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Lanah: Polydrugged: still on trazodone and seroquel


lanah

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Hi

I have been polydrugging for over ten years now. This is the list:

Seroxat
risperdal
cymbalta
prothiaden
efexor
invega
xanax

lormetazepam

ativan

My recent history:

I quit flurazepam about one month and half ago. I have been bed ridden because of it. 
I am still taking trazodone 50 mg and seroquel 25 mgs. Both for sleep. 
I'm taking them both for about two months now. I really want to get off all pills. But i'm having a hard time. I already went to 40 mgs trazodone and now i'm sleeping less and feeling the withdrawal. I wish to get some help with a sensible taper plan. As doctors just tell me to quit cold turkey because 'it's such a low dose'

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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Hiya

 

I'm glad you've found this site!

 

Someone with more experience will be able to guide you soon.

 

Best of luck.

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

Nightmare that could have been avoided!

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Lanah, welcome to SA.  Doctors always believe that people can just quit because the dose is very low! They haven't a clue, and it really annoys me that they don't listen to people. They can't possibly fail to see people in withdrawal when following their instructions.  :angry:

 

You are still suffering withdrawal from flurazepam so it would not be a good thing to start tapering another drug yet.  I would hold at the current doses of trazodone and seroquel for now until the withdrawal symptoms have stabilised, then taper very slowly from the others.  As you have a problem with sleep I would do a micro taper which is making very tiny cuts more often. This way you are sneaking it away from your brain to avoid any sudden drops that result in withdrawal and insomnia. I too suffer from insomnia and it is no picnic!  Normally we suggest tapering the anti depressant first but as seroquel is an anti psychotic and can have more side effects when taken long term that may be best tapered first. In the meantime hold tight and stabilise, the last thing you need is withdrawal to add to the withdrawal you are already experiencing! 

 

Here are some links to topics you may find interesting and informative, plus those for when you are ready to start tapering. 

 

You have had a lot of drugs over the years, can you include them in your signature for us? If we can see when you started and stopped them we can get a picture of  what is happening to you now and if you are effected by previous withdrawals. Insomnia is a terrible symptom of withdrawal and that could be what you were suffering from when you were prescribed these 3 drugs. 

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/603-what-is-withdrawal-syndrome/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2207-taking-multiple-psych-drugs-which-drug-to-taper-first/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2878-micro-taper-instead-of-10-or-5-decreases/

**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

 

 

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Thank you for the information! I stopped them two years ago. But i was using benzo's for a short time. I'm not sure about dates though.
I just have a big problem with patience. I'm scared I will get more and more addicted the longer i use the pills. I really wish i could just drop them but i know it's not possible.

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

What are your symptoms now Lanah? Are you still bedridden or was that a side effect of the drug? 

**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

 

 

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It's too much to talk about at this point (memory loss so it takes up too much energy). But i will tell you the main sx i have:

sleep disturbance, pain in joints and muscles, bladder disturbance, hives, low on energy. It has been worse a few weeks ago (where i probably had almost everything you can imagine i would say the akathasia and cortisol rushes were the worst) I feel irritated too. 
 

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Lanah , welcome.

 

I agree with MammaP that you'll still be experiencing w/d from Flurazepam.    On top of that you'll now be having w/d from

the recent 20% decrease of trazodone.

You may find some symptom relief by increasing the Trazodone a little , e.g 5mg.     The idea is that once you feel more stable

you can go down slowly by cuts of 5 to 10%.

Try reading the thread on "Reinstating to Stop Withdrawal Symptoms" in Symptoms and Self Care.

 

Good to have you on board ,  Fresh

1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg

2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg

Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta

Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months.

July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months.

Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg.

October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive.

March 2016 , 21mg

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  • Administrator

Welcome, Lanah.

 

Also see Tips for tapering off trazodone (Desyrel)

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Thank you for the link I checked it out. I need to taper at a slower rate. That's my main problem, patience. In the past I always cold turkeyed. But this time around it's even hard to taper so. 
I'm at about 40 mgs trazodone and dropped to 20 mgs seroquel last night. I did not sleep at all. But I am determined to now stay on this dose and try to balance it out. It maybe seems weird to do a drop right now but I needed it mentally. I go crazy when I'm thinking about the poison i put in my body. I feel like if I could stabilize on this dose I'm one step closer to my goal. 

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Did you drop the seroquel from 25mg to 20mg?    The 10% rule applies to seroquel as well , so you are setting yourself up for

withdrawal symptoms from seroquel on top of  those from w/d of flurazepam and trazodone.

I understand your desperation to be off these meds , but it won't help unless you do it in a SAFE manner.  You may want to

re-think the seroquel cut and stay on 25mg until you no longer have any withdrawal symptoms.

1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg

2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg

Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta

Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months.

July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months.

Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg.

October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive.

March 2016 , 21mg

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I'm back to zero hours of sleep. Not sure if i'm in a wave from benzo or it's because i went down to 40mgs of trazodone from 50, 
Should I updose? Should i be patient? I cannot take this :(

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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I'm thinking about updosing my trazodone back to 50mg because it is unbareble :( What the hell did I do to myself.  :(

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I moved your topic from tapering to your thread because it is specifically about your taper.  You quit flurazepam just a few weeks ago, and suffer with withdrawal from that. Then 3 days ago cut the trazodone from 50mg to 40mg adding to withdrawal and then cut seroquel from 25mg to 20. 

As both cuts were in the last few days I would go back to the doses you were on and stay on those doses for a few months to allow your nervous system to stabilise before making any more changes.When you are no longer feeling the withdrawal, or when it is eased considerably then you could think about tapering the others.  Withdrawal insomnia is the worst and you need to be very very careful with tapering to avoid. 

 

I know that you want off these drugs and want off NOW but you really need to focus on the future and the fact that you need to taper slowly. We see people who are impatient all the time, I was one of them and thought I would do it my way too but paid the price!   Please try to put thoughts of getting off the drugs quickly out of your mind and decide that you will go slowly. Trying to do it quickly just leads to withdrawal and updosing which SLOWS down the taper and causes more suffering in the process.   I really feel for you and hope you can get some sleep soon, insomnia has been my worst enemy throughout my tapering so know how it feels and is why I am so much in favour of very slow tapers! 

**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

 

 

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thank you i will get on a stable dose and wait for a few months before doing anything :( Lesson well learned. 
I feel so miserable. I need to focus on some 'real' non-withdrawal related issues anyway. It's going to be the only option :( 

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I feel your pain Lanah, but this will pass and you will feel better. Mamma hugs. 

**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

 

 

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Back to 50mgs of trazodone; Slept 3 hours. That's much better than 0 hours. It needs time to work (i think) so i hope it will get better the next few nights

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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  • 3 weeks later...

I'm having really dangerous side effects (heart arythmia and hormonal disturbances and so on) 
Pdoc wants me to quit, but my dose is too high (50 mgs)
Please what can I do? 20% per week? (it's better than the 50% cuts he want me to make)
Does anyone have knowledge about this? I took it for two months now. 

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hello Lanah,

 

I have moved your post here from Tapering section. I understand the urgency of your question but it will get even more attention here than there. Having it together with your general history will help us to see the whole context.

 

I checked the interactions between Seroquel and Trazadone and it can indeed cause dangerous heart rhythm. But I also saw that you are still suffering with withdrawal from flurazepam and that even smaller reduction of Trazodone caused you bad symptoms and insomnia.

 

I will ask other moderators to have a look and offer their opinions.

 

Has your doctor done any tests to check what they mention below: You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances (for example, magnesium or potassium loss due to severe or prolonged diarrhea or vomiting). Is he monitoring your condition in any way?

 

trazodone ↔ quetiapine

Applies to: trazodone, Seroquel (quetiapine)

Using traZODone together with QUEtiapine can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances (for example, magnesium or potassium loss due to severe or prolonged diarrhea or vomiting). Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may already be aware of the risks, but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations during treatment with these medications, whether together or alone. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

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I can only see the pdoc again next week, so I did not hear about the congenital thing, but I will certainly ask! 

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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  • Administrator

Lanah, when did you start having the heart symptoms, and how often?

 

If they just started, it could be your recent drug changes triggered them.

 

I'm very concerned about the way you've been changing your dosing. Please also consider as to whether you might be a person who over-reacts to symptoms and pleads with doctors for help. That might explain your long history with many drugs -- as usually the only help doctors offer is more prescriptions.

 

Please keep consistent with trazodone and Seroquel dosage for now.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Lanah, how are you doing now?

When did the heart problems start?  Are you still taking 50mg trazodone?

Please keep us updated.

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

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

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

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

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

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

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

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

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

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

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

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

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

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

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

VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from?



VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made?



VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes?



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

VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes

 

 

 

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Hi Lanah

Please read my signature and don't do what I did. I had two major crashes - first one in February when I cold turkey-ed (too fast taper) Cipralex, and a second one in April when I made a stupid 50% cut of Flupentixol, God I don't even know what I was thinking. It was BAD and now I'm paying the price. Don't do that. Listen to what the mods are telling you and follow their advice. This will take time. I won't start my taper til next year because my crashes were very very severe. You don't want to go down that road, trust me. 

 

"Please also consider as to whether you might be a person who over-reacts to symptoms and pleads with doctors for help. That might explain your long history with many drugs -- as usually the only help doctors offer is more prescriptions." - by the way, that's totally me 

I suffer from depression, anxiety, pure-o ocd, and panic attacks since 2004. Been on multiple different psychiatric drugs since 2006. Never had a significant WD problem before, only brain zaps for a month and then I'd be fine...............Been on Cipralex (escitalopram) 15 mg and Fluanxol (flupentixol) 1 mg since Sep 2014. Stopped taking the Cipralex after a fast 20-day taper.Took the last 5 mg Cipralex on Feb 5th, 2015. Then took Seroxat (paroxetine) 10 mg for a week, and stopped it too. Severe WD started suddenly on Feb 16th. RI 5 mg Cipralex on Feb 18th, 2015. RI worked and was relatively stable for a while................April 7 - decreased Fluanxol from 1 mg to 0.5 mg and took it at this dose for a week. - BIG MISTAKE; April 13 - WD starts creeping in; April 14 - RI full dose of Fluanxol 1 mg => severe muscle twitching and jerking when trying to relax and fall asleep, overwhelming sense of doom, dread, terror, and horror, insomnia, hoping to stabilize.
Tried doing a 10% cut off Fluanxol in the end of May for a few days, but quickly updosed to full dose because the twitching returned.
Experiencing waves and windows in the following months.
Unsuccessful brief taper attempt of Fluanxol by 5% on November 1st. Symptoms hit the next day. Too scared to continue tapering, reinstate full dose.
Severe crash in November after stupidly trying a barbiturate on November 9th. Grave mistake. Sense of unshakable inescapable internal torture, like my soul is in hell being tortured, terror/horror/dread/doom (probably akathisia?) that gets especially bad when trying to relax and fall asleep, muscles twitch, jerk and move on their own, shaking, insomnia, can't eat, confusion, disorientation, brain not working normally. Never felt so bad in my entire life. Never experiment with other meds while in WD! Praying to God I stabilize and get back to my baseline.
December - things getting even worse.

January - unbearable suffering

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Ok you are right. I just want off this medication. I don't want it. I hate my life because of these pills. It ruined everything.
I went too fast, again. So i'm updosing tonight -_- but only to 40 mgs. And wanting to stay there. 

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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Or I don't know. i'm sleeping very well, the problem is muscle and joint laxity. I really want the pills to be gone

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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Yes, i used to be that way. but I'm actually ill (they gave me sleeping pills to deal with the pain) And now they are slowing down my regular therapy. I ended up in a wheelchair recently. 
I hate this.

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Lanah ,    what sleeping pills did they give you to deal with pain?  We need to check ALL drug interactions

on www.drugs.com , to be sure we don't complicate things further.

 

Did the updose to 40mg have any effect for you yet?

1987-1997 pertofran , prothiaden , Prozac 1997-2002 Zoloft 2002-2004 effexor 2004-2010 Lexapro 40mg

2010-2012Cymbalta 120mg

Sept. 2012 -decreased 90mg in 6months. Care taken over by Dr Lucire in March 2013 , decreased last 30mg at 2mg per week over 3 months. July 21 , 2013- last dose of Cymbalta

Protracted withdrawal syndrome kicked in badly Jan.2014 Unrelenting akathisia until May 2014. Voluntary hosp. admission. Cocktail of Seroquel, Ativan and mirtazapine and I was well enough to go home after 14 days. Stopped all hosp. meds in next few months.

July 2014 felt v.depressed - couldn't stop crying. Started pristiq 50mg. Felt improvement within days and continued to improve, so stayed on 50mg for 8 months.

Began taper 28 Feb. 2015. Pristiq 50mg down to 45mg. Had one month of w/d symptoms. Started CES therapy in March. No w/d symptoms down to 30mg.

October 2015 , taking 25mg Pristiq. Capsules compounded with slow-release additive.

March 2016 , 21mg

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The sleeping pills was the flurazepam a few months ago; I'm waiting for it to pass. I'm sleeping well, but joint pain and muscle pain is terrible!

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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  • 2 weeks later...

My heart is in bad condition, my doctors wants me to quit the meds. But I'm still not stable enough to taper. I'm not sure what to do :( They do not understand withdrawal. 

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Are you taking flurazepam every night Lanah?

**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

 

 

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  • 5 months later...

So I have come down to only the seroquel, 18 mgs. I have been ok-ish. UBut with three major symptoms: tremors, eye problems and heart palps. I have read it could probably be side effect of seroquel and I'm desperate to taper it. But it will take a long, long time, going dow 10% every month. 
it's been such a long journey already, and I am very scared of the diabetes side effect of seroquel because that is a permanent disease. 

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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  • 1 month later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Lanah, I see you are still around the site, but I'm confused by your story.

 

You are only on 18 mgs seroquel only?

 

Please update your signature to include some dates of when you quit the trazaodone, and when you have decreased the seroquel.

 

How are you?  Are you sleeping okay?

 

May I ask what is the medical condition which landed you in a wheelchair?  Did it happen before or after the psych drugs?  Sometimes bad reactions to psych drugs can be misdiagnosed as MS, ALS, Lupus, Lyme, etc.  One woman "cured" her MS (she never had it) just by stopping drinking diet soda.  

 

There are many factors to your health.  Please help us help you?

 

Go well!

"Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna

 

Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again.

 

My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices.

 

A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia.   CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013.   Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine).     Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 -  Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years  on Lithium).  Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made.


The tedious thread (my intro):  JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium

The happy thread (my success story):  JanCarol - Undiagnosed  Off all bipolar drugs

My own blog:  https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/

 

 

I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016!

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Hi everyone

I was wondering who tapered off seroquel succesfully or unsuccesfully. What sx did you have? How long did it take you? What was your jumping dose? Anyone else have a lot of muscle problems?

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Lanah

 

 

I merged the recent topic you started in the intro forum with your existing one. It's one thread per person in the intro section so you should add to this one rather than starting a new one.

 

In terms of people's experiences with different drugs you might use google to search this site. Put in surviving antidepressants. Seroquel. Success

 

Searching the site for existing stories is more likely to give you a better response than asking for people's stories

 

Dalsaan

Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist.

Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014.

Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September.

Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015.

Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15).

Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past.

 

DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017

 

>My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan

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Yes I should change it, i'm just not super good with computers and everything is super confusing to me right now. have been sleeping for 90 minutes per night for one month now. After a 7% cut from seroquel. So I'm holding for at least another month. I have a lot of mental fog and everything is hard to do I find it hard to see how this forum works, because how will people on seroquel know I want their opinion? They have to click each individual blog and read it first. 
Anyhow, I am doubting now if it isn't from the pills. Since I started them in 2003. They are confused about diagnoses. They did mention MS. But came negative. It's hard. 

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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Lanah,

 

I understand how confusing everything is right now. When you can't sleep , it makes it so hard to function normally. I understand, as I have the same symptom. It makes everything so much harder, and brain fog is really difficult to deal with, on a day to day basis.

 

People here will see your questions. Don't worry about that. You do have support. I can only guide you to the tapering Seroquel link , but I see you have already been there.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1707-tips-for-tapering-off-seroquel-quetiapine/

I think holding is a good idea, for a while and then see how you feel . Listen to your body , before you make another cut. Maybe keep a journal of your symptoms , in the meantime. That can help you evaluate what is happening.

 

This will improve, in time.

 

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
.
         

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In a lot of muscle pain. Wondering if it will ever get better?  :(

Several ssri's, antipsychotics, opiads and benzo's since 2003.

Flurazepam: rapid taper after 6 weeks usage in beginning of march 2015

Trazodone: rapid taper from 50ms to 0mgs end of july 2015

Current medication:12 mgs seroquel (from 25mgs)

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