DMV64: reinstate Saphris?

[DMV64]

Also for now I am using the antihistamine xyzal. Half tab at night. 

[DMV64]

My son and his fiancée were just here from Brooklyn. While this is a happy thing, it seems any change at all to my routine really brings on symptoms. So weird. I guess I felt like I had to be on. Anxiety making it hard to feel present and connect. 

[DMV64]

MMT can you tell me how many ML I should drink for my night dose if I updose? Right now I am drinking 20ml. Which is as I mentioned part of a water taper currently 20mg capsule (powder) dissolved. 60ml drink at 11am. 20ml drink at 730 with dinner. Remaining 20ml toss. 

[ChessieCat]

I find it easiest to do it this way.

 

100mL : 20mg

 

1mL : 0.2mg     divided both sides by 100

 

          I actually prefer to do this in 2 steps because it makes more sense to me:

 

         (a)    5mL : 1mg     divide both sides by 20

 

         (b)    1mL : 0.2mg    divide both sides by 5

 

 

Each 1mL of liquid = 0.2mg drug

 

Multiply mLs x 0.2mg to get the dose

 

60mL : 12mg

 

20mL : 4mg

 

80mL : 16mg     your total dose for the day

 

 

As an example if you wanted to increase from 4mg to 5mg I would use the information from (a)

 

5mL : 1mg

 

You "plug in" the 5mg, which multiplies the right hand side by 5 so you need to multiply the left hand side by 5 as well.

 

25mL : 5mg   multiply both sides by 5

 

 

So the 2 things that you need so that you can do any calculation.  If you plug in the required amount on one side you need to multiply or divide the other side by the same amount.

 

1mL : 0.2mg

 

5mL : 1mg

[manymoretodays]

4 hours ago, DMV64 said:

MMT can you tell me how many ML I should drink for my night dose if I updose? Right now I am drinking 20ml. Which is as I mentioned part of a water taper currently 20mg capsule (powder) dissolved. 60ml drink at 11am. 20ml drink at 730 with dinner. Remaining 20ml toss. 

 

If you updose you would need to drink 25 mL of your solution at 7:30pm or 1930.  That would be equal to approximately 5 mg of Geodon(mgai, which stands for the mg of active ingrediant).  You would be updosing from 4mg to 5mg with your 1930 dose of Geodon.  And yes......it is recommended that you take it with food.

20mg/100mL

0.2mg/1mL

 

5mg/25mL

 

So sorry that I missed the 1930 hour with you.  If you missed the updose tonight, you could always give it a try tomorrow night.  I know it's tough, tough, tough going right now.  We can resume AmericanEnglish math on another day if need be.  Ccats explanation makes sense.  We'll work it through together.  Okie dokie.  Hope you are in a nice peaceful stretch of sleep right now.

 

L,P, H/IR, and growth,

mmt

Edited March 26, 2018 by manymoretodays
further math mg mgai teaching/clarity

[JanCarol]

Thanks Chessie (brilliant) and MMT - it helped make it clear for me, too.

 

I know it's hard - heck it was hard for me.

 

I think the key piece for your tapers is this.

 

1 20 mg tablet in 100 mls of water means that your liquid is at the strength of:

 

0.2 mg per millilitre.

 

So when you want to make a change, you use that number to help.  

 

1 mg change = 5 ml of water.  (0.2 + 0.2 + 0.2 + 0.2 + 0.2 = 1.  If you do that 5 times, that's 1 mg/5ml of liquid for the change)

 

So MMT got it awesome right when she said to take 25 ml of water at night, you will only discard 15 ml each day.

 

Thanks team - and D - any questions?  (please don't just hold your head and cry, "MATHS" because you need to start understanding this, or you will make mistakes - and as you know by now, mistakes can hurt).

 

[JanCarol]

Hey D - 

 

I almost missed this:

 

15 hours ago, DMV64 said:

Seeing doc Tuesday. I will also talk to her about the benzo updose vs Geoden.

 

I am not a gambling woman, but I'll bet you anything she wants to updose the benzo.  And probably thinks your tapering is "ridiculous."  (if she's like most p-docs, anyway)

 

Is she the doctor who came up with this horrific combination of Saphris, Geodon, Klonopin and Vyvanse?  Then I am not likely to trust her advice.

 

If you must adjust something (you keep adjusting, making it hard to set a pattern - you notice how even good stress - like seeing your son and his fiance - can invoke symptoms.  How much more so all the drug changes you are doing), please just adjust the Geodon.  Take the benzo script, but don't fill it.  You don't need to be addicted to a new chemical now.

 

But please, after updosing the Geodon, and taking your antihistamine, Please don't make any changes now for three months.  You need to get settled and stable before you proceed to taper.  Rushing things now will only cause grief later.

Focus on the non-drug things - of surfing symptoms. of re-thinking your habits, of finding quiet and stability.

I hope you see the sun today!

[DMV64]

4 hours ago, JanCarol said:

updosing

  I will be very happy to hold. I just want to be stable. This is very rough. This doctor is not the Doctor Who prescribed all of the other medication.  That was my old doctor for the most part. Some of it is leftover stuff from Brooklyn. This is the newer doctor/team,  The Resident is pretty open. The professor is the one who pops into the room at the last minute and sometimes offer is really strange suggestions. 

[DMV64]

8 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

drink 25 mL

 Thank you very much for this. I am going to try it. And thank you for all the encouragement. I don’t know what else to say about math.  It’s not like I can practice practice practice and I am going to get it. No amount of remediation has helped me really understand it. 

[DMV64]

10 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

calculatio

Thank you very much for all of the formula. I know there is no way I will really learn this but I can go back to the things that you have written down and try to plug into ma’am. It is very helpful. :  )

[DMV64]

7 hours ago, JanCarol said:

MATHS

Please understand that I really have a disability. It’s not like I can just practice more and I’m going to understand it. I have had this my entire life. No amount of practice or remediation in the classroom has made it any easier for me. Which is why I say it is a true math disability. My daughter has it as well. And so I do the best I can. I hope you understand.

[JanCarol]

I do understand.

 

But I also believe that we can learn something when it applies to our wellbeing and is important to us.

We'll help you as much as we can, and hopefully you will come to an understanding - already - your understanding of dissolving whole tablet and how much to take in mils - is pretty darned good!

 

Don't underestimate yourself.  Never say never!

 

You're doing fine.

[DMV64]

6 minutes ago, JanCarol said:

doing

Thank you for saying this. I feel like I’m not making any progress at all. I want to be positive. But I feel like I’m struggling so hard between the depression that feels crushing and the anxiety which leaves me locked inside myself. I’m having a lot of I guess the personalization. Even the people closest to me seem foreign

[DMV64]

4 hours ago, JanCarol said:

doing fine.

 I really don’t know what to do about my pup. I have definitely had a surge in psychiatric symptoms. And it coincides with getting her and my allergic response. I’m trying to let time pass because I think she really will be good for me and it’s hard to imagine letting her go. But I guess I’m just wondering if this surge of symptoms  is going to come down 

[ChessieCat]

As JC said previously, get a puppy means adjustments.  It's like looking after a new baby.  However, the puppy will grow up to be independent more quickly.

[DMV64]

 The thing is my puppy is not exactly a puppy. It is a dog from a rescue, she is one year old or maybe a little older. But I guess she does kind of acts like a puppy. Either way it is an adjustment for 

[DMV64]

I cannot believe the difference in how I feel at night. Happy, normal, energized. And how I feel in the morning and into the afternoon, anxious, afraid, anhedonia-ish, depressed. Why? Why? Can it just be cortisol? I split my klonopin. I split (somewhat) my geoden. I feel like it is the nightly saphris dose that just makes me feel bad. Thoughts?

[JanCarol]

Thoughts are - please don't change anything.

 

You will have to tolerate these imperfections in your day for awhile.  Cherish the good bits and give thanks, be curious about everything else.

 

I got a Mindfulness quote last night:

John Hale - "Embrace all experience like you would a suffering child."

That's all experience.

 

It's possible that it will settle on it's own, without fiddling.  That you will adjust to the doggirl and the allergies, and it won't mean "psychiatric symptoms."  (In fact, can you think about symptoms as emotions , thoughts, and physical reactions instead of "psychiatric?")

 

It's not going to be perfect or just right - or maybe even easy - for a long time yet.

 

So many changes, so little time!  Please stop with the changes or thinking about them.  Your Klonopin is finally split - it may take a few weeks before we see if that's going to help.

 

Chessie is right, your concerns about the pup are - also temporary.  Y'all will settle into a routine together, and the companionship will overtake the symptoms.  You have a number of reasons for symptoms besides pup-dog.   Even if you were to take her back to the shelter - you should at least give her a fair shake - a full month of trial.

 

17 hours ago, DMV64 said:

I will be very happy to hold.

 

So you don't want to updose the Geodon?  OK!  

 

Please don't ask us for any more adjustments to your drugs for 1-3 months.  I get the feeling that - each day or each week you panic and look to change something, that with each new wave or distress you look to "fix it."  That's not how this works.  This is a lab experiment of N=1 (that's you), but the more you fiddle with the variables, the less you (and we) learn, and - it is likely to delay your healing.

 

What is your dog's name?

[DMV64]

5 hours ago, JanCarol said:

the Geodon? 

 No I did not mean that. I do want to updose the Geoden. I am also scheduled to see an allergist on Wednesday. They told me I had to not take my anti-histamine for the days before I see them. 

 I know this takes time. It just feels like a really long time for me.  The pup is named Zelda. 

[DMV64]

Also it is unclear to me whether or not I feel better or worse taking the anti-histamine

[DMV64]

Also I don’t feel like I’m asking for changes just to make changes. I’m trying to be stable and not feel like I just want to die every day. I have been holding on the Saphris for seven weeks now.

[DMV64]

Update: Saw Doc. She was very supportive. Even the Professor stayed in the room and seemed to listen. I did decide to up the Geoden by 2mg. So I will amend my sigmature. I also went to the allergist which was slightly traumatizing because they did allergy and breathing testing and I am reactive and allergic to so many things. The breathing test was the worst, I feel like I totally lost my voice and my power as they did this test and used an irritant to see if I would react which I DID of course. Then had to have abuterol treatment. Anyway, bad. I cried when I got home. They had me lined up for like six allergy shots to all the crap I am allergic to and I had to refind my voice and say NO I am here for my pup. That's all I want. I will live with the rest.

I went home feeling stupid for challenging my system when I am just seeking help.

God!

Anyway, holding now for a likely 8 weeks, maybe more.

[Altostrata]

DMV, while Saphris may be your central worry, you have been changing other drugs. When was the last time you changed your Klonopin schedule?

 

Why did you increase Geodon? Aren't we trying to reduce your drug burden?

 

If you're taking albuterol and an antihistamine regularly, we have to add that into the drug mix, too. Please do another Drug Interaction report.

[DMV64]

26 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Geodon

 Yes I am trying to reduce my drug burden. I have been struggling quite severely lately and so after some discussion on these boards I decided to up those my Geoden  with the guidance of some of the members. I am not taking abuterik on a regular basis. It was a one time thing at the doctors office. Also I am not planning on taking an antihistamine every day. Only as needed. But I will add it into a drug report as soon as I get the chance.  I have split my Clonopin a full 12 hours apart as suggested. 

I need to be able to feel like I don’t want to die every day and that is why I needed to updos my Geoden.   As it turns out it seems to have helped stabilize me. I hope in two months time I can begin to taper again on the Saphris. 

[DMV64]

I finished the splitting of my Clonopin an hour at a time a few days ago.

[DMV64]

My Interactions List: (Unsaved)Email Print Save Start Over
gabapentin
omeprazole
Clarinex (desloratadine)
Cogentin (benztropine)
Geodon (ziprasidone)
Klonopin (clonazepam)
Saphris (asenapine)
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)

• Consumer
• Professional

 

 Major (1)

 

 Moderate (9)

 

 Minor (0)

 

 Food (4)

 

 Therapeutic Duplication (2)

Interactions between your drugs

Major

ziprasidone  asenapine

Applies to: Geodon (ziprasidone), Saphris (asenapine)

Using ziprasidone together with asenapine is not recommended. Combining these medications can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively 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 be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations during treatment with either of these medications. 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.

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Moderate

gabapentin  asenapine

Applies to: gabapentin, Saphris (asenapine)

Using gabapentin together with asenapine may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. 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.

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Moderate

gabapentin  ziprasidone

Applies to: gabapentin, Geodon (ziprasidone)

Using gabapentin together with ziprasidone may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. 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.

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Moderate

clonazepam  asenapine

Applies to: Klonopin (clonazepam), Saphris (asenapine)

Using clonazePAM together with asenapine may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. 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.

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Moderate

clonazepam  ziprasidone

Applies to: Klonopin (clonazepam), Geodon (ziprasidone)

Using clonazePAM together with ziprasidone may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. 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.

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Moderate

clonazepam  omeprazole

Applies to: Klonopin (clonazepam), omeprazole

Omeprazole may increase the blood levels and effects of clonazePAM. This can increase the risk of side effects including excessive drowsiness and breathing difficulties. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. 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.

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Moderate

benztropine  ziprasidone

Applies to: Cogentin (benztropine), Geodon (ziprasidone)

Before using ziprasidone, tell your doctor if you are also on benztropine. You may need dose adjustments or special tests in order to safely use both medications together. You should notify your doctor if you have signs of bladder problems, dry mouth, stomach pain, fever, blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, or reduced heart rate. You should avoid driving until you know how these medications will affect you. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using your medications without first talking to your doctor first.

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Moderate

benztropine  asenapine

Applies to: Cogentin (benztropine), Saphris (asenapine)

Before using asenapine, tell your doctor if you are also on benztropine. You may need dose adjustments or special tests in order to safely use both medications together. You should notify your doctor if you have signs of bladder problems, dry mouth, stomach pain, fever, blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, or reduced heart rate. You should avoid driving until you know how these medications will affect you. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using your medications without first talking to your doctor first.

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Moderate

benztropine  clonazepam

Applies to: Cogentin (benztropine), Klonopin (clonazepam)

Using benztropine together with clonazePAM may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. 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.

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Moderate

benztropine  gabapentin

Applies to: Cogentin (benztropine), gabapentin

Using benztropine together with gabapentin may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. 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.

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No other interactions were found between your selected drugs.
Note: this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other drug and disease interactions

• gabapentin interacts with more than 200 other drugs and 3 diseases.
• omeprazole interacts with more than 100 other drugs and 2 diseases.
• Clarinex (desloratadine) interacts with more than 10 other drugs.
• Cogentin (benztropine) interacts with more than 300 other drugs and more than 10 diseases.
• Geodon (ziprasidone) interacts with more than 600 other drugs and more than 10 diseases.
• Klonopin (clonazepam) interacts with more than 400 other drugs and 10 diseases.
• Saphris (asenapine) interacts with more than 500 other drugs and more than 10 diseases.
• Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) interacts with more than 100 other drugs.

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

asenapine  food

Applies to: Saphris (asenapine)

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of asenapine such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with asenapine. Do not use more than the recommended dose of asenapine, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

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Moderate

lisdexamfetamine  food

Applies to: Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)

Using lisdexamfetamine together with alcohol can increase the risk of cardiovascular side effects such as increased heart rate, chest pain, or blood pressure changes. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with lisdexamfetamine. Let your doctor know if you experience severe or frequent headaches, chest pain, and/or a fast or pounding heartbeat. 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.

Switch to professional interaction data

Moderate

ziprasidone  food

Applies to: Geodon (ziprasidone)

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of ziprasidone such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with ziprasidone. Do not use more than the recommended dose of ziprasidone, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Switch to professional interaction data

Moderate

gabapentin  food

Applies to: gabapentin

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of gabapentin such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with gabapentin. Do not use more than the recommended dose of gabapentin, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Switch to professional interaction data

Therapeutic duplication warnings

Therapeutic duplication is the use of more than one medicine from the same drug category or therapeutic class to treat the same condition. This can be intentional in cases where drugs with similar actions are used together for demonstrated therapeutic benefit. It can also be unintentional in cases where a patient has been treated by more than one doctor, or had prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy, and can have potentially adverse consequences.

Duplication

Central Nervous System (CNS) Drugs

Therapeutic duplication

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'Central Nervous System (CNS) Drugs' category to be taken concurrently is usually three. Your list includes six medicines belonging to the 'Central Nervous System (CNS) Drugs' category:

• gabapentin
• benztropine (active ingredient in Cogentin (benztropine))
• ziprasidone (active ingredient in Geodon (ziprasidone))
• clonazepam (active ingredient in Klonopin (clonazepam))
• asenapine (active ingredient in Saphris (asenapine))
• lisdexamfetamine (active ingredient in Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine))

Note: The benefits of taking this combination of medicines may outweigh any risks associated with therapeutic duplication. This information does not take the place of talking to your doctor. Always check with your healthcare provider to determine if any adjustments to your medications are needed.

Duplication

Antipsychotics

Therapeutic duplication

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'antipsychotics' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'antipsychotics' category:

• ziprasidone (active ingredient in Geodon (ziprasidone))
• asenapine (active ingredient in Saphris (asenapine))

Note: The benefits of taking this combination of medicines may outweigh any risks associated with therapeutic duplication. This information does not take the place of talking to your doctor. Always check with your healthcare provider to determine if any adjustments to your medications are needed.

Update: Saw Doc. She was very supportive. Even the Professor stayed in the room and seemed to listen. I did decide to up the Geoden by 2mg. So I will amend my sigmature. I also went to the allergist which was slightly traumatizing because they did allergy and breathing testing and I am reactive and allergic to so many things. The breathing test was the worst, I feel like I totally lost my voice and my power as they did this test and used an irritant to see if I would react which I DID of course. Then had to have abuterol treatment. Anyway, bad. I cried when I got home. They had me lined up for like six allergy shots to all the crap I am allergic to and I had to refind my voice and say NO I am here for my pup. That's all I want. I will live with the rest.

I went home feeling stupid for challenging my system when I am just seeking help.

God!

Anyway, holding now for a likely 8 weeks, maybe more.

[DMV64]

Checking in here. I am feeling a little better, less like dying, more like I can do this a day at a time. It helps to have support here and reading people's stories who are feeling similar and going along the journey. I guess I seem to be one of the super sensitive ones. Not sure what that means for me on a timeline but trying to stay in the day.

-D

[DMV64]

17 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Aren't we trying to reduce your drug burden?

Of course the answer to this is yes. I am not perfect. I did come here in a fast taper spiral off 5mg Saphris in August and am now at 1.2mg. I really think that is worth something, even if I have had to updose along the way. And Geoden has gone from 20mg to 18.2. In many ways it has been a daily battle and I would like to celebrate my progress.

[Altostrata]

23 hours ago, DMV64 said:

I need to be able to feel like I don’t want to die every day and that is why I needed to updos my Geoden.   As it turns out it seems to have helped stabilize me. I hope in two months time I can begin to taper again on the Saphris. 

 

23 hours ago, DMV64 said:

I finished the splitting of my Clonopin an hour at a time a few days ago.

 

Was it the increase in Geodon that made you feel better or did spreading out the Klonopin take effect as we expected it would? We'll never know.

 

Please stop changing your drugs ad hoc. You probably have increased the Geodon dosage for no reason. Increasing the dosage of any drug increases your drug burden. How many days have you been on increased Geodon?

 

Please consider dropping the habit of self-medicating, i.e. impatiently improvising your drug cocktail, and whether this attitude might have gotten you into this pickle in the first place.

 

Your cocktail is extraordinarily complicated, even for this Web site, where we routinely see people on ridiculous drug cocktails, though rarely more than 4 drugs at a time. Counseling you in a graceful reduction takes a lot of work, and we are all volunteers. Please do not cancel out the time we spend on trying to help you out of this mess by re-mixing your cocktail.

 

Good to see the antihistamines, etc. do not appear in major drug interactions.

[DMV64]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

habit

 I do not have a habit of self-medicating. And I did not get into the situation because I self medicated. I listen to the doctors who were supposed to be helping me. I moved to a different city and had to change doctors which complicated the issue. Like everyone else on here I am just trying to get better and to not wind up in a place where I feel like I want to die. I do not say that lightly. And I am certainly not taking for granted The time and the effort that the volunteers on this site have been putting toward helping me. I don’t know why you would think that. Just like everybody else I’m struggling in my own way, maybe more than some because I seem to be so hypersensitive. It is really hard to read messages like this and feel hopeful and supported. 

[DMV64]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

increased

I have been on the increase for three days. It has been my experience with all of these drives that the kind of agitation and desperation that I have felt at different times in the past has never been solved by Clonopin. Unfortunately it seems to take something like Geoden. I wish that were not the case. I wish that I could stop all of these drugs now and be drug-free. But it does not work that way as we all know. I’m not trying to confuse the issue, although I understand that in this case that may have happened. I have had the Klonopin split for about a week.

[DMV64]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

Geodon

Are you suggesting I drop the Geoden then back down? One way or another I am eventually going to do that anyway. Are you saying that you think I should do it now? Because at least for the last two days I have not felt suicidal.

[Altostrata]

I believe we explained in detail why you would want to split the Klonopin and why it did not seem to be doing anything useful.

 

You've put us in an impossible position. We've told you dozens of times not to spontaneously change your drugs. What would happen if you backed down the Geodon? I don't know, I can't tell the future and I can't look inside your body to figure out how all those drugs are playing around in there.

 

What exactly do you plan to do now, on your current cocktail?

 

[DMV64]

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

cocktail

I plan to hold exactly where I am. Until a time when I feel stable. And then when I feel stable for at least three weeks I will drop my Saphris from 1.2 mg to 1.1 mg and hold again. 

I don’t really understand some of the way that you’re speaking to me but be that as it may that is my plan.

[DMV64]

2 hours ago, Altostrata said:

spontaneously

I believe if you look on my thread you will see that it was recommended I did not spontaneously do anything

[Altostrata]

On 3/26/2018 at 10:02 PM, JanCarol said:

Thoughts are - please don't change anything.

 

You will have to tolerate these imperfections in your day for awhile.  Cherish the good bits and give thanks, be curious about everything else.

 

I got a Mindfulness quote last night:

John Hale - "Embrace all experience like you would a suffering child."

That's all experience.

 

It's possible that it will settle on it's own, without fiddling.  That you will adjust to the doggirl and the allergies, and it won't mean "psychiatric symptoms."  (In fact, can you think about symptoms as emotions , thoughts, and physical reactions instead of "psychiatric?")

 

It's not going to be perfect or just right - or maybe even easy - for a long time yet.

 

So many changes, so little time!  Please stop with the changes or thinking about them.  Your Klonopin is finally split - it may take a few weeks before we see if that's going to help.

 

Chessie is right, your concerns about the pup are - also temporary.  Y'all will settle into a routine together, and the companionship will overtake the symptoms.  You have a number of reasons for symptoms besides pup-dog.   Even if you were to take her back to the shelter - you should at least give her a fair shake - a full month of trial.

 

 

So you don't want to updose the Geodon?  OK!  

 

Please don't ask us for any more adjustments to your drugs for 1-3 months.  I get the feeling that - each day or each week you panic and look to change something, that with each new wave or distress you look to "fix it."  That's not how this works.  This is a lab experiment of N=1 (that's you), but the more you fiddle with the variables, the less you (and we) learn, and - it is likely to delay your healing.

 

What is your dog's name?

5

 

On 3/27/2018 at 3:33 AM, DMV64 said:

 No I did not mean that. I do want to updose the Geoden. I am also scheduled to see an allergist on Wednesday. They told me I had to not take my anti-histamine for the days before I see them. 

 I know this takes time. It just feels like a really long time for me.  The pup is named Zelda. 

 

I hope you understand, I have a strong presentiment that I'm wasting my time trying to unravel your drug knot. I want to have a life, too. There are 16 pages here of you asking over and over to increase the dosage of this or that drug. You're looking for the ideal drug cocktail. I can't help you with that, looks like you can get your doctors to do what you want.

 

If they want to, the other mods can support you. Good luck.