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Kat123: Help needed to guide my MH team with my withdrawal


Kat123

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Hi I'm Kat

At last after 25 years and after much begging my Mh team have said I can gradually withdraw from the cocktail of drugs I am taking. Starting a week on Friday. They have decided that the first med I should taper is the 30mg of Mirtazepine. They didn't explain why this particular drug should be the first to start with. They also didn't tell me what the lower dose will be. I take Diazepam, Risperidone, zopiclone and prn tamezepam. Any help would be appreciated so that I can make a decision whether to do what why MH team want me to do.

Risperidone 1mg 4x daily 2005 - present

Diazepam 5mg 4x daily 2007- present

Mirtazepine 30 mg at night 2006- present

Zopiclone 7.5mg at night 1998- present

Temazepam 10mg prn 2013- present

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My mh team have finally agreed to taper me off my meds and have decided that next week they will reduce my dose of Mirtazepine. I don't now why they have chosen that one or what the dose will be. They didn't say. Any advice as to whether this is the best one to start with and if so what dose please? Or advice as to whether it is best to start with another med.

Risperidone 1mg 4x daily 2005 - present

Diazepam 5mg 4x daily 2007- present

Mirtazepine 30 mg at night 2006- present

Zopiclone 7.5mg at night 1998- present

Temazepam 10mg prn 2013- present

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Kat123 -- Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants (SA)

I've moved a post in the Tapering forum to your introduction topic. We ask that people post about their own situation in their introduction so that all their information, questions and answers are in one place.

Thanks for taking time to create a signature that shows your medications and your doses. It would be helpful if you indicated when you started taking each of them. A month and year, or even just a year, is good enough, e.g. Oct. 2015.

When a someone is taking multiple medications, we ask that that you post an interactions report. Follow the link below to get your report. Just select the text, copy it and paste it in a post here.
Drugs-dot-com Drugs Interactions Checker.

A few introductory topics:

  1. Before you begin tapering -- what you need to know.
  2. Why taper by 10% of my dosage?.
  3. How do you talk to your doctor about tapering and withdrawal.
  4. What to expect from your doctor about withdrawal symptoms.

Please have a look at this topic to get a sense of how you might start tapering:
Taking multiple drugs? Which to taper first.

I hope you'll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation. I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but am glad that you found us before you started to decrease dosage.

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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  • Moderator Emeritus

* 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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Interactions between your selected drugs
Moderate
diazepam temazepam
Applies to: diazepam, temazepam

Using diazePAM together with temazepam 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
temazepam eszopiclone
Applies to: temazepam, eszopiclone

Using temazepam together with eszopiclone 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
risperidone eszopiclone
Applies to: Risperdal (risperidone), eszopiclone

Using risperiDONE together with eszopiclone 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
mirtazapine eszopiclone
Applies to: mirtazapine, eszopiclone

Using mirtazapine together with eszopiclone 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
temazepam mirtazapine
Applies to: temazepam, mirtazapine

Using temazepam together with mirtazapine 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
risperidone mirtazapine
Applies to: Risperdal (risperidone), mirtazapine

Using risperiDONE together with mirtazapine 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
diazepam mirtazapine
Applies to: diazepam, mirtazapine

Using diazePAM together with mirtazapine 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
diazepam risperidone
Applies to: diazepam, Risperdal (risperidone)

Using diazePAM together with risperiDONE 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
temazepam risperidone
Applies to: temazepam, Risperdal (risperidone)

Using temazepam together with risperiDONE 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
diazepam eszopiclone
Applies to: diazepam, eszopiclone

Using diazePAM together with eszopiclone 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.



No other interactions were found between your selected drugs.
Note: this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other drugs and diseases that your selected drugs interact with
diazepam interacts with more than 400 other drugs and more than 10 diseases.
eszopiclone interacts with more than 300 other drugs and 3 diseases.
mirtazapine interacts with more than 500 other drugs and more than 10 diseases.
temazepam interacts with more than 300 other drugs and 10 diseases.
Risperdal (risperidone) interacts with more than 500 other drugs and more than 20 diseases.

 


Interactions between your selected drugs and food
Moderate
eszopiclone food
Applies to: eszopiclone

Taking eszopiclone with a high-fat or heavy meal may delay the onset of sleep. For faster sleep onset, eszopiclone should not be administered with or immediately after a high-fat or heavy meal. This will make it easier for your body to absorb the medication. You should avoid the use of alcohol while being treated with eszopiclone. Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of eszopiclone such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.



Moderate
risperidone food
Applies to: Risperdal (risperidone)

RisperiDONE oral solution should not be mixed with tea or cola. It may be taken with water, coffee, orange juice, or low-fat milk. You should avoid the use of alcohol while being treated with risperiDONE. Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of risperiDONE such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.



Moderate
mirtazapine food
Applies to: mirtazapine

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of mirtazapine such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with mirtazapine. Do not use more than the recommended dose of mirtazapine, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.



Moderate
diazepam food

Applies to: diazepam

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with diazePAM and lead to potentially dangerous side effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor. Do not drink alcohol while taking diazePAM. This medication can increase the effects of alcohol. You may feel more drowsy, dizzy, or tired if you take diazePAM with alcohol. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.




Therapeutic duplication warnings
Therapeutic duplication is the use of more than one medicine from the same drug category or therapeutic class to treat the same condition. This can be intentional in cases where drugs with similar actions are used together for demonstrated therapeutic benefit. It can also be unintentional in cases where a patient has been treated by more than one doctor, or had prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy, and can have potentially adverse consequences.

Duplication
Psychotropic agents
Therapeutic duplication

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'psychotropic agents' category to be taken concurrently is usually three. Your list includes five medicines belonging to the 'psychotropic agents' category:

diazepam
eszopiclone
mirtazapine
temazepam
risperidone (active ingredient in Risperdal (risperidone))
Note: The benefits of taking this combination of medicines may outweigh any risks associated with therapeutic duplication. This information does not take the place of talking to your doctor. Always check with your healthcare provider to determine if any adjustments to your medications are needed.

Duplication
Central Nervous System (CNS) Drugs
Therapeutic duplication

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'Central Nervous System (CNS) Drugs' category to be taken concurrently is usually three. Your list includes five medicines belonging to the 'Central Nervous System (CNS) Drugs' category:

diazepam
eszopiclone
mirtazapine
temazepam
risperidone (active ingredient in Risperdal (risperidone))
Note: The benefits of taking this combination of medicines may outweigh any risks associated with therapeutic duplication. This information does not take the place of talking to your doctor. Always check with your healthcare provider to determine if any adjustments to your medications are needed.

Duplication
Benzodiazepines
Therapeutic duplication

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'benzodiazepines' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'benzodiazepines' category:

diazepam
temazepam
Note: The benefits of taking this combination of medicines may outweigh any risks associated with therapeutic duplication. This information does not take the place of talking to your doctor. Always check with your healthcare provider to determine if any adjustments to your medications are needed.

Duplication
Hypnotics
Therapeutic duplication

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'hypnotics' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'hypnotics' category:

eszopiclone
temazepam
Note: The benefits of taking this combination of medicines may outweigh any risks associated with therapeutic duplication. This information does not take the place of talking to your doctor. Always check with your healthcare provider to determine if any adjustments to your medications are needed. Edited by scallywag
font colour and bolding

Risperidone 1mg 4x daily 2005 - present

Diazepam 5mg 4x daily 2007- present

Mirtazepine 30 mg at night 2006- present

Zopiclone 7.5mg at night 1998- present

Temazepam 10mg prn 2013- present

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Thanks for posting the interactions report.  There's nothing in it that jumps out at me as saying "start decreasing THIS medication" because each drug has moderate interactions with every other drug. (5 drugs, 10 interactions).

 

At what time of day do you take each medication?

 

What symptoms/side-effects do you have, if any?  If you have symptoms/side-effects, what is the pattern?

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

Thanks for your reply. I take Risperidone and Diazepam around 8 am, 1pm, 6pm and 11pm. Mirtazepine and Zopiclone at 11pm. I take Temazepam when in a crisis and can be at anytime during the day or night. I don't know anymore which are 'symptoms' of my so called diagnosis of BPD (which I argue is CPTSD as due to prolonged childhood incest) and which are side effects of medication.

 

I suffer from anxiety, dissociation, insomnia, flashbacks, depression, and hearing voices.

 

So a week on Friday I will be seeing my Mh team and as I said they have decided to start with Mirtazepine but they are deciding the lower dose and I won't know what they have given me until they give me my prescription. So angry that I have been on various antipsychotics and antidepressants for around 25 years (forcibly given them on some occasions) and no-one from my mh team told me why I was taking them or about how addictive they can be and how hard withdrawal might be!

Risperidone 1mg 4x daily 2005 - present

Diazepam 5mg 4x daily 2007- present

Mirtazepine 30 mg at night 2006- present

Zopiclone 7.5mg at night 1998- present

Temazepam 10mg prn 2013- present

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

It's often helpful to keep a log -- keep notes on paper of your symptoms and the times of your dose(s). This post has a useful format for a daily log:
Take notes of doses and symptoms.

The average half-life for risperidone is 20 hours, so dosing is usually 1/day because 50% of the dose is still active after 20 hours. Do you recall the reason why you're taking the risperidone 4 times/day?

  • Were you having issues with less frequent dosing making you sleepy?
  • Or, did you discover that you metabolize it quickly?

Did you read the thread titled "Taking multiple drugs?"

 

It seems to me that you are currently taking 3 "brakes" (risperidone, diazepam, temazepam) and 1 "accelerator" (mirtazapine). You may want to ask your medical advisors what the risk of fatigue and "somnolence"/sleepiness could be with mirt decreases. Also, once you get below a certain dose with mirtazapine, it starts to hit only histamine receptors and works as a "brake."

 

How open is your medical team to your input? How do you think they'd respond to you saying you'd like to reduce very slowly?

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

Hi. Thanks for replying. my CPn is very open to anything I can find out about withdrawal and I'm sure she will be interested in any advice you have. I think they might suggest a quicker withdrawal than I would like. Seeing my CPN a week tomorrow and she will already have the lower dose of Mirtazepine (although I don't know what that is yet).

 

I have no idea why I take Risperidone 4x a day I think I was taken off Chlorpromazine in 2005 and put on this dose of Risperidone whilst sectioned in hospital. I get confused as to what are symptoms of my Mh difficulties and what are medication side effects but I will endeavour to keep a diary as you suggest.

 

Do you think I should start reducing Mirtazepine first and if so what kind of tapering would be best?

If not do you think it would be better to start tapering one of my other medications and if so how slowly?

 

My psychiatrist is off ill and I haven't seen him for almost a year nor any other psychiatrist. My CPn told me when I saw her this week that she was going to talk to a duty psychiatrist regarding the dose of my Mirtazepine.

 

My worry is that when I go a week on Friday that they will already have my Mirtazepine for me at a lower dose, therefore I won't have much say in how I withdraw from it or if indeed I think it is the right medication to start with. I need information to make an informed choice.

 

Thanks for your ongoing help

Risperidone 1mg 4x daily 2005 - present

Diazepam 5mg 4x daily 2007- present

Mirtazepine 30 mg at night 2006- present

Zopiclone 7.5mg at night 1998- present

Temazepam 10mg prn 2013- present

Link to comment

Hi Kat, my goodness you have been duped by doctors as the rest of us have :( I am so sorry to hear of your childhood trauma... I can't imagine any person able to cope with life well after those terrible events. You are very strong and brave! Thanks for joining SA - this is a great and safe place for support and advice. 

 

Scally has some excellent questions to get started. I am on 2-3 drugs and almost off 2 of them completely - frustrating to be polydrugged, UGH. I'll keep checking back with you. 

Sep '18 - became pregnant  in late August, then on 9/5 insomnia/anxiety went THROUGH the roof. I tried a lot of things but here is what is current: 

Paroxetine: 6.2mg (began 9/5/18, and there was a new manufacturer of which I just found out 2 days ago) during the day

Olanzapine 7.5mg at night

Ambien: 5-10mg at night

Xanex: 5-10mg at night

Fish Oil: for prenatal things

 

  • Aug '18: Paroxetine 6.6mg, (30mg thyroid hormone, fish oil, vit D3, SBI protect, probiotic. Following AIP diet)
  • Mar '16: began taper from 20mg. Decreasing .75mg or less each month or more. Sporadically used Ambien &/or Trazodone for insomnia. 
  •  Sep'15: tried to come off slower. Used fish oil, vit D3, and regular exercise/healthy diet to assist. (Taper sched= 18mg for 60days, 15mg for 60d, 10mg for 30d, 8mg for 30d) At my 3rd week of 8mg in Nov '15, insomnia and panic attacks began. Back up to 20mg after a month of horrible withdrawal. 
  • Oct'12-Sep'15: 20mg Paxil
  • Sep'12: 1st attempt to get off, naively tried cold turkey per Dr. suggestion. Couldn't work for 2 months. Another Doc upped dose to 20mg.
  • Jun '09-Aug '12: 10mg Paxil for severe insomnia due to anxiety. Also took Ambien/Trazodone for sleep.  Other meds taken sporadically: Ativan, Abilify, Xyrem 

 

My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus' blood and righteousness. 

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

We suggest that people take a conservative approach to minimize the risk of withdrawal symptoms: reducing by 10% per month.

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?.

 

The 10% is always deducted from current dose NOT starting dose, so 10% reductions starting at 30 mg would be:

27, 25.3, 22.8, 20.5, 18.5, etc. Said another way, each dose is 90% of the previous dose.

 

At your meeting tomorrow with your CPn, consider discussing

  • the concept about "brakes and accelerators"  and
  • that you'd like to make many small dose reductions with lots of time in between.
It would be worth asking the CPn (and the duty psychiatrist) about 4/day dosing of risperidone, i.e. does it make sense?

 

Rather than just following the idea to decrease mirtazapine, I'd evaluate tapering risperidone first. Again, please read the multiple drugs topic. If you have questions about that, please post them here in your introduction.

 

Here's information about your medications:

Tips for tapering off Remeron (mirtazapine)

Tips for tapering off Risperdal (risperidone)

Members-only benzo forum -- when you start to taper diazepam and temazepam you'll want to start a topic in the benzo forum.

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
  • 2 weeks later...

I saw my CPN who had asked the duty psychiatrist (who I have never met) about reducing my Mirtazapene. He said I need to go from the daily dose of 30mg that I have been on for years to 15mg for 2 weeks and then stop!

I said I wasn't prepared to do this but she had already got my packets of meds ready for me, including the lower dose of Mirtazepine.

Went to see my GP today but he won't get involved as my MH team prescribe all my psych meds. Rang my CPN and she is on annual leave for 2 weeks. Waaaaa!

Told her about the brakes and accelerators but she wasn't interested.

Asked why I take Risperidone 4x a day and she said people only take Risperidone once a day if it is for psychosis. When I asked why I have been taking this and other antipsychotics for over 20 years she said it was to stop "racing thoughts".

Really fed up and dreading the next few weeks whilst withdrawing so quickly from my Mirtazepine. Even rang the MH crisis team....they're not interested either!

Risperidone 1mg 4x daily 2005 - present

Diazepam 5mg 4x daily 2007- present

Mirtazepine 30 mg at night 2006- present

Zopiclone 7.5mg at night 1998- present

Temazepam 10mg prn 2013- present

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Is it possible you could look for a new doctor, someone who would be willing to cooperate and work with you to reduce your drugs? I don't know what the system is there in the UK, do you have any choice about who you see?

 

Here is a topic which may be some help:

 

See: What to expect from my doctor

 

If you are unable to find someone who will work with you, the other alternative is to continue to receive the same prescriptions you had previously and then handle the taper yourself, with the information available here. You really only need a doctor who will continue to prescribe.

 

 

I don't know anymore which are 'symptoms' of my so called diagnosis of BPD (which I argue is CPTSD as due to prolonged childhood incest) and which are side effects of medication.
 

 

Much of what gets diagnosed as 'mental illness' and drugged is in fact a normal human response to trauma of some kind. A much better treatment would be support, understanding and help with working through the trauma.

 

I'm so sorry for what you endured as a child. Sadly, its very difficult to find professionals who are able or willing to provide the proper kind of care to help people recover from this kind of long term stress.

 

Are you familiar with the work of Dr. Gabor Mate? I'm sure he would agree with you about your problems being caused by childhood trauma, rather than it being a brain illness.

 

Here is a 14 minute video of Dr Gabor Mate on the misunderstanding of trauma by society and the medical industry

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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Is it possible you could look for a new doctor, someone who would be willing to cooperate and work with you to reduce your drugs? I don't know what the system is there in the UK, do you have any choice about who you see?

 

Here is a topic which may be some help:

 

See: What to expect from my doctor

 

If you are unable to find someone who will work with you, the other alternative is to continue to receive the same prescriptions you had previously and then handle the taper yourself, with the information available here. You really only need a doctor who will continue to prescribe.

 

 

I don't know anymore which are 'symptoms' of my so called diagnosis of BPD (which I argue is CPTSD as due to prolonged childhood incest) and which are side effects of medication.

 

 

Much of what gets diagnosed as 'mental illness' and drugged is in fact a normal human response to trauma of some kind. A much better treatment would be support, understanding and help with working through the trauma.

 

I'm so sorry for what you endured as a child. Sadly, its very difficult to find professionals who are able or willing to provide the proper kind of care to help people recover from this kind of long term stress.

 

Are you familiar with the work of Dr. Gabor Mate? I'm sure he would agree with you about your problems being caused by childhood trauma, rather than it being a brain illness.

.

Here is a 14 minute video of Dr Gabor Mate on the misunderstanding of trauma by society and the medical industry

 

Totally agree about DR gabor mates work ,it has really helped me understand my own story/history .I believe these doctors only prolong misery and suffering with there prescribing drugs .

It started as far back as Sigmund fraud prescribing cocaine .

My heart goes out to kat123.

Alcohol free since February 2015 

1MG diazepam

4.5MG PROZAC.

 

 

 

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  • Mentor

Hi. Thanks for replying. my CPn is very open to anything I can find out about withdrawal and I'm sure she will be interested in any advice you have. I think they might suggest a quicker withdrawal than I would like. Seeing my CPN a week tomorrow and she will already have the lower dose of Mirtazepine (although I don't know what that is yet).

 

I have no idea why I take Risperidone 4x a day I think I was taken off Chlorpromazine in 2005 and put on this dose of Risperidone whilst sectioned in hospital. I get confused as to what are symptoms of my Mh difficulties and what are medication side effects but I will endeavour to keep a diary as you suggest.

 

Do you think I should start reducing Mirtazepine first and if so what kind of tapering would be best?

If not do you think it would be better to start tapering one of my other medications and if so how slowly?

 

My psychiatrist is off ill and I haven't seen him for almost a year nor any other psychiatrist. My CPn told me when I saw her this week that she was going to talk to a duty psychiatrist regarding the dose of my Mirtazepine.

 

My worry is that when I go a week on Friday that they will already have my Mirtazepine for me at a lower dose, therefore I won't have much say in how I withdraw from it or if indeed I think it is the right medication to start with. I need information to make an informed choice.

 

Thanks for your ongoing help

 

 

I am so sorry your doctors are so clueless!

 

is there a chance you could ring them and tell them you've changed your mind, you are too scared (or whatever) to taper off your meds right now, and get the full dose of mirtazapine that you were on before?

 

that way you can taper safely by yourself with the help from the mods here on mixing and calculating doses.

 

what a mess!! Incredible that you've been on such a huge cocktail of drugs for so long.

 

sending healing vibes your way.

 

  • pysch med history: 1974 @ age 18 to Oct 2017 (approx 43 yrs total) 
  •  Drug list: stelazine, haldol, elavil, lithium, zoloft, celexa, lexapro(doses as high as 40mgs), klonopin, ambien, seroquel(high doses), depakote, zyprexa, lamictal- plus brief trials of dozens of other psych meds over the years
  • started lexapro 2002, dose varied from 20mgs to 40mgs. First attempt to get off it was 2007- WD symptoms were mistaken for "relapse". 
  •  2013 too fast taper down to 5mg but WD forced me back to 20mgs
  •  June of 2105, tapered again too rapidly to 2.5mgs by Dec 2015. Found SA, held at 2.5 mgs til May 2016 when I foolishly "jumped off". felt ok until  Sept, then acute WD hit!!  reinstated at 0.3mgs in Oct. 2106
  • Tapered off to zero by  Oct. 2017 Doing very well. 
  • Nov. 2018 feel 95% healed, age 63 
  • Jan. 2020 feel 100% healed, peaceful and content
  • Dec 2023 Loving life! ❤️ with all it's ups and downs ;) 
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Feel so isolated and distressed and physically unwell. Not one person I have contacted from my MH team or any of my GPs or ven the MH crisis team will listen to me about how the halving of my Mirtazepine has affected me!

Risperidone 1mg 4x daily 2005 - present

Diazepam 5mg 4x daily 2007- present

Mirtazepine 30 mg at night 2006- present

Zopiclone 7.5mg at night 1998- present

Temazepam 10mg prn 2013- present

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Kat I am so very sorry to see how the MH team are treating you. How many days of mirtazepine did they give you?  Do you always collect them from the CPN? 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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They gave me 2 weeks of 15mg and then I was to stop completely and yes I collect them only from my cpn. I did argue my case but they wouldn't change their minds. I took 30 mg for a few days as I was sure I would get someone to help me but no-one did. Obviously I ran out so went from 30mg to nothing. This was a week or so ago and it's been and still is hideous. Rang my MH crisis team in the night a few nights ago as was so unwell mentally and physically. No-one answered so I left a phone message. They are supposed to ring back within half an hour. Not heard anything at all from them and not ringing any of the MH team again as when they don't get back to you or ask you to simply make a cuppa or go for a bath it's so invalidating and makes me feel even more 'risky'. Not seeing my CPN again till next week. Going to ask for an appointment with the duty psychiatrist.

 

I'm not even going to try to ask for them to taper all my other drugs. They don't know what they are doing!

 

I'm stuck!

Risperidone 1mg 4x daily 2005 - present

Diazepam 5mg 4x daily 2007- present

Mirtazepine 30 mg at night 2006- present

Zopiclone 7.5mg at night 1998- present

Temazepam 10mg prn 2013- present

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  • Moderator Emeritus

This is outrageous but sadly happens. I think H2H is right about trying to get the full dose back and taper without them. I tried several times to taper with my doctors and all they did was tell me to halve the dose like you, or take them every other day for a week then stop. Thankfully I was able to carry on collecting scripts and eventually tapered on my own. Can you get your gp to write a script until you can get to the CPN? Or maybe the chemist could give you an emergency supply. I forgot mine when I went to visit my daughter and they gave me enough till I got home. I also took my neice to our chemist once when she had forgotten hers and they gave her some too. I say gave but she might have had to pay something because she wasn't exempt from prescription payments. 

 

I just don't know what else to suggest, they are not looking after your interests.  :angry:

 

Edited by ChessieCat
changed member name

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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