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TKR: tapered off Wellbutrin and Zyprexa


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Am frightened Weened MYSELF off zyprexa and buproprion SIX WEEKS ago and am very sick. 24 7 headache for SIX weeks and NO SLEEP. Anxiety and manía off the charts.

 

I keep thinking with each day i will get better. Will I?

 

Dont want to go back on. Feel like getting worse. No money. No Insurance. Not working. Huge medical debt. Can not go back to Dr who did this to me.

 

Will this get better? On both 4 months. On MANY MORE through the years.

 

In January stopped 15yr opiods and 10yr benzos use. Is this zyprexa? 5.5 months off benzos and opiods is it that?

 

Taking 10mg zolpidem to try and escape hell on earth and this headache NOT WORKING. Afraid to stop that too. Frightened to be in hospital or back on meds trying to get off of. SIX WEEKS!

 

Can anyone tell me this will get better? Please? Living a nightmare.

Edited by scallywag
Add paragraph breaks and tags

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

Link to comment

I tapered MYSELF off zyprexa and buproprion SIX WEEKS ago. Not at 10%. I went 2 weeks or a week of 150 buproprion and 2 weeks 5 mg zyprexa from 10. I have had a headache for SIX weeks and NO SLEEP. I thought with each day i would get better. Feel like getting worse. Really scared. Do not want to go to hospital. Do not want to restart these evil meds. Med withdrawal makes you crazy and then they want to pump you full of more meds for being crazy. This is a nightmare! On these for 4 months. On MANY different over the years. They aré all so dangerous. SIX WEEKS! Am i going to get better? Really frightened.

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

Link to comment

My doctor NEVER told me of withdrawal from zyprexa! He also rolled his eyes and denied post acute withdrawal syndrome from opiods and benzos. What if its too late to ween? Never told. Never told of risks of months/yearslong withdrawal! These drs belong in PRISON! Im really concerned. Are you telling me i am going to be this sick for MONTHS? YEARS? Quit zyprexa and buproprion SIX WEEKS ago. Thought i would get BETTER Daily. Not sicker. I thought this headache was from a SINUS IINFECTIÓN and thats why NOT SLEEPING. Fear Im headed for the hospital where they WILL GIVÉ ME MORE ANTISPYCHOTIC DRUGS. Living a nightmare.

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi TKR -- Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants (SA)
 
I'm sorry to hear that the last 6 weeks have been so symptom-filled. You've made a lot of changes this year to the meds.  That's big OUCH for your CNS (central nervous system). It is an outrage that many doctors are both seriously misinformed about how to advise patients to safely discontinue these medications and profoundly clueless about the painful symptoms that they (the doctors) cause by their ignorance.
 
It's hard to function with no sleep and a 24/7 headache. You are a heroic "trooper" for making it this long. I'm glad that you've found the site. :)
 
I hope that we can work with you to find a solution that will ease your symptoms. We're largely a do-it-yourself site and will point you to information relevant to your situation.  The idea is that you'll read it and then come back and ask questions here in your introduction topic.
 
I'd like to start by getting clear about your history with prescription neuro-psych-drugs.
 
Zolpidem 10 mg, currently taking

 

When did you start taking Zolpidem?

Why was it prescribed, to help you sleep?
 

Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Zyprexa (olanzapine) 2016
 

Dates: You took both of these for four months and stopped 6 weeks ago after a 2-week taper.

would you confirm the dates for these changes:

- started taking in February,

- tapered in May,

- last dose was somewhere around Memorial Day (May 30)

 

Dose: 10 mg Zyprexa,  in late May you cut to 5 mg for 2 weeks, and then cut to 0 mg

 

Dose: ______ mg Wellbutrin, in late May you cut to 150 mg for 2 weeks, and then cut to 0 mg

What was the dose you took before cutting to 150 mg?

 

Opiates, started in 2001, stopped January 2016

What was (were) the last opiate(s) you took in January?

What was (were) the dose(s) as you started to taper?

How did you get to 0 mg -- cold-turkey, taper over # months? (if tapered, let us know the #)

 
Benzos, started in 2006, stopped January 2016

What was (were) the last benzo(s) you took in January?

What was (were) the dose(s)?

How did you get to 0 mg -- cold-turkey, taper over # months? (if tapered, let us know the #)

 
Symptoms

What are your symptoms?

How do your symptoms occur over the course of a day -- are there windows where they diminish, times that they intensify, etc.?

 
Would you take a few minutes to answer the questions I've listed in blue?
 
Here are few topics that discuss and describe what's going on during w/d (withdrawal) from these drugs:

Introduction to antidepressant withdrawal syndrome

What is withdrawal syndrome

Here's a topic that has a downloadable checklist that lists many but not all withdrawal symptoms. Many people have found it helpful: Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list

 

A request: Would you summarize your history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-18 months particularly? Any drugs prior to that can just be listed with start and stop years.

 

Please put your withdrawal history in signature

 

A tip: You may way want to follow this topic so that you get notifications when someone posts in your thread.  Click the gray "Follow this topic" button. A dialog box appears:  select one of the notify options, then click follow this topic in the dialog box.

 

I've given you a good deal of work and reading. Please read the links and come back here to ask your questions. 

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

*topic/post moved from tapering forum

 

Doctor never mentioned the need for a long taper! I feel so stupid! In fact he didnt help me get off. I did myself because he fought me and wouldnt do it. Said my "symptoms" would come back! I dont have the bipolar he force diagnosed me with when i ended up in the hospital in a mania withdrawing from FIVE other MEDS I abruptly stopped taking the freak! I was in withdrawal then like I am now! In February. Dont even know all 5. Seraquil and gabapentine aré 2. Was on 2 weeks from an inpatient stay to withdraw from oxycodone and alprazolam. Mid January. Stupid i know. Ended up in hospital 8 days and put on naproxen and told i had bipolar.In 15 years no one has EVER really sat me down to talk taper. Even those hospitals. And i have been on a lot of stuff! Reading this site has explained that but Im too late! I stopped a 10mg dose of naproxen after weening a week or two from 20mg. I think i even broke those into 5mg a couple days. At the same time i spent a week to 10 days weening 300mg to 150mg buproprion. Was on those for 4 months. I told the Dr on the phone what i did/was doing.He never said that this was dangerous. Or anything about my CNS! He was a pompous jerk about it. In fact he told me there was no withdrawal! After a day or so was out of my system he said. He seemed more pissed than anything. He needs to be in prison. Im concerned i have damaged myself permanently. Scary sick. Will my CNS be ok? What was i thinking? Lost my Insurance. Meds made me feel confused all the time. Hated the doctor and didnt want to see him again. I feel like i did when i would run out of alprazolam on the weekend. THAT i knew was addictive! Because if i ran out i got sick. Not explained to me. Figured out by running out.Went inpatient in January to get off of that one. Wow. Im sick. Dont want to go back to hospital to be put on more meds. Shame on him. Really thought when i got this headache 6 weeks ago that it was a sinus infectión. Cuz he never mentioned the need to ween. Thought i was going crazy from headache pain. How silly. Thought i was just sick. This is horrific withdrawal. Wish i had found or tried to find this informative website SIX WEEKS AGO! Concerned about the not tapering. Thought would get better not worse. I know Im ranting. Sound cray cray. Sorry. Thanks

Edited by Petunia
added note

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Welcome from me too TKR, I'm sorry you are going through this, I know how frightening it can be.

 

Unfortunately, you came off your medication too fast, and now are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. You will recover over time, but its impossible to say how long it will take. With your history, I would guess it might take several months, but possibly longer.

 

The best I can offer by way of advice is to listen to your body and avoid those things that set off symptoms as much as possible. Aside from a high quality fish oil and magnesium, avoid supplements. (See King of Supplements: Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil) and Magnesium, Nature's Calcium Channel Blocker). They've been helpful to many of us. 

 

Here is the link to our symptoms and self care section, you may find some useful ideas to help manage symptoms as you recover.  Especially read the topics pinned at the top.

 

Reinstatement can often work well to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. According to medical knowledge, reinstatement is the only way to alleviate withdrawal. Once you have stabilized back on a low dose of the drug, then a slower, safer taper can be started. In your situation, you have a complex drug history, so its not yet clear which drug and at what dose you might try reinstatement. If you would fill in the rest of the details as Scallywag has requested, it would help us to know what to suggest.

 

Here is some information about reinstatement to help you decide if its something you would like to try:  About reinstating and stabilizing to stop withdrawal symptoms

 

Take your time, there's  a lot of information here. Please stay in touch and let us know how you're doing.

 

Petunia.

I'm not a doctor.  My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one.

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal

DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms

Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal)

May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins.

Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D

June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens.

Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered

Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days.

April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close.

VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from?



VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made?



VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes?



VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects?

VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes

 

 

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

I moved the topic you started in the tapering forum to your introduction thread here because it was related to your own situation specifically. 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 not a doctor.  My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one.

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal

DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms

Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal)

May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins.

Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D

June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens.

Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered

Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days.

April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close.

VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from?



VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made?



VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes?



VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects?

VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes

 

 

 

Link to comment

I am ready to go to the hospital. That hospital is where i was given most of the meds that aré making me so very sick right now. They FORCE YOU to see the doctor who gave me a diagnosis of bipolar when i went there for withdrawal last time. They made me take the olanzapine. If i could miraculously survive another day i would call for a psychiatrist appt that will take me a MONTH to get in. What will they do for me in the hospital? What should i do? Dont even know what i am so sick from been on so much through the years. My husband has pretty much left me. If i go back to the hospital that will be it. What help would i seek in that benzo pushing hospital?

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

Link to comment

I said zyprexa was the drug i went off. Sorry. So sick. The drug was olanzapine or naproxen. It is an antipsychotic.

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

Link to comment

Good lord it WAS zyprexa! Olanzapine.

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi TKR,  thanks for taking time to check and confirm that it is/was olanzapine. :)

 

Your signature looks good. Thanks for doing that. If you're up to it, would you remove the reference to naproxen in your signature?

 

We have a one topic (thread) per customer rule in the introductions forum. ;) Please post your updates and questions here.  Setting this web page as a bookmark or favorite in your browser will help you navigate back to it.

 

A tip: You may way want to follow this topic so that you get notifications when someone posts in your thread:

  • Click the gray "Follow this topic" button. Result: A dialog box pops up. 
  • Select one of the notification options, e.g. Immediate, When offline only, Daily digest.
    then
  • Click the "Follow this topic" button in the dialog box.

 

Petunia posted this link in her reply to you above. I'll do so again.

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to stop withdrawal symptoms

 

If you haven't read it yet, please do so.  You'll probably have questions so come back to this topic and post your questions.

 

Your symptom pattern will probably give us some clues about next steps, i.e. reinstating. Lastly, would you provide some detail about your symptoms:

 

What symptoms are you experiencing?

and

What is the pattern for each symptom throughout the 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

24 7 headache. Rage manía anxiety insomnia thoughts of hurting náusea Sweats. My head hurts so badly can not escape. Thought i had a nasty sinus infection. 20 days on antibiotics and a scan. I thought i was going CRAZY from 24 7 headache pain. Only after clear scan did i think MED stoppage. I feel so stupid. Started with chronic back pain from an injury in 2000. SEARCHED for relief. Was told i had depression anxiety insomnia nerve damage/pain. And i took it all. What a foggy 16 year NIGHTMARE. I just wanted off everything. How hopeless i feel. So sick. I cant bear the thought of more meds to feel better. Ive come off a lot of stuff. I dont know where to begin. My brain HURTS. FEELS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. i keep thinking with time i have to get better. Not happening. Dr i saw is frightening. Dont know how or where to seek relief. Frightened.

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

Link to comment

Yes to your questions on the wellbutrin and buproprion. 20 mgs olanzapine to a month on 10 to 2 weeks on 5 to stop.

Welbutrin 300mgs to about 10 days on 150mgs to stop.

I thought that WAS weening. Dr never said dangerous. I TOLD HIM what i was doing. Said would be out of my system in days.

Was put on these when forcibly hospitalized when i abruptly stopped serequil, gabapentine and 3 OTHERS i cant recall. I flipped out. Stupid i know. Called to get records. Was on those 2 weeks. Felt good.

Was put on these meds in an 11 day inpatient stay in mid Jan to ween off oxycodone/apap alprazolam and paroxetine use for many years. Taken off oxycodone/apap alprazolam and paroxetine day I went in the hospital. January 8?

This all sounds CRAZY I know. The last 6 months have been hell. Thought I was doing the right thing.

Keep getting put on poison to get off poison. Dont know what to do. Lost everything. Think I will be in the hospital soon. Really sick.

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

Link to comment

*topic/post moved from relationships forum

 

For years I have taken paroxetine. Ended in an inpatient 11 day stay where I went to detox from oxycodone/apap and benzo alprazolam. I was put on other drugs during a detox. Will share what when I find my records. (Stopped taking and got real sick) But what Ive learned from this site is that PAXIL/paroxitine is a B! I wasnt even concerned about the paxil. I went to off from narcotics and benzo. NO ONE EVER MENTIONED how harmful paxil or other antidepressants were! Not one word about weening or withdrawal. In a detox hospital! I am 5.5 months off of that and am sick. I thought from all the other meds Ive taken. But this paxil seems to really be HORRIFIC. When we are prescribed/go off of so much and so many different how does one tell what was/is hurting us? I appreciate all the stories and info. It is interesting but sad to hear all the suffering. These doctors prescribing this stuff belong in prison. ):

Edited by Petunia
added note

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

I moved the above post here to your own thread TKR, it makes it easier when  we have all the information related to your situation and history together in one place.

 

Thank you for filling in a few more details about your current symptoms, it sounds like you're having a difficult time and I'm not surprised. I've also been through similar extreme symptoms as part of my own withdrawal process and I know how awful and frightening it can be. But do the best you can to stay calm because this will help your nervous system to start its recovery process.

 

Have a look through these ideas for something which works for you, most people find something here that helps:  Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

Knowing that its the drugs which are making us sick is the first step towards getting well, so you have taken that first step. Your anger towards your doctors is completely understandable, I was also horrified when I learned that the people who were supposed to be helping me were in fact causing me harm, its shocking really.

 

When you're feeling up to it, please read through the reinstatement topic and let us know if its something you would consider trying.

 

In my opinion, its better if we can stay in control of our own withdrawal process, by managing our own drugs, that way we can avoid the risk of getting put on one dangerous cocktail after another by doctors who really don't understand what they are prescribing. Going to the hospital almost guarantees that you will be put on a new batch of drugs, which may possibly help in the short term, but are just as likely to make you worse and definitely not helpful long term.

 

Of course, if you are at risk of harming yourself, or others, then hospital is the best option, for now. But hopefully we will be able to guide you through either a recovery process drug free, or via reinstatement and then slow, safe tapering.

 

There is still hope, you can get through this and recover, it will take time and patience, but its very possible and we are here to support you.

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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I have been suffering unimaginable withdrawal from many drugs listed below. For the past 5 weeks I have only taken 10mg zolpidem. It is not helping as I have been on sleep aid for months/years. I am not functioning not sleeping not working and in constant anxiety and mania. I ended up going to e r tonight because I could no longer deal with all of that plus a 24/7 6 week headache. I found no relief there. Need to get back onto SOMETHING. Want off zolpidem cuz its like a benzo. Struggle with benzo withdrawal. Also need something for this anxiety. Read somewhere to replace zolpidem with valium. Its slower releasing? Does anyone think that is a good idea? Then over a LONG TIME taper off the valium. Im desperate. Im sick. My husband is sick of all my problems and wants out. I need to find some relief fast. Not going to survive this withdrawal on zolpidem. Also what do you think about serequil or quentpine to help relieve my symptoms. Really sick and desperate and need relief now. Thanks

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

Link to comment

So physically ill. Did going off 5 mgs of zyprexa do this? Do i need to get back on 5 mgs of zyprexa? I am physically ill. Flu- like aches nausau HEADACHE weakness ANXETY tremors crawling out of my skin. Need to be on something. Scared. Went to e r last night told them i was in withdrawal. Think they didnt believe cuz went off pills weeks ago. They said i had some anxiety issues! Good grief. Told to see neurologist for headache. So sick dont know how Ill go. Headache is UNBEARABLE.

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

Link to comment

Came off narcotics and benzo and paroxetine in a hospital given 600mgs gabapentine 3xs a day,100 mg seroquel and 15mg mitazapine (remeron). Took off meds day one and put on these. Did well for 2 weeks till I STUPIDLY ABRUPTLY stopped taking them and got sick. Ended up back in local hospital in mania and given 10mg of zyprexa for days to come back. Stopped zyprexa 2 weeks at 5mg 5-6 weeks ago-- very sick now. Should I call Dr and get gabapentine seroquel and remeron. Came off those in mid February after 3 week use or am I just hurting myself? Thanks.

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Hello, TKR, I moved your posts here so they wouldn't get lost in the other forums. Please post questions about your specific situation here in your Intro topic so we can see the history of what's going on.

 

You've been on and off a lot of drugs, any one of which can cause terrible withdrawal symptoms. This alone can make your nervous system sensitive to drugs.

 

It seems the symptoms were triggered when you went off olanzapine, is that right? Do you have any olanzapine left? If I were you, I would take 2mg olanzapine and see if that helps stabilize your nervous system. You'd stay on it for some months, give your nervous system a rest, and then taper off by tiny amounts -- "do over" the last part of your taper, which was too fast.

 

See Tips for tapering off olanzapine (Zyprexa) this will tell you how to take a small amount of olanzapine.

 

Please let us know how you're doing.

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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No olanzapine left. ): Saw Dr he said not addictive. Said its something else "meaning me". I got a script for serequil. Really dont know what to do. Suppose I could call him for olanzapine. So afraid to take. Makes me confused and I think gave me the damage I feel in my head right now. Have been without olanzapine 6 weeks. I trust you. Which would be better O or the S? Keep tthinking with time....but damn! Really hurting. How could he shrug and say not addictive?

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Correct, olanzapine is not addictive, but it can incur withdrawal syndrome, which your psychiatrist, who is very ignorant, doesn't seem to know.

 

If you were relatively okay on olanzapine, I would try 2mg olanzapine, rather than introduce a new drug into the mix.

 

Any doctor can prescribe these drugs, it doesn't have to be a psychiatrist.

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 have suffered unimaginable/not able to function withdrawal since stopping zyprexa 5mg 6 weeks ago. Started apprx 5 months ago at 10mg. After a month or two increased to 20mg. Sat at 20mg a month or so then reduced back to 10mg by the doctor when I explained my limbs tremored a few hours after taking. He never once mentioned a need to ween. EVER. After a few weeks or so back on 10mg I started cutting them to 5mg. Did that for maybe 2 weeks then stopped alltogether. I felt confused on them. Felt like someone was rolling my brains between their fingers so I stopped. I got concerned that I did that and called my Dr to tell him what I was doing and that i was scared of withdrawal. It had been a day or two after i stopped. When I told him I was frightened he told me that there would be no withdrawal. It should already be out of my system. Holy shitballs! I can only describe what Im going through as psychosis. I feel like I need lengthy hospitalization. In 6 months I have come off many meds. Frightened. Not even sure the zyprexa is what is withdrawing me so many. I am at my wits end. Was going to get a script for 25mg of serequil in search of relief. Also 6 weeks of insomnia. Losing my mind. I called the Dr back and instead requested 5mg of zyprexa with advice from here and further research. Im sad. Im scared. I am praying for some type of relief. I have literally lost everything because of these meds/med stoppage. Living a nightmare. Hope to survive this. Thank you for advice. Reinstating after 6 weeks of living hell. Everyone please taper.

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

Link to comment

If I do take 5 mgs of zyprexa after 6 weeks off and it were to help...any idea of how long it would take? Really really struggling. Afraid to take it. Also these headaches...any idea how long? Will they ever go away? 24 7. Have had sinus and brain scan they are so bad. Has this happened to others? 24 7 sixth week headache? Thanks.

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

Link to comment

Hi TKR,

 

Boy, you have been through a lot in the last six months!  I found it a bit difficult to determine exactly what you are taking now.  No zyprexa? and 150 buproprion?  Are you still taking zolpidem.

 

Clearly you know that these cold turkeys and rapid tapers have done a lot of harm.  I am not a moderator so I don't really know what they will advise but they will want to know, as best as you can recall, everything you are taking and exactly when you stopped the zyprexa and at what dose.  They will probably have more questions.  Here are some links to read in the meantime..

 

Important Topics about Symptoms Including Sleep Problems

 

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Stop Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Waves and Windows

 

Tips for Tapering off Zyprexa Olanzapine

 

Hopefully a  moderator will come along shortly to give you better advice on what to do.  I am so sorry you are so sick.  I know exactly how scary it all is.  So far, I have avoided hospitalizations.  My husband and I have a pact to never let that happen.  I am sorry it happened to you twice.

 

Grace

Edited by JanCarol
fixed links - looks different but picked topics Grace is pointing out
  • amitriptyline from 1980-2002,
  • intermittent  use of benzos over 2 decades prior to 2002
  • 2002-2010 Klonopin 1-2 mg., ambien 10--20, mg, remeron 4 mg. and  trileptal 300 mg
  • 2011 Stopped ambien and crossed over to valium 17.5 mg. (updosing 2.5 mg. to cover ambien C/T )
  • tapered valium w/ long holds to 12.74 mg. from a high of approximately 20-30 mg/day
  • 2015-2023 tapered trileptal to 98 mg.  had to completely stop tapering due to multiple chronic, serious health issues
  • currently 2024 still on 98 mg. trileptal and 4 mg. remeron
  •   Currently on benzo hold as I have to cross-over from brand-name valium to generic diazepam.   The diazepam is way weaker and brought on severe acute w/d
  • Current dose of diazepam is 7.9 and valium is 6.6.  I had to up-dose the total valium/diazepam from 12.74 to 14.5 where I have stayed since June 2023.  I am crossing over to generic at a somewhat tolerable rate of .3mg/month after about 2 months of trial/error w/ updosing.  I am not currently tapering; will continue to cross over. 

 

Link to comment

Thank you Grace. I am taking 10mg of zolpidem for months now. I am afraid to stop that too. Funny today the Dr told me I am not in WD. I did stop zyprexa and buproprion 6 hellish weeks ago. Started with a headache. Thought it was sinuses. Unbelievably had no clue WD until scan of sinuses came back neg. Psychiatrist said no possible WD. Its something else. Have just gotten sicker. Panic attacks through the roof. I have all WD symptoms. Waiting for a script to reinstate zyprexa 5mg. Can not live like this anymore. Not even sure that's what it is. Maybe its the buproprion. Scared to retake the zyprexa and do further damage. I figured with each day I would get better. Getting worse. Stopped zyprexa at 5mg and buproprion at 150mgs. Researching it appears i have really damaged myself. Scared. Not too many stories available of people who didnt taper here. Mostly tapered. Wondering if people like me recovered/survived?

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

Link to comment

Zyprexa 10mg 2 months, 20mg 1 month, back to 10mg a month and a half then 5mg for 10 days/2weeks. Need to try a reinstate. Cant live like this anymore. Desperate for relief. Been 6 weeks off. If I get 5mg tabs should I take 5mg? Or should I start lower and cut them in half to 2.5mg? Also stopped buproprion 150mgs 6 weeks ago. After about 4 months. Started 150mgs for a month or two then 300mgs maybe a month back to 150mgs 30 days or so. Not sure which drug has made me so ill. Need to do something. Assumed it was the antiphsycotics. Not so sure anymore. I know. I really messed up. My Dr nor my family or friends will acknowledge that I am even in withdrawal. They think Im crazy or depressed. Im beside myself.

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

Link to comment

Hi TKR,

 

I don't think I attached the links right.  When I click on them from my end, they bring me right back to your page.

 

Obviously, no one knows for certain, but all your symptoms are classic w/d pain.  Wait for a mod to come along soon to advise you about re-instating.

 

Grace

Edited by JanCarol
Links fixed, thanks Grace
  • amitriptyline from 1980-2002,
  • intermittent  use of benzos over 2 decades prior to 2002
  • 2002-2010 Klonopin 1-2 mg., ambien 10--20, mg, remeron 4 mg. and  trileptal 300 mg
  • 2011 Stopped ambien and crossed over to valium 17.5 mg. (updosing 2.5 mg. to cover ambien C/T )
  • tapered valium w/ long holds to 12.74 mg. from a high of approximately 20-30 mg/day
  • 2015-2023 tapered trileptal to 98 mg.  had to completely stop tapering due to multiple chronic, serious health issues
  • currently 2024 still on 98 mg. trileptal and 4 mg. remeron
  •   Currently on benzo hold as I have to cross-over from brand-name valium to generic diazepam.   The diazepam is way weaker and brought on severe acute w/d
  • Current dose of diazepam is 7.9 and valium is 6.6.  I had to up-dose the total valium/diazepam from 12.74 to 14.5 where I have stayed since June 2023.  I am crossing over to generic at a somewhat tolerable rate of .3mg/month after about 2 months of trial/error w/ updosing.  I am not currently tapering; will continue to cross over. 

 

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Hello, TKR. I moved your posts here. When you put such questions in your Intro topic, you don't have to recount your history again -- it's all here -- plus, there's the comments the members and mods have already made on your situation.

 

Despite what your psychiatrist believes, all psychiatric drugs can incur withdrawal syndrome and must be tapered. This advice is on the insert in all new psychiatric drugs. Give up trying to convince him of anything, he is terminally clueless, as are many doctors.

 

You are having withdrawal symptoms from Zyprexa and maybe other drugs. Yes, withdrawal can be that bad. That, and most doctors' ignorance about it, is why this site exists.

 

You may call the symptoms "unimaginable," which they are to most people, but we know them very well.

 

Reinstatement of 2mg Zyprexa may reduce the symptoms. Please use search in the Intro forum to find other people who have reinstated. Look around, you'll see many people are in similar situations to yours.

 

Thank you, savinggrace, for helping TKR. Here are working links for those topics:

Important topics about symptoms, including sleep problems About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

Tips for tapering off olanzapine (Zyprexa)

 

 

If you have been taking zolpidem regularly, you are probably physiologically dependent on it and possibly addicted. But for the time being, I would not change anything about taking zolpidem, I'd work on reinstatement first.

 

Please let us know how you are doing.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

Link to comment

Hi TKR,

 

I took ambien (zolpidem) for a decade.  For me, it was a physical dependency.  I had to cross-over to valium to get off it, but I did, rather easily.  I was on 10 mg. ambien and up-dosed 5 mg. valium to do so on the advice of another (now defunct) forum.  I think it was good advice.  Although I detested up-dosing my vallium, it had a much longer half-life, so once I adjusted the ambien was history and I started tapering the valium again.  Interestingly, it must have had some side effects I couldn't sort out because I was on 4 drugs then.   A substantial amount of my body pain went away after the ambien completely cleared my system.  I wasn't even aware of it at the time, but as I looked back and tried to sort out the lessening of my pain, the ambien was the obvious variable.  I think the less drugs you take the better.  I almost feel stupid saying that here!

 

I tell you this not to scare you, but to tell you not to discount it in what your body is dealing with.  When you are stable enough to taper it, I suggest you do it slowly and steadily, just like all the other drugs.  I know it is said it is not addictive, but for me it definitely was.  It is a very close relative of a benzo.

 

I hope you re-stabilize sooner rather than later and get off that zyprexa.  I took two doses of it once, 15 years ago.  I had intense akathisia and gained 5 pounds in two days!  Seroquel did the same thing.  Anti-psychotics are not for me....well, really, they're not for anyone.  Certainly there must be a better way...

 

Grace

  • amitriptyline from 1980-2002,
  • intermittent  use of benzos over 2 decades prior to 2002
  • 2002-2010 Klonopin 1-2 mg., ambien 10--20, mg, remeron 4 mg. and  trileptal 300 mg
  • 2011 Stopped ambien and crossed over to valium 17.5 mg. (updosing 2.5 mg. to cover ambien C/T )
  • tapered valium w/ long holds to 12.74 mg. from a high of approximately 20-30 mg/day
  • 2015-2023 tapered trileptal to 98 mg.  had to completely stop tapering due to multiple chronic, serious health issues
  • currently 2024 still on 98 mg. trileptal and 4 mg. remeron
  •   Currently on benzo hold as I have to cross-over from brand-name valium to generic diazepam.   The diazepam is way weaker and brought on severe acute w/d
  • Current dose of diazepam is 7.9 and valium is 6.6.  I had to up-dose the total valium/diazepam from 12.74 to 14.5 where I have stayed since June 2023.  I am crossing over to generic at a somewhat tolerable rate of .3mg/month after about 2 months of trial/error w/ updosing.  I am not currently tapering; will continue to cross over. 

 

Link to comment

Hi TKR,

Just wanted to check in and see how things are going for you. I hope that you have been able to stabilize. Just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you.

 

Hugs

Buspirone to 45mg, Cold Turkey St. John's Wort 600mg Jan 1, 2016. Cold Turkey Buproprion 150SR June 1 due to severe Akathisia that did not decrease with reducing the dosage.

Clonazepam 1.25mg, started daily liquid micro taper of clonazepam on Nov 1, 2016. Changed to sxs based taper 01/17. Slow and steady

11/10/16 .4104 3X day; 11/17/16 .4091 3x day; 11/28/16 .406 3x day; 12/4/16 .404 3x day; 12/11/16 .4028 3x

01/12/17 .39267 3x day holding; 02/25/17 .3902 3x day, holding. .3823mg 3x day. Tapering at .0007462mg as able;  09/21/18 .3542mg 3x day.  1/3/2019 .339mg 3x day. 6/25/19 .3307mg 3x day. 8/24/19 .317mg 3x day 2/13/20 .2886mg 3x day 3/18/21 .2388mg 3x day 06/17/21 .2239mg 3x day 09/13/22 .1682 3x day

L-theanine 200 mg, L-glycine 500mg 1x day and 1000mg 1x day, vit C 1000 mg sustained release 2x day. Fish oil 1800mg EPA + DHA. Vit E 400 IU, magnesium in various forms. Inositol 3x a day abt 14mg, Taurine 500mg.

5/20/16 Using Cranial Eletrotherapy Stimulation. 2x day 1 hour at level 1. Using Alph-Stim AID. 

 

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Tapering 6 weeks, what are your symptoms now? Are they severe enough so you need to get back on the drug?

abilify 2 years

zyprexa 5mg 3yearsn 10mg 3 years, 15 mg 3 years

seroquel 200mg 3 weeks, 175 mg 6 days, 150mg 5-29-16

125mg 6/10/16 100mg 6/20/16 87.5mg 7/8/16

Link to comment

Either way, it proves that everyone is different.

abilify 2 years

zyprexa 5mg 3yearsn 10mg 3 years, 15 mg 3 years

seroquel 200mg 3 weeks, 175 mg 6 days, 150mg 5-29-16

125mg 6/10/16 100mg 6/20/16 87.5mg 7/8/16

Link to comment

All these doctors, we all need meds right.

abilify 2 years

zyprexa 5mg 3yearsn 10mg 3 years, 15 mg 3 years

seroquel 200mg 3 weeks, 175 mg 6 days, 150mg 5-29-16

125mg 6/10/16 100mg 6/20/16 87.5mg 7/8/16

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Did these doctors even take these meds and share our experience?

abilify 2 years

zyprexa 5mg 3yearsn 10mg 3 years, 15 mg 3 years

seroquel 200mg 3 weeks, 175 mg 6 days, 150mg 5-29-16

125mg 6/10/16 100mg 6/20/16 87.5mg 7/8/16

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Checking in. It has now been 2 months. 2 months of hell on earth. Reviewing my posts... NOTHING is different. Have not reinstated. Afraid to. Have a bottle of zyprexa at pharmacy afraid to pick up. If I take them I dont know how I would get more i have lost my insurance. And am wondering how I would financially taper over months/years. Very defeating. Everyone around me refuses to acknowledge I am in WD. Or that it could possibly be this long. Husband is gone. I cant work or even function with this headache. Was going to reinstate at 2.5 mgs of zyprexa but again can not afford any more after that. My illness has already financially ruined us. Haven't worked in years. Seriously defeated. Feels like I have brain damage so much pain. Extreme panic. Still not sleeping. Frightened too I am going to run out of zolpidem and am currently taking 7.5mg. The loss of my insurance started this mess. That is why I CTd. ):

Many many meds since 2001. Dont remember them all. Very sad. A nightmare.

2001-Jan 2016 4-5 3-325mg oxycodone/apap per day.

Many years alprazolam 4-10mg per day ceased Jan 2016.

Zolpidem current 10mg. Prior to that months of 10 mg trazadone. Over the years ambien

Years of neurontin, ultram, valium, wellbutrin, Tramodol, diazepam and MANY MANY OTHERS.

Many years paroxetine/paxil ended Jan 2016.

Inpatient hospitalization Jan 2016 cold turkeyed from Oxy alprazolam and paroxetine and put on serequil gabapentine and remorol. Took myself off flipped out and was hospitalized again mid Feb.

Feb 2016-May 25(?) 5/10 mgs. olanzapine/zyprexa and 150mg buproprion.

Dangerously weened myself off last 2 in a week . In trouble.

Started with chronic pain. Then told had depression anxiety insomnia..

No doctor ever explained tapering or the dangers of withdrawal. They would just switch meds. And i took it all in search of RELIEF.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

TKR, about the cost of the medications:

 

If you're taking the brand name Zyprexa, you can

  • ask your doctor to prescribe the generic "olanzapine"

    *and*
     
  • investigate manufacturer purchase support programs:
    • Lilly makes Zyprexa in the USA information can be found at LillyCares
       
    • for other drugs, check a web directory of patient assistance programs such as RxAssist
      brandnames for zolpidem: Ambien, Intermezzo, Edluar, and Zolpimist

 

Another thing to consider is your state's laws and regulations regarding separation and divorce. If you are not divorced, you *may* still be covered by your husband's health insurance.

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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