or tapering anti-depressants?