DMV64: reinstate Saphris?

[DMV64]

2 minutes ago, JanCarol said:

Hey D - 

 

Briefly, fish oil coats your neurons and smooths firing of nerves.  Magnesium supports over 200 cascades in the body, including neurotransmitters.  It smooths muscle tissue, relaxing it.   It's also excellent for bones, heart. Do you think the oxide has helped? I am eager to try the citrate.

 

Read here for what others have said about it:  Magnesium and Omega-3 fish oil  ok yes

 

As you work with your body - you might enjoy  Epsom Salts - Another Way to Relax with Magnesium I love epsom bath! One of my spiritual mentors JUST advised me I need to bathe in salts, especially since I am away from my home (NYC coastal) and now get less beach.

 

Do not take your calcium with your magnesium, as they bind to each other.  Separate them by at least 2 hours.  (I don't know why they sell them bundled!)  I would think that the same rule applies to magnesium and gabapentin, as well.  The 2 hours thing is to separate the digestion of them, and it pretty standard for separating drugs. Yes ok

 

I wrote:

 

 

I'm eager to hear about your yoga!  I've been a yogini since 1976, and while I can no longer bend into a pretzel, find it a really important part of my journey, grounding, and transformation. Thats fantastic! Well a little about it here I guess? Or should go in journal area? I began a practice when I got sober in 2001. It really was a desperate plea to learn to inhabit my body. I feel it has (along with 12 step programs) saved my life. I learned to really breathe. To be here now. I guess in part, this is why it is especially upsetting to me to have gotten caught in the "take as directed" poly drug world. But anyway...I practice ashtanga based vinyasa. When I was living in Brooklyn and teaching in the NYC public schools I taught kids yoga. Then when I moved here I decided to get certified and started teaching adults. I have wanted to start a new business for awhile (way back I used to own a design studio) and so very recently, this summer, me and my biz partner opened a place. It is beautiful and terrifying. We took the risk! Now if I can just stay somewhat functional. Ha. True. I love the safety of the practice, the gentle peeling away of layers, without even trying, I am connected to something wordless, something much bigger than myself. And for the time I am practicing I am OUT OF MY HEAD! 

 

It's another day, another sun!  I hope you see it!

 

[JanCarol]

Hey D - 

 

That's great!

 

So you understand the power of yoga to aid recovery - as much as anyone would!

 

I understand the fears of having your own studio - here in Oz, studios are rare.  Most yoga here is practiced in community centers, town halls, churches and schools.  There is a lot of yoga, but much of it is the same flavor.  I'm attached to one of the rare studios, which has 1 owner, 3 teachers.  I hold my little shaman drum circle in the studio, and do what I can to help the studio pay for itself.  The owner still works full time, has not yet seen the return on her investment enabling her to quit her day job.

 

For the purposes of withdrawal, you might want to explore restorative yoga, or Yin.  It is a challenge for those who have difficulty being in their bodies.  I struggle with Yin because of my pain issues - I do "wiggly Yin" because my joints lock up.

 

Honestly, it's not unusual for someone to go from 12 step into the polydrug world. It's a complaint that people here at SA have made - they would go to a meeting, thinking "I'm addicted to psych drugs, this might help," and they find that in 12-Step communities, psych drugs are rampant and encouraged.  And the disentanglement is completely different - nobody "craves" psych drugs, even though they may have damages and need to make amends!   It's something I would love to see shift, as people fall on the crutches of psych drugs to help folks overcome the struggles of addiction.    If the psych drugs were just temporary crutches, this would work fine - as someone learns to walk the crutches are removed and they are healed.  Unfortunately, these crutches are made of entangling vines which, as you are learning, are challenging to get free from!

 

My own practice has devolved into "yoga for oldies."  What I do in a yoga room rarely looks like what the others do, as I have joint problems.  My muscles might be strong, but the joints need support.  American yoga (where I learned) is very supportive with props, straps, walls and chairs.  Australian yoga people look at me as if I'm a wimp (it's a little competitive here) when I choose to do my Warrior 2  against the wall to support my hips and knees, or adopt a wide stance in Warrior 1.  The studio has props, but very little idea as to how to use them!  And using a chair for support is unheard of (I would have to bring my own).

 

You might enjoy our little yoga corner here, and might even have something to contribute!

Gentle yoga for calming

Morning Yoga for the Challenged Nervous System

Breathing for Well Being

 

ps.  The journalling thread here at SA  is just examples of how you might create your own personal, private journal at home, not a place for actual journalling.  I updated it yesterday for you, since Photobucket has slammed all of my pictures into the ether, so I found a host to put my pictures back up.

[DMV64]

2 hours ago, JanCarol said:

Hey D - 

 

That's great!

 

So you understand the power of yoga to aid recovery - as much as anyone would! Yes I do...

 

I understand the fears of having your own studio - here in Oz, studios are rare.  Most yoga here is practiced in community centers, town halls, churches and schools.  There is a lot of yoga, but much of it is the same flavor.  I'm attached to one of the rare studios, which has 1 owner, 3 teachers.  I hold my little shaman drum circle in the studio, and do what I can to help the studio pay for itself.  The owner still works full time, has not yet seen the return on her investment enabling her to quit her day job. Thats great what you do. Gosh I am hoping we make it. 

 

For the purposes of withdrawal, you might want to explore restorative yoga, or Yin.  It is a challenge for those who have difficulty being in their bodies.  I struggle with Yin because of my pain issues - I do "wiggly Yin" because my joints lock up. I have recently tried YIN and really love it. Who would have thought??

 

Honestly, it's not unusual for someone to go from 12 step into the polydrug world. It's a complaint that people here at SA have made - they would go to a meeting, thinking "I'm addicted to psych drugs, this might help," and they find that in 12-Step communities, psych drugs are rampant and encouraged.  And the disentanglement is completely different - nobody "craves" psych drugs, even though they may have damages and need to make amends!   It's something I would love to see shift, as people fall on the crutches of psych drugs to help folks overcome the struggles of addiction.    If the psych drugs were just temporary crutches, this would work fine - as someone learns to walk the crutches are removed and they are healed.  Unfortunately, these crutches are made of entangling vines which, as you are learning, are challenging to get free from! I think many addict personalities find they *may* have underlying issues once they get clean and sober, and get "diagnosed" and then its not so easy to get off the train. I know I did not have any of these symptoms (besides anxiety) before all these drugs.

 

My own practice has devolved into "yoga for oldies."  What I do in a yoga room rarely looks like what the others do, as I have joint problems.  My muscles might be strong, but the joints need support.  American yoga (where I learned) is very supportive with props, straps, walls and chairs.  Australian yoga people look at me as if I'm a wimp (it's a little competitive here) when I choose to do my Warrior 2  against the wall to support my hips and knees, or adopt a wide stance in Warrior 1.  The studio has props, but very little idea as to how to use them!  And using a chair for support is unheard of (I would have to bring my own). Oh my gosh! No props! I ALWAYS do wide warrior 1!!!

 

You might enjoy our little yoga corner here, and might even have something to contribute! I will definitely check this out, thank you!

Gentle yoga for calming

Morning Yoga for the Challenged Nervous System

Breathing for Well Being

 

ps.  The journalling thread here at SA  is just examples of how you might create your own personal, private journal at home, not a place for actual journalling.  I updated it yesterday for you, since Photobucket has slammed all of my pictures into the ether, so I found a host to put my pictures back up.

 

[DMV64]

Todays symptoms with current supplements added

6:30AM: Wake with almost no panic!!

7AM: 5mg Vyvanse and run. 1 scoop Ultrainflammex, 2 teaspoons ground flax seeds, 1 scoop Progreens, Probiotic, 20mg gentle iron, 2 soft gels cod liver oil

7:45:  Have breakfast 600mg Calcium

8AM: 1mg Klonopin

Go to teach and feel functional. 

11AM: 100mg gabapentin

12noon: 10 Mg Geoden

1:30 Lunch 500 mg magnesium

2PM: Small amount of about half an hour of anxiety

3-5PM: Work from home. 

4PM: 100mg gabapentin.

6PM: Go to a doula meeting. Feel good. 500 mg magnesium

8PM: eat dinner. Still feel ok  

Plan to take 2.5mg Saphris with .5 Cogentin at 10 before bed along with last daily dose 100mg gabapentin. And 20 mg omeprazole. 500 mg magnesium

[DMV64]

I got the sublingual B12. Not sure if I should start taking it now? And if so how much?

[ChessieCat]

It might be better to hold off on introducing anything new at the moment.  You have made a lot of changes recently and if you start something new and something new symptom happens you won't know what is causing it.

 

When you do start it, it is better to start with a small dose, maybe 1/4 of the recommended and slowly build up.

[DMV64]

2 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

It might be better to hold off on introducing anything new at the moment.  You have made a lot of changes recently and if you start something new and something new symptom happens you won't know what is causing it. Ok, will wait!

 

When you do start it, it is better to start with a small dose, maybe 1/4 of the recommended and slowly build up.

 

[DMV64]

Question:

My vitamin E, Magnesium citrate, fish oil and B12 have arrived. I know we said hold in general, but I am wondering if I can stop taking the magnesium I already take (oxide) and switch to citrate? Or wait on that as well?

-D

[ChessieCat]

2 hours ago, DMV64 said:

wondering if I can stop taking the magnesium I already take (oxide) and switch to citrate

 

Because the oxide isn't very available to the body as Jan explained it would probably be better to start with a very low dose of the citrate and build up gradually.  Taking the equivalent citrate to oxide may be too much so proceed with caution.  Because you have probably already been getting a small amount of magnesium is should be okay to switch over now.

[DMV64]

7 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

It might be better to hold off on introducing anything new at the moment.  You have made a lot of changes recently and if you start something new and something new symptom happens you won't know what is causing it.  Ok. Will wait!

 

When you do start it, it is better to start with a small dose, maybe 1/4 of the recommended and slowly build up.  Good idea   

Ok. I am going to give it a cautious try. 

[JanCarol]

Hey D - 

 

I would switch the cod liver oil first.  I'm worried that the A and D might have a reaction for you (you may be D-deficient, as that goes hand in hand with B12, but we can address that later).

 

Here's a suggested transition schedule.
Week one:  switch one cod liver oil capsule for fish oil.

Week two: stop cod liver oil, take 2 fish oil.  Maybe space them out throughout the day.

Week 3:  Add a little Mag citrate (pour out half a capsule, take the powder), but keep taking the oxide.

Week 4:  If you can, take a whole capsule of mag citrate and discontinue the oxide.

Week 5:  Consider a 1/2 tablet (I cut my sublingual B12 all the time) of B12 to see if you react.

Week 6:  If you have had no reactions, increase to whole tablet B12.

 

Please adjust this according to your own symptoms.  You may find that you react to anything along the way - that is why we advocate such a cautious approach!

 

Let us know your reactions, and we'll try and help.

 

This gives you a month and a half to stabilize on your current drugs - and prepare to move your Klonopin.

 

ALSO:  Iron and Calcium cancel each other out, and should be separated by 2 hours.  Same with magnesium.  Iron is a tough one, as it binds so easily to the other minerals!  I'm sorry, but it's true!

 

I hope you see the sun today!  I just finished a sun salute, a sun walk, and a little 7 minute tai chi routine, and have "set" my mood for the day.

[DMV64]

51 minutes ago, JanCarol said:

Hey D - 

 

I would switch the cod liver oil first.  I'm worried that the A and D might have a reaction for you (you may be D-deficient, as that goes hand in hand with B12, but we can address that later).

 

I used to take D. 

 

Here's a suggested transition schedule.
Week one:  switch one cod liver oil capsule for fish oil.

Week two: stop cod liver oil, take 2 fish oil.  Maybe space them out throughout the day.

Week 3:  Add a little Mag citrate (pour out half a capsule, take the powder), but keep taking the oxide.

Week 4:  If you can, take a whole capsule of mag citrate and discontinue the oxide.

Week 5:  Consider a 1/2 tablet (I cut my sublingual B12 all the time) of B12 to see if you react.

Week 6:  If you have had no reactions, increase to whole tablet B12

 

 OK this sounds really good. My B 12 is liquid. 

 

Please adjust this according to your own symptoms.  You may find that you react to anything along the way - that is why we advocate such a cautious approach!

 

Let us know your reactions, and we'll try and help.

 

This gives you a month and a half to stabilize on your current drugs - and prepare to move your Klonopin.

 

ALSO:  Iron and Calcium cancel each other out, and should be separated by 2 hours.  Same with magnesium.  Iron is a tough one, as it binds so easily to the other minerals!  I'm sorry, but it's true!

 

 Are used to be really anemic and had to get infusions. 

 

I hope you see the sun today!  I just finished a sun salute, a sun walk, and a little 7 minute tai chi routine, and have "set" my mood for the day.

 

 

Edited September 22, 2017 by ChessieCat
coloured responses

[DMV64]

On 9/20/2017 at 6:19 PM, JanCarol said:

Todays symptoms with current supplements added

6;50AM: Wake with almost no panic! Just a little shadow of one.

7AM: 5mg Vyvanse. 1 scoop Ultrainflammex, 2 teaspoons ground flax seeds, 1 scoop Progreens, Probiotic, 20mg gentle iron, 2 soft gels cod liver oil

7:45:  Have breakfast. Based on what I have read about calcium and magnesium blocking effectiveness, I wait on calcium.

8AM: 1mg Klonopin

Go to teach and feel functional. 

10AM: 600mg Calcium

11:30AM: 100mg gabapentin

12noon: 10 Mg Geoden (This is a mistake I think on empty stomach)

12:30 Lunch 

1:00PM: Very tired/loopy/dizzy

1:45PM Symptoms easing.

2PM: 1000 mg magnesium

3-5PM: Work from home. 

4PM: 100mg gabapentin.

5:30PM: Go teach. 

8PM: eat dinner. Still feel ok  

9PM: 2 teaspoons ground flax seeds (forgot to list this) 100mg gabapentin.

Plan to take 2.5mg Saphris with .5 Cogentin at 10 before bed along . And 20 mg omeprazole. 500 mg magnesium

 

 

[Shep]

Two questions for you, DMV:

 

1. Do you feel better overall now, like you're stabilizing?

 

2. How many hours a night are you sleeping? 

[DMV64]

4 hours ago, Shep said:

Two questions for you, DMV:

 

1. Do you feel better overall now, like you're stabilizing? Hi Shep! I do feel a lot better, stablizing. Morning anxiety almost gone! Ok most of teh day except early afternoon is a little rough. Also took my first fish oil softgel today.

 

2. How many hours a night are you sleeping?  I am sleeping really mush better with blackout curtains. 8 hours!

 

[Shep]

This is great to hear, DMV. Please continue holding and hopefully, you'll feel even better and then when you do start tapering, you'll be starting out in a very good and stable place. 

[DMV64]

Thank you!!

[DMV64]

Todays symptoms with current supplements added

7AM: Wake again with almost no panic! Just a little shadow of one.

7AM: 5mg Vyvanse. 1 scoop Ultrainflammex, 2 teaspoons ground flax seeds, 1 scoop Progreens, Probiotic, 20mg gentle iron, 1 soft gels cod liver oil, 1 soft gel fish oil

7:45:  Have breakfast. Based on what I have read about calcium and magnesium blocking effectiveness, I wait on calcium.

8AM: 1mg Klonopin

Go to YIN yoga!

11:00AM: 100mg gabapentin

12noon: Lunch

1:00PM: 10 Mg Geoden

2PM: 1000 mg magnesium

2PM: generalized anxiety and crying. Feeling hopeless.

3-5PM: various errands. 

4PM: 100mg gabapentin.

5:30PM: Therapy 

7PM: eat dinner. 500 mg magnesium

9PM: 600mg calcium

9PM: 2 teaspoons ground flax seeds

Plan to take 2.5mg Saphris with .5 Cogentin at 10 before bed along . And 20 mg omeprazole. 100mg gabapentin.

[JanCarol]

Hey D - 

On 21/09/2017 at 7:41 AM, DMV64 said:

 I love epsom bath! One of my spiritual mentors JUST advised me I need to bathe in salts, especially since I am away from my home (NYC coastal) and now get less beach.

 

 

My favourite recipe:

1-2 cups Epsom Salts or Magnesium Chloride flakes

1/4 cup baking soda

1/8 cup himalayan salt

splash of Apple Cider Vinegar

10 drops of whatever essential oil I want at the time (my faves right now are Lavender and lemongrass, though I've had a cold, so that Eucalyptus was nice!)

 

I live 10 minutes from the ocean and never get in it.  It's "still" here (barrier islands) and not very nice.  Bull sharks and jellyfish.  But I love it when I go up or down the coast and can get free flowing open ocean!

 

It's great to hear that you are stabilising!

 

You can do this!  And it does get better!

[DMV64]

7 hours ago, JanCarol said:

Hey D - 

 

My favourite recipe:

1-2 cups Epsom Salts or Magnesium Chloride flakes

1/4 cup baking soda

1/8 cup himalayan salt

splash of Apple Cider Vinegar

10 drops of whatever essential oil I want at the time (my faves right now are Lavender and lemongrass, though I've had a cold, so that Eucalyptus was nice!)

 

I live 10 minutes from the ocean and never get in it.  It's "still" here (barrier islands) and not very nice.  Bull sharks and jellyfish.  But I love it when I go up or down the coast and can get free flowing open ocean!

 

It's great to hear that you are stabilising!

 

You can do this!  And it does get better!

This morning I feel good. Not even just ok, actually good.

: )

[DMV64]

Hi everyone.

Today I am making myself write. I am feeling better, but I am struggling not to dip too far into hopelessness. I took JanCarol's suggestion of SEE THE SUN and I went for a walk this afternoon, just a little meandering walk. And it really helped. I feel lifted, which is big for me at this time of day. I thank you all for all you do here. I have hope today that one day I will be as close to drug free, if not drug free, as I can get. 

I can't always write as much as I wish I could, but I want you to know I am glad you are writing.

<3

Many blessings,

Darlene

[DMV64]

Todays symptoms with current supplements added

6:45AM: Wake with no panic. Amazing.

7AM: 5mg Vyvanse. 1 scoop Ultrainflammex, 2 teaspoons ground flax seeds, 1 scoop Progreens, Probiotic, 20mg gentle iron, 1 soft gels cod liver oil, 1 soft gel fish oil

7:45:  Have breakfast. 

8AM: 1mg Klonopin

Go to teach yoga!

11:00AM: 100mg gabapentin

11:30 : Brunch

12PM: 10 Mg Geoden

2PM: 1000 mg magnesium

3-5PM: Go for a walk!

4PM: 100mg gabapentin. 

7PM: eat dinner. 500 mg magnesium

9PM: 600mg calcium

9PM: 2 teaspoons ground flax seeds

Plan to take 2.5mg Saphris with .5 Cogentin at 10 before bed along . And 20 mg omeprazole. 100mg gabapentin.

 

[ChanceLucky]

I read your beginning posts and this fourth page. Wow, what a turnaround! I'm happy for you. 

[DMV64]

1 hour ago, ChanceLucky said:

I read your beginning posts and this fourth page. Wow, what a turnaround! I'm happy for you. 

Thank you!  I am trying to do what people tell me and just holding 

[DMV64]

Hello all,

I just wanted to check in and say I am feeling better. But now the days seem long, like something to be delicately gotten through. Sometimes I feel like I am tettering on the edge of something...the abyss.

Also I am on call for two births...feeling nervous a little, because when I go to a birth I never know when or how long. And I am still stablizing...hope for the best. Also these two mamas are due at about the same time...sigh

-D

 

[DMV64]

Todays symptoms with current supplements added

6:45AM: Wake with no panic. Amazing.

7AM: 5mg Vyvanse. Run. 1 scoop Ultrainflammex, 2 teaspoons ground flax seeds, 1 scoop Progreens, Probiotic, 20mg gentle iron, 1 soft gels cod liver oil, 1 soft gel fish oil

7:45:  Have breakfast. Banana

8AM: 1mg Klonopin

Go to teach yoga!

11:00AM: 100mg gabapentin

11:30 : Lunch

12PM: 10 Mg Geoden

2PM: 1000 mg magnesium

3-5PM: Really tired. Lay on couch

4PM: 100mg gabapentin. 

7PM: eat dinner. 500 mg magnesium

9PM: 600mg calcium

9PM: 2 teaspoons ground flax seeds

Plan to take 2.5mg Saphris with .5 Cogentin at 10 before bed along . And 20 mg omeprazole. 100mg gabapentin.

[Altostrata]

How do you feel after you take the 8 a.m. benzo?

 

It's odd that you follow Vyvanse with Klonopin an hour later. Did you add Klonopin at that hour because you were getting "panic" or "anxiety" surges?

[DMV64]

Just now, Altostrata said:

How do you feel after you take the 8 a.m. benzo?

 

It's odd that you follow Vyvanse with Klonopin an hour later. Did you add Klonopin at that hour because you were getting "panic" or "anxiety" surges?

I wish I could remember. Unfortunately as you know there’s been so many changes. As best I can recall it just wound up creeping back because I was having more anxiety, or more pronounced anxiety earlier. I’m sure it could have something to do withI wish I could remember. Unfortunately as you know there’s been so many changes. As best I can recall it just wound up creeping back because I was having more anxiety, or more pronounced anxiety earlier. I’m sure it could have something to do with vyvanse.  But I would be afraid to move that right now. 

[DMV64]

Just now, DMV64 said:

I wish I could remember. Unfortunately as you know there’s been so many changes. As best I can recall it just wound up creeping back because I was having more anxiety, or more pronounced anxiety earlier. I’m sure it could have something to do withI wish I could remember. Unfortunately as you know there’s been so many changes. As best I can recall it just wound up creeping back because I was having more anxiety, or more pronounced anxiety earlier. I’m sure it could have something to do with vyvanse.  But I would be afraid to move that right now. 

Sorry I meant to add that in the morning are usually feel pretty good. The afternoons are hard.Sorry I meant to add that in the morning are usually feel pretty good. The afternoons are hard.

[Altostrata]

Since you're canceling the effect of Vyvanse with Klonopin, one or the other (or both) is unnecessary. You go further with canceling out the Vyvanse when you take two more brakes mid-day.

 

If by "The afternoons are hard," you mean you feel like a slug, it's because you've clobbered your nervous system with enough drug brakes to stop a horse. And then you continue that with more brakes at bedtime.

 

[DMV64]

Just now, Altostrata said:

Since you're canceling the effect of Vyvanse with Klonopin, one or the other (or both) is unnecessary. You go further with canceling out the Vyvanse when you take two more brakes mid-day.

 

If by "The afternoons are hard," you mean you feel like a slug, it's because you've clobbered your nervous system with enough drug brakes to stop a horse. And then you continue that with more brakes at bedtime.

 

I fully understand that I am over drugged. But I have been told not to make any changes. And so that’s what I’m doing. I have at least come close to stabilizing after all of the recent events. But I still don’t feel good. The afternoon is my worst time for anxiety and depression. I also work mostly by myself and partially from home and so I spend in my opinion too much time by myselfI fully understand that I am over drugged. But I have been told not to make any changes. And so that’s what I’m doing. I have at least come close to stabilizing after all of the recent events. But I still don’t feel good. The afternoon is my worst time for anxiety and depression. I also work mostly by myself and partially from home and so I spend in my opinion too much time by myself. I can’t just drop those two medications as I understand it I’m going to be on a multi year taper plan.

Anyway once again I understand that I have found my way into a poly drugging hole. What I really need is just to stick to the plan I think unless you’re telling me something else?

[DMV64]

Just now, DMV64 said:

I fully understand that I am over drugged. But I have been told not to make any changes. And so that’s what I’m doing. I have at least come close to stabilizing after all of the recent events. But I still don’t feel good. The afternoon is my worst time for anxiety and depression. I also work mostly by myself and partially from home and so I spend in my opinion too much time by myselfI fully understand that I am over drugged. But I have been told not to make any changes. And so that’s what I’m doing. I have at least come close to stabilizing after all of the recent events. But I still don’t feel good. The afternoon is my worst time for anxiety and depression. I also work mostly by myself and partially from home and so I spend in my opinion too much time by myself. I can’t just drop those two medications as I understand it I’m going to be on a multi year taper plan.

Anyway once again I understand that I have found my way into a poly drugging hole. What I really need is just to stick to the plan I think unless you’re telling me something else?

What do you mean by “brakes?”

[Altostrata]

That is what I'm getting from your drug schedule and symptom pattern.

 

Brakes are drugs that slow you down. Accelerators are stimulating drugs such as Vyvanse and other amphetamine analogs.

 

In my opinion, when it's time to taper, you should reduce one of the brakes first, probably leaving the benzo for last. The noontime Geodon is a prime candidate.

[DMV64]

3 hours ago, Altostrata said:

That is what I'm getting from your drug schedule and symptom pattern. Ok

 

Brakes are drugs that slow you down. Accelerators are stimulating drugs such as Vyvanse and other amphetamine analogs. Understand

 

In my opinion, when it's time to taper, you should reduce one of the brakes first, probably leaving the benzo for last. The noontime Geodon is a prime candidate. Yes, JanCarol has laid out a taper plan for me in here. Not quite ready yet but yes, the benzo was the last to go. Right now I am just making it through my days. But feeling closer to begin a taper of the first drug. First I need to get on my supplements, then split my klonopin dose.

 

Edited September 26, 2017 by JanCarol

[DMV64]

Todays symptoms with current supplements added

7:15AM: Wake with no panic. 

7:30AM: 5mg Vyvanse. 1 scoop Ultrainflammex, 2 teaspoons ground flax seeds, 1 scoop Progreens, Probiotic, 20mg gentle iron, 1 soft gels cod liver oil, 1 soft gel fish oil

7:45:  Have breakfast. Banana

8:30AM: 1mg Klonopin

Go to take yoga!

11:00AM: 100mg gabapentin

Noon : Lunch

1PM: 10 Mg Geoden

2PM: Depression, lonliness. Home alone.

3PM: 1000 mg magnesium

3-5PM: Kind of rough. Feeling hopeless after an interaction.

4:30PM: 100mg gabapentin. 

8PM: eat dinner. 500 mg magnesium

9:30PM: 600mg calcium

9:30PM: 2 teaspoons ground flax seeds

Plan to take 2.5mg Saphris with .5 Cogentin at 10 before bed along . And 20 mg omeprazole. 100mg gabapentin.

[JanCarol]

Hey D - 

 

I think you're coming along nicely.  You've calmed down, accepted a plan, and I hope you won't be changing anything other than supplements before Christmas.  The silly season has a way of knocking us about, and the New Year is a great time to start a new taper.

 

I might agree with Alto - it may be that the Geodon is a good place to start, but that's months away yet.  Keep track of your symptom patterns and any changes in them as you settle down - these will be key in helping us figure out which drug is causing you the most strife.  It may be that the Saphris is where you want to start.  But we need to get you settled and grasp your symptom patterns!

 

We'll see how you feel about your afternoon anxiety in a month or two - it may be that you don't need to split the klonopin.  But if you are having breakthrough anxiety in the afternoon - and your klonopin is in the morning - it is not likely to be the klonopin at fault.  If in 1-2 months, this is still a consistent symptom pattern, Alto may have a point about the Geodon, or maybe the breakthrough anxiety is from Saphris.  In a couple months time we'll better know how much is drug effects, and how much is withdrawal effects.

 

Klonopin (I am not a benzo expert, but I looked up the half life) has a longer half life, and can cover a 24 hour period for most people .  You've been on it the longest, however, so breakthrough symptoms, tachyphylaxis (or "poop out") aren't unlikely.  But that your anxiety is in the afternoon (while the klonopin should still be strong in your system) points to something else.

 

I think what is making me angry is that your doctor gave you all this crap for depression and recovery, when really, you were suffering from klonopin side effects (and then Saphris side effects)  Egads, who thinks that's a good idea?  I'm sorry this has happened to you - but I'm glad that you are hearing us, and that you are sticking to the plan!

 

If you want to study up on "how to taper Geodon" you can read here (it's going to be a little more challenging than just splitting the klonopin)

Tips for Tapering off Geodon - Ziprasodone - Zeldox

You will want to learn about liquid tapers:
How to Make a Liquid from Tablets or Capsule

Using an Oral Syringe and other Tapering Techniques

You've got months to study these and get ready - I envy you this!  Not everyone here has the chance to get their ducks in a row before tapering!

 

Just for good measure, you might want to read over this:

Before You Begin Taper - What you Should Know  and Six Mistakes I've Made In Withdrawal

 

I hope you see the sun today!