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Sunset304 Amitriptyline tapering vs continuing benzo taper


Sunset304

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First I apologize ahead of this is worded awkwardly as I'm not in the best of places. Was tapering K until major abdominal surgery Sept 2014. Developed a near fatal spinal infection from surgery then had to taper off three narcotics from that and then baclofen. Two weeks after baclofen wd ending I cut on the bz taking me to 1.375 of K. (Start dose was 12mg K as of 2011) A few weeks later I cut K again in a small cut. I had to go back up to 1.375 as I couldn't cope. Realized I'd pushed myself too hard and health was deteriorating both physically and mentally. I've been holding on cutting everything and now I have to move probably January 1 of 2015. I am alone in every respect of the word so I have to be able to look after myself. How this relates to antidepressants is that after looking at the fact I am on 100 mg of Amitrip and how it interacts with other drugs I'm on (PPI, acid blocker, thyroid and BP med) I'd pretty much decided it wud b best to get off the amitrip before finishing the benzo taper. I have been doing reading on here about tapering Amitryp and I came across something saying that one should not taper Amitryp if tapering a bz. This was not meaning both at the same time but regarding the entire process of tapering both separately. I've scoured this site and for the life of me I cannot find this info again yet I'm positive I read it. This leaves me in a quandary as to what to do... Continue the bz taper or do the Amitrip. I'm open to both of course but want to proceed safely. I am aware of all slow tapering facts so that is not the issue. The issue is which to do safely first. All this is complicated by this move. I've been holding on the last K cut for a bit over two months to regain physical strength. In this time I've yet to begin having anything close to a restorative sleep and I'm experiencing really crazy stuff I've not before in the now 5 years I've been tapering. Its reached a point I go a night without any sleep at all. The next night I'll sleep and then half the morning. I'm becoming a total wreck and I've got this move. I realize this point probably covers a ton of "issues" that perhaps need be dealt with separately but I'm unable to do so in the mindset I'm stuck in now. I feel at the point of crisis. Plainly and simply I don't know what to do. Any insight is appreciated especially in regard to whether taper bz or Amitrip given what I'm positive I read on here as to it not being wise to taper amitrip if in the middle of a bz taper. Thank you so very kindly ahead of time for any help. I'm losing hope. This has been a very lonely journey and I'm without support at all except online. Thank you again.

Edited by scallywag
tags added

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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  • Administrator

Welcome, Sunset.
 
I moved your topic here as your Introductions topic. You can track your progress off drugs in this topic and keep your questions about it in one place.
 
You are probably referring to Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first? Please read the rationale for tapering the antidepressant before the benzo carefully, and decide if it applies to you.
 
Please put ALL the drugs you take in the Drug Interactions Checker http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html and copy and paste the results in this topic.
 
What are your current symptoms from benzo tapering?
 
Off hand, if I were in your situation, given your life stressors, I'd hold on tapering the benzo and go off the PPI. Why were you prescribed it? PPIs are vastly overprescribed as though they were sugar pills and can cause a lot of problems.
 
See 

Acid Reflux

That acid reflux pill may be causing your health problems
 
Tips for tapering off stomach acid blockers or PPIs...

Once you go off the PPI, you might consider reducing the amitriptyline, see Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Tips for tapering off amitriptyline

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.

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Hi Alto. Thank you for answering so promptly. My worst bz sxs right now are this sleeping issue and high agitation and depression, the latter two I suspect worsened by the sleep issue and life stressor. I neglected to add that in between the nights I sleep I'm now going onto this dreamlike state between being awake. I've been on the PPI for many years. The psych drugs over 33 years. I have barrettes esophagus and very bad reflux. Being polypharmacied for years no doubt brought this on. I have done all the interaction checks thru drugs.com where amitriptyline showed a moderate interaction with all I'm on which is why I was looking at the amitriptyline reduction first. At one point in the last year with this infection I had to go on Cipro knowing what a terrible drug it was butvi was septic and alone without support with 8 medical persons standing at the end of my bed telling me it was the only sure chance I had. It was a big white pill. While in a confused state the pharmacy put a new shaped PPI in my dosette resembling the Cipro which I was off so I took it out. Within a week I was in hosp with GI sxs and passing out. Those passed as the hosp included the PPI I had accidentally removed. Ironically it was good I was in hosp as the spinal infection had returned (was antibiotic resistant). My point is I got so sick I'm very frightened of tapering the PPI and managing by myself.

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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Alto. I'm so sorry. I was confused. The pill I accidentally pulled out was the acid blocker not the PPI. So sorry. Very muddled up. So the PPI is in a capsule. Its called lanzoprazole. I'll read the tapering instructions on it. Thank you and again my apologies.

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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Ok I read the tapering instructions on PPIs and acid blockers which I'm on one of each. It says unless you have severe GERD. I did which is why I got Barrettes esophagus. Geez.

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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  • Administrator

You're taking both an acid blocker and a PPI? That sounds like overkill.

 

Barrett's esophagus is one of the very few defensible reasons for prescribing a PPI.

 

However, if I were you, I'd talk to a specialist about the advisability of staying on a PPI for so long. You need stomach acid for proper digestion and nutrient absorption. At this point, given your stomach acid is probably completely suppressed, you may be deficient in vitamin B12, which can cause "depression" and other neurological symptoms.

 

Please consider this: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/stomach-acid/For the majority of people, the cause of GERD is not high stomach acid but low stomach acid, combined possibly with a diet containing foods to which you are reacting.

 

A relatively benign supplement, betaine HCL (hydrochloric acid), can help digestion for people with GERD.

 

Correct, you cannot go off PPIs suddenly, you will get a rebound of stomach acid.

 

Your choice, please consider the above.

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.

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Yes I'm on both. My doc tests B12 each time I see him and its not low according to him. I can attempt to see a specialist but that will take 6 months at least to even get an initial consultation here. I did read over the link you gave me and will test for low stomach acid tomorrow as has to be done on empty stomach. I must confess I an totally overwhelmed so I'll give this reply and give understanding all this another go when and if my mind clears. Thank you again.

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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  • Administrator

Are you aware of this http://www.nature.com/gimo/contents/pt1/fig_tab/gimo54_T1.html

 

https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/releases/2013/04/esophageal-cancer-risk-vary-lifestyle-factors.html

 

Here's another alternative viewpoint on GERD. While I'm not a strong proponent of homeopathic treatment, I believe this is a good summation of lifestyle changes that can reduce the condition http://www.homeopathicmd.com/2011/05/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease/

 

To help us out, see these instructions Please put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature

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.

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  • Administrator

After doing a bit of reading, I can see the treatment of Barrett's esophagus can be complex. It sounds like your doctor is doing the proper monitoring.

 

Here is information about reducing the amitriptyline

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Tips for tapering off amitriptyline

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.

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Ok. Thank you Alto. I'm sure I still recall a note saying not to taper Amitrip with a benzo. Of course in wd any misconception is possible. I'll do more searching. I do think after doing the interaction research on drugs.com and seeing a moderate interaction with the amitrip and the other meds I'm on (wish I'd known better at the time of starting them and psych drugs) that doing the amitrip once I'm settled is probably wisest and by providing the amitrip info I'm assuming you agree. I still am concerned about (or could use some input reassurance from anyone) on this sleep issue. Its the dreamlike state I'm worried about and wondering if slerp deprivation is a serious concern. I've tried all methods and safe things to help without success. The only others r like l theanine or skull cap etc and they are gaba agonists which to my understanding could just make things worse. What a tangled Web eh? I will get to my signature soon. In this crowded brain I thought I'd done it. My apologies. Thank you again.

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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  • Administrator

Did you read Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

 

See Important topics about symptoms, including sleep problems

 

I would not worry about any "neurotransmitter" explanation attached to a supplement, most are inaccurate anyway. Use of supplements is pretty much trial and error, although many people do better with fish oil and magnesium supplements, see
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1300-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

Magnesium in particular may aid relaxation and sleep.
 

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.

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I did and I just reread it. This may b the lesser of two evils type of decision. What stands out and may have been what I tweaked on before is that tapering and AD after a benzo can be quite difficult because of the state the benzo leaves on in after. Here I'm partially off the benzo with the last cut a scarce 2 months ago. That is I think the point that concerns me. ADs r the excitatory for lack of a better word with bzs being the brakes so one shud taper the AD first and here I am somewhere in the middle.

 

Re the sleep thing I do take fish oil and magnesium. This problem of the lack of sleep worsening is fairly new. The alternating nights of sleep or literally no sleep is very new and its that almost hypnotic dream state upon awakening when I do sleep rendering me quite useless that I quite frankly find frightening. In 5 years I've come to often b able to accept and cope that way. This state is highly unpredictable and there's the feeling of lack of any control. I'm thinking the sleep deprivation may have brought this on. I will reread the article link posted.

 

Thank you again.

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Me again. I'm on the 6th day of a 5% cut...5mg. Anyway, in this discussion I'd brought up that I'd read here something about not tapering amitrip first if taking a bz. This info that follows is NOT from here. In fact it's from a site I give little credence to but this is what I read here and haven't been able to fond again. Alto would you please be so kind as to look it over and let me know what you think. I would prefer to do the Amitrip or continue it as it reacts with everything else im on but I'm concerned about this. I'd not bring it up if I had not read it first here when first researching what would the best way for me to proceed in my psych drug wd.

 

"Note: If you are taking Elavil as well as an anti-anxiety medication (benzodiazepine), the anti-anxiety medication must be discontinued first. If you are only discontinuing the Elavil the Elavil must be reduced very slowly to prevent withdrawal side effects from the anti-anxiety drug. Elavil slows the metabolism rate of anti-anxiety drugs and when the Elavil is removed from the system the anti-anxiety medication will not take as long to metabolize and this creates a withdrawal effect from the anti-anxiety medication."

 

Thank you so much

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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Hi Sunset!  I am also on amitryptaline and a Gaba drug, phenobarbital. Also tapering Flexeril/Cyclobenzaprine another TCA like Elavil. I'm down to 1mg Flexeril and will taper Ami next. I agree with you that tapering the ADs first is best because nothing compares to benzo withdrawal and I can tell that these ADs are making me very sick so I think I will be in better shape to get off the pheno when these are gone.

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That's good to hear. I'm having a pretty rough time but going forward anyway. I'll taper the remaining amt of K after. Best of luck to you in your tapering. Thank you for responding.

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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*moved from symptoms forum

 

Hi all!  As of today I'm about 2 weeks into a 5% cut on amitriptyline.  I'm not impressed with what I am hearing about the tapering process and rumours of how destructive its been organically....... never mind the shambles my life is in... ugh.  I started at 100 mg deciding to do a minimal cut as many life stressors and holiday season coming up.  I'm pretty much alone in life.  See reference to shambles lol!  Not really funny but if I don't laugh I'll lose it I swear.  Sooo its me to look out for me.  I would so appreciate others' shared experiences and any encouragement. I am moving to a new city where I don't know a soul, never mind a doctor, in an attempt to start my life over at 60 hopefully Feb 1, 2016.  Currently I live in a very dangerous area of the city I'm in.  Only a couple of nights ago had to deal with one of the street people, drunk and abusive, attempting to get in my building.  The door to my suite is hollow core with a dead bolt that would be of little good should he have got in somehow and decided upon reprisal.  Wouldn't be out of the ordinary for here. I moved here from a safe house which I mention to give you an idea of the state of my finances and why I had to choose something this affordable. Having extremely rare encounters with people I'd call friends, electronic communication will continue to be my mode of contact with other people so really not that much different and perhaps better as safer and not noisy and near nature.  Presently I live beside a 6 lane thoroughfare near trains and a light rail public transport so that's why the move.  Ugh.  Hope to hear from some.  I thank you ahead of time for taking your time to respond. :)

Edited by Petunia
added note

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Sunset,

I moved the topic you started in the symptoms forum to your introduction thread here, this is the place for these kinds of posts, the symptoms forum is for discussion of specific symptoms and treatments. Please use this thread to track progress, write about symptoms, ask questions and communicate with the community, add to it whenever you want. Please bookmark it or follow it so you can find it again.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your living situation, that must be difficult, I can understand why you would want to move.

 


"Note: If you are taking Elavil as well as an anti-anxiety medication (benzodiazepine), the anti-anxiety medication must be discontinued first. If you are only discontinuing the Elavil the Elavil must be reduced very slowly to prevent withdrawal side effects from the anti-anxiety drug. Elavil slows the metabolism rate of anti-anxiety drugs and when the Elavil is removed from the system the anti-anxiety medication will not take as long to metabolize and this creates a withdrawal effect from the anti-anxiety medication."
 

 

I haven't heard of this and my searching didn't bring up any references to it, if you could provide a link, that would help. We usually recommend tapering the antidepressant first, benzo last. For reasons why see: Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

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

 

 

 

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Thank you for transferring. I apologize for all the sad sob story stuff.  I sometimes get that way but am working hard to move forward.   I actually came on here just to say what I just did but I'll look for that link.  Regardless I've already started the taper.  One thing I heard was that amitiptyline was as difficult to taper off as Prosac.  I've done the 450mg of Effexor........ tough going... so I'm looking to get a realistic view of what I'm in for given that I am moving. I've seen all the videos listed above except the psych drug long lasting negative effects which I'll surely give a gander.  I just very much need to have an idea of what I'm in for to gauge what I do with my taper at this point.  

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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Hi Sunset,

I moved the topic you started in the symptoms forum to your introduction thread here, this is the place for these kinds of posts, the symptoms forum is for discussion of specific symptoms and treatments. Please use this thread to track progress, write about symptoms, ask questions and communicate with the community, add to it whenever you want. Please bookmark it or follow it so you can find it again.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your living situation, that must be difficult, I can understand why you would want to move.

 

"Note: If you are taking Elavil as well as an anti-anxiety medication (benzodiazepine), the anti-anxiety medication must be discontinued first. If you are only discontinuing the Elavil the Elavil must be reduced very slowly to prevent withdrawal side effects from the anti-anxiety drug. Elavil slows the metabolism rate of anti-anxiety drugs and when the Elavil is removed from the system the anti-anxiety medication will not take as long to metabolize and this creates a withdrawal effect from the anti-anxiety medication."

 

 

I haven't heard of this and my searching didn't bring up any references to it, if you could provide a link, that would help. We usually recommend tapering the antidepressant first, benzo last. For reasons why see: Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

Here is the link.  Its not from here and its very possible I thought I saw it also from here but in my messed up head.... I didn't.  This is not an organization I am at all in contact with or following but only found this while making my decision to taper off the Amitrip or continue the benzo.  I would also be very very grateful if you would kindly advise me of a good digital scale.  I'm a total idiot when it comes to math so I'm not sure what weight limits on a scale or anything I should buy so I can make more accurate cuts that simply using a pill cutter as I am now. 

 

Link I spoke of : http://www.theroadback.org/elavilwithdrawal.aspx

 

When I begin finding the sxs really really hard, is that when I would go to the symptoms forum? :)

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Having a heck of a time. I knew Christmas would b hard but I have so much to be grateful for yet I'm filled with hurt and anger. I found a place to move and its really nice. Even so though I'm filled with anger and sadness and that ever present loneliness. I can't break thru these at all. I have a doc appt for a hernia I got from packing in an hour and I know I'll require surgery. I ache to talk with someone for love and reassurance but there is no one. Anyway. ..perhaps I shud have posted thus in another forum but honestly I'm beyond figuring that out. My children ....well another Christmas alone...altho this move us a fresh start and I felt so great when I was there...it's a permanent now goodbye to all behind me...losses.. home... marriage...family...yet I've grieved those plenty already. Its just so confusing right now and trip to doc having to portray I'm just fine in this wd and no I don't need the drugs...can I pull it off? I usually do it fine. Sorry to dump but I had take this somewhere. :( I remember my Effexor wd feeling similar.

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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Can I ask if I shud be from this point forward be taking my posts like the above to a different forum please. Christmas is a very tough go for me.

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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Hi Sunset.   This is Chrissy from the FB site.  I know that you are really struggling emotionally right now.  Me too.  This is a rough time of year for those of us stuck in CNS upheaval and is so much harder I know when we feel alone.  You might want to look at the "Relationships" forum and maybe post there about your grief over a loss of family connection.   Like so many who know you, I wish that I could somehow give you a physical hug instead of a cyber one!  BTW:  Looks like you're moving along with your Amitriptyline taper.  Am praying that that goes well for you.  Love you!

1971-81  Valium 5mg c/t PAWS     1992- through now Zoloft 25mg    2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off

2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS    2013 O/D Val 230mg    2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg

3/15/16  Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering  Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper

3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 -    Decreasing incrementally.  DISCONTINUED

10/9/16  Doxepin 48.9  Zoloft 24.3  Clonidine  01.10  Continuing micro taper on Doxepin.

11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg  Zoloft 24.3mg  Clonidine 1.30mg

5/4/17  Doxepin 45mg  Zoloft 24mg  Clonidine 1.20mg   Micro taper of Doxepin  , Clonidine

01/13/19  Doxepin 45mg   Zoloft 21mg   Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19

12/21/21  Doxepin 20 mg ?  Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml

12/2121   Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. )

26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0-

 

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Thank you Chrissy. Yup it us a tough time. I'll check out the relationship forum. ????

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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  • Moderator

This thread is for you to use a journal, record your progress, ups, downs, rant and rave.  I'm glad the move went well and you're settling in to the new place.  Sorry to hear about the hernia, hope things go well with the doctor about it. It is one of the most basic of surgeries, so you should be up and around in no time.

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

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I haven't moved yet. Not even going to try and do anything important toward that now. Basically only eating as best I can and staying hydrated. I have a list prepared of all I need do for the move. I'll follow it. Yesterday was very hard as I lost someone I cared veryuch about on top of everything. I will b ok tho thank you.

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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Coming a bit out of sxs right now so phew! on that. Yes Brass I have heard the surgery is not quite a big deal except it will involve going around scar tissue from last year's major abdominal surgery but I'll cross that bridge when I reach it. Doc said I don't need surgery until the need presents itself in very bad pain. I think I'll hold a bit longer before cutting again. My actual occupancy date is Feb 1. I may not cut again til after that. I don't think that will be an issue. Anyone else think it might?

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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And I missed saying thank you Brass. My apologies

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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  • Moderator

I reread your post and it clearly says you found a place to move to, not that you had moved. drugs are making me cross eyed.  I glad things went well with the doctor and you get to put off the cut job for a while. Also glad the sxs are giving you a break.  I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend, just what you needed on top of everything else.  Hang tight, things will get better.

 

And your welcome.

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

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  • 4 weeks later...

Well things aren't going that well. I haven't really got into the whole life story and I won't except to say this move was truly starting over. Completely. Absolute. I know that and I'm doing my best to focus on the potential for actually having ppl in my life. My outlook is super crummy. To put it super mildly. I know this and yet I can't stop the feeling that accompany that. I will not make any attempts to call anywhere for help. Done it before. Only made things worse. Kids were accused of abuse altho no ID info given but I guess they did whatever magic they do. Anyway I'm pretty low. I do know logically this is all part of wd. Does nobody else ever wonder if they really are the garbage that got tossed aside. I'm 60. I'm quite poor. My resources are limited without a place to turn for assistance. The whole picture looks awful. Dare I say hopeless? I'm trying to put distance or more accurately objectivity like one looking at themselves and making a sensible assessment. I'm failing miserably. Christmas/NY I saw 3 ppl. Briefly. I'm having a hard time convincing myself there is hope for change in that and even if there is will I fail that too? I've been drugged more than half my life and I don't have a stellar track record at relationships. If I go for counseling my kids could get reported from there too. I'm quite aware they owe me nothing and went thru a lot over those years and even before. I really expect pat answers or even any as what could they be. There aren't instant make this better words but I had to get it out. Thank you.

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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I mean I don't expect pat answers. Sorry. Next time I'll edit first.

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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Hi Sunset,

I hope your move and the New Year can be a chance to begin to rebuild. Sounds like a pretty rough holiday time, I know it can make people feel pretty crumby without a lot of support in their life. I am also on amitryptiline (12mg) and want very much to get off of it as I've been on this awful drug (or similar) for 34 years. What you wrote about the amitryptiline holding up the metabolism of a benzo was very interesting and new to me. I also take a benzo (flurazepam) or zoplicone as rescue doses when my sleep is gone. Lately this has been a lot and I hope I'm not developing tolerance again. I'm trying to stabilize my sleep before beginning to taper.

 

I'm sorry I don't have any great advice for you as far as how to proceed with the tapering. I tapered a benzo once while holding steady on amitryptiline, it was quite successful, but I had only been on the benzo for a couple of months. I have heard that sleeping a lot one night, and not much the next is quite common in withdrawal, so I wouldn't worry too much about it if you can still function. Amitryptiline also has a huge affect on the quality of my sleep, so I suspect withdrawawl is what is causing the "dream state". Once again, if you can function, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Take it slow and easy! 

Sarah

1975--first signs of depression

1981--started on imipramine (Tofranil) for IBS and depression

1983-1986--severe depression, rotated through several drugs, on MAOI for one year, eventually back to tricyclics

1986-1994--chronic low grade depression, on tricyclics

1994-96--severe depression, rotated through several drugs inc. Prozax, Effexor, etc..

1996-2013--chronic low grade depression, SAD, on amitryptiline usual dose 12.5-25mg

     flurazepam (Dalmane) as needed for insomnia

2013--developed temazepam (Restoril) dependance for 2 months, tapered off over 1 month

   started bio-identical progesterone 5 mg., depression has lifted completely to this day

March 2016--forced to c/t both amitryptiline and flurazepam, zolpidem not helpful

reinstated small dose (.5 mg) amitryptiline due to stomach issues and tapering w/titration

June 19th--jumped from amitryptiline--drug free!

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Thank you Sarah.  Please don't be concerned about offering more info.  It was just nice to hear from someone.   Thank you again.  Best of wishes to you in your tapering.  I'll wait til I'm moved in and at least semi settled before cutting again.  I've bought a scale for more accurate cuts. I have the equip for liquid titration but the state my brain gets in and takes me with it; I would botch the process..... I know.  Perhaps on the benzo.  :)  Thank you.

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi all!  Such fun this is.  Anyway I'm going to speak right from the gut here.  Without family or friends to come ever in a time of great need I'm not sure why i keep trying except I'm hanging on to God having me here for a reason.  I've packed and done a lot around here to move on Monday.  I've organized it all, budgeted, hired, attempted to find help cleaning.( mostly unsuccessfully) with a hernia I'll need surgery for after having major surgery in 2014 and the incision herniated from doing all I had to.  I'm so close to being at the end of my rope but I stubbornly hand on.  Maybe this post belongs elsewhere like the relationships area.  |I'm so flustered I'm past discerning that.  I have two children in this city and while \I sure know they went through hell with a mom always suicidal and messing up, I can't fathom complete abandonment. I feel terribly unimportant except that shred I hang onto for myself but one doels occasionally need another when they are in pain whether than be physical or emotional.  This is basically a status report I guess because I can't even find the questions to ask.  I'm exhausted with so much yet I"m responsible to accomplish and all before Monday.....move day....... and then after.  I never could have seen this is all my days of life...........being so unwanted.  The years have taken their toll and mom is so much less necessary.  60 and where do I go from here?  So lost

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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Sunset, please don't let your children define you, you are so much more than their mother. I really wanted to have kids, but it just didn't happen for me. Got married late and now I have a stepson who hates me, that's the irony. It's hard right now because of the move, and this time of year, but I'm sure things will look up after the move. Good for you for wanting to get off these drugs.

Sarah

1975--first signs of depression

1981--started on imipramine (Tofranil) for IBS and depression

1983-1986--severe depression, rotated through several drugs, on MAOI for one year, eventually back to tricyclics

1986-1994--chronic low grade depression, on tricyclics

1994-96--severe depression, rotated through several drugs inc. Prozax, Effexor, etc..

1996-2013--chronic low grade depression, SAD, on amitryptiline usual dose 12.5-25mg

     flurazepam (Dalmane) as needed for insomnia

2013--developed temazepam (Restoril) dependance for 2 months, tapered off over 1 month

   started bio-identical progesterone 5 mg., depression has lifted completely to this day

March 2016--forced to c/t both amitryptiline and flurazepam, zolpidem not helpful

reinstated small dose (.5 mg) amitryptiline due to stomach issues and tapering w/titration

June 19th--jumped from amitryptiline--drug free!

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Thank you Sarah for the encouragement. I was put on amitriptyline for IBS and man am I having problems that way plus the hernia. I'm wondering if I should go up a bit and then taper again or will I Kindle myself too badly. I'm awful sick. I know its the stress of the move but no sleep. for three days, huge anxiety, IBS sxs pretty strong. Could I get some input on this please and thank you. I'm thinking it's too late

July 2011: CT all psych meds-450mg effexor, 300mg amitriptyline, 12mgK Reason: (completely ignorant) At hosp when cking for vitals talked into going back on a third of eachFeb 2012: Completed Effexor taper at an accelerated rate at Dr. insistence.Apr 2012: Began K taper Sept 2014: Held K taper at 1.5mg - Major abdom surg resulting in AB resistant spinal infection finally treated in November 2014 (3 recurrances) requiring the meds: dilaudid, nabilone, T3s CT after surgery by doctors so off all but T3s. In November reinstated on all plus added baclofen. By Sept 2015 off all surgery drugs.Sept 2015: Cut K to 1.375. Two weeks later cut to 1.25. Sxs not manageable so back to 1.375. Holding there on K taper and starting amitriptyline .Nov 5, 2015: Start of amitriptyline taper. Cut 5% = 5mg so at 95mg amitriptyline Dec 2: 87.5 mg De7: 82.5 Dec14: 80mgJan31/16: 77.5mg Feb2: 70mg holding as too weak to cope. May/16: Reduced K to 1.25 as in tolerance. <p>Jan 19/17 Decided to finish K then Amtrip. and now at 1mg.K. Will LT K from here.

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I was also originally put on tricyclics for IBS, then it was extended to depression and sleep issues. I'm sure your IBS ramping up is totally related to the stress! I don't know about updosing--80 mg. is still quite a bit of amitryptiline and should do the job, can you hold off a few days?. Make sure you aren't drinking any coffee or any other stimulants at all, no alcohol. Eat food that is easy to digest and that doesn't bother you--I always think eggs are a great food. No raw veggies. I'm having a lot of sleep issues myself, and wondering if I do have a benzo dependence developing. (argghhh!) It's never easy....

Sarah

1975--first signs of depression

1981--started on imipramine (Tofranil) for IBS and depression

1983-1986--severe depression, rotated through several drugs, on MAOI for one year, eventually back to tricyclics

1986-1994--chronic low grade depression, on tricyclics

1994-96--severe depression, rotated through several drugs inc. Prozax, Effexor, etc..

1996-2013--chronic low grade depression, SAD, on amitryptiline usual dose 12.5-25mg

     flurazepam (Dalmane) as needed for insomnia

2013--developed temazepam (Restoril) dependance for 2 months, tapered off over 1 month

   started bio-identical progesterone 5 mg., depression has lifted completely to this day

March 2016--forced to c/t both amitryptiline and flurazepam, zolpidem not helpful

reinstated small dose (.5 mg) amitryptiline due to stomach issues and tapering w/titration

June 19th--jumped from amitryptiline--drug free!

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