AliG Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Karen. Great news ! I hope it continues. I understand how good it feels. Hugs, Ali Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 . Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted October 4, 2016 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 4, 2016 Thanks lovely people. NZ, here's my current stats: 127.62mg (down from original 150mg), equating to about 85%. If I was more into company I'd have a little party . 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 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
nick1990 Posted October 4, 2016 Share Posted October 4, 2016 Awesome Karen! Go you! Im so happy for you Started Citalopram in 2005 (aged 15) for apparent "OCD" - 60mg July 2015 attempted 2 x 10% + cuts 4 weeks apart. WD symptoms intense at times. Need to slow down. November 2016 - Resumed taper. 1.25 - 1.5% decrease weekly approx. 44.5mg November 2016. Jan 2017 42.5 mg. March 2017 40 mg. June 2017 37mg. September 2018 22mg. Nov 2018 Holding at 22mg to stabilise from moderate wave. January 2020 - Holding, mostly feeling fine, but still having some waves at times. February 2020 - Resumed taper , 1.5% reduction weekly/every two weeks. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus elbee Posted October 4, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 4, 2016 Thumbs up! My suggestions are not medical advice. They are my opinions based on my own experience, strength and hope. You are in charge of your own medical / healing / recovery choices. My success story | My introduction thread ZOLOFT FREE - COMPLETELY DRUG FREE 4/28/2019! - total time on 28+ years BENZO FREE! 4/7/2018 - total time on 27+ years REMERON FREE! 12/11/2016 - total time on 15 months Caffeine & Nicotine Free 2014 / 2015 - smoked for 28 years Alcohol Free 4/1/2014 - drank for 30 years Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted February 17, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 17, 2017 My latest stats: Now at 76% of my original dose, or 115mg out of original 150mg effexor. This is after 1 year and 9 months tapering, and includes an 8 month hold for stabilising. I am still reducing by micro amounts: 4 weekly cuts of 1%, then holding for 4 weeks. The original Brassmonkey slide says to hold 3 weeks, which I always aim and hope for, but somehow I just need those 4 weeks. Oh well . Generally doing well, and feeling happy. Energy way better since I sorted out my iron levels, but still not back at 'pre-effexor' levels (ha!). Sleep still excellent, as it has been since I started MSM. When I get symptoms, they are fairly vague so it takes me a while to realise they are there. That usually happens after the 4th cut of the month. I am experimenting a little to see if I can reduce slightly more each time, and so far have increased the drops from 0.94% wkly to 1.04% wkly. I don't think I'll let it go up much more than that. Definitely not if it means I need to hold for more than 4 weeks. So that's me. Bumping along quite well really. 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 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus SkyBlue Posted February 17, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 17, 2017 Karen, that is SO awesome! ! ! 4 weeks sounds fine. I am so happy for you, and proud of you for your progress and your patience! ! ! ! ! ! <3 Stay the course! Hugs!!!!!! 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
Mentor Happy2Heal Posted February 17, 2017 Mentor Share Posted February 17, 2017 wow Karen you are doing great!! I admire how you were able to hold for so long, I keep thinking I need to do that but then a wave hits and I want relief, RIGHT NOW!Your patience is inspiring. My ears perked up when I saw that your sleep is good since starting MSM, esp since insomnia is my main symptom; do you mind me asking, what is MSM? 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 Link to comment
AmyK Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Well done, Karen! Current dose: 0! Free! Quit June 2017. 2017: Last dose zoloft: 17 June 0,00065 mg 18 May 0, 001 mg 14 May 0,002 mg 9 May 0,003 mg 28 April 0,006 mg 19 April 0,009 mg 8 April 0,013 mg 25 March 0,019 mg 22 March 0,039 mg 18 March 0,052 mg 16 March 0,079 mg 4 March 0,086 1 March 0,099 mg 22 February 0,11 mg 15 February 0,13 mg 6 February 0,145 mg 24 January 0,15 mg 19 January 0,19 mg 10 January 0,20 mg 3 January 2016: 0,98 to 0,22 mg; 2015: 2,35 to 1,01 mg; 2014: 4,9 to 2,5 mg; 2013: 9,1 to 5,1 mg; 2012: 15,7 to 9,7 mg; 2011: Started on 25 mg - then 50 mg- dropped to 25- to 12.5 mg - back to 25 mg - after 18.75 mg started tiny tapering to 16.6 mg Started on 25 mg Zoloft in March 2011 due to stressrelated tinnitus that gave me panicattacks. Had a terrible reaction to Zoloft from start, but was told to "hold on". After four months I was stuck. Therefore the long taper. Crazy, I know... Super sensitive to drops and have dropped by 4-6 % from the previous dose. Link to comment
Moderator brassmonkey Posted February 17, 2017 Moderator Share Posted February 17, 2017 Hey Karen-- looks like you've hit on a variation of the Slide Method ha really works for you, I'm so excited for you. ((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))) 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted February 18, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 18, 2017 Skyblue Thank you, and hugs to you too. Catnapt: Thanks for the encouragement! MSM is a supplement. There are two possibilities around what helped my sleep. The first is that it actually was the MSM. The second is that MSM was something my body was sorely lacking, and so when I started taking it I was able to sleep. Yet for another person it may or may not be MSM they are lacking. There's lots of details in that thread. AmyK Hello to you too, and thanks! You are one of my inspirations. Brassmonkey Thank you. You're another of my inspirations. I often think of you when I need to know it will continue to work out. 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 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
Hopefull Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Well done Karen! Best wishes to you! DRUG HISTORY: November 2013- Zoloft, ( Bad reaction). January 2014 - March 2014 Seroquel.( Quit Cold Turkey). January2014- Mirtazapine, I was taking 15mg at one stage, reduced to 7.5mg, Pgad reactions to Mirtazapine. Doctor kept increasing it to 37.5mg, until July 2014. No improvement, experiencing panic attacks, on 37.5 mg. I had enough by October 2014. Began tapering. October 2014- Started tapering Mirtazapine from 37.5mg. September 2015- Down to 4mg of Mirtazapine. Crashed. September 16th- Up dosed to 5mg. Held this dose for almost 5 months. Stabilised. February 2016- Began tapering again. From 5mg to 4.5mg of Mirtazapine. (Rocking the boat, again)! Lol. Link to comment
LexAnger Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 Wish you continuous smooth journey!! Hugs, Lex Drug free Sep. 23 2017 2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks. 2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg 2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain 2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain; 2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain 2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg, 2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on 2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks. 2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR 2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg，8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg， 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg 2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg, Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted February 19, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 19, 2017 Thanks Hopeful and Lex - two lovely familiar 'faces' here on SA. Hugs to you both, Karen x 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 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
Rain Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Wow good to see that you are much better now!!! Very happy and encouraging to me! I wish one day I will be like you as well! I will keep fighting! Best wishes to you! Rain 2006 October Zoloft 50mg for anxiety. 2013 March Lexapro 10mg for 18 months to 2015 September. 2015 September increased to 20mg for 7 weeks but getting worse. 3rd November dropped back to 10mg 2016 11th November taper to 9mg 2017 3rd March Taper to 8.8mg, then Fast taper start: 10th-8.6mg, 12th-8.2mg, 17th-8.0mg, 22rd-7.7mg, 27th-7.4mg. April 2nd- 6.9mg (WD start), 19th-6.5mg. Failed one day Cymbalta trial, took back Lexapro, much worse Akathisia torture. Keep holding. May 22nd- 6.3mg, June 10th- 5.7mg, Nov- 4.4mg, Dec- 4.3mg, 2018 Jan- 4.1mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted March 24, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 24, 2017 Letter to my doctors, sent yesterday. __________________________________________________________________________ Dear xxxxx and xxxxxx, I would like to share with you how things are for me these days, after five years on SSRIs and then two years of slowly tapering. It’s hard to speak up about an issue that is not yet generally acknowledged. I am aware I run the risk of being labelled a difficult client. There is also the possibility I’ll be seen as a rare or extreme case. I’ve been told by more than one doctor that they have ‘never had any such problems with other clients.’ But this just doesn’t tally up with my experience, or with what other people say about their personal experiences (including my husband). The following are the symptoms I’ve had since beginning to taper two years ago this May: Twitching left eye; tingling areas of muscle and skin; extreme fatigue; dizziness; anxiety attacks; headaches; clumsiness; noticeably worsened difficulty recalling words; memory loss; trouble focussing; dry mouth; wriggly feet; night sweats; hot, sore and tickly ears; nightmares; a strange feeling on my nose; insomnia; tinnitus; queasiness. I also experienced two frightening hallucinations at the worst of my withdrawal. Apart from headaches, and nightmares, I’d never had any of these before taking SSRIs. Due to both a loss of energy and the fact that anything more than mild exercise exacerbates my symptoms, I’ve had to stop going to dance classes, stop my usual yoga practice, stop swimming (apart from floating) and stop going on hikes with my daughters. I have trouble keeping the house clean and the garden functioning. The impact on my life has been immense – it feels like a massive, on-going trauma. I’ve had to dig so deep just to be able to cope emotionally, let alone physically and practically. It has taken me nearly two years to get down to 75% of my original dose. If I could rely on that speed for the rest of my taper, it would mean another six years. However, it is now looking like I need to slow my rate so I’m actually looking at 6+ years. My daughters are 12 and 14. They’ll have left home before I’m able to fully engage in life again. For me, that’s the worst of all of this. Another troubling aspect is that I’ve been unable to look at re-entering the work-force. There are things I want to do with my life… In the bigger picture, I keep meeting people who are having trouble getting off SSRIs and SNRIs. Almost everyone I mention my experience to knows of someone in a similar situation. So I’ve been wondering, even if you haven’t seen what I’m talking about, perhaps you’ve had just an inkling or some nagging doubts about the official line on this issue? But even if your answer to that is ‘no’, and even if I am the only one this has ever happened to, and even if the big questions can’t be addressed by us – surely I count? There’s still me, injured by drugs prescribed for me at this doctor’s clinic. I am reluctant to make an official complaint. I understand we are all a part of this town, and of this system and society. And I doubt anything can be changed – except horribly slowly as the growing effects become harder to ignore. I also acknowledge that there are layers to this – pharmaceutical companies, complaints boards, doctors, patients – and that this letter only addresses one of these layers. I want to be clear that it isn’t my intention to blame doctors, and specifically I do not blame my local doctors. Still, I can’t say nothing about the situation I find myself in so I’m asking where to from here? I’m asking is there a way for me to get help to deal with the challenges this has landed me with? I’m asking is there a way to lessen the number of people prescribed psychiatric drugs – if only locally? I’m asking who will start making changes? Pharma is sitting pretty - it won’t start with them. My hope is that we will be able to discuss this together, as people of the same community. Sincerely, Karen PS I decided to write to you both, as xxxxxxx is my new doctor after xxxxxxx left, and xxxxxxx is one of the owners of the clinic, as well as being my doctor when I started SSRIs. 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 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
AmyK Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Karen, my heart breaks for you. ❤ Such a well put letter. You know, I have two boys at 12 and 14 and I know exactly what you are talking about. I have lost so many years with them due to this drug. We have been together, but I have not always been there with my self. I have not been the role model I wanted. But I know they love me anyway. And I am sure your daughters do to. We have done what we could during these terrible circumstances. What happened to you, me, and others, is so unfair. I cant really find the words in English, but I can give you many (virtual) warm hugs. And kudos to you for writing that important letter. The questions you ask are questions I want to ask too. Please, let us know if you get a reply. All the best, Amy Current dose: 0! Free! Quit June 2017. 2017: Last dose zoloft: 17 June 0,00065 mg 18 May 0, 001 mg 14 May 0,002 mg 9 May 0,003 mg 28 April 0,006 mg 19 April 0,009 mg 8 April 0,013 mg 25 March 0,019 mg 22 March 0,039 mg 18 March 0,052 mg 16 March 0,079 mg 4 March 0,086 1 March 0,099 mg 22 February 0,11 mg 15 February 0,13 mg 6 February 0,145 mg 24 January 0,15 mg 19 January 0,19 mg 10 January 0,20 mg 3 January 2016: 0,98 to 0,22 mg; 2015: 2,35 to 1,01 mg; 2014: 4,9 to 2,5 mg; 2013: 9,1 to 5,1 mg; 2012: 15,7 to 9,7 mg; 2011: Started on 25 mg - then 50 mg- dropped to 25- to 12.5 mg - back to 25 mg - after 18.75 mg started tiny tapering to 16.6 mg Started on 25 mg Zoloft in March 2011 due to stressrelated tinnitus that gave me panicattacks. Had a terrible reaction to Zoloft from start, but was told to "hold on". After four months I was stuck. Therefore the long taper. Crazy, I know... Super sensitive to drops and have dropped by 4-6 % from the previous dose. Link to comment
Cipramillion Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 I admire your courage, Karen. This is so important, being able to speak up like you do. Makes me sad to read about all the suffering you and your family have been through because of this terrible drug. Wish you the best and good luck with your future recovery! <p>Sept 2015: 5 mg Cipralex for 3 weeks. Lots of side effects. Reduced to 2.5 mg for 2 weeks. Experiencing withdrawal and side effects still after dose reduction. Quit after almost 4 weeks on 2.5 mg because of adverse effects. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms still. Reinstating 1mg after 3 weeks. Reduced to 0.50 after 2 days due to sensitive reaction (dysautonomia) and trip to ER. January 2016: After 14 months of tapering from 0.5 mg im now down to 0.08mg. Planing on one more drop before 4-8 weeks healing, then jump to zero. 14.03.17: Lexapro free! Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted March 25, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 25, 2017 Amy Thanks for your thoughts. When I read your post I sat still and imagined those warm hugs around my shoulders. Now I'm sending some back to you - another brave mother! I'd forgotten we have children the same age. You are right that they love us regardless. You must be so joyful now to be getting closer to more and more involvement in your boys' lives. Cipramillion Thank you for your kind words. I hope that people will be encouraged to write their own letters, when it is the right time for them. Wow, I see in your sig you are now lex-free! Congratulations - that's beautiful news. 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 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus manymoretodays Posted March 26, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 26, 2017 Excellent letter KarenB. And more hugs....(((((KarenB))))) Love, peace, healing, mmt 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 Link to comment
MollyN Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 I love the letter honey! IMHO it's assertive, honest and well written. Most importantly it doesn't have any of the hallmarks of the crazy person - which would mean it was too easily dismissed. No wild generalisations or indication of paranoia - which is no small task considering how many of us suspect that the pharmaceutical industry is actually aware of the damage being done! I'd love to hear what responses you get. Drug history 20mg paxil in 2001 - 4 months use 20mg paxil in 2003 - 2 months use 20mg paxil in 2008 - 8 years continuous Withdrawal history: March 2014 - disastrous alternate day taper Jan 2015 - 15mg to 10mg. Disaster Sept 2015 - 10mg to 5mg. Disaster. Reinstated to 6mg. Relief Oct 2015 - started slow 10% taper Oct 2016 - at 4mg- stop taking paxil (not recommended) I'm not a medical professional. Seek advice from a knowledgeable medical practitioner. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted March 29, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 29, 2017 Thanks Molly and MMT. I keep my crazy-person hallmarks well hidden . This morning I had a phone call from one of the doctors I wrote to (the one who is an owner of the clinic and who originally prescribed me antidepressants). We spoke for 20 minutes or so. I came away feeling heard and understood (which I had not expected when writing my letter). The details: She started by acknowledging people can have a lot of difficulty stopping antidepressants, especially Venlafaxine. That she has seen this in her work. This meant so much to me. First time I've heard a doctor say it. She said she now believes people with long-term depression (such as I was dealing with) are better off without antidepressants, and better with support and counseling. That she searched through my notes after receiving my letter to see if the right decision had been made, and doesn't think it was. She acknowledged antidepressants are used as a quick fix, because they are readily available where on-going support is not. And in response to my letter in general she said 'I do think there's something in it.' I think she was meaning it's true things have gone badly wrong for people to end up in this situation. Perhaps she was reflecting on the wider issues. She also wanted to support my healing. She dismissed the usual doctor-path of recommending a psychiatrist, who would probably prescribe quetiapine, as being not the path for me. She also said quetiapine can cause metabolic syndrome. She said SNRIs can affect electrolyte balance - that I could try supplements of magnesium, calcium and b vitamins. I said I already do the former, and explained about the activating factor in b-vitamins. So she booked me a blood test to check my sodium levels. She also booked me an ECG to check my heart for 'prolonged QT' which can apparently be caused by venlafaxine. I had these tests today and she's going to ring on Friday with the results. (She also didn't charge me for anything). And to help keep my costs down she is making a note on my file that I only need to see them every 6 months, rather than every 3. She suggested I look into FODMAP and gut issues, and mentioned a local integrative physician (which she doesn't recommend as he is probably too general in his approach for my current issues). Overall, even though some of the suggestions are more helpful than others, I felt good about the discussion. I feel it's the beginning of an on-going conversation about how I got into this place, and how to support me until I'm out of it. I don't know how far it'll go, but it's already gone further than I'd hoped, which has actually left me feeling a little floored. Hubby was a bit teary when I relayed about her acknowledging that w/d is real and difficult. It's interesting. Obviously she'll still prescribe antidepressants at times, but hopefully being involved like this in my care will impact at least some of her ideas. 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 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted March 29, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 29, 2017 Well done for writing the letter. And thank you for sharing both the letter and the response. And 3 cheers for the doctor!!! Let's hope that it makes a difference. * 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 Link to comment
Mentor Happy2Heal Posted March 29, 2017 Mentor Share Posted March 29, 2017 wow, I was totally not expecting that response! I am so glad and relieved for you, that you got some validation. that's huge. I hope that your test results come back ok 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 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted March 29, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 29, 2017 That is amazing Karen, well done! It sounds like the doctor already had doubts about the drugs and you have confirmed them. I am amazed at the positive response, and admire you for having the courage to write to them. **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 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
Moderator Emeritus Shep Posted March 29, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 29, 2017 Karen, that is such an awesome, well-worded letter. It really speaks to how well you are presenting yourself in writing and then on the phone that you received such a positive and honest response. You really are a great advocate. I'm very impressed by you and by your doctor. Thank you for sharing. Link to comment
MollyN Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 I am SO DELIGHTED FOR YOU!! I read this on the way to work this morning while sitting in traffic and had tears - it feels so rare that any of our harm is recognised and validated by health care professionals. I'm so very pleased for you - and by extension, all of us that have suffered xxx Drug history 20mg paxil in 2001 - 4 months use 20mg paxil in 2003 - 2 months use 20mg paxil in 2008 - 8 years continuous Withdrawal history: March 2014 - disastrous alternate day taper Jan 2015 - 15mg to 10mg. Disaster Sept 2015 - 10mg to 5mg. Disaster. Reinstated to 6mg. Relief Oct 2015 - started slow 10% taper Oct 2016 - at 4mg- stop taking paxil (not recommended) I'm not a medical professional. Seek advice from a knowledgeable medical practitioner. Link to comment
AmyK Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 Karen, such a great feeling being validated and heard! And in a respectful way too. I agree with all the others. It feels important to all of us. Thankyou for sharing this with us. Current dose: 0! Free! Quit June 2017. 2017: Last dose zoloft: 17 June 0,00065 mg 18 May 0, 001 mg 14 May 0,002 mg 9 May 0,003 mg 28 April 0,006 mg 19 April 0,009 mg 8 April 0,013 mg 25 March 0,019 mg 22 March 0,039 mg 18 March 0,052 mg 16 March 0,079 mg 4 March 0,086 1 March 0,099 mg 22 February 0,11 mg 15 February 0,13 mg 6 February 0,145 mg 24 January 0,15 mg 19 January 0,19 mg 10 January 0,20 mg 3 January 2016: 0,98 to 0,22 mg; 2015: 2,35 to 1,01 mg; 2014: 4,9 to 2,5 mg; 2013: 9,1 to 5,1 mg; 2012: 15,7 to 9,7 mg; 2011: Started on 25 mg - then 50 mg- dropped to 25- to 12.5 mg - back to 25 mg - after 18.75 mg started tiny tapering to 16.6 mg Started on 25 mg Zoloft in March 2011 due to stressrelated tinnitus that gave me panicattacks. Had a terrible reaction to Zoloft from start, but was told to "hold on". After four months I was stuck. Therefore the long taper. Crazy, I know... Super sensitive to drops and have dropped by 4-6 % from the previous dose. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted March 30, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 30, 2017 Thanks you guys. I'm really happy to share this stuff because it's bigger than just any one of us. I think that one of the reasons I was able to connect with my letter is because I kept things personal, and didn't delve into stats or research. I wanted to establish a connection which would then enable a proper conversation to take place. And connections have to be personal. Well, that's my two cents anyway. 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 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
nz11 Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 Hi Karen Well done on writing a letter to your doctor. That was very good of your doctor to phone you.(or maybe they were so grateful you hadnt made a complaint against them and knew you were totally in the right to do so...who knows) I have never had one phone me. I wonder if you would consider sending a copy to CARM, pharmac, your MP and to medsafe? They need to hear about these withdrawal difficulties. Anyway well done on writing a great letter. About four years ago a friend rang me to get my opinion on whether a friend of theirs should take the citalopram the doctor had just prescribed him (he was in his 40's)...i spent several hours on the phone trying to talk this person into telling them to refuse it. However with pressure from family he took it. Today (the 30th march 2017) that same friend rang me they had just got home from a funeral he had commited suicide. This person had never been suicidal prior to this drug. I dont know but im willing to bet he was trying to get off the drug. Probably CT. I will try to find out in the coming weeks. Another kiwi gone needlessly and iatrogenically. We are not alone. nz11 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 Link to comment
nz11 Posted March 30, 2017 Share Posted March 30, 2017 Woke up this morning and realised you didnt have to provide them with any statistics because you have provided them with the most powerful statistic of all one that cant be denied or dismissed or argued away or blamed on 'reading the internet' or even genes ...that statistic is your husband. A brilliant touch to mention that. 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 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted March 31, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 31, 2017 I have sent a report to CARM, and I received a letter back saying, among other things, 'While we are aware of withdrawal symptoms with venlafaxine and related medicines it is important to know the impact they have on individuals.' I am writing a reply to CARM to continue this conversation with them. I'll also send letters to Pharmac, the MP, and medsafe. Thanks NZ - I didn't think of those places, and also you have been one of the main people to encourage me to write letters. I wasn't ready when I first got here, but I didn't forget your insistence on how important it is to do. Thank you. Damn these drugs NZ - I'm so sorry to hear of your friend's friend. You are most likely right, and even if not actually withdrawing, just being on the drug increases the suicide risk. If this was the sort of forum where swearing was ok, then you'd see a lot more words in this post.... 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 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted March 31, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 31, 2017 Just got back from my doctor's. It appears I have a condition called elongated QT, which is a heart thing. Probably caused by antidepressants. Am being referred to a cardiologist, who can do a more detailed reading. It is likely to be at just a minor level, in which case I just keep on as I am. In the rare event it is at a more serious level then I'm basically f----d (as the only remedy then is to get off effexor). Can't find much about it on this site - any of you other mods know anything about it? 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 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted March 31, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 31, 2017 And in further news: I actually spent about 40 minutes with my doctor today (my doctor is also one of the owners of the clinic), discussing all manner of things related to antidepressants. I really am blown away. She has invited me to write down all the things I was unhappy with in my care - such as how readily I was given SSRIs in the first place; how the doctors didn't recognise the difference between w/d and relapse; how I was then put on more and more drugs; how some doctors in this clinic distressingly still deny the reality of w/d - and so on. She is going to take my original letter, call it a 'serious event' and call a meeting of all doctors at the clinic, and use my letter it as a learning tool. She has invited me to this meeting, with my new list, to speak to them about changes which could be made at this clinic. She said she would like us to work together to try to bring changes in this clinic that will mean people with depression, or other people with mental health issues, actually get the right treatment. She agreed it was very wrong that doctors are still denying w/d. She also repeated that she herself had 'wildly over-prescribed' (at least in my case). And a minor but happy detail, she didn't charge for today's visit . It's little, but it gives me the feeling that she understands where I'm at right now. 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 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted March 31, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 31, 2017 Karen -- That's wonderful news! Your letter reached an open-minded patient-focused doctor. Now, you've got a chance to educate a handful of doctors about the reality of withdrawal. First the clinic, then the national registry ... then the world? You are a great example of the difference once person can make! 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 IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet Link to comment
MollyN Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Another wonderful update - how great is this !!!! A quick question I don't suppose you/nz11/nick/songbird could tell me the brand name and where/how you get your fish oil supplements, like everyone I don't want to waste $$ on crappy ones and I just had a marvellous reaction to salmon and tuna the last two nights - I found it entirely soothing and relaxing eating these foods right before bed (well in bed really). I do hope you have a wonderful weekend as these new developments settle in as the latest part of your story xxx molly ps. oh we'd tried to come to Raglan this weekend for our wedding anniversary, but proved nearly impossible to rent a house for only one night at such short notice, so we're off to Rotorua instead - I'd really hoped to get back into the Herbal Dispensary since that's where I got the Orthoplex MagOpti that I found so helpful - struggling to find it online (although that might be my lame looking!) Drug history 20mg paxil in 2001 - 4 months use 20mg paxil in 2003 - 2 months use 20mg paxil in 2008 - 8 years continuous Withdrawal history: March 2014 - disastrous alternate day taper Jan 2015 - 15mg to 10mg. Disaster Sept 2015 - 10mg to 5mg. Disaster. Reinstated to 6mg. Relief Oct 2015 - started slow 10% taper Oct 2016 - at 4mg- stop taking paxil (not recommended) I'm not a medical professional. Seek advice from a knowledgeable medical practitioner. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted March 31, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 31, 2017 I wonder if the Herbal Disp does phone orders? Or if you can't find any I could buy it and send it to Auckland. I get my fish oil on-line at Health Post. http://www.healthpost.co.nz/go-healthy-go-fish-oil-2000mg-gyomc-g.html I see they are on sale atm. Happy anniversary - enjoy Rotorua, of course it's not Raglan, but never mind... 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 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now