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Altostrata

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I was watching Michael Priebe (The Lovely Grind) while I was going through withdrawal, and someone in the comments had asked him if he was willing to write a success story for Surviving Antidepressants. Then I looked up the site. I don't think it comes up very high in search results, which is sad, I wish I had found it sooner than I did. 

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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@Armorall i would like to read it 

2021:  started celexa 10mg feb 2nd 

feb 25th took my last 10g; feb 26th 5mg; feb 27th 5mg; feb 28th 2021 cold turkey 

currently taking mag

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@Phoenixmama Unfortunately, even though someone asked him to do it, he did not. The question just made me aware of the existence of SA, but it wasn't because he then complied. He does detail his process in a Lovely Grind video though, it was one that I actually wrote down many of the words to, since I was hurting in WD and needed some relief. I had it on my wall for a long time. Just the bit about the further away you are from your quit/taper start date, the better it will become even if you can't tell at first. And his major changes happened within the 18-24th month mark, which ended up being my "turn the corner" zone as well. 

 

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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Someone suggested me in reddit.

2017 october--2018 march->(6 month) fluoxetine 20,30 mg-->cold turkey= after 2 month semen leakage

2018 july---2018 Aug-->(24 days) fluoxetine 20 mg --> cold turkey = vivid dreams begin

2018 december 2019 Jan-->(1 month) Amitriptyline 25--> cold turkey
--------++++--horror of drugs begins. Taking one after another and cold turkey-------+++------------------
2019 May--2019 May--> (12 days) Lexapro cold turkey

2019 May--2019 august -->(3 month)Cobazam 10 mg +amitriptyline 25 mg --> clobazam cold turkey

----2019 october ---> went cold turkey amitriptyline 25 mg.

2019 october--2020 Jan -->(3 months) duloxetine cymbalta 30mg --->cold turkey

2020 jan-2020 Apr--> (3 months) paroxetine 25 mg --> Cold turkey

2020 July--2021 Jan--> (6 months) amitriptyline 50 mg ,75 mg,100 mg ,125 mg -> cold turkey

2021 jan--2021 May--> (4 months) imipramine 75 mg -->cold turkey

2021 may-2021 Aug--> (3 months) nortriptyline 25 mg --> cold turkey== still semen leakage and vivid dream

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I found this site via a YouTube video panel discussion on IIPDW.  I am AMAZED at how easily doctors prescribe antidepressants without informing about what long-term use can do to your life!

 

They don’t tell you how common sexual dysfunction is, and worse, how scary & hard it is to stop taking them.

 

I’m looking for support as I navigate COVID19, my own refusal of the vax, even though I’ve never been anti-vax before now.  The poor leadership added to my suspicions about big PHARMA & a very BIG distrust of any medications & doctors that want to keep me medicated.

 

I am a recovering cocaine addict. I got involved in 12-step groups in 1984 & have been free of coke since 1/5/85.

I started antidepressants & adhd meds under the care of my GP in the 90’s to deal with attention issues & menopausal symptoms.

 

Those meds quit working & I sought psychiatric care about 5 years ago. I was switched from fluoxetine & adderall to Lexapro & Vyvanse.  Last November I had a psychotic episode and was inpatient for 2 weeks, where my meds were changed abruptly. The ARNP I was working with told me it was a drug induced mania & he had “seen it coming” but NEVER TOLD ME!  So I came out of that episode knowing that I had to find myself again & I could not do that until I got off of the drugs.  I believe they created the basket case that I became!

 

so now I am emerging from a long detox & dark night of the soul & believe that psychiatric labels & drugs have done more harm than good in my life.

 

Thanks for creating this site!

 

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  • 2 months later...

I found this site through this research article:

 

Protracted withdrawal syndrome after stopping antidepressants: a descriptive quantitative analysis of consumer narratives from a large internet forum

 

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2045125320980573?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub 0pubmed

Drug history:

  • Zoloft 10mg 1999 - estimated 2007
  • Lexapro (escitalopram) 20mg estimated start 2009 - Jan 2021 (self tapered Sep 2020 - Dec 2020)
  • Tried fish oil supplements (1200mg EPA + 900mg DHA) in June and July 2021 but had increased anxiety/agitation
  • SAM-e 400mg estimated start August 2021 to present

Introduction post

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  • Moderator

I was referred through a desperate google search on how to stop lexapro the correct way!

PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. 

 Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist.

 Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form)

---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil.

Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper.

19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020)

I am not a medical professional.

The suggestions I make are based on personal experience.

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  • Mentor

Like Frogie. A desperate Google search for help tapering.

  1. .025 Xanax 3 x daily  Start date 10-13-2013 through 8-13-2014.  Started tapering 6-2014 to 8-2014.  Some small discomfort. 25 mg Zoloft - Start date 5-1-2014.  50mg. 6-2014.  through 7-14-2014 .  Started tapering  7-14-2014, stopped tapering 10-2014.  I did 1/4 of the dose a month.  small discomfort.  These next 3 were prescribed when I made some seriously bad choices with my thyroid medication.  Was in ER twice for possible heart attack.  INTENSE anxiety, panic, fear.   Lost 30 pounds in 2 weeks.  Thyroid levels bounced to extremes for 8 months. Dr. prescribed Zoloft 50mg  9-2105.  After 2 doses had a bad reaction passed out in my bedroom. Also prescribed Xanax .025  at the same time. 3 times daily, 4 if needed.  Was only on it about 2 weeks.  Was not working.  Trip ER they gave me an Ativan IV and it worked and lasted.  switched to Ativan. 9-24-2016. 1.5 mg Ativan - .5 mg  three x daily -start date 9/24/16.  Attempted taper start 12-16-2016. Was shaving Pills and alternating tapering AM, PM and midday dose weekly.  Buspar .5mg  -2.5mg. am and 2. 5mg. pm start date 9-26-2016 .  Lexapro .10mg  start date  - 10-26-2016. Found SA and began 10/14/2017 tapering .001 by weight of pill  every 4 days Held longer if there were was WD.    Was very sensitive to Ativan. 3-15-2018 Off midday dose - 7-16-2018 Off PM dose - OFF ATIVAN! 11-17-2018 10 mg. Lexapro. PM - 5 mg start date 10/11/2016 increased to 10 mg 2/2/17. 1-1-2019 Began tapering Lexapro.  .001 gm every 4 days.  Held longer if there was WD.  Last doses some I held a month.  OFF LEXAPRO! 2-21 2021 5 mg. Buspar  divided into two, 2.5 mg doses AM and PM- Start date 9/26/2016 Cold turkey on Dr. direction, AM and Pm  doses.  Reinstated  9-22-16. Began Buspar taper 1-29-23, .001 mg by weight of pills.  N.P. Desiccated Thyroid.  1-2023 Labs okay but not where I feel best. 60 mg. daily now but adding 15 mg. more  twice weekly for a few months then check.  Bioidentical hormones. Bi-est/Prog cream, 1/4 tsp.  1 time daily

My intro: Moonpie:. Need help and supporting tapering off of Ativan

My benzo thread: Moonpie: Need help Ativan weight tapering

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I thought I had already posted in this topic but I've just checked and I haven't.

 

I also found SA through an internet search.

 

Just before reducing my Pristiq 100mg to 50mg I had been searching for Pristiq side effects (trying to work out why I had the different issues I had, which turned out to be mild serotonin syndrome), which unfortunately did not bring up SA.  Because Pristiq is only available in 50mg and 100mg in Australia (our drug authority has not authorised 25mg here grrr) and because of the serotonin toxicity I needed to reduce quickly.

 

Once I got really bad withdrawal symptoms after the above reduction, I started searching for Pristiq withdrawal symptoms instead and SA come up in one of the first few results on the page.

 

The ironic thing about me getting bad withdrawals is that if I had had no issues, or only minor ones, going from 100mg to 50mg I would not have found SA and I might still be on Pristiq.

 

Six years after joining I am at 0mg!!!  And all thanks to SA.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

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

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

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

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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  • Mentor

 I thought I had posted here too but I guess not

 

I found this site thru a desperate google search when I was already suffering terribly in WD and my PCP was trying to get me to take some drug, clonadine (sp) I think?
she was rxing it for severe insomnia and to help with what she thought were my PTSD symptoms


I wanted to know what the side effects of that drug might be, and somehow a link popped up to SA that mentioned it.

 

it was like a bolt of electricity went thru me when I saw that this forum was for ppl getting off antidepressants, because I had just been arguing with the dr that what I was going thru HAD TO BE from coming off the lexapro too quickly

 

she laughed at me (something she did often, I realize now looking back- why did I put up with that kind of disrespect??) 

 

anyway............ that's how I found SA 

that was in early Dec of 2015

 

this forum saved my life and my sanity.

I will be forever grateful.

 

 

PLEASE DO NOT SEND ME PRIVATE MESSAGES, thank you. 

  • 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
  • PRESENT DAYS:  Loving life! ❤️ with all it's ups and downs ;) 
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  • 2 weeks later...

I don't remember. I was in such a haze at that point. Depression, trying to fight off good intentions of family and friends to get ketamine and more meds. I came from the anhedonia reddit page to a site that were worried about pssd a lot. (It did't fit the bill either) Then this one, and it slowly clicked that "Oh my god, this is whats happening to me.

Current: Bupropion 450mg, Neurontin 800mg, Klonopin 0.5mg

History:

July 2020: started Cogentin 1mg, Lamictal 50mg, Zoloft 150mg, Zyprexa 5mg (+5mg as needed), Klonopin 0.5mg

November 2020: stopped all meds cold-turkey

February 2021: started Latuda 60mg, Lithium 300mg, Melatonin 5mg, Protonix 40mg, Topamax 25mg

2 weeks later: stopped Topamax, increased Lithium 900mg, started Klonopin 1mg, Lexapro 20mg, Neurontin 400mg

April 2021: started Bupropion 150mg, Revia ?mg

May 2021: stopped ReviaProtonixLexaproincreased Neurontin 800mg, started Celexa 10mg

August 2021: decreased Celexa 5mg (stopped Celexa 2 weeks later), increased Bupropion 300mg

September 2021: increased Latuda 80mg

October 2021: decreased Lithium 600mg for 4 daysLithium 300mg for 4 daysstopped LithiumLatuda

     increased Bupropion 450mg, started Remeron 15mg, decreased Remeron 7.5mg, stopped Remeron

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I found the website through googling the recent symptoms I have been having and it popped up in a search result

Klonopin Mar 2013 - Feb 2021 - used .000 gram scale to cut pills did very slowly from 2017-2021, had no issues stopping after final dose that was sub .5mg diazepam equivalent (If anyone wants advice for tapering Klonopin with a gram scale, feel free to ask!)

tapered off zyprexa twice over 2 weeks in my 20's, had little issue with that after about 3-4 years of use both times.

Prozac 40MG for 5 years - 2016 - 2021 (Total of 13 years of consecutive use)

(Most recent after last break, been on cumulatively in my life 14 years all times combined, 3 separate on/off occasions, all successful except most recent 3/4)

Recent Issue:  Tapered gradually from 40MG down to 0MG from May 7th - Aug 18th

Felt fine through Oct 5th, slowly started getting depression, panic, and anxiety (Was original thing I was treated for)

Decided to go back on SSRI Nov 1st, reacted very bad to 20mg reinstatement, day 1 was fine, day 2 had ADR. Doctor said to drop dosage.

Took 5mg for 2 weeks, 10mg for 2 weeks, still felt physically sick, could not take 20mg for more than 3 days, looking for advice going forward (ADR)

Not happy about it, but on 1.5mg 3x ativan and temazepam 15mg for sleep

(Was sleeping 2-3 hrs nightly prior to temazepam, was first thing that broke 2-3 hr then wide awake sleep cycle)

Main symptoms: headaches from certain foods and meds, sleep is broken, anxiety and agitation is extremely high, cortisol spike sensitive, bad in morning better at night, panic attacks, concentration is awful, focus is awful, anhedonia is awful, sensitive to light and noise, especially noise, extreme depression, intense bouts of fear, every looks and feels 'scary' at times, stress tolerance extremely low, have bouts of extreme anxiety, and bouts akathesia, and bouts extreme anticipatory anxiety over basic events/tasks. Nervous system is clearly crashed.

No Prozac for 249 days.

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  • 2 months later...
  • 6 months later...

Google and a benzo group I’m in. Unfortunately, I found you too late (I stupidly ct’d 1 drug). I’m hoping that you can still help with the rest of my meds though. 

Effexor XR: 1998-2000, 2003-2008. Pooped out. 

Celexa: 2004-2007, Topamax: 2004-2007, Lamictal: 2004-2006. 

 

Cipralex 20mg: 2008-2021. Foolishly ct’d July 2021. Had delayed withdrawal. 

Bupropion 150XL 2004-2006, 2013-present, taken at 6am

Seroquel 25mg: 2008-present, taken 9pm

Alprazolam 0.5mg: 2014-2022. Crossed over to 10mg diazepam for tapering as per Ashton. 
Diazepam: 3.5mg at 6am and 5pm (as of Dec 31, 2022). 

 

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Desperate Google searching led me to a variety of sources that would mention this site.

For example, What I have learnt from helping thousands of people taper off antidepressants and other psychotropic medications - Adele Framer, 2021 (sagepub.com)

Which, of course, was written by Altostrata here.

 

I lurked for a while and read many threads before deciding I wanted to participate in this community, get better, and maybe pass that on to others in the future.

2014-2015 Clonazepam (Klonopin) 2mg BID, Sertraline (Zoloft) 150mg (Discontinued Clonazepam cold turkey)

2014-August 2021 Sertraline (Zoloft) 150mg (Discontinued cold turkey in hospital, replaced with new regimen)

August 2021 Sodium Valproate 500mg (Depakote), Quetiapine 150mg (Seroquel)

May 2022 Sodium Valproate 500mg (Depakote), Quetiapine 150mg (Seroquel), Hydroxyzine 25mg PRN, Mirtazapine 15mg

July 2022 Sodium Valproate (Depakote) 500mg, Quetiapine 200mg (Seroquel), Hydroxyzine 25mg PRN, Venlafaxine 75mg (roughly 10 days)

August 1 2022 Sodium Valproate 500mg (Depakote)Quetiapine 100mg (Seroquel), Hydroxyzine 25mg PRN, Buspirone 10mg (5-7 days)

August 14 2022 Sodium Valproate 250mg (Depakote), Quetiapine 100mg (Seroquel), Hydroxyzine 25mg PRN

September 7 2022 Sodium Valproate 250mg (Depakote), Quetiapine 50mg (Seroquel), Hydroxyzine 25mg PRN

September 22 2022 Sodium Valproate 250mg (Depakote), Quetiapine 25mg (Seroquel), Hydroxyzine 25mg PRN

October 9 2022 Sodium Valproate 250mg (Depakote), Quetiapine 12.5mg (Seroquel)

October 26 2022 Sodium Valproate 250mg (Depakote), Quetiapine 0.0mg (Seroquel) - #1 Goal Achieved

November 18 2022 Sodium Valproate 0.0mg (Depakote) Drug Free!

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  • 2 months later...

SA came up on a Facebook search and I found the website from there.

Age 16 (1995 - 2000) -Paroxetine
Age 21 (2000-2004) - Effexor 37.5mg
Age 24 (2004-2012) - Lexapro (70mg), Xanax minimum 2mg Xanax a day
About 32 (2012-2017?) - Every mood stabiliser under the sun (not at the same time) and minimum 2mg Xanax a day; occasional amisulpride 
About 35 (2017-current) - Lurasidone 80 mg, quickly titrated down to 40mg, Pristiq (50 mg), minimum of 2mg Xanax a day
About 41 (2020) Switched from Xanax to clonazepam and started tapering at 0.125 mg each reduction, tapered off Pristiq with a cross taper at the end, low dose of dextroamphetamine.
Age 42 (2021) Tried to taper off Lurasidone three times. Quick taper from 40mg to 0 mg over a couple of months the first time. Reinstated at 20mg. Tried twice more to taper from 20 mg to 0 mg dropping by 5 mg each reduction (about every 2 weeks).
Age 42-43 (April 2022) 20mg-18mg; May 18mg-16mg; June 16-14mg; September 14-12mg; September 12-14mg reinstated. February 2023 - hiccup with brand change, Back to Apotek brand and switch to homemade suspension.

Age 44 (August 2023 -restarted clonazepam taper). Start dose 0.375mg. 1/9/2023 - 0.365mg; 1/10/2023 - 0.324mg; 1/11/2023 - 0.264mg; 1/12/2023 - 0.25 mg (holding); 1/2/2024 - 0.232mg; 1/3/2024 - 0.221mg; 1/4/2024 - 0.205mg;

Health regimen: walks, hot/cold showers, ice baths, breathwork, mostly healthy diet, therapy...... Open to ideas! Supplements: Milk Kefir, Mag, Omega 3, CBD/THC.

 

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 When the psych told my partner her symptoms were just a relapse it just didn't make sense to me. So I was looking for academic journals on serotonin syndrome and adverse reactions to antidepressants and was lucky enough to come across Alto's article also. 

May 19th - 25mg Sertraline May 27th- 50mg Sertraline
May 30th - 50mg Sertraline, 12mg Diazepam (6mg am/pm), Zopiclone 7.5mg June 10th - 25mg Sertraline, 12mg Diazepam (6mg am,pm), 15mg Zopiclone
June 15th - Stopped Sertraline, Started Venlafaxine 75mg, 12mg Diazepam (6mg am/pm), 7.5mg Zopiclone July 21st - Stopped venlafaxine cold turkey, 4mg diazepam, 7.5mg Zopiclone
July 28th - Started 7.5mg mirtazapine, 3mg valium, stopped Zopiclone August 15th - increased 15mg mirtazapine, 3mg valium
August 19th - mirtazapine 7.5mg, 3mg valium August 22nd - Mirtazapine 3.75mg, 3mg valium
August 26th - Mirtazapine 3.75mg, 8mg valium 
August 29th - Mirtazapine 3.75mg, 6mg valium

September 1st - Mirtazapine 3.75mg, 5mg valium  September 19th - Mirtazapine 3.75mg, 4mg valium (GP intercedes)

September 27th - 3mg valium, October 4th 02mg valium  October 11th - 1mg valium October 4th October 18th - off

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Hello, 

 

I'd like to share how I found this site.

 

I found it after making some online research on Desvenlafaxine effects after stopping it on PubMed, I use to read scientific articles published on it when I want to inform myself about a particular health-related subject.

 

Then I found your amazing, correctly structured, honest, well written article on it.

 

When I started reading your publication I found myself writing it - you described the same effects I'm experiencing. I'm glad you did it and had the courage to contact specialists and drug manufacturers so proactively, given the circumstances, and I'm also glad that you shared your knowledge with the rest of us.

 

I haven't yet found a source of information like your article and this forum - a book or series of books could be easily be written with all that first-hand, reliable information. I find it has an in-depth knowledge on medication and its withdrawal effects. It also reflects what I do also see around - GPs/Medical practitioners that prescribe drugs that have little understanding of how they work.

 

Warmly,

 

Andromeda

 

Wednesday 30th November 2022

 

"Journey" summary:

 

July 2022: prescribed Enzude (desvenlafaxine), generic form of Pristiq.

Dose: minimum available (50 mg)

Reason: tiredness, not feeling energy at all, sadness, extreme premenstrual syndrome, heavy periods.

⬇️

October 2022: quitted drug without tapering.

Symptoms: extreme tiredness, body aches (specially lower back, neck and hips, headaches) suicidal ideation, slowliness in thinking, difficulty in waking up, tiredness all day through, no intention to undertake anything (plans, going out, meeting people and so on), sensation the world has come to an end for me.

⬇️

December 2022: diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency plus Epstein-Barr virus.

Reason to join Surviving Antidepressants: to feel less lonely, to seek support and to get informed.

Fun fact: Venlafaxine shares chemical formula with Tramadol: C16H25NO2.

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Hello all, I found this website through Reddit at first. I was reading people's experiences on Reddit at first but then realized that their tapering schedules were not really working for me. I also came across Adele Framer's article shortly after and read the whole thing. I am now just spending hours on this site reading. It has made me understand how much doctors just don't understand...

Started Lexapro/Cipralex (Escitalopram) 5mg around May 2020 due to extreme pandemic-related distress and chronic anxiety; Vyvanse 40mg (previously Concerta 36mg) started ~March 2020; previously on Concerta 36mg since October 2019.

Jan 2022: 15mg Escitalopram; Mar 2022: Reduced back to 10mg, no w/ds.

May 2022:  Tapered 10mg - 7.5mg - 5mg (liquid not available); failed going under 5mg

Jul 2022: Unsuccessful doctor-assisted taper (alternating days half dose)

Mid-Aug 2022: Reduced by 1/6ths (~0.83mg) every week, withdrawals were tolerable but could no longer tolerate my Vyvanse 40mg. Switched to Concerta 72mg for one month start of September. Percocet 1/4th a standard tablet every 4 hours for terrible w/d pain

Oct 2022: Found SA, held at ~0.42mg Escitalopram for three weeks; started Meth 25mg/day orally under Dr supervision (Rx not available here) after repeated adverse reaction to Vyvanse & Concerta not as effective. Meth taper 25mg - 22.5mg - 20mg - 18.5mg Dec. 18 - Jan. 5; HOLD

Nov 2022: ~0.1mg inaccurate measurement, failed to stabilize; Dec 5, 2022: updose 0.3mg Escitalopram compounded liquid; Jan 13, 2023: 0.27mg; Feb. 5: 0.21mg; Feb 21: 0.20mg; PROZAC BRIDGE Mar. 21 (consistent daily ups and downs without actual WDs getting intolerable): Mar 21-23 0.15mg E 0.10mg P; Mar 24 0.10mg E 0.20mg P; Mar. 27 0.05mg E 0.30mg P; Apr 1 0.40mg P (fairly smooth transition). PROZAC TAPER Apr 9: 0.36mg (prior dose felt too strong); Apr. 26 0.32mg; May 15 0.28mg; May 30 0.24mg; June 11 0.22mg; June 23 0.20mg; Jul 18 0.18mg; Jul 24 0.17mg; Aug 16 0.14mg; Sep. 11 0.12mg; Sep. 30 0.10mg; Dec. 3 0.08mg; Dec 30 0.07mg; 2024 Jan. 21 0.06mg; Feb. 20 0.05mg; Mar. 18 0.04mg;

Dilaudid 1/6th tablet then quit 12/6/22

Other meds: Xanax ~0.1mg 3x/day for AD w/ds, started Sept 2022; HOLD. My Intro Post 

It's often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars. -Richard Evans

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  • 4 months later...

I was Googling about Prozac side effects and serotonin toxicity. So glad I found this site, it's really opened my eyes to how my medications could be harming me

These are my personal experiences and opinions. Not medical advice.

 

2015-2017 Lexapro (14 years old)

2019-2021 Prozac

Experienced anxiety and gut health spirals 3-4 months after stopping meds both previous times. Unsure if relapse or “relapse”.

Nov 2022- Started Reglan 5mg/4x a day and Pantoprazole 40mg.

Jan 2023- Pantoprazole 20mg

March 2023- Tapered Reglan to 5mg/2x a day

April 2023- took Prozac 20mg for 9 days, possible serotonin toxicity because I'm also taking Reglan. Discontinued Prozac on April 9th. Late April stopped Reglan after blood pressure worries.

 

Currently taking: Pantoprazole 20mg

Current Health Practices: Multivitamin, Vitamin D, Probiotic, daily walks.

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  • 3 months later...

I believe I was reading about withdrawal syndrome on an Harvard paper that mentioned a community of people talking and discussing how to deal with them, and that linked to this forum :)

  • April 2021 - September 2021 Escitalopram, 5mg
  • September 2021 - July 2023 Escitalopram, 10mg
  • July 2023 - Now Escitalopram, 5mg (based on the discussion with my psychiatrist, and before I found out about this forum and the recommended tapering %)

Supplements : Omega-3, Vitamin D, Magnesium, Chaste Tree (for PMS)

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