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Books I've found helpful for anxiety, depression, and trauma


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What was the name of that book i saw Altostrata and another person recommend ...by some guy GlenMullen? not sure on the name ...had the wdl checklist in the back.

Id like to buy it.

I'll keep looking and if i find it i'll report back here. Is it the one listed above?

 

found it its 'The antidepressant solution' by Joseph Glenmullan.

I'm off to the book depository to order it.

Lasttime i ordered one from online a second hand one for $1 i think it was they then charged me $35 for postage....i might as well have bought it new. Not falling for that one again!

If your looking for his check list it is here in a pdf

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2390-dr-joseph-glenmullens-withdrawal-symptom-checklist/

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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Just finished this week reading Alison Bass's book::

Bass, Alison. Side Effects: A Prosecutor, a Whistleblower, and a Bestselling Antidepressant on Trial. Algonquin Books, 2008

btdt above has already mentioned it.

I recommend it, i read it while riding the bike at the gym.

 

It is an easy read and tells the revealing human story of how 2 courageous woman  didn't give up on taking legal action in 2004 against GSK for fraud ..not revealing the negative adverse effects of paxil.

I felt disappointed though to discover GSK settled by only paying about 2.6 million ...they should have been hit with billions!

I bet they laughed all the way to their petty cash register!

Rose Firestein New Yorks led lawyer on the case said its not about money ...Rose Rose Rose !

"Rose Firestein New Yorks led lawyer on the case said its not about money ...Rose Rose Rose !"

 

Perhaps Rose thought what we all did at one time that if the facts were known there would be sweeping changes... we now know that does not happen.  You may be perfectly correct... but how much money does it take to change things if the fines are 100 times more maybe they just get better at hiding things... real change would take more than money I just don't know what... would do it.  If that is what you mean?

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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Thanks btdt,

Glenmullens book just arrived in the mail i ordered it so got it.

 

In respect of Firestein... yeah i think the only thing that will change things is for some of these people to do time!

Lets face it NewYork city could have done with 2 or 3 billion dollars in the last few years!

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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From RxISK: "Laurie Oakley has recently brought out a book, Crazy and it Was, that gives many vivid illustrations of the problems of coping with healthcare systems, especially mental healthcare systems.  Her account of what its like to deal with a doctor who just isn’t listening was particularly compelling.  We asked her to give some hints of the kinds of problems covered in more detail in the book here."  - See more at: http://wp.rxisk.org/over-the-top-tackling-medical-power/

This book was featured on RxISK this month.

The book is called "Crazy and it Was." The author had the usual problems with psych drugs and doctors. I ordered it from Amazon and will report back after I read it.

 

WC

 

Crazy-and-it-was.jpg

2009: Cancer hospital said I had adjustment disorder because I thought they were doing it wrong. Their headshrinker prescribed Effexor, and my life set on a new course. I didn't know what was ahead, like a passenger on Disneyland's Matterhorn, smiling and waving as it climbs...clink, clink, clink.

2010: Post surgical accidental Effexor discontinuation by nurses, masked by intravenous Dilaudid. (The car is balanced at the top of the track.) I get home, pop a Vicodin, and ...

Whooosh...down, down, down, down, down...goes the trajectory of my life, up goes my mood and tendency to think everything is a good idea.
2012: After the bipolar jig was up, now a walking bag of unrelated symptoms, I went crazy on Daytrana (the Ritalin skin patch by Noven), because ADHD was a perfect fit for a bag of unrelated symptoms. I was prescribed Effexor for the nervousness of it, and things got neurological. An EEG showed enough activity to warrant an epilepsy diagnosis rather than non-epileptic ("psychogenic") seizures.

:o 2013-2014: Quit everything and got worse. I probably went through DAWS: dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome. I drank to not feel, but I felt a lot: dread, fear, regret, grief: an utter sense of total loss of everything worth breathing about, for almost two years.

I was not suicidal but I wanted to be dead, at least dead to the experience of my own brain and body.

2015: I  began to recover after adding virgin coconut oil and organic grass-fed fed butter to a cup of instant coffee in the morning.

I did it hoping for mental acuity and better memory. After ten days of that, I was much better, mood-wise. Approximately neutral.

And, I experienced drowsiness. I could sleep. Not exactly happy, I did 30 days on Wellbutrin, because it had done me no harm in the past. 

I don't have the DAWS mood or state of mind. It never feel like doing anything if it means standing up.

In fact, I don't especially like moving. I'm a brain with a beanbag body.   :unsure:

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  • 1 month later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

These books gave me reasons to hope for healing again, after having arrived at the conclusion that nothing worked.  They turned me around, got me on a focused healing path.  I highly, highly recommend them.  And if you don't like reading, or need cheaper options, there's heaps of talks by Gabor Mate on You Tube. 

 

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts:  Close Encounters with Addiction (By Gabor Mate)

 

When the Body Says No:  Exploring the Stress-Disease Connection (Gabor Mate)

 

In an Unspoken Voice:  How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness (Peter A Levine)

2010  Fluoxetine 20mg.  2011  Escitalopram 20mg.  2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS.  Effexor 150mg. 

2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants.  Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. 

Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms).

8 month hold.

2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent).

2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well.
Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea.

2023 Now on 7 micro-beads of Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops.

 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.'  Dr Gabor Mate.

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WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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  • 1 month later...

I think The Adrenal Reset Diet is the best book I've read on managing cortisol/stress hormone problems. It is about much more than a diet. And he acknowledges that adrenal issues start in the brain. It is a fairly simply written book and diet.

For people with an underlying chronic disease that affects their recovery, my vote is for The Wahls Protocol by Wahls. Her illness is MS, but the principles are widely applicable.

Still reading on chronic fatigue syndrome....

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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I think The Adrenal Reset Diet is the best book I've read on managing cortisol/stress hormone problems. It is about much more than a diet. And he acknowledges that adrenal issues start in the brain. It is a fairly simply written book and diet.

 

For people with an underlying chronic disease that affects their recovery, my vote is for The Wahls Protocol by Wahls. Her illness is MS, but the principles are widely applicable.

 

Still reading on chronic fatigue syndrome....

I watched Terry Wahls video on Teds years ago and used part of it to change my diet and life I would say I incorporated her ideas with another book on healing the liver they were not in contradiction.  I did find I had good results while it lasted. Being hurt in the car accident meant I could not longer shop and cook like I did then... still have not gained back all it takes to pull it off. I do however recommend it if you  up to it as it does take a lot of work and thought. 

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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  • 2 months later...

Today is my birthday and received this book I just ordered and read it through (an achievement in itself these days!)

 

"How to be Sick:" a Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers," by Toni Bernhard

 

Just lovely notions of about acceptance, loss (of former self, friends, profession, etc.) and how to use basics of Buddhist practice when dealing with our own illness: to completely feel but try to let go of guilt, bitterness, sorrow, and loss and embrace the happiness of others without envy, our own abilities given our limitations, and solitude. Basically, she emphasizes not to judge ourselves, and treat ourselves with compassion and kindness. Especially like how she advises a breath practice where INSTEAD of breathing in "health and well being" and exhaling "suffering," to do the opposite and extend a sense of self-care and nurturing to others.

 

In other words, try not to panic and really feel what is happening, but to try and let it go.  This is especially true in relationship to others in our lives: to embrace what other people can and cannot do for us with understanding.

 

So for my birthday I extend hope and good wishes to all!

 

 

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Thanks.....looks good.  Happy Birthday.......I may just order one as Buddhist thought/principles/philosophy really do help.

 

Are you familiar with beyondmeds.com and some of the great stuff on there?  Articles and perspectives, etc.    I think you would like it and find lot's of coping tidbits too.  Sorry I don't know how to link.

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

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Thank you for the book recommendation, it sounds good. Happy birthday :)

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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  • 1 month later...

I don't know if I read about Paul David's website on SA or if I found it by accident. But I have to say, his website and book has given me a completely different way of looking at anxiety and I am very intrigued. The book is "At Last a Life: Anxiety and Panic Free". He suffered from anxiety for 10 years until he finally figured out how to heal from it.

 

Now I understand more why my therapist wants me to run toward the anxiety via exposure therapy, and not run away from it. This book explains that what we do when we try to get rid of anxiety is exactly the opposite of what we really should be doing. We're supposed to just let the anxiety run its course. It won't hurt us. It's just our tired nerves and our tired minds needing time to heal.

 

He even explains how panic attacks won't harm us. They're just an adrenaline surge, and eventually the adrenaline will run out and we will be calm.

 

He talks about how much we add to the anxiety, when our minds become obsessed with getting rid of it. He says to think of it like healing from knee surgery. We know the pain is there, but we don't let it consume us and we don't look everywhere for ways to get rid of the pain instantly. We have to be patient and know it will take time for our minds and nerves to heal.

 

I have browsed through so many self help books, but this is like none other. I wish I could explain it better how awesome this book is. It's given me a completely different view of anxiety and panic attacks.

 

I just hope I can apply what he says. I'm awful at applying what I read, due to my anxiety. Ironic, I know.

 

Has anyone else read this book or viewed his website?

 

 

Since 1990s: Various meds depression/anxiety. A little benefit from Effexor; Zoloft/Sertraline. Unsuccessful tapers

Feb 2015: Neurological crash / Hemiplegic Migraine after Sertraline taper slower than pdoc's suggestion 50-37-25-12-6-0mg.

Found SA. Reinstated 25mg Sertraline

July 2015:  Medical occurrence thought to be due to Sertraline. Told to D/C. Hypomania/anxiety resulted. Reinstated

Sept 2016: Increased to 37mg Sertraline due to depression/anxiety symptoms or more likely withdrawal symptoms

Dec 2016: Insurance company refused to fill 37mg (1 1/2 pills) Given 25mg.

2017: Started taper, got fearful of possible withdrawal effects, stopped.
May 2018: Still dealing with side effects. New pdoc. 25mg Lamictal added to 25mg Sertraline. 5 mg Melatonin added. Feeling better. Would still like to wean off Sertraline and then Lamictal, but holding for now. I have a very sensitive system with meds.

No other meds. Supplements: Multivitamin, Vitamin D, Probiotic, Fish oil.

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Yes..quite an amazing read

2000 - sertraline for job anxiety low confidence (17 years old) ..which turned the next 16 years into nightmare!

 

On/off sertraline severe withdrawals every time. 2014 - felt better as reduced dose of sertraline no more inner restlessness. Doctor rushed off again. Hit severe withdrawal. Lost the little I had in life. Couldn't get stable again on 12.5mg. Was switched to prozac. Had severe reaction to prozac..came off in November 2015 at 6mg as felt more confused and damaged on it..Even more withdrawal ..rage, depression, dyphoria, near constant suicidal ideation, self harm impulses, doom, concrete block in head, unable to do much of anything with this feeling in head..went back on 6mg of sertraline to see if would alleviate anything. It didn't..reduced from December to June 2016 came off at 2.5mg sertraline as was hospitalised for the severe rage, suicidal impulses, and put on 50mg lofepramine which in 2nd week reduced all symptoms but gave insomnia which still have..psych stopped lofepramine cold turkey..no increased withdrawal symptoms new symptoms from lofepramine except persistant insomnia which has as side effect.

 

Taking Ativan for 8 months for the severe rage self harm impulses 1-3 times a week (mostly 2 times a week) at .5mg. Two months (I'm unsure exactly when the interdose started to happen) ago interdose withdrawal seemed to happen..2 days I think after the Ativan.

 

 

Nightmare that could have been avoided!

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No, but thank you for sharing! My whole ride down the AD rabbit hole started with unrelenting anxiety. It has been quite awhile since I have had to deal with it, but somehow I learned to ride its wave, breath and "talk" myself safe. For those times when it does crop up, I would love more tools to put in my back pocket. So, I will read this book! It sounds great!

1991-2016 Zoloft, Klonopine, Wellbutrin added in 2000 2016 Lexapro, Klonopin, Wellbutrin 2016-2017 Effexor, Lamotrigine, Nortriptyline, Abilify, Cymbalta, Klonopin, Seroquel, Lexapro- slow taper 2016 2018-2021 Cymbalta 60 mg, Lexapro liquid 5ml/5mg (Apr 1, .26 ml/.26 mg) Klonopin 0.5 mg, Seroquel 20 mg. 4/1/21 added Magnesium and omega 3 oil. 9/21 Lexapro 0.15 mg. 10/20/21 Lex 0.14 mg. 8/9/22 Lex 0.15 ml/0.15 mg drop to 0.13 ml/0.13 mg; Klon 0.5 mg; Seroq 12.5 mg; Dulox 60 mg; Magnesium Chlor 1000 mg; Multi Vit; Omega Oil; probiotic. 10/2/22 Jumped off Lex at .018 mgs. 7/4/23 Seroq 0.55mgs (-0.5 1wk)

 

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  • 6 months later...

I have read a lot on Paul's site. I didn't purchase his book but read Claire Weekes' book Help and Healing for Your Nerves which is where Paul learned much of his technique for overcoming anxiety. I wish I'd known of these books years ago, even months ago before adding more drugs. It makes so much sense to me and even now I try very hard NOT to feed my anxiety. Depression has now become the larger battle for me. I try not to fight or fear it either. So much wisdom from both Claire Weekes and Paul David. I mentioned to my pdoc about the cycle of fear and anxiety and he said he heartily agreed. Yet not once did he ever mention it to me in about 20 years of knowing him. 

Klonopin 2.0 mg 1994-2015
Klonopin increased to 3.25 Sept. 2015 (no longer controlling anxiety and caused depression) Significant life event: lost sister to overdose
Seroquel Nov. 2015-present 150 mg. (does nothing for depression but sometimes lets me sleep--I want to taper off) 
Zoloft 100 Dec. 2015-mid Jan. 2016 (unhelpful for depression so began to wean off) 
Zoloft 75 mg (2 weeks) 
Zoloft 50 mg (1 week) 
Zoloft 25 mg (1 week) holding

http://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=2136-1391,2136-6566,703-357,1979-1274,2057-1348

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  • 3 weeks later...

Melody, (or anyone) I looked around on amazon and saw many books by Claire Weekes and Paul David. I can only choose one. Which one would you recommend? I have some very basic knowledge of mindful acceptance that I have been trying to learn through guided meditation, but I need to take another step toward healing, as do my adult children. We have all experienced a lot of trauma and stress these past 5 or so years. Thank you.

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  • 11 months later...
  • Mentor

here are some books I've ordered (second hand copies of) The reviews look good, I'll let you know what I think after I read them

 

Bouncing Back: Rewiring your brain for maximum resilience and wellbeing by Linda Graham

 

Hardwiring Happiness: The new brain science of contentment, calm and confidence by Rick Hanson

 

Buddha's Brain by Rick Hanson

 

  • 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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  • 1 month later...

CBT books have helped me recover from anxiety and I still use CBT exercises daily. Sadly, there isn't a book written that I've found that can eliminate iatrogenic problems but CBT techniques (notably making daily notes, rating symptoms out of 10, and recognizing unhelpful states of mind) have helped me cope with the worst of my waves.

 

Here are the books I've used, still use, and swear by. I am not sure if there are newer editions in print. I am not affiliated with the publishers or authors in any way. You can probably get them all second-hand as well. The Overcoming series books are used in clinical settings in the UK as part of the health service there. 

 

For general anxiety and GAD, this book is excellent:

Overcoming Worry and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (Overcoming Books) Paperback – May 7, 2015):

 

https://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Worry-Generalised-Anxiety-Disorder/dp/147210742X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1492789283&sr=8-2&keywords=overcoming+worry

 

 

If you are prone to health anxiety, this book will challenge you to embrace the scary things that really worry us, like death, serious illness, and the uncertainty of health

Overcoming Health Anxiety: A Self-Help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioral Techniques (Overcoming Books) Paperback – November 26, 2009

 

https://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Health-Anxiety-Behavioral-Techniques/dp/1845298241/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1492789315&sr=8-2&keywords=overcoming+health+anxiety

 

 

If you feel you are more in the realm of suffering from panic, this can be useful

Overcoming Anxiety: A Books on Prescription Title (Overcoming Books) Paperback – October 1, 2012

 

https://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Anxiety-Books-Prescription-Title/dp/1849018782/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1492789329&sr=8-6&keywords=overcoming+anxiety

 

 

I am not sure if I can link websites here but if you ever have a panic crisis, this website and charity have been invaluable to me in the past and I still refer to them for their knowledge on all things anxiety-related:- 

 

No Panichttps://www.nopanic.org.uk/panic-attack/

 

 

 

I think depression is a tough one but despite that, this book really helped me in the beginning, especially putting things into perspective and helping you sort out your symptoms, whether you have just depression or more than that

 

Overcoming Depression: A Self-Help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioral Techniques Paperback – September 8, 2009 by Paul Gilbert

 

https://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Depression-Self-Help-Behavioral-Techniques/dp/0465015085/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492789346&sr=8-1&keywords=overcoming+depression

 

 

 

Finally, if you have OCD, there is no better book than this as far as I know. It is remarkable

Break Free from OCD: Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with CBT Paperback – October 17, 2011

 

https://www.amazon.com/Break-Free-OCD-Overcoming-Compulsive/dp/0091939690/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1492798296&sr=1-1&keywords=break+free+from+OCD

 

I am sure other people here have used these books and I welcome any criticism of them; at their core though they are just CBT techniques. I hope this list can help someone as it did me. 

2012: 2 weeks of paroxetine, I cannot recall the dose. Strong side effects, stopped cold turkey, had intense, horrible withdrawal thereafter

2012 to 2016: Fluoxetine 40mg daily, sometimes 20mg daily, a couple of bad tapers under doctor's advisement, increasingly bad withdrawal symptoms with each major dose change

Oct 2016 to June 2017: 10-month reinstatement of 20mg fluoxetine daily to stabilize. A very difficult period but withdrawal gradually improved

July 2017: At 20mg (100%), started a linear tapering regimen using water titration (20mg fluoxetine into 300ml of water).

June 2019: Currently at 0.200mg (1.00%). I have many symptoms, most I attribute to fluoxetine, some to withdrawal, and the rest to hypothyroidism. Continuing to reduce anyway.

July 2019: Jumped from 0.066mg (0.33%) to 0.000mg (0.00%); I'm now free of the poison.

 

My introduction thread: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/14226-kittygiggles-generic-prozac-fluoxetine-stabilization/

 

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There's a book on Depression called 'Depression: The Way Out of Your Prison' by Dorothy Rowe that I found helpful. It's a long time since I read it but when I became suicidal, remembering some of the things I'd read in it helped me pause long enough to stay alive. 

2010: Adverse reaction to citalopram/suicidal.

2010-2014: Venlafaxine doses 75-150-300. Began to cause heart palpitations.

2014: Adverse side effects from Sertraline

2014: Adverse reaction to Mirtazipine/suicidal. CT withdrawal. 

2014: Accute adverse reaction to one prozac pill. Body & brain went on fire. Full WD

2015: Half dose of Lorazepam restarted all the WD symptoms. 

2017: Bad reaction to stopping propranolol beta blockers. Violent shaking WD again.
2023: Severe adrenaline surges triggered by low frequency sound/vibration next door. Heart rate going dangerously high so now 25mg atenolol.

 

Current Supplements: Omega 3 & Vitamin C, magnesium. 
Current other medications: Metformin (type ii diabetic), Lymecycline (for rosacea), Atenolol 25mg. 

 

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Not sure if anyone has already suggested this but there's a book called 'The Little Book Of Mindfulness' by Dr Patrizia Collard. It's a tiny book that contains many 5 and 10 minute mindfulness practices. I found it very helpful and the book is so small that you can carry it around with you.

2001 (Age 12) - PROZAC 10mg for situational anxiety. Taken over a few weeks.

2005 - PROZAC 10mg. Taken over 7 months. Made me depressed and feel ill. Tapered off over 2 weeks on advice from doctor. 

April 2014- SERTRALINE 25mg. Had a severe adverse reaction within 12 hours. Only took 1 dose.

October 2014- MIRTAZAPINE 15mg

February 2015- Upped Mirtazapine to 30mg because I was feeling much worse than before I started taking it.

August 2015- Dropped Mirtazapine back to 15mg because 30mg was causing even more severe side effects.

October 2015- Mirtazapine 7.5mg. Desperate to get off and feeling awful.

December 2015- Drug free. 5 days after last Mirtazapine tablet hit by severe WD symptoms.

January 2016. Hospitalised because of WD symptoms. Given 2mg of Diazepam.

January 2016 - December 2016. 2mg DIAZEPAM taken as needed. Didn't really help much and never took more than 5 tablets in a month.

Still suffering from numerous symptoms.

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  • 9 months later...

I just started this book [Unlearn Your Pain and Anxiety - Dr. Howard Schubiner], and I'm feeling really hopeful about it and wanted to recommend it to you all.

 

If anyone has heard of John Sarno and "tension myositis syndrome" or "mind body syndrome" or what Schubiner calls "psychophysiologic disorder", that's what this is related to.  I had already had this experience earlier in life with "repetitive strain injury" which I was able to cure within a few weeks with only flare ups here and there once I applied John Sarno's work which says that the physical pain I was feeling was not due to a structural problem in my arms or hands or some sort of injury, but was a product of my brain which used it as a form of distraction.  Once I realized it was not due to a structural problem and stopped fearing the pain and stopped fearing making the pain worse and that kind of anxiety loop, the pain began to go away.   I suspected my anxiety/depression which I developed some years later was just another manifestation of it albeit, stickier and harder to deal with, and requiring more emotional work.  Emotional work that I was afraid to do, but feel more empowered to do now. 

 

Interestingly, this book mentions key things that we all here know.  It cites a ton of research so it's also just interesting to read for those of you who are interested in stuff like that.  In history, depression and anxiety in severe forms didn't seem to appear actually until around the same time that SSRIs appeared.  The book theorizes that medications have a tendency to turn something that may not have been chronic into a longer-lasting condition.   Those who start SSRI medications have a 30 something chance of relapse!  Basically because of how it changes the way your brain responds, when you take away the medication, the brain has to readjust.  Those who start exercise as a treatment for anxiety/depression only have a less than 10 percent or something of relapse (sorry, lazy to pull actual numbers here), and the horrible part was those who do exercise + SSRI also have a 30 something chance of relapse.  Now medication is practically no better than placebo in cases of mild/moderate depression/anxiety, but it is better on a short-term level for those with severe depression/anxiety.  But the way it alters your brain seems to leave us in a more vulnerable state afterwards (except for those who only took an SSRI for a short period of time.. not sure "short" was defined but I assume they are thinking in terms of months).  Now I wish I hadn't stayed on my SSRI for so long (years), annnnd (ACT here) "It is what it is".  So Schubiner says we get "primed" in our childhood because of certain experiences and that can get triggered later on in life in experiences that are eerily similar to the initial priming experience, resulting in anxiety/depression.  When we connect the dots and resolve and deal with those emotional.. stuffs (sorry haven't gotten fully into that part of the book yet), we will begin to feel better.

I did get banned when I posted about John Sarno on a health forum before so I hope it doesn't happen to me again lol.  #anxious

 

They do have an online program if anyone is interested, although they do say that the book contains the same info and thus is "better value".  I haven't tried out the program but I guess it just holds your hand through the process.  Of course, going through withdrawal complicates stuff, as I'm slowly accepting that it will just take literally, time, for my brain to stabilize, but I hope this helps me (and somebody else!)

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29y.o.  Started Lexapro, 15mg in 2013 for anxiety and depression.

9/28/15- Started taper, went down to 10mg, then 5mg by 10/31/15. 

1/2016-  anxiety, nausea, fatigue, crying spells, sadness, by January. Reinstated back to 10mg.  Leveled out.   1/1/2018- Began further taper, down to 0mg by 1/31/2018.  Last dose was 2.5mg. Feelings of dizziness during taper recommended by pdoc.  Slowed down taper, but still had symptoms of stomach upset.

2/12/18 - Dealing with symptoms of dizziness, anxiety, sadness, stomach upset.  2/20/18 - Reinstating medication with .6mg.  2/21/18 - Emotionally feeling better.  Dizziness much improved.  2/24/18 - Went to sleep with extreme feeling of chills.  No fever.  Fatigue.  3/19/18 - Increased anxiety.  5/1/18- Began therapy.  Have trouble with anxiety and GI symptoms.  9/22/18 - Decrease to .5mg.  Anxiety, GI, chills.  9/26/18 - back up to .6mg.  10/31/18 - app Curable, feeling distinct change in outlook and anxiety levels decreased.

2/1/19 - not seeing improvement in anxiety.  started 10mg Prozac  2/7/19 - up to 20mg Prozac, experiencing chills, tiredness  2/21/19 - tapering down to 10mg

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Interesting, thank you LTL,

 

It goes back to the mind/body connection which is so powerful.

 

I have a long list of books to read on this subject, but haven't got around to it......something I need to change.

Dose History: 19 Feb 2014 - Escitalopram 10mg daily June 2015 - Started taper, 5mg every other day July 2015 - 5mg every 2 days August 2015 - 5mg every 3 days September 2015 - 5mg every 4 days Sept 14th - Completed tapering, but at 7 weeks "drug free" I suffered serious WD symptoms as a consequence of "incorrect" tapering. Nov 25 2015 - Re-instated Cipralex @ 2.5mg daily. WD symptoms faded. Held at this dose and experienced "windows and waves". 12 Oct 2017 Reduced dose to 1.25mg. 13 Mar 2018 Reduced dose to 0.625mg (approx.). 16 April 2018 0mg. Windows and waves triggered by stress (IBS/reflux, headaches, sinus issues) Aug 2019 Mirena coil fitted 6 Jan 2020 MAJOR Wave hit 19 months following last dose (protracted WD).  Symptoms listed below Mar 2020 Mirena coil removal.

Therapy: Nov 15th 2016 Re-started therapy Jan 19th 2017 Started CBT Dec 2017 Started listening to Hypnotherapy CD (self-esteem). Nov 2019 Started couples therapy.

Supplements: "Bioglan" Biotic Balance Ultimate Flora 10 billion CFU, live Bacteria, Probiotic, suitable for Vegetarians, with Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Longum"Pukka" Vitalise a unique blend of 30 energising botanicals.

Diet: 16 April 2018 Detox cleanse / anti-candida for 90 days. Jan 2020 Started "small plate" diet (i.e child size portions).

Exercise: Stretching, Yoga, Pilates, Spinning, Elliptical/upper body workout, walking.

Medical Test Results: 4 Jan 2017 Homeopathic Treatment starts 24 Feb 2017 Started weight loss program 24 Mar 2017 Naturopathic Treatment + anti-Candida diet started due to suspected Candida Related Complex (CRC). DETOXED for 7 weeks to "re-set" gut. April 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Comprehensive Stool Analysis NEGATIVE; Full Blood Count (Normal) / Blood Cholesterol: 5.6 (Borderline) / Blood Sugar (Normal) / 28 Jun 2017 FSH 8.2 / 14 Nov 2017 FSH 17.7 Dec 2017 Blood Cholesterol: 3.9 (Normal) / Kidney Function (Normal) / Blood Sugar (Normal). December 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Food panel allergy (bloodwork) analysis - a few "VERY LOW/VL" allergens; Mar 2018 "Genova Diagnostics" SIBO urine analysis: High Level of Yeast/fungal markers found in small intestine but NO SIBO.  April 2018 Thyroid (Normal) / Full Blood Count (Normal) / FSH (Normal). 16 April 2018 Started anti-Candida diet - 3 month protocol.   25 March 2020 All test results "Normal". CRP" 5 mg/L (normal range to 0-5 mg/L).

Symptoms:  Flu-like symptoms, anxiety, anhedonia, sinus headaches right-side (severe), IBS issues/reflux (severe)**, tinnitus, fatigue, inner tremor, nausea, chills/hot flushes, pounding heart, muscular issues including stiff left hip flexor, intense anger, PSSD (ongoing).  **Histhamine intolerance (suspected).

Major Life Events: 

Re-located to UK from Canada: Jan 2016

My father died: 5:05pm, Monday 5 Feb 2018 Last Lexapro dose: 16 April 2018 (its now been over a year since I quit ADs)  Moved house: Friday 23rd February 2018  "Divorced" toxic Mother: Monday 26 March 2018 Starting working again: 19 November 2018  Diagnosed with: 5th August 2021 PTSD/C-PTSD Diagnosed with: March 2022 Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Painful bladder syndrome

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10 hours ago, lavendertealatte said:

I just started this book, and I'm feeling really hopeful about it and wanted to recommend it to you all.

If anyone has heard of John Sarno and "tension myositis syndrome" or "mind body syndrome" or what Schubiner calls "psychophysiologic disorder", that's what this is related to.  I had already had this experience earlier in life with "repetitive strain injury" which I was able to cure within a few weeks with only flare ups here and there once I applied John Sarno's work which says that the physical pain I was feeling was not due to a structural problem in my arms or hands or some sort of injury, but was a product of my brain which used it as a form of distraction.  Once I realized it was not due to a structural problem and stopped fearing the pain and stopped fearing making the pain worse and that kind of anxiety loop, the pain began to go away.   I suspected my anxiety/depression which I developed some years later was just another manifestation of it albeit, stickier and harder to deal with, and requiring more emotional work.  Emotional work that I was afraid to do, but feel more empowered to do now. 

 

Interestingly, this book mentions key things that we all here know.  It cites a ton of research so it's also just interesting to read for those of you who are interested in stuff like that.  In history, depression and anxiety in severe forms didn't seem to appear actually until around the same time that SSRIs appeared.  The book theorizes that medications have a tendency to turn something that may not have been chronic into a longer-lasting condition.   Those who start SSRI medications have a 30 something chance of relapse!  Basically because of how it changes the way your brain responds, when you take away the medication, the brain has to readjust.  Those who start exercise as a treatment for anxiety/depression only have a less than 10 percent or something of relapse (sorry, lazy to pull actual numbers here), and the horrible part was those who do exercise + SSRI also have a 30 something chance of relapse.  Now medication is practically no better than placebo in cases of mild/moderate depression/anxiety, but it is better on a short-term level for those with severe depression/anxiety.  But the way it alters your brain seems to leave us in a more vulnerable state afterwards (except for those who only took an SSRI for a short period of time.. not sure "short" was defined but I assume they are thinking in terms of months).  Now I wish I hadn't stayed on my SSRI for so long (years), annnnd (ACT here) "It is what it is".  So Schubiner says we get "primed" in our childhood because of certain experiences and that can get triggered later on in life in experiences that are eerily similar to the initial priming experience, resulting in anxiety/depression.  When we connect the dots and resolve and deal with those emotional.. stuffs (sorry haven't gotten fully into that part of the book yet), we will begin to feel better.

I did get banned when I posted about John Sarno on a health forum before so I hope it doesn't happen to me again lol.  #anxious

 

They do have an online program if anyone is interested, although they do say that the book contains the same info and thus is "better value".  I haven't tried out the program but I guess it just holds your hand through the process.  Of course, going through withdrawal complicates stuff, as I'm slowly accepting that it will just take literally, time, for my brain to stabilize, but I hope this helps me (and somebody else!)

I love the work of Sarnos. "The epic of mindbody disorders" is one I've read.

1999:  Paroxetine (20mg). Age 16. 2007-2008: Fluoxetine (Prozac) for 1.5 years (age 25) Citalopram 20mg 2002-2005, 2009: Escitalopram (20mg), 2 weeks, (age 26) (adverse  reaction)/*Valium 5mg/Temazepam 10mg 2010: Mirtazipine (Remeron)( do not remember dosage) 2010, 5 months.                     2010-2017: Citalopram (20mg) (age 27 to 34) 2016: i.1st Sept- 31st Oct Citalopram 10mg , ii.1st November 2017-30th November 2017, Citalopram 5mg iii.1st December 2017- 4th February 2018, Citalopram 0mg, iv.5th February 2018- March 2018 Citalopram 5mg (10mg every other day) 28th February- tried titration of 5mg ( some adverse effects)

2018: 1st March 2018- 1st June Citalopram 10 mg (tablet form) /started titration 8mg , then 7 mg.2018: June 15th- 10th July Citalopram 10 mg pill every other day 2018: 10th July - 13th Sept Citalopram- 0mg  (CBD oil first month of 0mg, passiflora on and off) 2018 13th Sept Citalopram  2mg ,  approx 16th Sept 4mg , approx 25th Sept 6mg held.  2019: 11 Feb 19: 7mg (instant bad rxn) 12 Feb 19 6mg held 1 May 19 5.4mg held 5 Oct 19 5.36mg 22 Oct 19 5.29mg 30 Oct 19 5.23mg 4/NOV/19 5.18mg 12 Nov 19 5.08mg 20 Nov 19 4.77mg 7 May 22 2.31mg 17/09/2023 0.8mg

(Herbal/Supplements since 1st September: Omega Fish Oil 1200mg, 663mg of EPA- 2 tablets a day, magnesium and magnesium bath salts)

I did not die, and yet I lost life’s breath
- Dante
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  • 2 weeks later...

Thank you very much for posting this lavendertealatte!

 

I've been watching on you tube. I found may video's from John Sarno, doctor Schubiner, and Steven Ray Ozanich about TMS. I think I have TMS. Now I have to find out to get rid of this! Understanding is easy, but overcoming TMS seems more complicated for me. But with lots of time and trying I might be able to at least reduce my pains and discomfort. Good to know. I found many books about the subject and many videos on You Tube. I'll have to spend some time watching, reading and learning. 

 

But this gave me hope again! Someting I can do about it.

2019 2.1 mg amitriptyline ,15th july 2.1 mg, 22-7 2.09 mg, 29-7 2.08 mg, 5-8 2.09 mg , 7-8 2.1 mg . 2020 Holding at 2.1 mg

2019 125 mg lyrica, 15th july 124,5 mg, 22-7 124 mg, 29-7 123,5 mg, 4-8 124 mg 2020 holding at 124 mg

2015 january building up my medication to 450 mg lyrica and 50 mg amitriptyline for face ache after a rootcanal treatment at the dentist. 2016 february start tapering lyrica from 450 mg to 200 mg 2016 october tapered 25 mg amitriptyline to 25 mg 2017 tapered lyrica from 200 mg to 100 mg 2017 september tapered my last tablet of 25 mg amitriptyline to zero  (horrible muscle pain started) 2018 february tapered lyrica from 100 mg to 75 mg (my muscle pain got worse and I have a lot of nervepain in my arms and legs, sometimes all over musclepain and nerve pain and burning pain) 2018 may reinstated 25 mg lyrica. My current dose is 100 mg lyrica. My pain is still very bad but a little less intense, my mood improved. 2018 since 22th may updose amitriptyline.  9 beads. 2018 june updosing lyrica. 2018 16 th june 125 mg lyrica and 9 beads amitriptyline ( 2mg) Now I'm doing a long hold. I can't taper anymore. Too much pain. I hope to stabilize and improve while holding. I'm trying graded activity to get rid of my pain. 2019 1 jan. Lyrica 125 mg (holding) 2019 1 jan. Amitriptyline tapering from 9 beads to 8 beads (1 jan. 2019),  8,5 beads (5 jan 19), 9 beads (16 jan 19) tapper attempt failed

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i went to see him after withdrawing from benzo, i had all kind of pain, and i was getting hypochondriac, googling every symptoms.

i didn't know it was withdrawal related! 

his main message, live your life as if you don't have pain, journal and be aware of your emotions, don't focus on the pain, don't fear it.

it also works with withdrawal, i guess.

i don't google symptoms anymore.

june 2014 to feb  2015- on xanax 0.25 to 1mg/day- then CT - jan 2016 - panic attack, went on 3.75mg remeron to sleep march 2016- CT remeron (because it caused me tinnitus)- deep depression, couldn't sleep because of  intrusive Tinnitus

april to june 2016- valium 4mg, xanax as needed, lunesta 3mg

june 2016 - valium 4mg, lexapro 10mg

oct 2016- valium 2mg, lexapro 10mg- hold

march 2017- started daily micro liquid taper of valium and lex- -taper speed 0.0033mg valium daily and 0.033mg lex daily

may 2018- valium 1mg, lexapro 2.4mg - i had to slow down the rate of my daily micro taper considerably

LAST dose of Lexapro: 0.05mg on 05/17/19

LAST dose of valium: 0.04mg on 08/18/19

April 26th 2020- intense panic attack that lasted 4 days, akatisia, 0 sleep- suicidal, almost hospitalized- took rescue doses over 2 days- total: 1.5mg xanax, 18mg valium, 2x5mg lexapro

 

 

 

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  • 5 months later...

I was recently given a book called Rethinking Depression by Eric Maisel 

 

If you want to be given a whole new slant on the very existence of there even being such a medical condition and the role the Pharmaceutical industry has had in it it's a very interesting read. 

 

I found the very first couple of chapters extremely revealing almost light bulb moments. 

 

I'd love to know if anyone else has read it and what you're thoughts are. 

 

Lexapro 10MG

Almost continually for 25 odd years 

Reduced to 5MG beginning July 2018-  end August 2018

August 2018 til now off completely 

 

 

 

 

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  • 1 month later...

What has been your favourite self help book, that has helped you through this?

May 12th 2016 took last bead of effexor. 8 month taper.  Bridge = prozac 5mg, 300mg Lithium

May 31st took last of prozac. Lithium 300 mg, estrogen patch 150, magnesium.

June 14th reinstated 1mg Prozac due to intolerable emotional distress. Cont with lithium 300mg, 150 magnesium, re added omega 3, cont estrogen patch. June 15-july 5th had marked improvement of emotional wd symptoms, likely due to the reinstatement. July 5th intense emotional symptoms returned.

July 15 decreased 50 mg of lithium to see if it improved low heart rate.

July 19th - increased prozac to 1.5mg.

July 22 marked improvement of emotional symptoms...again, likely due to increase of prozac. However sudden agitation developed so decreased back down to 1.25mg prozac. Realizing increasing dose is dangerous because of these adverse effects and also seeing that wave is inevitable regardless of reinstatement.

Continuing 250 lithium, 1.25mg prozac, estrogen.

Oct 31st - continued 250 lithium, 1 mg prozac, estrogen patch.

Jan 2018  - off of prozac (bridge) as of Dec 2017.  Starting to taper Lithium 250 mg.  Will do 10% per month. 

May 2018 - lithium 115mg.  Still having waves but they aren’t as bad.  However, I really struggle with emotional symptoms about 1 week after a cut. 

dec 2018- 80mg lithium.  Tapering 1 mg per week since last June.  Symptoms improving overall but still very sensitive to light, sound, social stimulation and I cry a lot.

March 2019 - 65 mg lithium.  Still tapering 1mg per week.  Jan 2021- down to 4 mg lithium (get it compounded). Reinstated 5 mg Prozac. Jan 2023- withdraw 5mg prozac over one month Feb 20th 2023- reinstated 1mg Prozac. Still taking 4 mg lithium. 

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By far Road to Recovery by Baylissa Frederick.  Read the entire thing in almost one sitting.  Hope I got the name and author correct but it’s from memory because I don’t have it in front of me.  And memory is a little wonky at this stage.  

 

I also just purchased Switch on Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf.  Haven’t started it yet but heard some of her lectures someone posted on another thread and found her very insightful and interesting.  Her talks are based on science and Christianity.  

Zoloft  25mg-50mg   1997-December 2017, 100mg  December 1, 2017 - December 30, 2017

Buspar  15mg  December 13, 2017 - December 30, 2017

Lexapro 10mg  December 30, 2017 - January 17, 2018 (cross tapered w/ Zoloft below)

Zoloft 100mg  January 15, 2018 - April 5, 2018, 50mg April 6- April 7, 2018, 25mg April 7 - April 9, 2018

Deplin  15mg   February 13, 2018 - March 30, 2018

Xanax   1mg    January 15, 2018 - March 2018  (as needed-probably took around 10 times?)

Colonzepam 1mg April 11 - April 24, 2018, 0.5mg  April 25- May 2, 2018, 0.25mg May 3 - May 13, 2018

Remeron 7.5mg April 25, 2018 - May 15, 2018

Paxil 10mg  May 22, 2018- May 23, 2018

Vitamin D 2000IU and Vitamin B12 3000mcg  November 2017 - March 2018

Cav. filled w/ local anesthesia May 14, 2018, Colonoscopy & Endoscopy May 2018, completely under for both

 

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  • 1 month later...

 I highly recommend the following book :

 

Complex PTSD From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker. Don’t worry if you think or if you don’t think you have CPTSD, Trust me, it’s very relevant to so many of us here .

 

Edited by ChessieCat
reduced font

May 2018
- 75 mg Zoloft 
- 75 mg Trazadone 
- 0.75 mg Xanax 

 

March 2019
- 75 mg Zoloft
- 2 mg / 1 ml liquid Diazepam 

 

August 2019

- ended diazepam taper

75 mg Zoloft 

 

My intro thread: Oliver1974: sertraline / Zoloft tapering

My benzo thread: Oliver1974: Benzo withdrawal and backache

 

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  • 3 months later...

Highly sensitive person - how to thrive when the world overwhelmed you Elaine N Aaron 

Prescribed Venlafaxine 150mg ..........

 19 Feb 2019 stopped Venlafaxine 150mg cold turkey. 06 March 2019 restarted Ven 125mg. 04 April 2019 9 mini pills. 02 May 2019 8 mini pills. 01July 2019 7 mini pills. 18 Aug 2019 6 mini pills. 24 Sept 2019 5.50 mini pills. 11 October 2019 5 mini pills. 5th May 2020 Reinstated Ven 125 mg XR 9 pills.

9th Nov 2020 Update Started splitting dose to twice per day

02/02/2021 can’t stabilise without symptoms. 
03/02/21 9 mini pills @ 10am 

Updated.... July 2021 108mg, Sept 2021 107mg, 

tapering steps to be updated

current dose 14 July 2023 80mg

23.07.23 75mg half way ! 

 

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After three years of panic attacks back in 2004 - 2007, I discovered Barry Joseph McDonoughs Panic Away book. I think it's saying some of the same things you are outlining, Serenity. Once I caught on to this perspective it was a game changer for me for sure. Letting the fear in instead of resisting it was the key. 

 

I kept forgetting, though. It's so unintuitive that I always regressed back to pushing it away - "Please, I don't want to feel this". McDonoughs approach was saying "Ah, yes, come on in, do your worst, I'm ready" - and then when the anxiety was peaking he'll have you say "Ok, anxiety, now double it!". It feels insane starting out, but after a while you see what is actually happening - the fear that anxiety needs to fuel it is being taken away. Anxiety is saying "Well, it's no fun now...". 

 

I was so into this for a while that I would actively seek out situations that I knew gave me panic attacks, just so I could keep trying it. It actually became fun. 

 

I don't really get panic attacks anymore, but my generalised anxiety is pretty constant and way harder to deal with. McDonoughs methods for it are way more tedious and vague, so I could never really got into them. 

Medication free since september 2018

 

2004 - 2007 - 10 mg Cipralex

2010 - 2014 - 10 mg Cipralex

2015 - April 2018 - 10 mg Cipralex. FT.

June 2018 - September 2018 - 10 mg Cipralex. FT.

 

Occasional Oxazepam when anxiety gets too bad.

Supp: Omega 3 fish oil, 350mg Magnesium

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Mindfulness for Health, Vidyamala Birch (see image) is gently helpful. Including the chapter: "Everyday is a New Chance". It includes experiences of  those in predicaments including life-changing accidents, chronic pain from operations and health conditions. The ideas are transferrable.

 

The Doors of Perception, Aldous Huxley

As Huxley's eye sight deteriorated, desperate and in search of a solution, he turns to mescaline and so pens this stunningly  piece of writing on his experience of it, that is at once a philosophical homage, a nod to Castaneda and Blake, and a mystical poem to humanity. Inspiring much of the counter-culture of the 60s, but for  me it stands out as a journey through the 'eyes' of  a beautiful mind as he tries to come to terms with the loss of the visual world *- tremendously healing and transformative. 

"Given his damaged sight, the book's emphasis on the visual is all the more piquant, complicating the question of how much its visions reveal"  https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/jan/26/doors-perception-huxley-mescaline-reading-group

https://maps.org/images/pdf/books/HuxleyA1954TheDoorsOfPerception.pd

fMindfulness_for_Health1.thumb.jpg.aadb6a44578a7f591d09b8e31fa1d17c.jpg51QLCYvl7XL._SY445_QL70_.jpg.80d68f1ff29c02625fc35345e3f94165.jpg

 

 

1999:  Paroxetine (20mg). Age 16. 2007-2008: Fluoxetine (Prozac) for 1.5 years (age 25) Citalopram 20mg 2002-2005, 2009: Escitalopram (20mg), 2 weeks, (age 26) (adverse  reaction)/*Valium 5mg/Temazepam 10mg 2010: Mirtazipine (Remeron)( do not remember dosage) 2010, 5 months.                     2010-2017: Citalopram (20mg) (age 27 to 34) 2016: i.1st Sept- 31st Oct Citalopram 10mg , ii.1st November 2017-30th November 2017, Citalopram 5mg iii.1st December 2017- 4th February 2018, Citalopram 0mg, iv.5th February 2018- March 2018 Citalopram 5mg (10mg every other day) 28th February- tried titration of 5mg ( some adverse effects)

2018: 1st March 2018- 1st June Citalopram 10 mg (tablet form) /started titration 8mg , then 7 mg.2018: June 15th- 10th July Citalopram 10 mg pill every other day 2018: 10th July - 13th Sept Citalopram- 0mg  (CBD oil first month of 0mg, passiflora on and off) 2018 13th Sept Citalopram  2mg ,  approx 16th Sept 4mg , approx 25th Sept 6mg held.  2019: 11 Feb 19: 7mg (instant bad rxn) 12 Feb 19 6mg held 1 May 19 5.4mg held 5 Oct 19 5.36mg 22 Oct 19 5.29mg 30 Oct 19 5.23mg 4/NOV/19 5.18mg 12 Nov 19 5.08mg 20 Nov 19 4.77mg 7 May 22 2.31mg 17/09/2023 0.8mg

(Herbal/Supplements since 1st September: Omega Fish Oil 1200mg, 663mg of EPA- 2 tablets a day, magnesium and magnesium bath salts)

I did not die, and yet I lost life’s breath
- Dante
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  • Moderator Emeritus

Sharon Salzberg : she wrote several books about the power of love, and give tools To learn love-méditation. 

It helps me To give some love To myself.

 

 

2006 : 20mg Paxil+Bromazepam. 2008 : cold turkey of both. 2010 : Reinstatement 20mg Paxil + Bromazepam.

2014-June2017 : Switch from Bromazepam to Prazepam, slow taper to 0mg.

2018 to August 2019 : Paxil 20mg taper (3% every 15 days). 22 Aug 2019 updose to 10mg (was at 8.4mg).

25th Sept 2019 To April 2020 : found SA, holding at 10mg Paxil. 

April 2020 : Paxil 10mg to Prozac 7mg bridge. Details topic/21457

 

Current Supplements : magnesium citrate + fish oil

Current medication :

* 7pm Diazepam  : 0.85mg (15 Aug 2022) / 0.95 mg (24 April 2022) / 1mg Diazepam (since 29 Aug 2020)

* 8am Prozac : 6.16mg (25 oct 2022, feel awful, slight updose) / 6.08 mg (9 oct 2022) / 6.24mg (11 July 22) / 6.44mg (22 May 22) / 6.64mg (4 Nov 21) / 6.72mg (8 oct 21) / 6.8 mg (15 Sept 21)6.88mg (14 Aug 21)/ 6.92mg (23 Jun 21)

 

I am not a professional, I don't give medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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  • 1 month later...

3/21/19 started Bupropion XL 150 mg

3/21/19 started Risperidone 2mg

7/7/19 start Abilify half dose 5 mg. discontinue Risperidone

7/9/19 full dose Abilify 10 mg

7/29/19 discontinued Abilify due to panicky side effects

8/2/19 Began Latuda 20 mg

8/5/19 discontinued Latuda due to similar side effects 

8/10/19 discontinued Bupropion after realizing it was causing the insomnia

From 8/10/19 no drugs whatsoever

Currently taking vitamin C, D, E, a probiotic and fish oil. 
Message me here if you want: 
https://www.facebook.com/morra.lal.3/  I've been getting a lot of fake friend requests, so please send a message before friend requesting me, thank you!

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  • Mentor

Career Suicide is Overrated by Brian Knowler.  A very short book with a limited publication run written by a Canadian aw enforcement officer who dealt with PTSD and depression.  A great resource for those who work while dealing with behavioral issues, especially in high-stress jobs. 

Tim C

Started Paxil for GAD in 1999

Unsuccessful taper attempt in 2006

Paxilprogress helped with a successful taper completed in 2009

Using therapy and CBT to manage my anxiety

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Didn't see these titles here:

 

The Body Keeps The Score by Bassel van der Kolk (trauma healing)

 

Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman

 

The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge (neuroplasticity)

 

The Upward Spiral by Alex Korb (behavioral changes that can rewire your brain to get you out of a funk)

 

"Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig 

 

I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. 

 

In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. 

 

Aug  2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg,  xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn 

Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used)

Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up)

September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0

Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd

March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week

Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering)

citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg,  7/27/19 -1.5 mg,  8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg

 

Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate

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