Spookypaws Posted September 12, 2015 Author Share Posted September 12, 2015 Well I'm back at square one. No sleep for two days. I went back to 200 mg of luvox and it's not helping. Why would my meds stop workin? 2 weeks ago they were working just fine, I was sleeping good. Now I'm going to go backwards and take klonopin tonight just in the hopes it helps me sleep. My husband talked me out of going to the hospital today, wants me to wait till Monday when my dr. Is in. To talk to her and find out what she wants me to do. I feel like a failure, I was so happy to be off the klonopin but that's the only thing I can think of to help. Thanks for everyone's help from here, I guess I dont belong Trazadone 200 mg Luvox 200 mg Been on these meds since March 2015 the luvox since jan. 2015 Successfully tapered off klonopin 2 mg In June 2015. Link to comment
Marsha Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 Hi spookypaws. I was on zyprexa twice and was switched to geodon which I am slowly tapering now. I have found that the benzodiazepine is the only thing that preserves my sleep. So I am going to taper it last. Also, at the higher doses of geodon and other antipsychotic drugs I experienced insomnia. I was put on trazodone which did let me sleep but I sure had some bad side effects from it. I tapered the geodon to 80 mgs then tapered off trazodone at a rate I wouldn't recommend. As long as I keep taking the benzodiazepine and now being at a low dose of the antipsychotic I sleep well. This is just my experience. Hope this helps somehow. I am not a medical professional. My comments and posts are based on personal experiences. Please consult appropriate medical professionals for advice. I was started on psych drugs back in the late 80's. You name it. I probably was on it. 47 different drugs. Over 57 thousand pills. Tapered off final cocktail February 1st, 2013- September 9th, 2019. For Hashimotos I take Levothyroxine. Liothyronine. BP meds. For supplements I take B12 hydroxy. Fish oil w/D3. Bee pollen. Magnesium Glycinate. Link to comment
Spookypaws Posted September 12, 2015 Author Share Posted September 12, 2015 Thanks Marsha, I just don't understand what's happening and why I stopped sleeping. I was doing fine, trying to taper the luvox a bit and even when I went back to my original dose, the isomnia got worse. I feel like a failure. Trazadone 200 mg Luvox 200 mg Been on these meds since March 2015 the luvox since jan. 2015 Successfully tapered off klonopin 2 mg In June 2015. Link to comment
Meimeiquest Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Hi Spooky, please don't feel bad...if it is still your dream to manage whatever you have without drugs, this is the place for you. I can't remember if I told you that I reinstated my benzo a couple of weeks before I went off Zyprexa. I didn't realize how many people do need to do the benzo last, and that I was never going to get anywhere while taking an AD that was way too stimulating for me. This was before I found this forum. It's been a long fight, but I never think I need either the benzo or the Zyprexa now. Now it feels like I "need" lithium, but at least I have been through this enough times that I know I will get past it eventually, too. Get yourself good and steady and then you can tackle the Luvox very slowly. It is odd that ADs cause insomnia for many both taking them and withdrawing from them...please don't feel like something strange is happening. You just made a "tactical error" going off Klonopin first, but nothing you can't recover from. You can either wait out the symptoms or reinstate a bit of the Klonopin. That will prolong the process, but it's not the end of the world. Somewhere here, Alto explains why this difficult insomnia happens. Basically, there is a place in your brain that monitors internal safety, the locus coreoleus (I am probably misspelling it). A lot of chemical changes from meds coming and going can cause it to over-activate. It basically decides it's not safe to sleep. So the more you switch meds around in that situation, the worse the insomnia becomes. The best course is to pick some sort of cocktail and just stick with it, and you will someday stabilize again. Many, many people have gone through this and have come out on the other side. 1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms. Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12 Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13 Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15 11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble) 9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol 7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol 56 years old Link to comment
Marsha Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Thanks Marsha, I just don't understand what's happening and why I stopped sleeping. I was doing fine, trying to taper the luvox a bit and even when I went back to my original dose, the isomnia got worse. I feel like a failure. Hello again spookypaws. You are definitely not a failure. You are a victim. Maybe try to go back over all of the different posts by Altostrata, members and moderators. From what you have posted, it seems you have not let yourself become stable before making changes in your dosages. I completely understand how distressing insomnia can be and that feeling of desperation in wanting to be off the drugs. I don't know what you can do to alleviate the insomnia, but you have invaluable information from what I have read from other members, moderators, and Altostrata. If you feel up to it, try to revisit those posts. Please know that we all care very much for you. I am not a medical professional. My comments and posts are based on personal experiences. Please consult appropriate medical professionals for advice. I was started on psych drugs back in the late 80's. You name it. I probably was on it. 47 different drugs. Over 57 thousand pills. Tapered off final cocktail February 1st, 2013- September 9th, 2019. For Hashimotos I take Levothyroxine. Liothyronine. BP meds. For supplements I take B12 hydroxy. Fish oil w/D3. Bee pollen. Magnesium Glycinate. Link to comment
Spookypaws Posted September 13, 2015 Author Share Posted September 13, 2015 Well thanks guys. I thought I has been stable, and that's why I tried to taper a bit of the luvox. My dr. Was the one who tapered me off the klonopin back in June and I was so happy to be off one of the drugs. I did take 1 mg last night to help me sleep, and it did, but tonight I think I'll try .50 and see if I can sleep on that. I want to be on a low dose as possible. I feel like I'm on a never ending cycle of drugs and depression. It's affecting my entire life, my husband is tired of it and I'm afraid it's hurting my daughter. I feel like there is no hope. Trazadone 200 mg Luvox 200 mg Been on these meds since March 2015 the luvox since jan. 2015 Successfully tapered off klonopin 2 mg In June 2015. Link to comment
Meimeiquest Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 I'm sorry, no hope of what? It is hard with kids. My girls were 4 & 7 when I went on my bipolar cocktail. And I was physically quite ill for a long time before that. But the choices are to stay drugged or to go through the process of getting off, and probably the worst possible option is to stay on drugs you deeply believe are harmful. Your doctor is seriously unaware of the dangers of taking and the difficulties in coming off of these drugs. As was my doctor and almost everyone's doctor. The anger and sense of betrayal is a lot for most everyone to work through. It's a hard thing, but everyone has hard things to go through in life, and hopefully (eventually) working through it with grace and courage is a legacy we leave our children. 1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms. Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12 Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13 Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15 11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble) 9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol 7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol 56 years old Link to comment
Spookypaws Posted September 13, 2015 Author Share Posted September 13, 2015 No hope of recovering and getting off these meds. I'm scared of wasting my life away. My husband wants me off and for me to be normal. I wish I didn't need the klonopin again. I was off and doing well and then it just stopped Trazadone 200 mg Luvox 200 mg Been on these meds since March 2015 the luvox since jan. 2015 Successfully tapered off klonopin 2 mg In June 2015. Link to comment
tgirl Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 Spooky, You will be ok! Take it one day-one hour/one minute at a time. Breath in breath out. It takes time to restabilize and you will get there. Just keep the meds as they are so that you dont further stabilize you sns. You can do it!! Tgirl April 2014 remeron 45mg. June 2014 abilify 2.5 remeron wasn't working so abilify was then added September 2014 woke up with anxiety x 100!!!! Pdoc then took me from 45 to 7.5 within a month and took abilify from 2.5 to 0 Currently Remeron 7.5 Vitamin d 5,000 iu taking for about 3 years October 2014 added fish oil/omega 3 1000 mg per day Levothyroxitine 100 10 years or so Dec 2014 started tapering 10% every 10 days-no problems. August 2015 down to 0.1 mg Woke up with severe anxiety-sleep issues-racing thoughts-depression. 9/9/15 up dose 1 mg. Link to comment
Spookypaws Posted October 30, 2015 Author Share Posted October 30, 2015 Well I'm back. I just need to vent, im still on the medication haven't tapered at all, but I so desperately want to. I see my psych. In 2 weeks so I'm gonna plead with her to get me off. Just wanted to see if there were any more people about who has some inspiration for me. I want off these drugs so badly, I'm ready for some life changes and I need off the poison. Trazadone 200 mg Luvox 200 mg Been on these meds since March 2015 the luvox since jan. 2015 Successfully tapered off klonopin 2 mg In June 2015. Link to comment
Meimeiquest Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 What do you hope she will do? She can't stay up with insomnia while you sleep 1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms. Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12 Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13 Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15 11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble) 9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol 7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol 56 years old Link to comment
Spookypaws Posted October 31, 2015 Author Share Posted October 31, 2015 I don't know what you mean. I'm hoping she'll come up with a taper plan that works for me. Trazadone 200 mg Luvox 200 mg Been on these meds since March 2015 the luvox since jan. 2015 Successfully tapered off klonopin 2 mg In June 2015. Link to comment
Meimeiquest Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 You really have to figure out your own tolerance. It is possible you're not ready yet after your benzo taper. Are you still off Klonopin? I finished my last bit of benzo in August, as well as a lithium cut, and although I'm okay, I know I still need some time before I do anything else. 1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms. Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12 Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13 Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15 11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble) 9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol 7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol 56 years old Link to comment
Spookypaws Posted October 31, 2015 Author Share Posted October 31, 2015 Yes I'm still off the klonopin. I just want off the rest of them now. I'm contemplating some life changes and really need to be off. Trazadone 200 mg Luvox 200 mg Been on these meds since March 2015 the luvox since jan. 2015 Successfully tapered off klonopin 2 mg In June 2015. Link to comment
Spookypaws Posted November 9, 2015 Author Share Posted November 9, 2015 I see my psychiatrist this week. I'm so afraid of being on zyprexa and luvox for the rest of my life, I am going to demand she come up with a plan to start coming off. I'm not satisfied with just being stable anymore, I want to feel like me again. Is there hope for me? Should I bypass my doc and try tapering myself? Trazadone 200 mg Luvox 200 mg Been on these meds since March 2015 the luvox since jan. 2015 Successfully tapered off klonopin 2 mg In June 2015. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus dalsaan Posted November 10, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 10, 2015 I merged your recent thread in the introductions forum into this one. It one thread per person in the introductions forum. Please dont start another new thread there, come back to this one to open up discussion again. In answer to your question, do you feel capable of managing your own taper? This requires patience, courage and acceptance. Your nervous system doesn't recognise, let alone follow a plan (regardless of who devised it) You have to commit to coming off well, rather than in a particular time frame, listen to your body and make thoughtful decisions. That's what tapering off these drugs requires. Back to your question - should you try tapering? 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 Link to comment
Spookypaws Posted November 10, 2015 Author Share Posted November 10, 2015 I so want to start tapering one of these drugs. I tried doing it myself several months ago and was unsuccessful, so I'm hoping my doc can come up with a good plan. She got me off klonopin awhile ago. Trazadone 200 mg Luvox 200 mg Been on these meds since March 2015 the luvox since jan. 2015 Successfully tapered off klonopin 2 mg In June 2015. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus dalsaan Posted November 10, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 10, 2015 We dont find too many doctors that understand antidepressant withdrawal. They understand benzos better (still not great in many instances) They generally taper people too quickly and they crash. I hope your experience is different. Let us know what your Dr suggests 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 Link to comment
nz11 Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Sorry you are in this difficult place. It really would be wise to get a second opinion from sa regarding advice from a doctor. I have been reading your thread it might be helpful to others if you are able to put the start dates into your sig ...beginning of the year i recall right? If you are back on klonopin you might like to put that into the drug sig....as some recent posts indicate you are taking it intermittently? I see my psychiatrist this week. At some stage you will need to take responsibility for your healthcare. There is a mountain of info on this site esp regarding tapering and it would be well worth it to spend some time reading and deciding your game-plan. These people may just keep chopping and changing drugs at will. They are not the ones swallowing this stuff. Keep us updated on the pdoc visit. 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
Spookypaws Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 Hi everyone, I've been doing really good on my meds, except for weight gain. I've gained about 20lbs this year, and my psychiatrist says it's the zyprexa im taking and wants to switch me to latuda. I'm just worried about the sleep, zyprexa helps me to sleep, plus it scares me to try a new med, I'm afraid. Does anyone have any advice or comparisons between the two they can share? Trazadone 200 mg Luvox 200 mg Been on these meds since March 2015 the luvox since jan. 2015 Successfully tapered off klonopin 2 mg In June 2015. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted January 7, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 7, 2016 Hi Spookypaws, and welcome back to SA. The mods with merge this new topic with your Intro topic spookypaws-has-anyone-successfully-tapered-off-zyprexa which is your Topic (only one personal topic per member) for asking questions related to your personal situation and for journalling your progress. If you click on the above link for your Intro topic, at the top right of the page there is a Follow this Topic button and you will receive an email when someone responds. Also, if your drug/s and doses have changed, please update your signature so it is current and the mods will be better able to offer suggestions. Instructions to Put History in Signature. CC * 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
nz11 Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Spooky paws This is a site for getting off drugs not recommending drug cocktail fine tuning. I would like to rec a book 'Psychiatric drug withdrawal ' by P Breggin. 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 January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Hi everyone, I've been doing really good on my meds, except for weight gain. I've gained about 20lbs this year, and my psychiatrist says it's the zyprexa im taking and wants to switch me to latuda. I'm just worried about the sleep, zyprexa helps me to sleep, plus it scares me to try a new med, I'm afraid. Does anyone have any advice or comparisons between the two they can share? Sorry you are unsure about what to do. I know this might sound like a really spooky and even new radical idea but have you considered tapering off the zyprexa at 10% (or slower) of previous dose per month . Your pdoc is going to CT you of the zyprexa.(it appears?) And then we will be back to post #1 again. What do you think about that? Latuda is another anti-psychotic (same church different pew...same risks as the zyprexa ...same obesity inducing ability..even if you are taking this for nonpsychiatric reasons) but here is the thing she may have to put you on a big dose of latuda to smother the withdrawal symptoms of the zyprexa CT, or even introduce a benzo as well. Everyone here wants to see you succeed and get off these drugs. I've been doing really good on my meds, What a wonderful stable position you are currently in. Well if you start the taper you are starting from a position of strength and that has to be good. What do you think? Anyway whatever you decide keep us posted. 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 ChessieCat Posted January 7, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 7, 2016 I second NZ's post. Excellent suggestion. CC * 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
Spookypaws Posted April 6, 2016 Author Share Posted April 6, 2016 I've started a liquid taper of my 5mg zyprexa. I've gone down to 4mg and for the first few days, it was fine. Last night I slept not at all, plus today I feel very anxious and depressed. When does the sleep improve so I can make another cut, I want off this hellish drug. Trazadone 200 mg Luvox 200 mg Been on these meds since March 2015 the luvox since jan. 2015 Successfully tapered off klonopin 2 mg In June 2015. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus SquirrellyGirl Posted April 6, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 6, 2016 I'm on my phone so it is difficult to post links, so I'm sure another mod will be along with that info soon. The fact that you are having such a reaction to a 20% cut means you have destabilized your nervous system, and rebound insomnia is a common result. No one can tell you for sure when that will end. Your best bet is to return to 5 mg and stabilize. You can then do our recommended 10% taper, cutting no more frequently than every 4 weeks, and only if you are having no symptoms. Rushing a taper and cutting when having symptoms is heaping more instability onto an already destabilized system SG Started ADs back around 1995 after bad break-up, starting with Prozac. Switched to Wellbutrin, and then to Effexor in 2002 Effexor XR 2002-2014 up to 225 mg at one point, down to 37.5 mg towards end but back up to 75 mg in 2014; now realize I had W/D as I dropped down, memory very poor about history. Extreme emotions, poor concentration as I stepped back down, didn't connect the dots! Summer 2014 reduced to 0 very quickly, was sick of anhedonia/sexual dysfunction due to meds, depression never controlled if not worse. Didn't recognize WD since symptoms built slowly (thought I had ADD! and menopausal on top of it), starting with severe sweats, very bad cog-fog and memory issues, culminating in weight loss, severe anxiety and depression, panic, severe apathy and insomnia by eight months off. Saw p-doc who put me on Remeron, increased from 7.5 mg/day to 37.5 mg by May 22, 2015; still doing very badly though able to sleep. June 1. 2015 Reinstated Effexor XR 37.5 mg, Remeron dropped to 30 mg PM. Immediate relief of symptoms, like nothing had ever happened! Joined SA and began on advice of friend who recognized it was WD all along! Began tapering in July 2015. Been tapering both meds ever since, focusing on one more than the other or doing no more than 5% of each per month. 12 mg Effexor and 5.8 mg Remeron (mirtazapine SolTabs to make a solution with OraPlus) as of 5/4/2017 Update 3/14/18: 2.9 mg Remeron and 6 mg Effexor; 6/10/18: 2.6 mg Remeron and 4.9 mg Effexor My intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9313-squirrellygirl-effexor-withdrawal-etc/page-2#entry196679 This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted April 6, 2016 Administrator Share Posted April 6, 2016 Spookypaws, please add such updates to this, your Intro topic. You may wish to read the entire topic again to see how we've answered your other questions. As you know, we recommend only 10% decreases to taper, and now you know why. 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. Link to comment
Spookypaws Posted April 7, 2016 Author Share Posted April 7, 2016 If I'm feeling withdrawl symptoms after cutting 20% should I back off and cut 10%? The withdrawl symptoms weren't too bad but the lack of sleep is what got me, I slept hardly at all last night. I'm on the fence on if I should reinstate my normal 5 mg dose. This drug is hellish, I want off of it! Trazadone 200 mg Luvox 200 mg Been on these meds since March 2015 the luvox since jan. 2015 Successfully tapered off klonopin 2 mg In June 2015. Link to comment
Meimeiquest Posted April 7, 2016 Share Posted April 7, 2016 If you want off, I would recommend trying 10%. That is the recommended fastest taper for anyone on this site. If I remember right, you've gone back and forth some? If so, you may need to go even more slowly. Good luck! 1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms. Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12 Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13 Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15 11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble) 9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol 7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol 56 years old Link to comment
Spookypaws Posted April 7, 2016 Author Share Posted April 7, 2016 My doc wanted to switch me to latuda, but I'm not having it. I want off the zyprexa with no substitutes. I took 4.5 tonight, hopefully the extra 1/2 will help me sleep tonight. I want off so bad, it's ruining my life. Trazadone 200 mg Luvox 200 mg Been on these meds since March 2015 the luvox since jan. 2015 Successfully tapered off klonopin 2 mg In June 2015. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Fresh Posted April 7, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 7, 2016 Had you gone from 5mg to 4mg ? Smart move to bump it up to 4.5mg. However frustrated we may be , trying to hurry this process has a way of back-firing pretty quickly. Please could you update your signature with changes since June 2015 (and add what year you started taking anything). Thanks , I'm sure you'll be starting to feel better soon. 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 Link to comment
Spookypaws Posted April 13, 2016 Author Share Posted April 13, 2016 If I'm sleeping good and feeling good how soon can I taper again? Should I wait the whole month, or can I do it after a week? Trazadone 200 mg Luvox 200 mg Been on these meds since March 2015 the luvox since jan. 2015 Successfully tapered off klonopin 2 mg In June 2015. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted April 13, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 13, 2016 Hi SP, It would be helpful if you could update your signature as Fresh requested. This will allow us to see at a glance when you changed doses without us having to go back through your posts trying to find the information. Thank you. Fresh Posted 07 April 2016 - 02:41 PM However frustrated we may be , trying to hurry this process has a way of back-firing pretty quickly. The reason for the 4-6 week hold recommended after a drop is to allow the brain to stabilise. That is to adapt to not getting as much of the drug. It is better to do a longer hold than do a short hold and then having to reinstate. The poor brain doesn't know whether it's "coming or going". These helped me to understand SA's recommendations: Brain Remodelling (Rhi's Description of Brain Healing) Video: Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery * 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
Moderator brassmonkey Posted April 13, 2016 Moderator Share Posted April 13, 2016 Hi Spookypaws-- Now that you're into the lower doses (under 5mg) you need to start taking great care in how you taper. This is the area where a small change in dose can make a large change in the affects on the nervous system. As you go lower it will be increasingly important to error on the side of caution. Which can be really frustration because once you get here you will have been at this for a really long time and really wishing that it would just be over and probably starting to feel pretty good at times. This can all add up to being impulsive, which can have consequences that can set you back months. If things have settled out after the last drop and you're feeling good, take the time to enjoy it. You've earned a break. Tapering through the lower doses can be very unpredictable as far as symptoms go, some drops will be easy while others will really kick back, so take your time, relax when you can and don't panic of things get a little rough. The end point is in sight so watch your footing and take it one step at a time. 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
Spookypaws Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 Thanks Chessie I updated my signature. It's only been a week since I've been on 4.5 I guess I'll give it some more time, especially since I tried a 20% cut at first then had to updose to 4.5 to be comfortable. Trazadone 200 mg Luvox 200 mg Been on these meds since March 2015 the luvox since jan. 2015 Successfully tapered off klonopin 2 mg In June 2015. Link to comment
Spookypaws Posted April 14, 2016 Author Share Posted April 14, 2016 Thanks brass I'm probably impatient, I just want off this drug, I'll remember to take it slow. Trazadone 200 mg Luvox 200 mg Been on these meds since March 2015 the luvox since jan. 2015 Successfully tapered off klonopin 2 mg In June 2015. 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