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Survivor1: sleeping after trazodone (and benzo)


Survivor1

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  • Moderator Emeritus

You may find some helpful ideas here: Tips to help sleep

 

Have you tried melatonin to bring on sleepiness? Melatonin for sleep

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

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  • Survivor1

    247

  • scallywag

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  • Altostrata

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  • AliG

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The melatonin really seems to help me get back into a rhythm of sleep. If I have 3 nights in a row where I take too long to sleep I will take melatonin for 3 - 5 days and my sleeps seems to re-set itself. I have read that the effect can wear off that is why I only use it for 3 - 5 days and then stop until I hit a rough patch again. If you read the thread though you will see you need to be careful not to take too much as it can have the opposite effect and make you feel depressed in the morning. If you can find 1 mg pills, then cut them in quarters. I can only find 2 mg pills so I cut them in 1/8ths. That is closer to the amount your body naturally makes. Here they recommend taking it at night fall. I take it about an hour before I want to sleep and that seems to work. Best of luck to you getting some more zzzzz's.

Medicine History

June 2011 I was put on 10 mg Olanzapine. I stayed on that for 7 months then went down to 5 mg for 3 months and then went down to 2.5mg and slowly went down to less than .3 every few days. I have tried to come off 4 times, each time getting down to less than .3 before having to go back on at 5mg or 2.5mg. I would cut by 50% each taper. From Jan 2015 to June 2015 I reduced from about 5mg to .3 mg. This last time I went on 2.5 mg last June 2015 until July 2, 2016. July 3, 2016 I went down to 1.25mg - withdrawal hit. Up dosed to liquid 2 mg July 23, 2016.

Medicine Current

2 mg Olanzapine as of July 23, 2016

Supplements

Omega 3 1000mg, Vitamin E 400 UI, Vitamin C 1000 mg Time Released, 200 mg Magnesium Bisglycinate, Multi Probiotic, .25 mg melatonin for 3-5 days as needed

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I have read the Sleeping tips several times - no luck yet.  Herewego, I have tried melatonin, but even that does not work.  Thanks for responding, I'm glad it is working for you.

 

 

Any responses to the question I posted on Oct 3?

 

 

Thanks again all.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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SW answered that question already.

What is it you would like to read??

Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen

We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. 

URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting  for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing.

http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651   

Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos.

Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you

Recovering paxil addict

None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. 

This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! 

  "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped."  Dr Mosher. Me too! 

Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015

I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015

Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

To keep things clear, I've quoted your Oct. 3 post and added dates [in square brackets and brown text] related to your experience with trazodone:

I am beginning to suspect that I am getting tolerant of Trazodone.  

  • Before the rapid taper , I was on 75 mg and initially [Oct 2015] was getting about 7 hrs of sleep.  
     
  • It [sleep] slowly deceased to 5.5. [by April 2016] This decrease was what prompted me to get off it (too quickly of course).  
     
  • [tapered 75 mg to 0 mg over two months, ending in June 2016]
     
  • After I reinstated [July 25, 2016] and got up to 50, I slept well for 6-7 hours for about a month, then I noticed the decrease beginning.  
     
  • By the second month [September 2016], I was sleeping for 4 broken hours a night.  

I have seen a decrease in most of my symptoms, but  if Traz has fizzled out and there is no more sleep improvement, would it be better to start reducing slowly?

...

I would like to know what you all recommend when holding does not lead to more improvements, even though a few symptoms are intolerable right now.

 

Seroquel usage from your signature:

 

May - June 2016: Used on alternate nights for 6 weeks during last weeks of rapid taper and a few weeks following (up to 25mg).

Use as a rescue med, 10 mg, when sleep is poor (used for 7 nights between Sept 1-12; dc Sept 12)

 

It definitely reads as if you are not reacting to trazodone as you once did.  I'm going to ask other moderators to review your situation and to suggest a possible next step.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

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Thanks very much!

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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Update ...

 

Last night was the fourth night on 62.  Worked first night 6 hrs sleep.  Last three nights only 3-4 hrs.  Since on it for only 4 nights, should I kick it back down to 50?

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Survivor1, at some point you will probably need to ride through a wave of reduced or little sleep to get off psychotropic medications and retrain your sleep process. Otherwise you'll be either

  • adjusting dose up and down -- for a long time -- to get the sleep you're expecting and wanting,
    --- or ---
  • taking another prescription medication to induce sleep.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

Scallywag,

 

As hard as it is, I agree with you.  Is there anyone out there who went on 3 or less hrs sleep for over a year of tapering?  How do you manage?  I am scared witless of this; I have a job and two kids!  Just looking for some support.

 

I know that I cannot updose anymore as Traz seem to be ineffective.  And I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought of adding a third med.  In a moment of insanity I even considered a benzo!!

 

I am not hopeful that I will see any sleep improvement no matter how long I hold

 

1) Should I consider tapering? If so, at the usual 10%/mo?

 

2) Is it possible to see any sleep improvement while I am on this med (tapering), or do I have to be completely off to see any sleep improvement?

 

Thank you for your help.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Administrator

I think Scallywag put it as well as it could be put.

 

Seems your system accommodates to trazodone after a while.

 

Many people here have gotten through phases of poor sleep. It's very common in withdrawal.

 

What are you taking for your hypothyroidism? 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.
 

Is it possible your thyroid meds need adjustment?

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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Altostrata, fortunately, my thyroid level is OK.  Was checked only two weeks ago.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Almost all of us want and seek 100% accurate predictions about what is going to happen -- how long a symptom will last and how intense it will be. Nobody can offer us anywhere near that level of certainty. :(
 
There are people posting on this site who have gone for long periods of time, months and months, on very little sleep. None would recommend it to others, but they are surviving (working and having as much of a life as possible) and/or made it through.
 
If I were you, I'd consider the 10% taper. You may need to switch to a liquid to get the doses that are difficult to achieve with cutting a tablet. If you do switch to liquid, keep your dose the same and treat the switch as a dose reduction, i.e. hold at liquid dose for several weeks.
Making a liquid from a tablet or capsules

 

Traz is "sparingly soluble" in water, so it's more of a suspension than a solution. You'll need to shake the liquid before using a syringe to draw the dose from the center of the liquid.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Altostrata, fortunately, my thyroid level is OK.  Was checked only two weeks ago.

 

So you're not taking thyroid hormone?

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 am. I added it to my signature.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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SW, sorry I missed your last reply.  A few developments:

 

I believe that I am having a "mini" seroquel w/d.  Looking back at my notes, I see a return of symptoms of w/d such as fatigue, night sweats, anxiety, when I discontinued Seroquel  on Sept 12 that had abated when I first updosed to 50.  I had not clued in that Seroquel could be the cause. 

 

On top of that, to get 62 mgs T, I halve a 100 mg tablet and quarter a 50 mg tablet.  One night I liquified the 50 mg tablet and took a quarter (along with the 50 mg half); the rest of the liquid I refrigerated.  Turns out that the refrigeration degraded the suspension and I was in effect using only 50 mg from the halved tablet for three nights.  Started having brain zaps, twitching, immediately.  Re-reinstated to 62.  (Confusing, I know!).  Brain zaps and twitching have reduced.

 

I am now having insane anxiety and depression issues.  The only upside is this past week I have been able to get 5 hours of broken sleep.  I am hoping this continues; if so, I will hold off tapering for another few weeks in the hope that the anx/depr diminishes.

 

I am not looking for an accurate prediction on what will happen, only some hope that sleep could improve while tapering, as I can't imagine functioning like this for 1-2 years of tapering.

 

Thank you so much for your advice and patience in reading my story.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Administrator

So the liquid you made degraded over 24 hours? Or was it 72 hours?

 

You should be able to stabilize after going back to 62.5mg Seroquel. It may take some time. Keep steady on this dose, take it at the same time each day.

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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Hard to tell if it was 24 or 72 hrs. By the time I used it up three days later, I had developed the twitching, etc.  I have gone back up to 62 mg (Trazodone, not Seroquel), but am having a really difficult time with the sky high anxiety and depr  :(.  I will keep the dose for a while.

 

Thanks Altostrata

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hello,

 

Updating my status ... most symptoms have improved, but jelly legs/disorientation, anxiety and depression remain fairy high.  And sleep has devolved to 4 hours broken  :( I am still holding but the sleep thing is adding to the anx and depr.

 

One burning question (pardon me if it has been answered before):  can sleep improve as doses get lower and lower (during tapering) since some receptors are freed up?

 

Thanks as always.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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Two days later and sleep is worse ... about 3hrs/night. But anx seems more improved since last post.  Tried a supplement called Somnapure that has melatonin and a few others like valerian root. Gave me nightmares.  Still feeling shaky ...

 

Was wondering if it's recommended to begin tapering since it's been a month from the last reinstatement, even though some wd symptoms are still present.  

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Sorry to hear that you had nightmares. That's rough when you're already dealing with not getting the sleep that you want and need. If you wanted to test that supplement, you could try taking a smaller amount, ¼ or ½  a capsule or tablet.

 

Which of the Tips to help sleep have you tried?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

Scallywag, thanks for the reply.

 

I actually took 1/3 of the tablet as the whole one has 3 mg melatonin.  Both mornings I took it, I was very groggy/shaky, and today woke up in a deep funk.  As I write this, the depr seems to have lifted somewhat.  Don't know whether this was due to the melatonin, or just the depr I had been having (had not been this bad though).   I am trying to limit this supplement has it has a lot of ingredients that affect GABA receptors, and since I am a recovering klonopin user, I don't think it would be good for me long-term.

 

Regarding the sleeping tips (note I couldn't access the link on the second page - the one with Altostrata's post), I have a white noise machine, blackout shades, practice proper sleep hygiene, use guided meditation, lavender oil on my pillow, and magnesium 250 at night.  I actually do feel sleepy 50% of the time, and head to bed right away, around 10 pm.  Most nights I fall asleep within an hour of taking trazodone, but the frequent wake ups have become debilitating and I have to wake up at 6:30 am like many people. 

 

Would you recommend beginning a (micro)taper now, or continue to hold to stabilize further?

 

Thank you for your support!

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

How are your symptoms? What is the daily pattern if any?

 

Would you add the dates that you reinstated traz to your signature?  I think the timeline is something like this:

  • reinstated to 25 mg at the end of July
  • updosed to 50 mg in early August
  • updosed to 62 in early october

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

Timeline is correct.

 

I have seen an improvement in most sxs, especially in the afternoons.   Biggest improvement in anxiety in the last two days.  Currently anxiety 3/10 (had been a 9), depr 4/10 (this morn 9), anhedonia 4/10, shakiness 3/10, jelly legs/disorientation 4/10, insomnia 7/10 (All but insomnia had improved but became worse after my accidental drop to 50 traz for 3 days in early Oct.)  Don't know what I'd do if insomnia got worse. All other sxs 1 or less.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Please add the timeline to your signature. It's easier for us to get the full picture when the approximate dates are there.

 

Do your symptoms change intensity dramatically throughout the course of a day, or from day-to-day?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

Timeline added.  

 

Sxs usually do not change dramatically throughout the day, or from day to day. (Except for today's depr.)

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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Hey survivor

 

I was just reading your post and happen to be in the same sleepless boat. it hard to believe how many many folks taking the insomnia train from these meds. I am 2 1/2 years out from cold turkeying Zoloft and zyprexa and the insomnia is still bad. Oddly enough, I was sober for 15 years previously and have started drinking again as a way of getting sleep. A little bit unorthodox, I know. I wish it didn't have to be this way and that my sleep rhythms would reestablish themselves, but for the past 5 months, 3 or so beers has been allowing me 5-6 hours of sleep a night and even occasionally a nap later in the day. I still have fatigue and cognitive problems from all the lousy sleep over the last 2+ years. I tried trazadone twice in wd and only got 3 1/2 to 4 hours of sleep and suffered all day dizziness the next day. I hope you the best with your sleep issues. I know how frustrating and maddening this all is.

 

Poetjester

Court committed to take Prozac, Paxci, and Respiradol from 8/95 to 3/96.   developed severe akithisia and brain damage.  Was unable to speak and walking in circles 15 hours a day.  Went in for 5 sessions of ECT during a 10 day period in March of '96 and my forced medication was discontinued at that time.  My akithisia and brain damage cleared up within a few days of stopping the meds.

 

On Zoloft (200 mg) and Zyprexa (17.5 mg) March 1998- Feb 2014

In between was placed on Effexor 200 mg and Abilify for six months in 2004.  Developed mild akithisia which went away once I stopped the Abilify.  Developed severe GI issues in Dec 2001 and from that time on suffered from fatigue and hypersomnia where I would sleep between 12 and 20 hours a day and rarely ever left my apartment. 

 

Had tapered to 100 mg of Zoloft and 7.5 mg of Zyprexa at the time of going cold turkey Feb. 2014

Went 5 days without sleep at the beginning while vomiting all over my apt.  Had brain zaps for a number of weeks and also lightheadedness which both eventually went away.  However 2 1/2 yrs later I still struggle with insomnia, depression, and fatigue.

 

 

 

 

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Hi Poet,

 

Thanks for your support.  I wish I could use alcohol, but since I dc'ed klonopin, I do not want anything that would compromise the GABA receptors, which alcohol binds to.  I'm glad you are finding some relief! Insomnia is a *****.

 

Best wishes to you!

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

Link to comment

Hi Survivor. I think a good bet would be to hold at your current dose of Trazodone of .62 if you want your sleep to improve. You probably have some healing from the benzo leftover even though it's been a while. I know I did when I first started tapering Traz. That is why I went slow to give my symptoms a chance. When I held longer on the Traz (months) I got some days of really long restful sleep. I understand how you feel about getting off quickly. We all do but sometimes if we slow it down we really see progress. Good luck to you.

 

Marie

10/13--10/14 Ambien. Started tapering 1/14  Jumped 10/14.  Done.                                                                              

3/14        7.5 Remeron  still taking this.                              

2/14         75 Trazodone   -    Tapered by dry cutting all the way down.

1/16        4 mg Trazodone  -  Jumped. Bad mistake. Got hit with late withdrawal 6 weeks later. Reinstated.

4/16        Reinstated 1 mg, updose to 2 mg Trazodone

2/19        .04 Trazodone. Walked off.  Done.

10/3/19  Started 7.5 Mirtazapine taper cut to .073 gram weight, pill weighs .076

4/5/20    New Mirtazapine Taper - Compound Liquid 7.35 mg April '20, 7.25 mg May, 7.05 mg June, 6.99 mg June, 6.78 mg July, 6.57 mg Aug, Sept 6.35 mg, Sept 6.24 mg, Sept 6.21 mg, Oct 5.99 mg, Oct 5.90 mg, Oct 5.70 mg.

1/11/21 6.05 mg Messed up taper due to syringe change. Must remember the 1 ml syringe contains 1.5mg! 1/16/21 5.99 mg

2/21 5.75 mg, 3/21 5.6 mg, 4/7 5.45, 4/14 5.30, 5/12 5.15, 5/25/21 4.99 mg, 6/29 4.87 mg, 7/14/21 4.74 mg, 8/5 4.62 mg 8/17 4.5 mg, 8/30 4.38 mg,9/16 4.26 mg,10/9 4.14 mg, 10/23 4.05 mg, 11/6 3.96 mg,11/17 3.87mg.***Jan 22 Liquid was changed/couldn't tolerate***Changed back to pills. Feb 22/3.9 mg, 2/17/22 3.8 mg, 3/23 3.7 mg, 4/7 3.6 mg, 5/10 3.5mg,6/10/22 3.4 mg, 7/4 3.3 mg, 7/25 3.2 mg, 8/20/22 3.1 mg, 9/15 3 mg, 10/8/22 2.9 mg., 12/15 2.8 mg, 1/6/23 2.7 mg, 2/16/23 2.6 mg, 3/9 2.5 mg, 4/4 2.4 mg, 4/29/23 2.3 mg, 5/26 2.2 mg, 6/22/23 2.1 mg, 10/14 2 mg, 11/12 1.9 mg, 11/28 1.8 mg , 12/14/23 1.7, 12/31/23 1.6 mg, 1/20 1.5 mg, 2/6/24 1.4 mg, 2/12 updose 1.5 mg. Taking multi-vitamin, vit. D, cholestoff, psyllium husk, and fish oil.

 

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Marie,   I will keep holding, thanks for the input. And good luck with remeron!

 

Scallywag, after what seems like improvements in most areas, I seem to have worsening of others: twitching, zaps, insomnia (last night 2 hours), disorientation.  It's hard to imagine that trazodone would conk out completely so I am wondering if I am in a wave from seroquel d/c.  Do you think I would benefit from a low dose reinstatement of it (maybe 1 or 2 mg)?  I am not able to manage on such little sleep, and while I do not know if this would resolve anything, maybe it is worth a try?

 

Thanks.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

It definitely sounds like a wave. It's hard to say what the source is though -- changes in traz doses or the absence of Seroquel.  Are you keeping notes on paper of your symptoms?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

Yes, I'm keeping notes.  I think if tonight I get 2 hours sleep, I'll have to think about reinstating a low dose of Seroquel.  Please let me know your thoughts.  Thanks.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

It's a complete roll of the dice or "craps shoot" about reinstating Seroquel would make a difference for you. It's really unclear what would help right now after last year's fast taper off trazodone and then this year's introduction of Seroquel and subsequent fast taper off it, followed by a reinstatement of trazodone with a few updoses.

 

In your first post you report having started taking klonopin as a result of hypothyroid-induced insomnia. Have you had your thyroid levels assessed recently? If yes, what did the lab tests show?

 

edited to add: Do you see a pattern in your symptoms? Please post the last few days notes of symptoms and doses here in your intro thread.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

Thyroid levels are OK  (TSH 1.5, range 0.45-4.5;  Free T4 0.99, range 0.82-1.77; T3 90 range 71-180).  Tests done 9/30/16.

 

There does not seem to be a pattern to my symptoms.  In the last week, overall anxiety and depression decreased, but I had a few random spikes.  Today anx is there but different - not the stomach churning kind like I had been having but from worry - that I will not be able sustain any decent sleep over the two years+ that it will take for me to taper Traz., and how to manage my job and kids on 2 hours sleep.

 

Other persistent symptoms are shakiness, weak legs/disorientation, inability to enjoy things, faint brain zaps, mildish body twitches/alerting sensations, sensation of freezing skin, but there has been some improvement in most. And of course, insomnia, which is unrelenting.  I feel I can manage with the symptoms except the sleeplessness.

 

Last night I added 0.5 melatonin, 500 mg lemon balm, and 200 l-theanine, and got 6 hours broken sleep! The alerting was less, but I still woke up three times.  I am excited about this but I know amino acids are not long term solutions, so my anx is what to do when this effect conks out - I know I need to take this day-by-day but I can't help the ruminations especially with the last week of bad sleep. I am super groggy this morning from this cocktail, but will take the sleep anytime.

 

By the way, I spoke to my doctor about the situation, and while she sympathizes, she advocates adding a med for sleep like doxepin, or klonopin  :(

 

Thanks very much.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Good to read that you got a decent night's sleep last night.  Fingers crossed for it to happen again tonight.

 

A few years ago I was prescribed lorazepam to help with sleep. My psychiatrist told me to be very, very careful because it wouldn't take much to cause worse problems than I was having.  Based on that advice I made a rule for myself, that I would only take a half-dose after 2 nights of no-sleep. 

 

If your newfound combination helps for a few days, you could try tapering it down bit by bit and then use my "only if I really, really need it" rule.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

Link to comment

SW ...

 

Well, after the second night on this, I had 5 hrs broken sleep.  However, both mornings I felt extremely anxious and depressed and overall not well at all - worse than when I did not take it despite the sleep.  I do not think I should take this cocktail for more than 1 night.

 

At this point, I am extremely scared.  I toy with going back on seroquel, but am afraid that it may poop-out like trazodone.  If I do not add anything to traz, I am relegated to 2 hrs sleep per night.  I feel that all my other symptoms are very manageable.  But how to deal with this insomnia without getting on another drug?

 

Since traz is not working, I would like to start tapering.  Please let me know what you think.  Could sleep possibly improve as the taper progresses?

 

As always, I appreciate your advice.

PAST

Gabapentin:  about 6 months in 2015, 300-900 mg, cold turkeyed Sept 2015 (at same time dc'd Klonopin)

Klonopin: June 2014- Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, dc'd at 0.25mg, withdrawal hellish (perhaps because of concurrent dc of gabapentin)

Mirtazepine: Jumped off at 2.4 mg. (stable in 8 months).

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 2016, 25 mg alternate nights; smaller doses for shorter periods. Total use about 3 months 

Lamictal: March 19, 2018 - 1 mg; March 23 - 1.25 mg; April 6 - 2mg. Discontinued at 2 mgJuly 1, 2018 due to Steven Johnson Syndrome.

 

CURRENT

Supplements: Vit D, turmeric

Naturethroid: 65 mcg for hypothyroidism

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25/16 - 25 mg; updosed 08/03/16 - 50 mg;  10/01/16-  62mg; 03/24/17 dropped to 50 mg (stable in 2.5 months)

                           Current psych meds: Trazodone 50 mg

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Survivor,  I'm sorry the promise of the new herbal combo didn't work out.

 

Given what I've seen with other people, I would hold at 62 mg until the insomnia lessens and you know what your withdrawal normal looks like. Both increasing and decreasing dose pose risks. When experiencing withdrawal symptoms, stability is almost always better than making a change.

 

In the last 15 months you've gone through

- a fast taper off a benzo a year ago,

- a fast taper off trazodone this year

- starting and stopping seroquel, June - Sept.

 

That is a lot for a person to cope with neurologically. Another change is unlikely to help.

 

It's possible that you will be dealing with sleep issues for an extended but finite period.  For public consumption, I'll only say that it's awful and rotten that you are facing this, although there are numerous vile and vulgar words and expressions far more appropriate to describe the situation. I wish I could be more helpful.

 

 

In my fatigue and mild fog, I couldn't recollect your situation and had trouble discerning it from your signature and therefore spent a bit of time reading several posts to get the picture. If you feel like updating your signature to make the details easier for foggy-minded moderator moments, feel free to use the modifed version below:

 

Current medications: 62 mg trazodone; NatureThroid 65mcg

 

Klonopin: June 2014 - Sept 2015; 1mg tapered over 6 mths, withdrawal hellish

Seroquel:  June 14 - July 24, 25 mg alternate nights; July 25-30, 12mg most nights; Sept 1-12, no more than 10 mg for 7 nights. D/C Sept 12.

Trazodone: Oct 2015 - June 2016; 75 mg tapered over 2 mths, intense w/d Sx after 3 weeks. Reinstatement: 07/25 25 mg; 08/03 50mg;  10/01 62mg.

Supplements: Multivitamin; Magnesium 250 mg; PhosphatydylSerine 300 mg on and off, not sure if it works, but does not hurt. Currently trying lemon balm oil and l-theanine (200mg), no opinion yet

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

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