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Jacaranda: Which to taper first


Jacaranda

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Hello - I have been off of gabapentin (1200) for about four months. I hadn't found this group or any other nor support from doctor. It was hard. I'm hoping to find some help from other peoples experiences. I've been off lithium for about three weeks. I've been on lamotrigine  (150), trazodone (150) for 18 months. Doctor reluctantly supports getting off of those. She has started lamotrigine taper to 125 mg for two weeks then 100 mg for one month. Does that seem like a good approach? And is starting with lamotrigine over trazodone a good choice? Using Lorazepam as needed but sparingly. Thank you.

 

Also, my nervous system is sensitive. And I'm taking lisinopril (BP), carvedilol (BP) and armour (thyroid).

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Jacaranda,

 

Welcome to SA.

 

It will be helpful if you would please create a drug signature Create Your Signature.  Please include details for the last 12-18 months of  all drugs, dates, doses and discontinuations & reinstatements.  If you can't remember dates, please write it as "early March" or "mid-August".  Please provide a summary of any drugs prior to that which can just be listed with start and stop years. Please include all prescription, non-prescription drugs and supplements you are currently taking. Phone Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature. Please also remember to update it with date and dose whenever make a change so that it remains current. Thank you.

 

SA recommends a taper of no more than 10% of the previous dose followed by about a 4 week hold to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.

 

Because you are taking multiple drugs please put ALL drugs in the Drug Interactions Checker and copy and paste the results in a post in your topic.

 

It will also be helpful if you could tell us about how you felt after going off gabapentin and also lithium.  And how you are feeling now.

 

I will provide you with some links to check out and you can ask questions here in your Intro topic:

 

Before you begin tapering what you need to know

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?
If you're not having an adverse reaction from the other medications, taper the most activating drug first. This is usually an antidepressant or stimulant (ADHD drug).

 

Tips for tapering off Lamictal (lamotrigine)

 

Tips for tapering off trazodone (Desyrel)

 

These helped me to understand SA's recommendations:

 

Brain Remodelling


Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

This is your own Intro 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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Thank you for the reply and directions of what I need to do next. I will add the requested information.

 

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  • Administrator

Welcome, Jacaranda.

 

What are you taking now, what dosages, and at what times of day?

 

Why are you taking the two blood pressure drugs? Trazodone? Lamotrigine?

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

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