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goldengod5694

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Hi everyone. I'm new to this forum.

 

So I was on Abilify back in May for 3 weeks and then I went off of it. Everything went down hill so I went back on it for 3 more weeks then went off of it. It's been a month since my last dose.

 

I wake up every morning crying for no reason. And feeling depressed for no reason. Is there anything I can do to help the healing process? I'm feeling really hopeless.

PS I was on 2mg

Edited by JanCarol
Added paragraphs and generic drug tag

Lexapro 20mg 2012-2016

Remeron 30mg 2016-present

Cymbalta 60mg 2016-present

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi goldengod, and welcome to SA,

 

You have come to the right place as there is a lot of excellent information on this site.

 

Please put your Withdrawal History in Signature.  Please include (for the last 12-18 months) details of ALL drugs, dates, doses and how you decreased/increased (did you skip days, alternate doses or cold turkey).  A summary of anything prior is okay.  Please remember to update your signature whenever you make a change so it remains current and can be seen at a glance.  Thank you.

 

Once we have more information we will be able to offer suggestions based on your individual situation.

 

This is your Intro/Update topic where you can ask questions and journal your progress.  Click "Follow" top right and you will be notified when someone responds.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

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

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

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

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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By the way I'm on cymbalta 60mg and remeron 30mg. I forgot to mention that I quit the abilify cold turkey

Lexapro 20mg 2012-2016

Remeron 30mg 2016-present

Cymbalta 60mg 2016-present

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Welcome GG5694

Would you like to put all the drugs you are taking through the interaction checker and copy and paste the results here in your intro thread.

https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html

 

One thing i think you can do to help the healing is to not keep adding more drugs. 

When in 2016 did you start taking the remeron and cymbalta?

 

Why were you put on the abilify for 3 weeks in may ?

What was the reason for remeron and cymbalta being added? Crying spells? An exit attempt off the lexapro?

Have you ever gone off and on other drugs from the doctor?

 

Crying spells is a classic wdl symptom. 

 

So glad you found sa.

nz11

 

Later...Edit: Oh i just realized you aren't on the lexapro anymore are you?

Well then it would be my guess that the abilify remeron and cymablta were dumped on you to quell withdrawal symptoms because the doc didnt taper you off lex safely.

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

Hi goldengod,   (Edit:  NZ posted just before me)

 

Thank you for completing your signature.  Please add some extra information so it gives a more complete picture.

 

In your signature please add:

  • Date/month when you stopped the Lexapro
  • Date/month when you started Remeron
  • Date/month when you started Cymbalta
  • Details of Abilify - on and off dates + dose/s

 

And please post in-topic answers to the following questions:

 

 How did you stop the Lexapro?  Why did you stop the Lexapro?  Do you drink alcohol?  Are you taking any other drugs (ie which are not ADs)?  Are you taking any supplements/

 

We might have some additional questions to ask you later but for now it will help us to help you if you would respond to the above.  Thank you.

 

When members are taking more than one drug we ask them to enter them into Drug Interactions Checker

 

I have done that and posted them here.  I have included Abilify FYI:

 

Interactions between your selected drugs

 

Major

Applies to: Remeron (mirtazapine), Cymbalta (duloxetine)

 

Using mirtazapine together with DULoxetine can increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may result in coma and even death. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms while taking the medications. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may already be aware of the risks, but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

 

 

Moderate

Applies to: Remeron (mirtazapine), Abilify (aripiprazole)

 

Using mirtazapine together with ARIPiprazole may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

 

Moderate

Applies to: Abilify (aripiprazole), Cymbalta (duloxetine)

 

DULoxetine may increase the blood levels of ARIPiprazole. This can increase the risk and/or severity of side effects such as drowsiness, seizure, Parkinson-like symptoms, abnormal muscle movements, and low blood pressure. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. Contact your doctor if you experience agitation, aggression, confusion, convulsions, muscle spasm, or movements that you can't stop or control such as lip smacking, chewing, puckering, frowning or scowling, tongue thrusting, teeth clenching, jaw twitching, blinking, eye rolling, shaking or jerking of arms and legs, tremor, jitteriness, restlessness, pacing, and foot tapping. Also be alert to symptoms of low blood pressure such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and/or increased pulse or heart rate. Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how these medications affect you, and use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position, especially at the beginning of treatment or after an increase in dose of ARIPiprazole. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

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

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

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

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment

I started taking the remeron first for sleep back in March. And I started the cymbalta in may. I was put on abilify to help with my depression.

Lexapro 20mg 2012-2016

Remeron 30mg 2016-present

Cymbalta 60mg 2016-present

Link to comment

When did you stop the lexapro ?

Can you answer cc's drug signature questions?

Did the so called 'depression' suddenly begin in May and just coincidentally appeared post -lexapro?

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

 

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

I think what NZ is referring to is:

Delayed Onset of Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Here's how it works:

 

The drugs are only tested for "efficacy" against placebo for trials of 6 weeks to 3 months long.

 

When you take a drug, your body adjusts to the drug.  At some point - maybe after 6 months, 3 years, 5 years, the drug doesn't work as well as it did, so you go back to your doctor.

 

The doctor says, "I'm sorry you're still depressed, but we can add another drug to help you get through this."

 

They add a drug, and 6 months, 2 years, 4 years later - it no longer works.  Or you can't sleep.  You return to the doctor.

 

He says, "I'm sorry you can't sleep, but we can add another drug to help you get through this."

 

By now, he's written this on your chart:  "Treatment resistant depression."  The next time you come into his office, he's excited that he's got Abilify in his toolkit, and that it's indicated for this "diagnosis."  Only the diagnosis is drug induced.

 

Only really - your depression has been driven deeper by the changes the drugs have made to your brain.  

 

Since 2012, it's taken at least 4 drugs to try and break through your depression.

 

The Abilify was added as a last ditch effort.  (are you aware that it's classed as an "anti-psychotic?")

 

I decided I was unhappy on the drugs, I was depressed for 20-30 years.  I decided that I could live with "depressed," but I couldn't live with the sickness that the drugs induced.  

 

That is why NZ asked you - exactly when did you go off the Lexapro?  

 

Because the link I gave you (above) points to this story, too:

 

When you quit a drug (especially Cold Turkey, or CT), and you feel better without it, or you go into acute withdrawal (the tough stuff) for a couple of months, then you feel better without it.

 

Then, 6 months, 12 months down the line - or you have a new stress added to your life - a change in job, a new relationship, the breakup of an old relationship, a tragedy, or just plain day-to-day stress - and then - the another withdrawal hits.  You go to the doctor, he records these symptoms as a "relapse," and he changes your drugs - setting you up for another delayed withdrawal response.

 

Every change, even starting new drugs, can "bounce" your system like this - and the bounce can take 6-12 months to settle, sometimes even longer.

 

Do you want a lifetime more drugs?  Do you want the doctors to continue dipping into the different classes of drugs to try and control or sustain your mood?   Or do you want to take a chance that you can be a functional human without them - or with less of them?

 

As you see from Chessie's post - your doctor has placed you on too many antidepressants.  They are conflicting with each other.  No wonder your mood is unhappy.

 

Intro to Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome

 

Before You Begin Taper - What you Should Know

 

Please, give us actual dates (month and year is fine) in your signature that you went on and off these drugs, and please, let us know what you would like to do.  And yes - the date you quit Lexapro is very important.

"Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna

 

Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again.

 

My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices.

 

A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia.   CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013.   Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine).     Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 -  Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years  on Lithium).  Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made.


The tedious thread (my intro):  JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium

The happy thread (my success story):  JanCarol - Undiagnosed  Off all bipolar drugs

My own blog:  https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/

 

 

I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016!

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