Jump to content
SurvivingAntidepressants.org is temporarily closed to new registrations until 1 April ×

QueenieRose: For my daughter - Psychiatric Hospitalisation after Sertraline


QueenieRose

Recommended Posts

Hi,

I realise this is a peer support network but I am the mum of a young adult daughter who has had a severe reaction to Sertraline. She is currently detained against her will in a psychiatric hospital and our need for help and advice on her behalf is immediate as I am fearful about the effect of compulsory treatment while she is there.

I'll attempt to draw out the relevant parts of the chaotic and traumatic last 3 months.She was prescribed 50mg Sertraline for anxiety at the beginning of February by a general practioner. After 2 weeks she returned feeling unwell this was upped to 100mg, then shortly afterwards to 150mg. On even the lowest dose she immediately experienced extreme night sweats, restlessness and difficulty sleeping. She also became withdrawn from loved ones, snappy and cold. She looked drugged. She started self-medicating with excessive alcohol and cannabis and developed hypomania. After 6 weeks, during which she left her home and long-term partner, she called the police for help and was detained in the local psychiatric hospital. They put her through cold turkey on all substances. After a week they started her on 75mg Quetiapine per day plus Lorazepam and Zopliclone as they felt her state of mind required. After 3 weeks she was released with multiple boxes of all 3 drugs. She was still remote from us. After a week of clean-living with us (parents and sister) during which she began to taper the Quetiapine and didn't take the other medication, she left home claiming she needed to recover in her own way and resumed alcohol and cannabis misuse. Two weeks later she is detained in the psychiatric hospital again, very withdrawn and with signs of delusional beliefs. On admittance she tested positive for Cannabis and Lorazepam. They have resumed 75mg Quetiapine and, after a spell of disruptive behaviour, Lorazepam. She is currently in isolation with a permanent staff member having become violent and is not engaging with anyone.

Her father and I have not succeeded in convincing the hospital doctors that the Sertraline prescription lay at the root of all this. We have repeatedlyreasserted the precise timing of the onset of her problems  and have referred them to this site, to The British Journal of Psychiatry <http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/195/3/211>and to Katinka Blackford Newman's "The Pill That Steals Lives". One consultant is convinced that cannabis is entirely to blame despite being told that she has used it (and alcohol) previously without the ill effects.The chief consultant is looking for signs of underlying mental illness as the root cause of her problems. If anyone has ideas ideas on persuading clinicians I would be grateful.

The main questions I have at the moment are:


Given that she has shown extreme sensitivity to SSRIs, how dangerous for her are the Quetiapine and Lorazepam she is currently being given? It's likely that she will be started on another antipsychotic but neither she nor I will be consulted about this beforehand, so the question really extends to psychotropic drugs in general.

Is it possible to tease out the effect of the Sertraline from the effects of the subsequent cannabis and alcohol use? How likely or possible is it that she had a latent, unsymptomatic mental illness that was triggered by the SSRI?

Thank you for any advice.

 

QueenieRose

 

Link to comment

QR,

 

Oddly enough I just heard an identical story from a coworker who knows my background.  His son has been through a very similar experience with Zoloft and ended up in a psych hospital after threatening to commit suicide. 

 

IT IS ABSOLUTELY THE DRUGS.  DO NOT LET ANY "MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL" CONVINCE YOU OTHERWISE.

 

SSRI's have been known to decrease inhibition and increase use of alcohol and illicit drugs which can cause severe adverse reactions with SSRI's. 

 

Lorazepam (Ativan) is and extremely addictive benzodiazepine, much more dependency forming than any SSRI or illicit drug.  At very small doses (<0.5mg) , used irregularly for a short period of time (<2 weeks) can assist with symptoms.  Any use beyond will absolutely make things worse in the long run.    

 

With such a short time on Zoloft, and little exposure to additional drugs, my experience says that she should abstain from ALL psychotropics (anti-depressants, tranquilizers, anti-psychotics, etc).

Year 0:      Social anxiety, obsessive thoughts, NO depression, NO suicidal ideations

Years 1-2: Ativan (benzo) <1mg as needed, not abused but developed physical dependence

Years 2-3: Paxil (20mg) augmented with Adderall XR (10-20mg) due to withdrawal from Ativan

Years 3-Present: Severe depression, headaches, psychiatric hospitalization, lost job, etc.

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

The main questions I have at the moment are:

  1. Given that she has shown extreme sensitivity to SSRIs, how dangerous for her are the Quetiapine and Lorazepam she is currently being given? It's likely that she will be started on another antipsychotic but neither she nor I will be consulted about this beforehand, so the question really extends to psychotropic drugs in general.

     

  2. Is it possible to tease out the effect of the Sertraline from the effects of the subsequent cannabis and alcohol use? How likely or possible is it that she had a latent, unsymptomatic mental illness that was triggered by the SSRI?

 

Welcome QueenieRose.  I'm sorry to read about your daughters' misadventures with psychiatric medicines. There are several other young members here who have had negative reactions to brief exposure to Zoloft, even as little as one dose.

 

Your questions:

 

It's hard to predict how anyone will respond to a psychiatric medication.  There's a large proportion that have start-up effects that resolve over a few weeks. Others react more strongly and the reaction lasts longer. If your daughter is sensitive to SSRIs, it's more likely that she'll have a reaction to another psych med. It's possible but not guaranteed. She may react and she may adapt to the medication quickly. 

 

There are three issues to consider:

  1. The fact that your daughter's CNS (central nervous system) appears to be sensitized or destabilized. Multiple rapid medication dose changes, discontinuations and introductions are likely to make things worse. Stabilization after changes can take months.

     

  2. Some medications can be very, very difficult to discontinue. As IHadPassion posted above, lorazepam (Ativan) and other benzodiazepines create physical dependency very, very quickly -- in as little as 2 weeks.

     

  3. Neuroleptic and "anti-psychotic" medications (typical and non-typical) have long-term health effects. Quetiapine (Seroquel) is in this drug class. Effects include elevated blood sugar and insulin resistance or falling insulin production. I would encourage your daughter to read the "side effects" and ask her doctors questions about what to do if those symptoms occur for her.

As for sorting out which drug is/was the root cause of the problem, all anyone can give you is a best guess.  Cannabis consumption, eaten or smoked, can trigger neuro-psychiatric symptoms.  As I mentioned above, a manufactured, prescribed neuro-psychiatric drug can have the same effect.

 

I wish I could be more helpful. :)

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

Thank you for your replies.

 

As an update I went for ward round this morning but was unable see my daughter as she is described as randomly very violent. She has been given an injection of the antipsychotic Clopixol acuphase (zuclopenthixol) in an attempt to manageable/reachable. She is still in isolation in a secure room.

 

While my husband and I have expressed a desire that she be taken off all medication, she cannot go on attacking medical staff. I think the doctors consider she's not yet in a place where they can consider ongoing treatment or alternatively safekeeping without drug treatment. As she is detained under the Mental Health Act we can voice an opinion but medication can be forcibly given.

 

The consultant said today that he has never seen anyone in his clinical practice have an extreme reaction to SSRIs. I may be clutching at straws but this feels like a stage on from just dismissing what we've said.I am about to look at contacting Dr David Healy as the consultant may be more receptive to evidence from one of his peers. Does anyone know of any other doctors in the UK with experience of induced psychosis?

 

QueenieRose

 

 

Link to comment

Hi,

 

I was going to hold off posting an update until tomorrow after ward round but actually I have huge concerns right now.

 

Yesterday my daughter was put on Risperidone. This is the 5th different psychotropic medication in 7 days. It has made her very uncommunicative.There has been a lot of staring into space and a phase of climbing onto chairs to stare at the ceiling. I still haven't seen her as, despite agreeing that she wanted to, she couldn't summon herself to make it to the visiting area or to the phone. The nursing staff don't seem worried but this is terrifying me.

 

QueenieRose

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi QueenieRose,

I'm so sorry for what has happened to your daughter. I can understand your concern, I'm also the mum of a young adult daughter, but I'm also a survivor of psychiatry, recovering from the effects of psychiatric drugs.

 

Some people are sensitive to serotonergic drugs, and can experience adverse reactions, including what you described happened to your daughter, and in some cases even violent and suicidal behavior. This is well known by drug manufacturers, but for obvious reasons they refuse to admit this publicly and have settled many court cases by paying out huge amounts of money.

 

When your daughter started feeling unwell from the effects of the drug, it should have been discontinued, not increased. Some people just don't do well on these kinds of medications and it sounds like your daughter is one of them.

 

The subsequent cannabis use may have exacerbated the problem, but it sounds to me like it was Sertraline which caused the original brain and nervous system disruption.

 

As you are in the UK, I think contacting Dr David Healy for advice would be a good idea. This is just my opinion, based on my own experience and what I've learned, but I think your daughter will recover when she is safely taken off psychiatric drugs and given enough time for her brain to return to its normal functioning, which may take several months.

 

I wish I had more to offer in the way of advice.

 

Petunia.

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

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

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

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

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

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

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

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

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

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

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

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

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

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

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

VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from?



VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made?



VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes?



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

VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes

 

 

 

Link to comment

Hi,

 

Well I've finally seen my daughter after 3 weeks. This was first at ward round where she threw herself tearfully at her dad and wouldn't let go. The lead consultant says she had a nervous breakdown which seems rather vague as a diagnosis. He labelled her current condition catatonia and says it will improve as long as she continues to take Risperidone. As far as I can see it *started* with the Risperidone. Next ward round is Thursday and if she hasn't improved by then I don't see how they can support their opinion.

 

We spent 4 hours with her following the doctors meeting. A lot of it was tearful and silent (with a lot of cuddling) but recurrent themes were establishing the day, date and time as she has no memory of the last weekend and is vague about other times. Most heartbreakingly she keeps asking "where's M?" (M being her name.) "Where's M gone? She got lost." At one point she said she's staring into space because she was looking for a way to find M.

 

In many ways I feel like we are caught between a rock and a hard place:

 

we can't have her home because she's not stable (she's detained under section by the mental health act) but being in hospital makes her more unstable because she's restrained, because it's an institutionalised setting and because she's afraid of the louder patients with big personalities.

 

we can't insist she comes off the medication as we can't expect he staff to risk injury or major damage to the ward again but we're fearful that she is so lost and terrified that she won't come back.

 

we are stuck between believing Risperidone is the (temporary) solution and believing it is the cause of her current state

 

She has also had side effects. Last night her partner saw her after we left and noticed a muscle twitch at her jaw. She already had excess saliva and has since reported muscle stiffness so she is now on an extra drug to relieve these. More drugs to alleviate the first drugs. I need to catch up with what this is and also the dose of Risperidone. It doesn't come naturally to me to be a thorn in their sides and insist I'm told everything in detail and occasionally I backslide.

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

"Nervous breakdown?" I have no words.

 

What she has suffered is violence, pure and simple, in the form of being drugged against her will and without your permission. It's unacceptable and I wish I had answers for you. I agree with Petunia's statements above that this is ALL heal-able. It may take time, but it is healable. 

 

2020: After 18+ years (entire adult life) on Paxil, a dangerous doctor-led "taper" in 2015, and four years tapering off the last 1 mg thanks to SA and the Brassmonkey slide, 

I AM COMPLETELY FREE OF PAXIL! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Forever.

 

2021: Began conservative, proper, CNS-respecting taper of Zoloft, led by the only expert on me -- me. Making own liquid. 5-10% plus holds.

2022: Holding on Zoloft for now. Current dose 47 mg. Hanging in, hanging on. Severe protracted PAWS, windows and waves. While I may not be doing "a lot" by outside standards, things are graaaaadually getting better

 

Yoga (gentle to medium); walks; daily breath practice; nutrition, fruits/veg; nature; water; EastEnders (lol); practicing self-compassion, self-care; boundaries; connection; allowing feelings; t r u s t ing that I, too, will heal. (--> may need to be reminded of this.)

"You are not alone, and this is not the end of your story." - Baylissa

Link to comment

Thank you to everyone who has written. We have been so tossed about this week that it's great to keep hearing this isn't right but it can get better.

 

I keep thinking I'll put the drugs list into a sig but it changes almost daily. The doctors have refused to see me all week but I'm booked in for ward round on Monday. Currently she's on: Risperidone 3mg, Mirtazapine 30mg (to counteract the catatonia caused by the Risperidone) and Proctclidine 10mg (to deal with Parkinsonism side effects).

 

On this she is much brighter. As far as the hospital is concerned engaging with them is the main criterion for health and she is doing that. As we see her she is far from being back to her pre-drug personality. Given that she had 2 psychotic episodes in a few weeks we are very concerned to break into the cycle whereby the medication stops her caring what she does, so she does a lot of cannabis and ends up with psychosis again.We have an independent psychologist lined up if my daughter will agree to see her and are priming ourselves for the doctor's meeting.

 

One thing that's concerning me is the frequent turnarounds in the medication mix. It feels like perhaps her brain needs to settle even if it is to a medicated version of life. Does it make sense to think that her brain needs to know what it's on before she can start to wean off them?

 

Thanks again, QueenieRose

Link to comment

Just to pull out my question from my last post ahead of the doctor's meeting tomorrow:

 

Is there a legitimacy to the idea that her brain needs to settle to the current medication (8 days of Risperidone and 6 days of Mirtazapine in varying proportions) before starting to taper?

 

Many thanks.

Link to comment

Hi QueenieRose, I am so sorry to hear about what your daughter is going through. It must be heartbreaking for you to watch.

I will leave the drug/tapering advice and strategies to the moderators but I really think you need to see a lawyer specialising in mental health law too. Your daughter might be eligible for legal advice and assistance under legal aid. Are you close to a community law centre? They may be able to point you in the right direction. Google 'Law Centres Federation'.

Do you know what section your daughter is presently detained under? It makes a difference to their ability to enforce treatment and your daughter's appeal options if she (or you) disagree with the treatment she is being given. From memory (it's been a long time since I practiced in the UK and the law may well have changed) the first step strategically is to get her admission downgraded so you can have more input into her treatment. A lawyer can advise you and make the relevant applications.

Dr David Healey's input would be very helpful.

Best wishes with it all.

March 2003 took two sartroline tablets after a traumatic incident and had a reaction so stopped.  I am not sure now whether what I had for the next 18 months was WD after the reaction or the emotional fallout from the traumatic event.  Some of it was very similar to WD in hindsight.  

 

February 2014 - Took five pristiq (50mg) tablets and three Ativan and had a severe reaction.
Extreme withdrawal symptoms for three weeks compounded by visit to naturopath -

One week later took 900mg St John's Wort x 3 daily for six weeks - more negative effects and suspected serotonin syndrome - before tapering over three weeks. Last tablet late May 2014.

Waves and windows cycle of recovery with longer windows and manageable waves.

May 2015 - already in a mild wave, following a usual pattern, I took clarithromicin and amoxicillin for two weeks for a sinus infection which I also seem to have had quite a reaction to.

 

February 2016 - Feeling much better.  I still have waves and windows but they are manageable.  I'm largely enjoying life again.

Link to comment

*post deleted as amendment included in edit above*

March 2003 took two sartroline tablets after a traumatic incident and had a reaction so stopped.  I am not sure now whether what I had for the next 18 months was WD after the reaction or the emotional fallout from the traumatic event.  Some of it was very similar to WD in hindsight.  

 

February 2014 - Took five pristiq (50mg) tablets and three Ativan and had a severe reaction.
Extreme withdrawal symptoms for three weeks compounded by visit to naturopath -

One week later took 900mg St John's Wort x 3 daily for six weeks - more negative effects and suspected serotonin syndrome - before tapering over three weeks. Last tablet late May 2014.

Waves and windows cycle of recovery with longer windows and manageable waves.

May 2015 - already in a mild wave, following a usual pattern, I took clarithromicin and amoxicillin for two weeks for a sinus infection which I also seem to have had quite a reaction to.

 

February 2016 - Feeling much better.  I still have waves and windows but they are manageable.  I'm largely enjoying life again.

Link to comment

Hi QueenieRose

 

I am so distressed by your story.  As another Mum currently experiencing the effects of these medications on my son, I feel very much your suffering.  At least he is stable enough not to be sectioned and is able to remain at home away from the so-called "experts".  Your and your daughter's experience to date are horrendous and bring to mind this story:  The Pill that Steals Lives which I have read recently.

 

I wish I could give you more helpful advice but I am sure you are doing absolutely everything possible for your daughter.

 

My thoughts are with you both.

cannabis: Spring 2002 - Dec. 2007; regularly smoked, stopped cold turkey; symptoms: paranoid and depressed

Paroxetine: 20 mg July 2008, 40 mg October, 20 mg spring 2009, 0 mg summer 2009

Depakote (sodium valproate): October 2008 - Spring 2009

Haloperdidol 1 week Oct. 2008, H caused seizures, went to A&E;  stopped taking it.

Citalopram few weeks in the fall of 2009 to deal with withdrawal symptoms from stopping paroxetine

Paroxetine round 2: 20 mg Feb - summer 2010 -20mg don't remeber if I went up to 40mg

Venlafaxine & sodium valproate (again): Sep 2010 - Summer 2012  

SERTRALINE: November 2012 - May 2016 , 50-100mg (few days @ 150mg in Summer '15). a complete freak out at the end of April. 

May 2016 Prescribed Lithium and Abilify HAVE NOT TAKEN

No medications May 2016 - October 2016

Hospitalised - November 13th 2016 - Prescribed 15 mg Mirtazapine/Remeron. Reducing since 24 December 2016.  9 June 2017 medication free. 

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

I think you are right Queenie, she needs stability now. Hopefully when you get her home she will start to get better with TLC and routine before any more changes.  

I hope the visit went ok and she is improving.  mind.co.uk has some great information on sectioned patients and their rights. 

**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

 

 

Link to comment

Queenie, one more point--I know you are terribly worried about your daughter and that is totally understandable. But I also believe that you should rest assured that she will get better after she gets off the drugs. How and when she gets off them is another matter, something for the moderators of this site to advise you about. But over time her symptoms will improve and she will eventually get better. It is impossible, though, to know how long it will take. All of us are, as a community, using the best of our knowledge and experience to advise others trapped in this predicament. The doctors are generally clueless if not outright harmful.  You have come to the right place in seeking advice, and many, many people sympathize with you and are behind you.

Drugfree Prof

Psychologist and Psychotherapist

Prozac 20 mg for approx 3 months during 2000, withdrew, no w/d sx

Prozac 10 - 30 mg Jan. 2008 - Dec. 2014

Ritalin 30-40 mg Jan. 2008 - Mar. 2015

W/d sx from Prozac started around 3 months after cessation--crying spells, depressed mood, lethargy; resolved in 8 - 12 mos. post cessation

Used and continue to use a TON of alternative methods--meditation, mindfulness, nutrition. supplements, exercise, etc.

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

Hi Queenie . Just came across your thread and wondered how your daughter was doing?

 

Did you manage to find out anything regarding genetic testing in UK?

 

I do hope things have improved.

 

Flowers xxx

15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM.  MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct  temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT.  JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month.  28.5 mgs 
FEB  Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs .  JUNE 24 mgs .  JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to  22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed.  13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize  1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at  50 mgs at night.  Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and  Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. 

XANAX  Jan 27  - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover.   Feb 14 2019  Updosed Xanax by .0625  Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily.  Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. 

Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM  20mg  taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE  .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm.  XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night.  LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight.  SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm.   7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm.  2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19  .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg  x 2. 23.1.20  .23 mg x 2.  20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20  .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2.  18.6.20 .11mg  x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2.  2.12.20 .06 mg x 2.  8.1.21 .05 mg x 2.  4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2.  7.4.21  .02 mg x 2.  9.5.21 .01 mg x 2.  21.6.21 .01 mg x 1.  11.8.21 ZERO!

 

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Queenie

 

Thinking of you and your family and hoping your situation is improving.

cannabis: Spring 2002 - Dec. 2007; regularly smoked, stopped cold turkey; symptoms: paranoid and depressed

Paroxetine: 20 mg July 2008, 40 mg October, 20 mg spring 2009, 0 mg summer 2009

Depakote (sodium valproate): October 2008 - Spring 2009

Haloperdidol 1 week Oct. 2008, H caused seizures, went to A&E;  stopped taking it.

Citalopram few weeks in the fall of 2009 to deal with withdrawal symptoms from stopping paroxetine

Paroxetine round 2: 20 mg Feb - summer 2010 -20mg don't remeber if I went up to 40mg

Venlafaxine & sodium valproate (again): Sep 2010 - Summer 2012  

SERTRALINE: November 2012 - May 2016 , 50-100mg (few days @ 150mg in Summer '15). a complete freak out at the end of April. 

May 2016 Prescribed Lithium and Abilify HAVE NOT TAKEN

No medications May 2016 - October 2016

Hospitalised - November 13th 2016 - Prescribed 15 mg Mirtazapine/Remeron. Reducing since 24 December 2016.  9 June 2017 medication free. 

 

Link to comment

Thank you to everyone who has written so supportively. You were right, things have got better. The change happened so suddenly it's been hard to believe it which is why I haven't written again until now but she has come back to us all. Her partner has been steadfastly supportive and she is now back at home with him. She is staying on the lowest dose of aripiprazole for now largely because she is so afraid of another episode. She is also taking omega3 and vitamin B. She has some memory loss which is scary for her and some things which we thought were intrinsic to her personality haven't come back yet such as tidiness and a good sense or navigation but, compared to where we were and where we feared we might be now, her progress is remarkable.

 

I'm still shocked at the seeming arbitrariness of the psychiatrists' prescribing and their lack of any other approach.

 

The assurance that she could recover when in the darkest days I didn't know if she would ever come back was invaluable as was the space to just say openly what was going on.

 

So thank you to you all.

 

QueenieRose

 

 

Link to comment
  • Mentor

This is indeed happy news.  Thanks for letting us know.

 

I am not a health professional in any way.  I do not give medical advice.   Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a professional medical practitioner.

 

NEW INFORMATION FOR GABAPENTIN TAPER

April 29, 2022 900 mg to 800 mg (11%), May 29, 2022 800 to 700 mg (12.5%), June 20, 2022 700 to 650mg (8%), July 20, 2022 650 to 575 (12%), August 20,  575 to 500 (13%),  Sept 20, 2020 500 to 475mg (5%) Nov 7, 2022 475 to 425 (11%), Nov 21, 2022 500mg

Medications: Gabapentin, Prednisone 1.5mg a day, Cortisol Inhaler daily. 

HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER

Feb. 2016 to June 2016  - Was on 150mg Zoloft.  Put on Gabapentin at 900mg a day in 2016 due to antidepressant withdrawal. 

Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June  2016,  reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016.  From July 2016  to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper.

STARTING SENSIBLE  ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM THIS SITE

Dec. 10 2016  - switched to Liquid Zoloft (Sertraline) @ 12.5 mg.   Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mgFeb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%).  Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg.  May 9, 2020 1.375 mg.  June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%).  July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%).  August 15, 2020 1.0 mg.  Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg.  Nov. 28, 2020 .75mgJan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%).  Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg.  May 1, 2021 .375mg.  May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .0125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg.  October 2, 2021 .043mg.  October 10, 2021 .038mg.  October 23, 2021 .035mg.  October 30, 2021 .032mg.  Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg.  Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg.  Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY

Link to comment

Yes, this is great to hear, QueenieRose, so just keep supporting her as you have. It's obviously working. See, people do get better!

No thanks to the psychiatric industry.

Drugfree Prof

Psychologist and Psychotherapist

Prozac 20 mg for approx 3 months during 2000, withdrew, no w/d sx

Prozac 10 - 30 mg Jan. 2008 - Dec. 2014

Ritalin 30-40 mg Jan. 2008 - Mar. 2015

W/d sx from Prozac started around 3 months after cessation--crying spells, depressed mood, lethargy; resolved in 8 - 12 mos. post cessation

Used and continue to use a TON of alternative methods--meditation, mindfulness, nutrition. supplements, exercise, etc.

Link to comment

Amazing to hear!  Keep her away from the grip of those butchers and she will no doubtly be whole again.  Thanks for the positive news 

 

Mort 

Was on 30mg (Lexapro) for 7-8yrs20mg for 3 months (This was my choice my Doc wanted me to drop much faster)15 mg 2week10mg 2 weeks 5 mg 1 week0 since August 24th . PPI Dexlant  30 mg taper has begun. Cutting 20% currently.  using zantac as needed.  Benzo is currently 0.10mg 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hey Queenie... I swear i had tear in my eyes when i red your happy message. 

 

I swear your daughter has nothing but a reaction to Sertraline. She will be her again if she refrains from such drugs. On the same time keep her away from alcohol or canabis. Her nervous system is just tooo fragile and any kind of stimulants are not good.

Sooo happy she is coming back. 

All the best
 

2015 -  2016 Xanax only rescue doses of 0.125 mg 1-2 times per month
 March 2016 0.125Mg * 2 Xanax for 10 days.

20 March 2016 0.25 Mg * 2 Xanax for one week. 1 April 2016 Tranxene 5 mg and Fevarin but bad reaction for 5 days.4 April 2016 25 Mg Amitryptiline + 6 MG bromazepam at night

Started tapering Bromazepam 6 days later reached up to 3 MG in 10 days and withdrawal. Pdoc asked to go 6 MG again.

10 of May started Remeron 15 MG and started tapering Bromazepam again.

SINCE 09/06/2016 BENZO FREE - Started Tapering Remeron 04/07/2016

 

04/Jul/16 12.8 Mg, 11/Aug/16 12 Mg, 20/Aug/16 11Mg, 3/Sept/16 10Mg, 11/Sept/16 9 Mg, 30/Sept/16 8.1 Mg, 14/Oct/16 7.25 Mg, 17/Nov/16 6.7, 23/Nov/16 6.5, 2/Dec/16 6.25, 9/Dec/16 6Mg, 25/Dec/16 5.7Mg, 4/Jan/17 5.4Mg, 20/Jan/17 5.2Mg, 07/Feb/17 5 Mg, 15/Feb/17 4.8Mg, 27/Feb/17 4.5Mg, 15/Mar/17 4.2Mg, 23/Mar/17 4Mg, 1/Apr/17 3.7Mg, 14/Apr/17 3.4Mg, 27/Apr/17 3.1Mg, 06/May/17 2.8Mg, 22/May/17 2.6Mg, 31/May/17 2.3Mg 09/Jun/17 2Mg, 20/Jun/17 1.7Mg, 29/Jun/17 1.4Mg, 11/Jul/17 1.2Mg, 20/Jul/17 1Mg, 31/Jul/17 0.8Mg, 11/Aug/17 0.6Mg, 23/Aug/17 0.5Mg, 05/Sept/17 0.4Mg, 13/Sept/17 0.3Mg. 22/Sept/17 0.2Mg, 03/Oct/17 0.15Mg, 10/Oct/17 0.1Mg, 23/Oct/17 0.05Mg, 22/Nov/17 0.025Mg, 06/DECEMBER/2017 MIRT FREEE.

Link to comment
  • 3 weeks later...

Queenie, 

 

Great to hear that she's feeling better. I hope that one day soon she can be free of the aripiprazole. These things are horrible poisons. 

Dec 2016 Risperidone 1 mg, Seroquel 25mg, Latuda 40mg 

Jan - Mar 2017 Paliperidone (invega) 6 -9mg, Zoloft, Mirtazapine, Proprananol, Ativan

Mar - Apr 2017 Aripiprazole (abilify) 10 mg

Apr 2017 - July 2017 Olanzapine (zyprexa) 5 mg tapered to 0mg

Oct 2017 - Present Effexor 37.5mg and Prozac 10mg 

Link to comment

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use Privacy Policy