MadMike Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 I will start by saying that I am a Special Ops Veteran and retired plastics engineer. "Retired" may not be the word, but I am now disabled by service connected injuries from the military and issues including PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia from related dreams, etc. The 80's... Sometime around 1985, I was in the VA hospital for Major Depression Disorder, MDD. I had went to the E.R. because I was feeling a danger, not so much myself, but to others. I hadn't slept more than an hour a day for weeks and was just not thinking clear. I had many guns and just KNEW I wasn't going to be able to control my urges to "go to war" with someone or everyone. My friends and family actually figured they would hear about me on the news that I shot up a shopping mall or something to that effect. I spent a couple of weeks in psych ward and that's where it started...... I really don't remember the names of the meds they put me on, I know they were psychotropics and they kept upping the dose until I could't think straight. I HAD to work and just couldn't function on the drugs. So I gave them up after a couple of months and went on with my life WITHOUT meds and not shooting up a casino. (The American Psychiatric Association, ADA, had recognized PTSD as a mental disorder in 1980, but the VA didn't. And it wasn't a Service Connected Disability for MANY years).I don't recall having any problems giving up the psychotropics in 85 - 86 and began an actual career as a Plastic Injection Molding Engineer and worked in automation and robotics for the next 25 years or so. (So I am not stupid, but more about that later). 2002.... By now I had lived in seven states from coast to coast, was married and making more money than I ever thought a 9th grade dropout could ever make and life seemed good. We were living in St. Louis for the second time and "something" went wrong. My first wife, (One of the VERY few people I have ever told what I actually did in the military) saw a change in me. Isolating, anxious, angry, depressed, and just knew something was wrong. She made an appointment with my primary doctor and I went to see him. He explained that medicine had come a long way since the 80's and put me on a new med called Lexapro. 10mg a day and I was a different person. Calm and couldn't even tell I was on anything. Great stuff this Lexapro! Everything went well for years, but wifey could tell when I hadn't taken "my pill" after just a couple of days and would make sure I took it daily and that I never ran out. Life went on.... 2014.... Was married to 2nd wife for about 7 years, me driving a BMW convertible, my Harley, and her in a Mercedes. I accepted a job offer in Alabama (she was from the south and I wanted to get her closer to her family). However, she didn't send in the COBRA papers and I was without insurance, without a doctor, and without my "wonder pill". She also could tell when I hadn't taken it after just a couple of days, but I told her I stopped taking "brain meds" in the 80's and could do it again. Looking back, I guess I didn't understand what my St. Louis doctor meant by "medicine has come a long way since the 80's". Because stopping this was not the same. After a couple of months without it, something was terribly wrong. I felt it within a couple of days, but ignored it. Then one night after work, and I only remember parts of it, I came home from work, and just kinda snapped. Don't know what pissed me of, dinner or something simple and stupid, but I went and grabbed a tactical 12 gauge shotgun and started blowing holes in the ceiling, walls, etc. She ran to a neighbors house and called the police. I had a standoff with the whole police force because she told them about my arsenal and even SWAT wouldn't come in to get me. I started coming to my senses and gave up, the cops beat the crap out of me and I was off to jail. Wife, of course, moved out and went to her hometown. Afraid to press charges, not knowing what I would do to her, I was out in 72 hours. No wife, no job, (my boss seen it on the news and fired me) no dog, no guns, and still not right in the head. So I moved back west and settled in Reno again. Back to the VA where it all started.... Mental Health is now a disaster. Psychiatrists are interns and only there for a couple of months at a time. They don't know you, don't care about you, and as long as you don't say the "Cidals" (Homicide/Suicide for those who don't know the Cidals) you leave with more pills and see someone else in a few months. So briefly, I will try to run down the list of "Brain meds" I have taken over the past few years; Escitalopram, Citalopram (both at the same time for until an intern caught it), Prazosin, Mirtazapine, Buspirone, Bupropion, Proprananol, Hydroxyzine, Gabapentin, Trazadone, Amitriptylinen and finally, Sertraline. All in varying dosages and some taken at the same time with others. Because part-time psych's here kept telling me "It takes awhile to find what works for different people". Earlier, I said "So i'm not stupid", right now I feel like one dumb Mofo. I couldn't take the side effects of one more try from the interns after they gave me Sertraline and I only took it two weeks. I stopped taking EVERYTHING! Yep, I'm a really smart man! I thought I was catching a cold or flu at first, but after a few days, the symptoms didn't make sense. I went online and looked at quitting antidepressants to see if that might be why I am "sick". Then this smart Mofo learned the terrible truth. The more I read, the more it made sense. Every symptom, ringing ears, dizziness, wobbly, insomnia, nausea, pounding head, chills, anxiety, confusion, nightmares, isolation, depression, antisocial behavior, anger, lack of energy, loss of interest, (yeah, even sex), loss of appetite, and something that was explained as "Brain Zaps" (so THAT'S what the electric shock feeling I have is called) was all there. I'm really not sure what to do, go back to the VA(?) that started it all in the 80's, live with it till it goes away, or give in and take the damn pills so i'll feel better. I don't want to do ANY of these options, but I would NEVER have imagined just how bad this is! The VA knows I stopped cold turkey and didn't even warn me or suggest anything. I am FULL of hate for the them all. Maybe THAT'S what my friends and family were afraid of, not shooting up The Mall, maybe something, somewhere else?!?!? Nice to see that this forum exists, but I wish it didn't have to. I'd like to say it's good to see I'm not alone, but that just means others are suffering too. 12 years on Lexapro started at 10mg and went to 20mg after 2 years. This was the beginning of treatment for PTSD, ANXIETY ATTACKS AND MAJOR DEPRESSION DISORDER. After Lexapro, these are the cocktails of the next 4 years, in order, but length of use could be off a little. But the last 3-5 months were the worst. There were so many combinations that they overlapped each other at times, mixing them together, which made the side effects even worse. When I could no longer handle the side effects of any given drug, the V.A. would discontinue it and just replace it with something else. It's all just a blur now..... Gabapentin 300mg with Escitalopram 20mg for about three years. During this time, they tried adding Hydroxyzine 50mg, Trazadone 50mg, and Bupropion 150mg at different times. Side effects usually were fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, anxiety, throbbing headaches, morning "hangovers" and worsening of depression. From August 2017 to October 2017, Gabapentin 400mg, Escitalopram 10mg, PLUS Citalaopram 40mg and Proprananol 10mg was ADDED to the mix. My blood pressure had dropped dangerously low, heart rate one night dropped to 33 BPM. During this time, I had become a zombie. Sometimes not even able to hold my head up without wanting to pass out. Standing and walking became dangerous because of dizziness. So Gabapentin, Escitalopram and Proprananol were TAKEN OUT of the mix. Next cocktail: Citalopram 40mg with Prazosin 2mg, Mirtazapine 15mg and Bupropion 150mg. The Mitazapine caused the worst "hangover" yet and I quit taking it. But I continued everything else until I saw yet ANOTHER new psychiatrist. The new concoction was the last straw. Sertraline 100mg, Bupropion 150mg and Prazosin 1mg. I took this 1/4/18 to 2/7/18 and quit Cold Turkey. I am now paying for that bad decision with Discontinuation Syndrome and feel worse than I ever thought possible. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 22, 2018 Administrator Share Posted February 22, 2018 Welcome, MadMike. Well, you've been through the ringer with psychiatric drugs. Yes, you have a big honking case of withdrawal syndrome. How long has it been that you've been off all drugs? Do you remember the components of your last drug cocktail, with dosages? 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
MadMike Posted February 22, 2018 Author Share Posted February 22, 2018 Yeah, my last Happy Meal was 100mg Sertraline and 2mg Prazosin. That was 13 days ago and counting. Before the Setraline, I was taking Mirtazapine 15mg, Citalopram 40mg and Prazosin 2mg. All at "bedtime". That went on for about 4 months. But during those 4 months, they slipped in 150mg Bupropion to take along with the cocktail at the time. When the next psych "Temp" came along, he took away the Bupropion and started the Sertraline concoction. It was not long before I decided to just stop everything. Just wanted to see what it felt like to be "normal" again . I am far from normal...... 12 years on Lexapro started at 10mg and went to 20mg after 2 years. This was the beginning of treatment for PTSD, ANXIETY ATTACKS AND MAJOR DEPRESSION DISORDER. After Lexapro, these are the cocktails of the next 4 years, in order, but length of use could be off a little. But the last 3-5 months were the worst. There were so many combinations that they overlapped each other at times, mixing them together, which made the side effects even worse. When I could no longer handle the side effects of any given drug, the V.A. would discontinue it and just replace it with something else. It's all just a blur now..... Gabapentin 300mg with Escitalopram 20mg for about three years. During this time, they tried adding Hydroxyzine 50mg, Trazadone 50mg, and Bupropion 150mg at different times. Side effects usually were fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, anxiety, throbbing headaches, morning "hangovers" and worsening of depression. From August 2017 to October 2017, Gabapentin 400mg, Escitalopram 10mg, PLUS Citalaopram 40mg and Proprananol 10mg was ADDED to the mix. My blood pressure had dropped dangerously low, heart rate one night dropped to 33 BPM. During this time, I had become a zombie. Sometimes not even able to hold my head up without wanting to pass out. Standing and walking became dangerous because of dizziness. So Gabapentin, Escitalopram and Proprananol were TAKEN OUT of the mix. Next cocktail: Citalopram 40mg with Prazosin 2mg, Mirtazapine 15mg and Bupropion 150mg. The Mitazapine caused the worst "hangover" yet and I quit taking it. But I continued everything else until I saw yet ANOTHER new psychiatrist. The new concoction was the last straw. Sertraline 100mg, Bupropion 150mg and Prazosin 1mg. I took this 1/4/18 to 2/7/18 and quit Cold Turkey. I am now paying for that bad decision with Discontinuation Syndrome and feel worse than I ever thought possible. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 22, 2018 Administrator Share Posted February 22, 2018 What symptoms are all these drugs supposed to treat? How long were you taking sertraline, at what dosages? Were you taking prazosin regularly? How long did you take it? Did you quit prazosin cold turkey? What symptoms did you have immediately after going off these drugs, and how have they changed? 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
MadMike Posted February 22, 2018 Author Share Posted February 22, 2018 Kinda depends on which drug was prescribed and when. But the best answer is to treat depression, anxiety and PTSD. I believe the Sertraline (100mg) was prescribed because it was just another part-time psych and I believe he was just trying to put me on something new and probably never see me again. I only took it about a month(?). It made me jittery and jumpy at first and immediately I wasn't going to take it past the first night. But as in all the meds they have fed me, I had to give it a little time and see if side effects went away. When I still crappy after a few weeks, I had had enough and quit them all. The Prazosin (2mg) was prescribed a few months earlier along with Mirtazapine (15mg). I was also taking Proprananol (10mg) as needed during this time. I had taken this combo-meal for approximately three to four months. I have a cellular BP monitor that send info to the VA and one night when I could hardly hold my head up, the readings were 91/49 and heart rate was 33BPM! SO, the "temp-psych of the day" took me off Proprananol but kept me on the others. So, to answer your questions, I was on Prazosin 3 - 4 months and yes, I quit cold turkey at the same time I stopped the Sertraline. The symptoms I had immediately confused me. Like I said, I felt as though I was catching a cold or flu. Weak, body aches, runny/stuffy nose and dizziness when I'd stand up. It took 4 - 5 days before the symptoms progressed as I described earlier. But the symptoms have not changed at all except to get progressively worse. The Brain-zaps started within three days of stopping them all. That's when I knew it wasn't a simple cold or flu. It's day 14 now and 1:00 AM. I've been up for 19 hours and only slept an hour or so last night. Almost afraid to go to bed because I hate the tossing, turning, sweating and worrying. I've been through a lot in my life, more than some people could even imagine, but this sh*t is incomprehensible. To try to explain it to my girlfriend, friends and the morons at the VA is impossible. Only those who've experienced this can understand! 12 years on Lexapro started at 10mg and went to 20mg after 2 years. This was the beginning of treatment for PTSD, ANXIETY ATTACKS AND MAJOR DEPRESSION DISORDER. After Lexapro, these are the cocktails of the next 4 years, in order, but length of use could be off a little. But the last 3-5 months were the worst. There were so many combinations that they overlapped each other at times, mixing them together, which made the side effects even worse. When I could no longer handle the side effects of any given drug, the V.A. would discontinue it and just replace it with something else. It's all just a blur now..... Gabapentin 300mg with Escitalopram 20mg for about three years. During this time, they tried adding Hydroxyzine 50mg, Trazadone 50mg, and Bupropion 150mg at different times. Side effects usually were fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, anxiety, throbbing headaches, morning "hangovers" and worsening of depression. From August 2017 to October 2017, Gabapentin 400mg, Escitalopram 10mg, PLUS Citalaopram 40mg and Proprananol 10mg was ADDED to the mix. My blood pressure had dropped dangerously low, heart rate one night dropped to 33 BPM. During this time, I had become a zombie. Sometimes not even able to hold my head up without wanting to pass out. Standing and walking became dangerous because of dizziness. So Gabapentin, Escitalopram and Proprananol were TAKEN OUT of the mix. Next cocktail: Citalopram 40mg with Prazosin 2mg, Mirtazapine 15mg and Bupropion 150mg. The Mitazapine caused the worst "hangover" yet and I quit taking it. But I continued everything else until I saw yet ANOTHER new psychiatrist. The new concoction was the last straw. Sertraline 100mg, Bupropion 150mg and Prazosin 1mg. I took this 1/4/18 to 2/7/18 and quit Cold Turkey. I am now paying for that bad decision with Discontinuation Syndrome and feel worse than I ever thought possible. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 23, 2018 Administrator Share Posted February 23, 2018 19 hours ago, MadMike said: The symptoms I had immediately confused me. Like I said, I felt as though I was catching a cold or flu. Weak, body aches, runny/stuffy nose and dizziness when I'd stand up. It took 4 - 5 days before the symptoms progressed as I described earlier. But the symptoms have not changed at all except to get progressively worse. The Brain-zaps started within three days of stopping them all. Yes, those are classic acute withdrawal symptoms. You didn't have them while you were taking sertraline? What happened when you switched from citalopram to sertraline? How did you make that switch? Do you have any sertraline left? 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
MadMike Posted February 23, 2018 Author Share Posted February 23, 2018 (edited) OOOps. Think I did something wrong when trying to reply..... - fixed - I've hidden the quote that had no response CC To answer your questions, the symptoms and/or side effects I felt when I started taking Sertraline were similar in a few ways and is why I had had enough and made the decision to stop everything.I figured these problems would go away and I would feel OK again: Shaky tremors and a Jittery-wired feeling. My legs and arms would twitch and I couldn't control it, and it would happen at night when trying to sleep, so I thought that was part of my insomnia I was having after I started taking it. I was nauseous and had stomach pains also. And I'm not sure if it was the Sertraline, but my voice was hoarse and raspy and it went away when I stopped taking it. (I already have a deep, loud voice and I'm used to that. But it was MUCH worse). When I made the switch from Citalopram was a Monday and I had a psych appt. He told me to stop Citalopram that day and start the Sertraline when I get it. It was mailed to me and I didn't receive it till Saturday. And strange, during that week I thought I had a cold/flu and it went away when I started the Sertraline. I JUST REALIZED THAT! It was while I was taking nothing that I felt sick! And last question, the answer is Yes. I do have some Sertraline (100mg) left, about 10 - 15 as I recall. I also have 3 refills left. I'd just have to submit online and it would be mailed. (I have 80% service connected disability, so medications are free). Why do you ask? Because I wanted to ask if it's too late to taper and if it really works. Edited February 24, 2018 by ChessieCat added note about hiding previous post 12 years on Lexapro started at 10mg and went to 20mg after 2 years. This was the beginning of treatment for PTSD, ANXIETY ATTACKS AND MAJOR DEPRESSION DISORDER. After Lexapro, these are the cocktails of the next 4 years, in order, but length of use could be off a little. But the last 3-5 months were the worst. There were so many combinations that they overlapped each other at times, mixing them together, which made the side effects even worse. When I could no longer handle the side effects of any given drug, the V.A. would discontinue it and just replace it with something else. It's all just a blur now..... Gabapentin 300mg with Escitalopram 20mg for about three years. During this time, they tried adding Hydroxyzine 50mg, Trazadone 50mg, and Bupropion 150mg at different times. Side effects usually were fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, anxiety, throbbing headaches, morning "hangovers" and worsening of depression. From August 2017 to October 2017, Gabapentin 400mg, Escitalopram 10mg, PLUS Citalaopram 40mg and Proprananol 10mg was ADDED to the mix. My blood pressure had dropped dangerously low, heart rate one night dropped to 33 BPM. During this time, I had become a zombie. Sometimes not even able to hold my head up without wanting to pass out. Standing and walking became dangerous because of dizziness. So Gabapentin, Escitalopram and Proprananol were TAKEN OUT of the mix. Next cocktail: Citalopram 40mg with Prazosin 2mg, Mirtazapine 15mg and Bupropion 150mg. The Mitazapine caused the worst "hangover" yet and I quit taking it. But I continued everything else until I saw yet ANOTHER new psychiatrist. The new concoction was the last straw. Sertraline 100mg, Bupropion 150mg and Prazosin 1mg. I took this 1/4/18 to 2/7/18 and quit Cold Turkey. I am now paying for that bad decision with Discontinuation Syndrome and feel worse than I ever thought possible. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted February 24, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 24, 2018 (edited) Hi Mike and welcome from me too. 7 hours ago, MadMike said: And strange, during that week I thought I had a cold/flu and it went away when I started the Sertraline. I JUST REALIZED THAT! It was while I was taking nothing that I felt sick! I made a similar connect after I joined SA. After reducing my dose by half I had an upset stomach which I now think was a withdrawal symptom. Here's a list: Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist Edited to add: I also cold turkeyed a previous drug and felt great for a few months and then became bedridden with what I thought was the flu but it didn't feel like the flu, just aches and pains and not eating. I lost about 8kgs. I now believe that it was a withdrawal symptom. Edited February 24, 2018 by ChessieCat added additional comment * 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
MadMike Posted February 24, 2018 Author Share Posted February 24, 2018 Thank you CC for your input and welcoming me. I went to your website and read your story. I'd like to ask a question if you don't mind: When you reinstated and began to taper, did you experience side effects from the drug when introducing it again? The reason I ask is when I was put on Sertraline, the side effects were the reason I stopped everything. So, to return to Sertraline, even at a reduced dosage, would I still have the same side effects? (I know, everyone's situation is different, and I'm not seeking medical advice. Just felt I had to include this. After all, I am new ). But I have to wonder if I am having symptoms from stopping Sertraline, which I took for a short time, or from Escitalopram and Citalopram which I took for longer periods. And if going back to Sertraline would be better/worse/same as going back to a reduced rate of the meds I took for many years and DIDN"T have the side effects. Did that make ANY sense? 12 years on Lexapro started at 10mg and went to 20mg after 2 years. This was the beginning of treatment for PTSD, ANXIETY ATTACKS AND MAJOR DEPRESSION DISORDER. After Lexapro, these are the cocktails of the next 4 years, in order, but length of use could be off a little. But the last 3-5 months were the worst. There were so many combinations that they overlapped each other at times, mixing them together, which made the side effects even worse. When I could no longer handle the side effects of any given drug, the V.A. would discontinue it and just replace it with something else. It's all just a blur now..... Gabapentin 300mg with Escitalopram 20mg for about three years. During this time, they tried adding Hydroxyzine 50mg, Trazadone 50mg, and Bupropion 150mg at different times. Side effects usually were fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, anxiety, throbbing headaches, morning "hangovers" and worsening of depression. From August 2017 to October 2017, Gabapentin 400mg, Escitalopram 10mg, PLUS Citalaopram 40mg and Proprananol 10mg was ADDED to the mix. My blood pressure had dropped dangerously low, heart rate one night dropped to 33 BPM. During this time, I had become a zombie. Sometimes not even able to hold my head up without wanting to pass out. Standing and walking became dangerous because of dizziness. So Gabapentin, Escitalopram and Proprananol were TAKEN OUT of the mix. Next cocktail: Citalopram 40mg with Prazosin 2mg, Mirtazapine 15mg and Bupropion 150mg. The Mitazapine caused the worst "hangover" yet and I quit taking it. But I continued everything else until I saw yet ANOTHER new psychiatrist. The new concoction was the last straw. Sertraline 100mg, Bupropion 150mg and Prazosin 1mg. I took this 1/4/18 to 2/7/18 and quit Cold Turkey. I am now paying for that bad decision with Discontinuation Syndrome and feel worse than I ever thought possible. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted February 24, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 24, 2018 (edited) One of the more knowledgeable mods will be better able to offer suggestions about which drug to reinstate if you decide you want to do this. Alto, who is the site's founder, has already mentioned Sertraline. The idea of reinstating is to provide your brain with enough of the drug to bring your withdrawal symptoms to a bearable level, not get rid of them completely, but to keep the dose low enough so that you hopefully won't have bad side effects. One thing that is important to realise is that every person's situation is different. We can make general comparisons and observations but as Alto says we are each an experiment were N=1. There are so many variables that it is not comparing apples with apples but apples with oranges. Please read through Post #1 of this topic. Please ask questions here in your Intro topic, not in the reinstatement topic, because then we will have easy access to your previous posts. and it keeps your history in one place. Thank you. About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms Edited February 24, 2018 by ChessieCat * 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
MadMike Posted February 24, 2018 Author Share Posted February 24, 2018 Uh, yeah. Sorry. I must have done something wrong. My apologies. I guess I didn't understand the "rules" correctly? Please keep in mind that I am not in my right mind lately and the "instructions" of the site confuse me. But I will be happy to ask/not ask questions, if I could understand where to ask/not ask, what type of questions I can/can't ask, or maybe just go away and live/die of all of this without any questions. Again, my apologies...... 12 years on Lexapro started at 10mg and went to 20mg after 2 years. This was the beginning of treatment for PTSD, ANXIETY ATTACKS AND MAJOR DEPRESSION DISORDER. After Lexapro, these are the cocktails of the next 4 years, in order, but length of use could be off a little. But the last 3-5 months were the worst. There were so many combinations that they overlapped each other at times, mixing them together, which made the side effects even worse. When I could no longer handle the side effects of any given drug, the V.A. would discontinue it and just replace it with something else. It's all just a blur now..... Gabapentin 300mg with Escitalopram 20mg for about three years. During this time, they tried adding Hydroxyzine 50mg, Trazadone 50mg, and Bupropion 150mg at different times. Side effects usually were fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, anxiety, throbbing headaches, morning "hangovers" and worsening of depression. From August 2017 to October 2017, Gabapentin 400mg, Escitalopram 10mg, PLUS Citalaopram 40mg and Proprananol 10mg was ADDED to the mix. My blood pressure had dropped dangerously low, heart rate one night dropped to 33 BPM. During this time, I had become a zombie. Sometimes not even able to hold my head up without wanting to pass out. Standing and walking became dangerous because of dizziness. So Gabapentin, Escitalopram and Proprananol were TAKEN OUT of the mix. Next cocktail: Citalopram 40mg with Prazosin 2mg, Mirtazapine 15mg and Bupropion 150mg. The Mitazapine caused the worst "hangover" yet and I quit taking it. But I continued everything else until I saw yet ANOTHER new psychiatrist. The new concoction was the last straw. Sertraline 100mg, Bupropion 150mg and Prazosin 1mg. I took this 1/4/18 to 2/7/18 and quit Cold Turkey. I am now paying for that bad decision with Discontinuation Syndrome and feel worse than I ever thought possible. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted February 24, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 24, 2018 8 minutes ago, MadMike said: Uh, yeah. Sorry. I must have done something wrong. My apologies. I guess I didn't understand the "rules" correctly? I'm so sorry Mike, I wasn't telling you off. You haven't done anything wrong. I know that you are new here and was just explaining that if you read the reinstatement topic and have questions that you ask questions about your own situation in this (your Intro) topic, and not in the reinstatement topic. If members ask questions related to their own situation in other topics around the site they can get missed. If they get seen by a mod, it also means we have to move it to your Intro which takes up some of our time. I hope this clarifies what I said. You are free and very welcome to visit and post in other members' Intro topics and in other topics. Just remember to post about your own situation here. 11 minutes ago, MadMike said: maybe just go away and live/die of all of this without any questions Please don't be dramatic. You've come to the right place. And we really want to help you. Alto is very knowledgeable and there are other mods here who have lots of wisdom and knowledge. My abilities here as a mod are for the simpler cases and questions and pointing members to information on the site. So ... please ask questions here in your Intro topic. Each member has one. Your Intro topic is also the place where you can journal your progress. Back to discussing reinstatement. Q: Have you read Post #1 of the Reinstatement topic? If you would like to reinstatement we can suggest a small dose to try. * 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
MadMike Posted February 24, 2018 Author Share Posted February 24, 2018 One more thing though, PLEASE understand that today I tried contacting the VA Mental Health Dept to ask for help in all of this. BIG SURPRISE, they blew me off too. I REALLY believe that VA Mental Health does not believe in the syndrome, the symptoms, or that they have done nothing wrong by draining my brain. It's OK. 23 Veterans commit suicide every day in this country. Pretty sure I understand more about that than I did before I quit their mind-bending drugs. So joining the stats makes more sense to me than before. I only came to this site for education and others experience and to see if it was only ME. Not to be told where I need to stand, where and when I am allowed to ask a question, and how the hell the answers are to be perceived." "Dying is easy, it's the living that's hard". 12 years on Lexapro started at 10mg and went to 20mg after 2 years. This was the beginning of treatment for PTSD, ANXIETY ATTACKS AND MAJOR DEPRESSION DISORDER. After Lexapro, these are the cocktails of the next 4 years, in order, but length of use could be off a little. But the last 3-5 months were the worst. There were so many combinations that they overlapped each other at times, mixing them together, which made the side effects even worse. When I could no longer handle the side effects of any given drug, the V.A. would discontinue it and just replace it with something else. It's all just a blur now..... Gabapentin 300mg with Escitalopram 20mg for about three years. During this time, they tried adding Hydroxyzine 50mg, Trazadone 50mg, and Bupropion 150mg at different times. Side effects usually were fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, anxiety, throbbing headaches, morning "hangovers" and worsening of depression. From August 2017 to October 2017, Gabapentin 400mg, Escitalopram 10mg, PLUS Citalaopram 40mg and Proprananol 10mg was ADDED to the mix. My blood pressure had dropped dangerously low, heart rate one night dropped to 33 BPM. During this time, I had become a zombie. Sometimes not even able to hold my head up without wanting to pass out. Standing and walking became dangerous because of dizziness. So Gabapentin, Escitalopram and Proprananol were TAKEN OUT of the mix. Next cocktail: Citalopram 40mg with Prazosin 2mg, Mirtazapine 15mg and Bupropion 150mg. The Mitazapine caused the worst "hangover" yet and I quit taking it. But I continued everything else until I saw yet ANOTHER new psychiatrist. The new concoction was the last straw. Sertraline 100mg, Bupropion 150mg and Prazosin 1mg. I took this 1/4/18 to 2/7/18 and quit Cold Turkey. I am now paying for that bad decision with Discontinuation Syndrome and feel worse than I ever thought possible. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted February 24, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 24, 2018 It's not just you. Did you see the title of my Intro topic, ChessieCat: So I'm not the only one. I was extremely relieved when I found out that it wasn't just me. The reason this site exists and it has done so for a good many years (2011 I think) is because very few in the medical professional understand what these drugs do and what happens when we try to get off them too quickly. I understand what you are going through. You have read my own experience trying to lower my dose. After 3 weeks of reducing my Pristiq from 100mg to 50mg I couldn't type. The 3 weeks leading up to this I felt like a zombie. Everything I did required my full concentration, even walking. I think back now and wonder how I managed to drive during that time. I have been a typist for 40+ years and to not be able to type was a very loud alarm to me. With the advice from SA I increased my dose and after about only 4 hours I was able to type again. Because I had a benchmark I knew without a doubt that it was due to taking too low a dose of my drug. I also mentioned that I had cold turkeyed another drug with bad withdrawal symptoms. I had felt fantastic for several months, became bedridden and then sank into depression. Alto set up this site because of what she had gone through. Video: Alto Strata's Paxil Prolonged Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome (8 minutes) All the moderators on this site are volunteers who are experiencing their own withdrawal and life issues. Some of the mods have experienced polydrugging including benzos. This is why we can understand how you are feeling and what you are going through. Our goal here is to give you the best advice we can for your own situation. I can also understand how angry you are, but I think you are misdirecting the anger that you are feeling about your situation and the VA Mental Health and you are expressing anger towards us, the people who want to and are trying to help you. One of the withdrawal symptoms which we can experience is Neuro Emotions where our emotions are increased more than usual. This can also happen with anger: Irritability, Anger, Rage I have taken a lot of time compiling my posts to you and taken great care with what I have written. Please realise that I and the other mods are not your enemy. We are human beings who have been put in a similar situation to yourself where the doctors can't or don't know how to help us. We are on the same side. I can't help it if you interpret what I have written the wrong way. I have tried my best to help. * 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 Emeritus ChessieCat Posted February 24, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 24, 2018 You might find these discussions helpful/interesting: How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal? What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms? * 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
DesperatelySeekingSusan Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Hi MadMike, After accidentally stumbling across your post, I felt compelled to respond. First of all, take a few deep breaths and actually feel yourself breathe. You have come to a very informative site and I can totally hear your frustrations with the rules of this site. I actually don't know if this message will get to you because it is only the third or fourth post I have made, I haven't even looked at thus site for over a year (except the last two weeks), haven't done a complete intro, or gotten a drug signature done. I also find the website a but difficult to navigate. Hence, I've done reading but not posting. I expect my 50 lashes with a wet noodle will be coming soon for my disobedience...... Anyway, back to you. You are having a difficult time and it down right sucks. ChessieCat is just providing the same guidelines as she does to everyone so there is some organization to this site. It takes time and effort to follow the guidelines and sometimes we just don't feel like it. I haven't. I do know there are many compassionate, knowledgable, and antidepressant withdrawal experienced people on this site. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume the moderators will let both of us communicate for a bit without completing the requested info. Hang in there. DSS 1997 – 2006: prozac (40 mg) with trials of desipramine, wellabutrin, lamictal, straterra [CT when stopping the trials] 2005: CT lamictal after 2 years Mid 2006: CT prozac Late 2006: several challenging life situations lead to depression, started prozac, lamictal and straterra again 2007-2015: prozac (40mg), lamictal (200-300 mg), trials with seroquel and topamax [again, CT when stopping trials, no issues yet] 2016: 3 month taper of lamictal to 0 mg [caused rash], prozac 40 mg to 20 mg 2017: prozac 20 mg to 10 mg [major oh ****, reinstated to 40 mg – now I know what AD withdrawal is] Feb 2018: Prozac 30 mg Link to comment
MadMike Posted February 24, 2018 Author Share Posted February 24, 2018 Thank you for your response to my tirade. I again apologize to everyone, but this has been the WORST day yet. Not so much is it the way i am feeling, it is more about everyone i know not understanding. I am trying to get a grip on whats going on, and my friends, close friends, the VA, everyone I can confide in, do not believe a thing I'm saying about the way I am feeling. I was accused tonight of "finding myself something to make me feel better". Only because during a conversation that i didn't "gasp" from a zap while talking on the the phone. (I actually do take a weird deep breath in a gasp when they hit sometimes). So when I am told that I must be feeling better because I don't sound as bad as I did, or as bad as I sounded yesterday, I cannot get anyone to understand what I'm going through. I kinda lose it and I'm sorry to all on this site that I may have offended. This is NOT me. I am so confused..... Thank you "Susan", you helped me stop and think. And I'm sorry that I "nut-up" sometimes since this started.... 12 years on Lexapro started at 10mg and went to 20mg after 2 years. This was the beginning of treatment for PTSD, ANXIETY ATTACKS AND MAJOR DEPRESSION DISORDER. After Lexapro, these are the cocktails of the next 4 years, in order, but length of use could be off a little. But the last 3-5 months were the worst. There were so many combinations that they overlapped each other at times, mixing them together, which made the side effects even worse. When I could no longer handle the side effects of any given drug, the V.A. would discontinue it and just replace it with something else. It's all just a blur now..... Gabapentin 300mg with Escitalopram 20mg for about three years. During this time, they tried adding Hydroxyzine 50mg, Trazadone 50mg, and Bupropion 150mg at different times. Side effects usually were fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, anxiety, throbbing headaches, morning "hangovers" and worsening of depression. From August 2017 to October 2017, Gabapentin 400mg, Escitalopram 10mg, PLUS Citalaopram 40mg and Proprananol 10mg was ADDED to the mix. My blood pressure had dropped dangerously low, heart rate one night dropped to 33 BPM. During this time, I had become a zombie. Sometimes not even able to hold my head up without wanting to pass out. Standing and walking became dangerous because of dizziness. So Gabapentin, Escitalopram and Proprananol were TAKEN OUT of the mix. Next cocktail: Citalopram 40mg with Prazosin 2mg, Mirtazapine 15mg and Bupropion 150mg. The Mitazapine caused the worst "hangover" yet and I quit taking it. But I continued everything else until I saw yet ANOTHER new psychiatrist. The new concoction was the last straw. Sertraline 100mg, Bupropion 150mg and Prazosin 1mg. I took this 1/4/18 to 2/7/18 and quit Cold Turkey. I am now paying for that bad decision with Discontinuation Syndrome and feel worse than I ever thought possible. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted February 24, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 24, 2018 Thank you for apologising. Okay, now back to what we are here for. Q: Have you managed to read Post #1 of the reinstatement topic? Brain zaps, which I have experienced in the past when I have missed doses, are a withdrawal symptom. Q: Do you want to reinstate? When making a reinstatement dose suggestion we prefer to start with as low a dose as we think might help to reduce the withdrawal symptoms. It is better to start with a small amount and if symptoms don't improve to increase by a small amount. It will be important that you stay patient and try not to panic and take more of the drug because it takes about 4 days for the dose to get to a full state in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain. However, you may feel some improvement in the first day. It will be important to keep daily notes on paper of what symptoms worsen and what symptoms improve. This helps the mods work out if the reinstatement dose is working or not, or if you might need to increase the dose. Keeping this daily symptom record is a necessary part of working with the mods at SA. Please let us know what your thoughts are about reinstating. * 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
Kristine Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Hey Mike, just thought I'd pop in and say welcome to SA. I'm so terrible sorry for all the pain you have and are enduring. You have landed in a safe place. The moderators, Alto and members (including myself) understand what you are going through....and I mean truly and empathically understand. Chessiecat referred to her intro topic title: So I'm not the only one....similarity mine is: Not Alone. Before I joined SA, I felt so alone, frightened and angry. You are not alone Mike. Looking forward to getting to know you. Kristine Citalopram 20mg - 40mg ~ approx 2010 - October 2015 (stopped over one week) Parnate 20mg - 50mg and olazapine 5mg ~ Jan 2016 - May 2016 (ceased over 2 days) Lithium 450mg-900 mg and Thyroxin ~May 2016 - May 2017 Diazepam various doses (including PRN) ~ 2015 - 2017 Oxazepam various doses (including PRN) ~ May 2016 - June 2016 Lurasidone 20mg ~Mid May 2016 - Mid June 2016 Vortioxetine 10mg - 20mg ~ 6th June 2016 - 20th July 2016 (abruptly ceased) Amitriptyline 200mg ~July 2016 - September 2016 (ceased over 1 week) Nortriptyline (dose ?) ~October 2016 ~ November 2016 (abruptly ceased) Seroquel XR 100mg - 300mg ~ May 2016 - August 2017 (ceased over 3 weeks) Escitalopram 10mg - 30mg ~ August 2016 - March 2017 (ceased over 2 weeks) Bupropion 300mg ~ December 2016 - May 2017 (ceased over 1 week) Clonazepam 1.5mg daily ~ July 2016 (started tapering May 2017 - September 2017 currently on 0.375mg..ie 0.125mg TDS) 27th May 2018 5% 0.357mg (possible paradoxical reaction - see benzo thread) 28th June 5% 0.337mg, 28th July 10% 0.303mg, 12th September10% 0.272mg, 18th September reinstated 10% due to intolerable WD 0.303mg, 1st October-11th Oct 10% (1% reduction over 10 days) 0.272mg, 22nd October clonazepam ceased crossed over 10mg diazepam Dexamphatamine 20mg ~ December 2016 (started tapering October 2017 - tapered 1.25mg 4th Dec 2017, 1.25mg 19th Dec 2017 6.25mg, Speed up decrease due to major interaction between Dex and fluoxetine- ref to thread 10% 17th Feb 2018 5.63mg, 10% 21st Feb 2018 5.1mg, 10% 26th Feb 2018 4.5mg 10% 28th Feb 4.1mg, 10% 1st March 3.7mg, 10% 5th March 3.3mg, 10% 8th March 3mg, 10% 10th March 2.7mg, 10% 12th March 2.4mg, 10% 14th March 2.16mg, 10% 16th March 1.94mg, 10% 18th March 1.74mg, 10% 20th March 1.57mg, 10% 21st March 1.41mg, 10% 22nd March 1.26mg, 10% 23rd March 1.13mg, 10% 24th March 1.01mg, 10% 25th March 0.9mg, 10% 27th March 0.81mg, 10% 29th March 0.73mg, 10% 31st March 0.66mg, 10% 2nd April 0.59mg , 10% 4th April 0.53mg, 10% 6th April 0.47mg, 10% 8th April 0.42mg, 10%10th April 0.37mg, 11th April 0.2mg, 12th April 0.1mg (last dose) OFF! Fluoxetine 40mg ~December 2016 - 31 Jan 2018 reduced to 20mg (probable serotonin toxicity) 10th March 2020 10mg (1:1 ratio), 7th April 9mg, 1st May 8.5mg, 15th May 8.0mg, 27th May 7.5mg, 8th Sept 7.2mg, 2nd Oct 7mg, 19th Oct 6.8mg, 28th Oct 6.6mg, 5th Nov 6.4mg, 26th Nov 6mg, 2nd April 2021 5.9mg, 9th April 5.8mg, 19th April 5.75mg, 22nd April 5.7mg, 26th April 5.65mg,28th April 5.6mg, 1st May 5.5mg, 4th May 5.45mg, 7th May 5.4mg, 10th May 5.35mg, 12th May 5.3mg, 15th May 5.25mg, 18th May 5.2mg, 20th May 5.15mg, 22nd May 5mg, 10th July 4.5mg, 9th Aug 4.48mg (switched from syringe to pipette method), 12th Aug 4.46mg, 14th Aug 4.4mg, 18th Aug 4.38mg, 19th Aug 4.36mg, 20th Aug 4.34, 21st 4.32mg, 22nd 4.3mg, 23rd Aug 4mg (hold), (micro-taper) 12th Oct 2021 3.98mg, 14th Oct 3.96mg, 15th Oct 3.94mg, 16th Oct 3.92mg, 17th Oct 3.9mg, 18th Oct 3.88mg, 19th Oct 3.86mg, 21st Oct 3.84mg, 22nd Oct 3.82mg, 23rd Oct 3.8mg, 24th Oct 3.78mg, 25th Oct 3.76mg, 26th Oct 3.74mg, 27th Oct 3.72mg, (WD reached intolerable level, reinstated 0.06mg) 28th Oct 3.8mg, 7th March 2022 3.7mg, 21st March 3.6mg, 4th April 3.5mg, 18th April 3.4mg, 2nd May 3.3mg, 16th May 3.2mg, 20th June 3.1mg, 4th July 3mg, 18th July 2.9mg, 12th September 2.7mg, 18th October 2.5mg, 14th Nov 2.3mg, 12th December 2.1mg, 18th January 2023 1.9mg, 9th July 2023 1.88mg, 16th July 1.86mg, 23rd July 1.84mg, 30th July 1.82mg, 6th Aug 1.80mg, 10th Sept 1.7mg, 12th Oct 1.68mg, 23rd Oct 1.66mg, 30th Oct 1.64mg, 6th Nov 1.62mg, 13th Nov 1.60mg, (2:1 ratio) 30th Dec 1.597mg, 7th Jan 2024 1.595mg, 8th 1.592mg, 10th 1.589, 11th 1.587, 12th 1.585, 13th 1.583, 14th 1.58 cont… 5th Feb 1.56mg, 11th Feb 1.55mg, 19th Feb 1.54mg, 26th Feb 1.53mg, 4th March 1.52mg, 11th March 1.51mg, 25th March 1.50mg, 1st April 1.49mg, 8th April 1.48mg, 15th April 1.47mg, 22nd April 1.46mg, 29th April 1.45mg Diazepam 10mg ~ 22nd Oct 2018, 10th November 8mg, 14th Nov 7mg, 8th December 6mg, 30th December 5mg (Nocte), 7th March 2019 4.5mg,14th March 4mg, 5th April 3.5mg, 9th April 3mg, 18th April 2.5mg,1st May 2mg, 17th May 1.75mg, 25th May 1.6mg, 4th June 1.59mg, 5th June 1.58mg, 6th June 1.57mg, 7th June 1.56mg, 8th June 1.55mg, 22nd June 1.4mg, 4th July 1.2mg, 16th July 1mg, 30th July 0.8mg, 13th Aug 0.6mg, 28th Aug 0.4mg, 10th Sept 0.2mg, 23rd Sept Off! SR Circadin 2mg (melatonin) 25th May - 20th June Zolpidem 10mg 25th May (7 tablets) Supplements: Magnesium glycinate (soluble - sip throughout the day) "Whenever you feel yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come. Remember everything you have faced, all the battles you have won, and all the fears you have overcome" Unknown Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 24, 2018 Administrator Share Posted February 24, 2018 Well, MadMike, I see you and ChessieCat have gotten acquainted. Chessie is just trying to keep you on track. Nobody has done anything wrong. Nobody is getting lashed with any pasta, wet or otherwise. This is invaluable information: 14 hours ago, MadMike said: When I made the switch from Citalopram was a Monday and I had a psych appt. He told me to stop Citalopram that day and start the Sertraline when I get it. It was mailed to me and I didn't receive it till Saturday. And strange, during that week I thought I had a cold/flu and it went away when I started the Sertraline. I JUST REALIZED THAT! It was while I was taking nothing that I felt sick! Yes, you had withdrawal symptoms from going off citalopram when you started sertraline, and the sertraline didn't help. Therefore, I deduce you might try a little citalopram to reinstate. (Citalopram is an older, gentler sibling of escilatopram aka Lexapro.) What you might do is take 1mg citalopram to reinstate. You'd stabilize for a while and then taper off by tiny amounts. This is a "do-over" of your exit off psychiatric drugs, hopefully without the withdrawal symptoms. Read this for background: Tips for tapering off Celexa (citalopram) (Also, please read the links Chessie gave you.) Citalopram comes in a liquid form so you can take small amounts. If you don't think the VA will prescribe it for you, you can ask for citalopram tablets and make your own liquid. They probably would be delighted to give you another psychiatric drug. Very few physicians of any type know anything about tapering or withdrawal syndrome. It's true, the VA is outrageously promiscuous with the prescription of brain-altering drugs, but you're not being singled out for especially ignorant medical treatment in this regard. Hardly anyone on this site has been able to find a doctor who is even sympathetic to the idea of adverse reactions or withdrawal symptoms. Welcome aboard! 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
Moderator Emeritus Shep Posted February 24, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 24, 2018 (edited) Hi, Mike. Welcome to SA. I came across this interview and thought you might find it interesting: Healing Veterans: Paula Caplan an interview (52 minutes) Madness Radio is an alternative to psychiatric drug website. The person being interviewed is Paula Caplan, a psychologist who writes and speaks about the harms of the VA using psychiatric diagnoses / treatments and she also gives some ways of healing. She also has a website: When Johnny and Jane Come Marching Home - Listen to a Veteran Rockingchaircat is a member of SA who is also a veteran. He had a horrible time with psych drugs, but has gone onto write a success story. Intro thread: ☼ Rockingchaircat: recovery from psychotropic drugs that were prescribed willy nilly Success Story thread: Rockingchaircat Day 600 (Success Story) Lots of struggle, but also lots of hope. Edited February 24, 2018 by Shep fixed typo Link to comment
DesperatelySeekingSusan Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Hi MadMike, After accidentally stumbling across your post, I felt compelled to respond. First of all, take a few deep breaths and actually feel yourself breathe. You have come to a very informative site and I can totally hear your frustrations with the rules of this site. I actually don't know if this message will get to you because it is only the third or fourth post I have made, I haven't even looked at thus site for over a year (except the last two weeks), haven't done a complete intro, or gotten a drug signature done. I also find the website a but difficult to navigate. Hence, I've done reading but not posting. I expect my 50 lashes with a wet noodle will be coming soon for my disobedience...... Anyway, back to you. You are having a difficult time and it down right sucks. ChessieCat is just providing the same guidelines as she does to everyone so there is some organization to this site. It takes time and effort to follow the guidelines and sometimes we just don't feel like it. I haven't. I do know there are many compassionate, knowledgable, and antidepressant withdrawal experienced people on this site. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume the moderators will let both of us communicate for a bit without completing the requested info. Hang in there. DSS 1997 – 2006: prozac (40 mg) with trials of desipramine, wellabutrin, lamictal, straterra [CT when stopping the trials] 2005: CT lamictal after 2 years Mid 2006: CT prozac Late 2006: several challenging life situations lead to depression, started prozac, lamictal and straterra again 2007-2015: prozac (40mg), lamictal (200-300 mg), trials with seroquel and topamax [again, CT when stopping trials, no issues yet] 2016: 3 month taper of lamictal to 0 mg [caused rash], prozac 40 mg to 20 mg 2017: prozac 20 mg to 10 mg [major oh ****, reinstated to 40 mg – now I know what AD withdrawal is] Feb 2018: Prozac 30 mg Link to comment
DesperatelySeekingSusan Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Oops I didn't mean to repost. I got to get off this tablet and read the "how to post instructions" on a real computer. Just wanted to say thanks for the apology to me and everyone else. Where you're at is understandable. I need to get to my background and signature so I'm signing off to dig up some info. 1997 – 2006: prozac (40 mg) with trials of desipramine, wellabutrin, lamictal, straterra [CT when stopping the trials] 2005: CT lamictal after 2 years Mid 2006: CT prozac Late 2006: several challenging life situations lead to depression, started prozac, lamictal and straterra again 2007-2015: prozac (40mg), lamictal (200-300 mg), trials with seroquel and topamax [again, CT when stopping trials, no issues yet] 2016: 3 month taper of lamictal to 0 mg [caused rash], prozac 40 mg to 20 mg 2017: prozac 20 mg to 10 mg [major oh ****, reinstated to 40 mg – now I know what AD withdrawal is] Feb 2018: Prozac 30 mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted February 27, 2018 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 27, 2018 Hi Mike, I've just been thinking about you and am wondering how you are. * 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
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