Moderator Emeritus Jemima Posted December 27, 2012 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 27, 2012 Dalsaan, I just noticed your post about sleep problems in Compsports' Intro and I remembered that Remeron is basically a very strong antihistamine and that prolonged use of antihistamines can have a paradoxical effect as far as making a person sleepy. Here's an article from our Symptoms section: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2352-benadryl-diphenhydramine-for-withdrawal-insomnia/page__p__23296__hl__diphenhydramine__fromsearch__1#entry23296 I haven't got any bright ideas about what you can do for the sleep problems right now, but maybe once you're off the Remeron your sleep difficulties will clear up. Psychotropic drug history: Pristiq 50 mg. (mid-September 2010 through February 2011), Remeron (mid-September 2010 through January 2011), Lexapro 10 mg. (mid-February 2011 through mid-December 2011), Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg. as needed mid-September 2010 through early March 2012"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." -Hanlon's RazorIntroduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1588-introducing-jemima/ Success Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6263-success-jemima-survives-lexapro-and-dr-dickhead-too/Please note that I am not a medical professional and my advice is based on personal experience, reading, and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus dalsaan Posted December 27, 2012 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 27, 2012 I think you're right Jemima. My sleep went pear shaped before I started coming off then I've added normal withdrawal related insomnia. Ironically last night I had quite a good sleep, I should post about my sleeplessness more! Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist. Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014. Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September. Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015. Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15). Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past. DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017 >My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Jemima Posted December 28, 2012 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 28, 2012 Feel free to PM me with whiny, complaining emails every night if it helps you sleep. I remember how awful it was when I first went into withdrawal and often couldn't sleep for 36 or more hours at a stretch. I tried Ativan, alcohol, Melatonin, chamomile tea, and prayer and I don't think any of them helped at all. (I was on Remeron for four months, and while it helped me sleep it also made me feel like I had flu all the time). When I was able to sleep for a few hours it seemed to be a random occurrence, related only to what was going on in my brain rather than anything external that worked. The only things that really helped at all were room-darkening curtains and a sleep mask. You're probably wondering how I got off the Remeron. I "tapered" in a month to six weeks (don't remember exactly), but I was also on Pristiq, which is such a powerful, numbing antidepressant I didn't have any withdrawal symptoms that I know. I do not recommend this method of withdrawal from Remeron, although I think it must be one of the nastier drugs out there. Pristiq is even nastier. Psychotropic drug history: Pristiq 50 mg. (mid-September 2010 through February 2011), Remeron (mid-September 2010 through January 2011), Lexapro 10 mg. (mid-February 2011 through mid-December 2011), Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg. as needed mid-September 2010 through early March 2012"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." -Hanlon's RazorIntroduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1588-introducing-jemima/ Success Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6263-success-jemima-survives-lexapro-and-dr-dickhead-too/Please note that I am not a medical professional and my advice is based on personal experience, reading, and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus strawberry17 Posted December 28, 2012 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 28, 2012 Sorry if I'm repeating myself and already said this, but I was on Remeron as well a few years back and I couldn't stay awake, it was great at night, I could sleep through anything, dead to the world, trouble is I was in a fog all day as well, so I had to stop it, I suspect now that I was also in withdrawal from sertraline/zoloft as I was switched straight onto it, I took it for about 2/3 weeks and went back to sertraline. The lack of sleep is the worst side effect of withdrawal, it really is the pits. *** Please note this is not medical advice,discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner***http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/ Original drug was sertraline/Zoloft, switched to Prozac in 2007. Tapering from 5mls liquid prozac since Feb 2008, got down to 0.85ml 23/09/2012, reinstated back to 1ml(4mg) 07/11/2012, didn't appear to work, upped to 1.05ml 17/11/2012, back down to 1ml 12/12/2012 didn't work, up to 1.30ml 16/3/2013 didn't work, bumped up to 2ml (8mg) 4/4/2013 didn't work, in July 2013 I reinstated Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg, feeling better now. A few months down the line I switched to 5ml liquid Prozac and tapered down to a compromise dose of 3ml liquid Prozac and have stayed there ever since, no withdrawals and no emotional blunting/loss of libido. Link to comment
starlitegirlx Posted January 5, 2013 Share Posted January 5, 2013 I hope you're feeling better and able to get the rest you need. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus dalsaan Posted January 6, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 6, 2013 Thanks starlitegirl Things are turning around. I'm getting more sleep which is brilliant. I guess it's just the windows and waves I appreciate you dropping in and asking Good health to you Dalsaan Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist. Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014. Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September. Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015. Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15). Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past. DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017 >My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus strawberry17 Posted January 6, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 6, 2013 That's two of us doing better on the sleep front then! *** Please note this is not medical advice,discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner***http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/ Original drug was sertraline/Zoloft, switched to Prozac in 2007. Tapering from 5mls liquid prozac since Feb 2008, got down to 0.85ml 23/09/2012, reinstated back to 1ml(4mg) 07/11/2012, didn't appear to work, upped to 1.05ml 17/11/2012, back down to 1ml 12/12/2012 didn't work, up to 1.30ml 16/3/2013 didn't work, bumped up to 2ml (8mg) 4/4/2013 didn't work, in July 2013 I reinstated Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg, feeling better now. A few months down the line I switched to 5ml liquid Prozac and tapered down to a compromise dose of 3ml liquid Prozac and have stayed there ever since, no withdrawals and no emotional blunting/loss of libido. Link to comment
starlitegirlx Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 Well, that's good to hear that both of you are getting better sleep. Lack of it is a horror. Probably was the window/wane thing. I tend to put most stuff into that category these days. Even if I'm in a Window with most things I could be in a wane with another. That's how I see it now. Like some aspect of my WD hasn't caught up to everything else so while I'm doing better overall, there may be one or two things that aren't there yet, but doing better in the other areas means to me that the rest will follow. I guess I do that because it's the most hopeful way I know how to look at things when the journey is such a challenge. I'm glad you're doing better now. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus dalsaan Posted January 9, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 9, 2013 Well I'm coming up to my first year tapering anniversary. One of the longest relationships of my life (ha ha) Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist. Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014. Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September. Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015. Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15). Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past. DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017 >My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus strawberry17 Posted January 9, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 9, 2013 I've been tapering 4.5 years now, resigned to it taking as long as it takes. *** Please note this is not medical advice,discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner***http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/ Original drug was sertraline/Zoloft, switched to Prozac in 2007. Tapering from 5mls liquid prozac since Feb 2008, got down to 0.85ml 23/09/2012, reinstated back to 1ml(4mg) 07/11/2012, didn't appear to work, upped to 1.05ml 17/11/2012, back down to 1ml 12/12/2012 didn't work, up to 1.30ml 16/3/2013 didn't work, bumped up to 2ml (8mg) 4/4/2013 didn't work, in July 2013 I reinstated Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg, feeling better now. A few months down the line I switched to 5ml liquid Prozac and tapered down to a compromise dose of 3ml liquid Prozac and have stayed there ever since, no withdrawals and no emotional blunting/loss of libido. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus dalsaan Posted January 9, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 9, 2013 Strawberry, I take my hat off to you and all the other long timers. I'm glad you are privilegeing your health not just the idea of being off drugs Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist. Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014. Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September. Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015. Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15). Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past. DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017 >My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus strawberry17 Posted January 9, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 9, 2013 Dalsaan, I spent years trying to get off drugs and failing dismally, now I'm doing it the way that works for me (mostly) *** Please note this is not medical advice,discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner***http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/ Original drug was sertraline/Zoloft, switched to Prozac in 2007. Tapering from 5mls liquid prozac since Feb 2008, got down to 0.85ml 23/09/2012, reinstated back to 1ml(4mg) 07/11/2012, didn't appear to work, upped to 1.05ml 17/11/2012, back down to 1ml 12/12/2012 didn't work, up to 1.30ml 16/3/2013 didn't work, bumped up to 2ml (8mg) 4/4/2013 didn't work, in July 2013 I reinstated Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg, feeling better now. A few months down the line I switched to 5ml liquid Prozac and tapered down to a compromise dose of 3ml liquid Prozac and have stayed there ever since, no withdrawals and no emotional blunting/loss of libido. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus peggy Posted January 9, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 9, 2013 happy anniversary!!!! Started in 2000 - On 150mg most of the time, (but up to 225mg at highest dose for 6 months in the beginning)Reduced off easily first time - but got depressed (not too much anxiety) 6 months laterBack on effexor for another 9 months.Reduced off again with no immediate w/d - suddenly got depressed and anxious ++ again 3 or 4 months later.Back on effexor - this time for 3 yearsReduced off over a month - 6 weeks later terrible anxiety - back on.Rinse and repeat 4 more times - each time the period before the anxiety comes back got shorter and shorterJan - July 2012 75mg down to 37.5mg;, 8/3/12 - 35mg. 8/25/12 - 32mg. 9/11- 28mg, 10/2 - 25mg, 10/29 - 22mg, 11/19 - 19.8mg; 12/11 - 17m,1/1- 15.5mg; 1/22 -14mg, 2/7 14.9mg, 2/18 - 17.8mg - crashed big time: back to 75mg where i sat for 2 years.... 4th March 2015 - 67.5mg; 31st March - 60mg; 24th April - 53mg; 13th May - 48mg; 26th May - 45mg; 9th June - 41mg; 1 July- 37.5mg; 20 July - 34mg; 11 August - 31mg; 1st Sept - 28mg; 1st Dec - 25.8mg; 28th Dec - 23.2mg; 23rd Jan-21.9mg; Feb 7th- 21mg; March 1st - 20.1mg, March 30th - 18mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus basildev Posted January 9, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 9, 2013 Happy anniversary Dalsaan:) July 2001 prescribed 20mg citalopram for depression;On and off meds from 2003-2006.February 2006 back on 20mg citalopram and stayed on it until my last attempt at tapering in September 2011.By far the worst withdrawal symptoms ever. Reinstated to 20mg citalopramOctober 2012 - found this forum!Nov 2012 to Feb 2013 did 10% taper, got doen to 11mg - was going great until stressful situation. Cortisol levels hit the roof, hideous insomnia forced me to updose to 20mg.March 2016 - close to 100% back to normal!****** I am not a medical practitioner, any advice I give comes from my own experience or reading and is only my perspective ****** Link to comment
Barbarannamated Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Kudos to both/ all! I cannot imagine having the fortitude to do sequential multiyear tapers. It doesn't compute in my mind (actually, many things don't currently compute in my mind..). Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc). Link to comment
compsports Posted January 10, 2013 Share Posted January 10, 2013 Kudos to both/ all! I cannot imagine having the fortitude to do sequential multiyear tapers. It doesn't compute in my mind (actually, many things don't currently compute in my mind..). As a near 4 year taperer, it actually goes by pretty quickly believe it or not. The only bad thing about it taking so long to taper is now I am impatient to reap the rewards and start feeling better since I am 2.5 years post taper. But unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Dalsaan, glad to hear your sleep is better and I hope your good fortune continues. CS Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010 Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006 Finished taper on June 10, 2010 Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016 Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus dalsaan Posted January 24, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 24, 2013 now that I am getting closer to zero, I'm finding it even harder to be patient. I'm down to 1.8ml which means I've been dropping too fast (microtapering). I was on 2.5 on the 30th of December. I feel ok. My sleep has been a bit all over the shop (that's an Australian term, not sure its universal) but that's fairly normal for me. It hasn't gone extreme which is my usual litmus test in terms of 'gone too far, too quick'. Is the last bit as hard to get off with AD's as it is with benzo's? Should I hold even though I seem to be handling the microtapering and not feeling it any more than usual? any advice much appreciated as always Dalsaan Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist. Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014. Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September. Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015. Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15). Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past. DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017 >My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus strawberry17 Posted January 24, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 24, 2013 We say "all over the shop" in the UK as well. Can relate to all of your post, I am impatient, it's been so long and I'm only on 4mg/1ml Prozac dammit, but just been through a hellish episode. Doesn't mean to say the same will happen to you though, in fact your post gives me hope that a micro taper might work for me on the last bit, however me being cautious would say hold a bit and see before going further. *** Please note this is not medical advice,discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner***http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/ Original drug was sertraline/Zoloft, switched to Prozac in 2007. Tapering from 5mls liquid prozac since Feb 2008, got down to 0.85ml 23/09/2012, reinstated back to 1ml(4mg) 07/11/2012, didn't appear to work, upped to 1.05ml 17/11/2012, back down to 1ml 12/12/2012 didn't work, up to 1.30ml 16/3/2013 didn't work, bumped up to 2ml (8mg) 4/4/2013 didn't work, in July 2013 I reinstated Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg, feeling better now. A few months down the line I switched to 5ml liquid Prozac and tapered down to a compromise dose of 3ml liquid Prozac and have stayed there ever since, no withdrawals and no emotional blunting/loss of libido. Link to comment
starlitegirlx Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 now that I am getting closer to zero, I'm finding it even harder to be patient. I'm down to 1.8ml which means I've been dropping too fast (microtapering). I was on 2.5 on the 30th of December. I feel ok. My sleep has been a bit all over the shop (that's an Australian term, not sure its universal) but that's fairly normal for me. It hasn't gone extreme which is my usual litmus test in terms of 'gone too far, too quick'. Is the last bit as hard to get off with AD's as it is with benzo's? Should I hold even though I seem to be handling the microtapering and not feeling it any more than usual? any advice much appreciated as always Dalsaan The best I can offer is that rushing never solves anything and that it isn't a race, except that our minds are making it one because we have a finish line which is being off the drug. But as I just posted in my journal, it's not how fast you get to the end, it's the journey along the way. If you've been doing okay, then keep going as you have been. If you feel things starting to change then hold for a bit. It's all about listening to our bodies and not ignoring things. There have been some people who do well with microtapering, better than with normal tapering. That's the one where you taper daily rather than hold and cut and hold and cut, right? I just remember reading people's posts saying it was going well for them with minimal symptoms. I know that once I was off the AD it hit pretty hard but that was convoluted by simultaneous benzo WD which I didn't realize was the case. I think it depends on the person. Best you can do is listen to your body. You could hold if it make you feel better because you are concerned that you are going to fast. If you have some concern about that, then a hold might be good, but if you have no symptoms, then at this point in time your body is doing fine with the microtaper. Just my 2 cents based on all I've read. I hope you continue to have a smooth journey! Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted January 24, 2013 Administrator Share Posted January 24, 2013 I would hold a bit and see if sleep settles. 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 Jemima Posted January 24, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 24, 2013 now that I am getting closer to zero, I'm finding it even harder to be patient. I'm down to 1.8ml which means I've been dropping too fast (microtapering). I was on 2.5 on the 30th of December. I feel ok. My sleep has been a bit all over the shop (that's an Australian term, not sure its universal) but that's fairly normal for me. It hasn't gone extreme which is my usual litmus test in terms of 'gone too far, too quick'. Is the last bit as hard to get off with AD's as it is with benzo's? Should I hold even though I seem to be handling the microtapering and not feeling it any more than usual? any advice much appreciated as always Dalsaan From my experience with crash-bang-head-over-heels "tapering" off Lexapro, I'd say that definitely the last dose reductions cause the worst withdrawal. I think I might have been alright with cutting my dose from 10 mg. to 5 mg. (per doctor's instructions), but reducing far more slowly after that. I'm glad that you're comfortable with your microtapering schedule, but please don't take chances just to be done with it. Psychotropic drug history: Pristiq 50 mg. (mid-September 2010 through February 2011), Remeron (mid-September 2010 through January 2011), Lexapro 10 mg. (mid-February 2011 through mid-December 2011), Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg. as needed mid-September 2010 through early March 2012"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." -Hanlon's RazorIntroduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1588-introducing-jemima/ Success Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6263-success-jemima-survives-lexapro-and-dr-dickhead-too/Please note that I am not a medical professional and my advice is based on personal experience, reading, and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus dalsaan Posted January 24, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 24, 2013 Thanks everyone for your responses. I think I will hold for a little while Part of what I am trying to work out is why I feel so good. Is it that my body prefers micro tapering, is it because I'm in a long lasting window, is it because I now have enough of this **** out of my body that it has been able to renew itself By feeling good, I don't just mean the absence of symptoms. I have been much more connected with people, wanting to catch up. I have reconnected with old friends I had lost contact with because I didn't want to talk to anyone or see anyone I feel a lightness of being that I haven't felt for 10 years or more. I have also just dumped my ridiculously stressful job, so maybe part of this is just the effect of taking that load off and my body enjoying not being on heightened alert all of the time. I guess I really want it to be my body having recovered and renewed now that I have most of this poison out of my system. I think that's why I have been pushing it but I don't want to tempt fate 1 Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist. Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014. Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September. Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015. Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15). Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past. DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017 >My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus areyouthere Posted January 24, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 24, 2013 I feel a lightness of being that I haven't felt for 10 years or more. HAPPY DANCE FOR dalsaan!!! WOOT!! Fall 1995 xanax, zoloft. switched to Serzone 1996- spring 2003serzone/ xanax/ lightbox. b]Fall 2003- Fall 2004? Lexapro 10 mg. Light box /4 mg. xanax.[/b] 2004 - Fall of 2009 10 mg Lex, 150 mg Wellbutrin XL % 4 mg xanax November 2009- Sept. 2011 10 mg lex., 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax [/b Sept.2012- July 2012 20 mg Lex 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax My mantra " go slow & with the flow " 3/2/13.. Began equal dosing 5 Xs /day xanax, while simultaneously incorporating a 2.5 % drop ( from 3.5 mg/day to 3.4 mg/day) 4/6/13 dropped from 300 mg. Wellbutrin XL to 150 mg. Difficult but DONE! Down to 3.3 mg xanax/ day / 6/10/13 3 mg xanax/day; 7/15/2013 2.88mg xanax/day. 10/ 1/2013...... 2.5 mg xanax… ( switched to tablets again) WOO HOO!!!!!! Holding here… cont. with Lexapro. 1/ 2/2014.. tapered to 18mg ( by weight) of a 26 mg ( by weight) pill of 20 mg tab. lexapro. goal is 13mg (by weight OR 10 mg by ingredient content) and STOPPED. Feeling very down with unbalanced, unpredictable WD symptoms. 1/2/2014- ??? Taking a brain-healing break from tapering anything after actively tapering something for 1.5 years. So… daily doses as of 2/2/2014: 18 mg by weight Lex, 150 mg Well. XL, 2.5 mg xanax, down from 26 mg by weight Lex., 300 mg well. XL, 4 mg xanax in August, 2012. I'll take it. 5/8/14 started equivalent dose liquid./ tabs. 5/13/14 1.5 % cut. Link to comment
jr1985 Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Maybe you're beginning to experience the full range of your emotions, which had been dulled by the drug? I'd be careful though, because I felt "great!" after I rapidly tapered off Effexor. I suspect it was dopamine rebounding, having been inhibited from all the excess serotonin. It would explain why my sex drive went through the roof. Of course, it was pretty short lived and nightmarish withdrawal soon followed. I have, however, heard other people report feeling "lighter" the less drug they had in their systems. 2003-2011: Paroxetine,Citalopram,Effexor; Aug/Sept 2011: Effexor to Mirtazapine; Oct 2011: C/T Mirtazapine back to Effexor; Nov/Dec 2011: Fast Tapered Effexor - w/d hell; Feb 2012: Reinstated Effexor 37.5mg; June 2012: Dropped to 35.6mg; Jan 2016: Propranolol 2.5mg per day for general anxiety; Feb 2016: Finasteride 0.25mg per week to slow hair loss; 18th May - 8th June 2019: Started Vyvanse 7.5mg and increased by 7.5mg weekly to 30mg (lowest “therapeutic” dose for adults).; 21st June 2019 - 12th July: Cross tapered from venlafaxine brand Rodomel to Efexor (1/4 > 1/2 > 3/4 weekly before ditching Rodomel); 13th July 2019: Cut Vyvanse dose to 15mg; 15th July 2019: Akathisia returned after years of being free; 16th July 2019: Went back up to Vyvanse 30mg Supplements: Omega-3, Vitamin D, Zinc, Phosphatidylserine Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus dalsaan Posted January 25, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 25, 2013 Thanks everyone for your inputand support. I am feeling the full range of emotions and much less negative emotions I'll go slow so I don't go backwards but fingers crossed this is a new way forward Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist. Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014. Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September. Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015. Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15). Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past. DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017 >My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus strawberry17 Posted January 25, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 25, 2013 If you've ditched a ridiculously stressful job I would think that has a lot to do with it as well, whatever, just enjoy! *** Please note this is not medical advice,discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner***http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/ Original drug was sertraline/Zoloft, switched to Prozac in 2007. Tapering from 5mls liquid prozac since Feb 2008, got down to 0.85ml 23/09/2012, reinstated back to 1ml(4mg) 07/11/2012, didn't appear to work, upped to 1.05ml 17/11/2012, back down to 1ml 12/12/2012 didn't work, up to 1.30ml 16/3/2013 didn't work, bumped up to 2ml (8mg) 4/4/2013 didn't work, in July 2013 I reinstated Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg, feeling better now. A few months down the line I switched to 5ml liquid Prozac and tapered down to a compromise dose of 3ml liquid Prozac and have stayed there ever since, no withdrawals and no emotional blunting/loss of libido. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus peggy Posted January 25, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 25, 2013 great news Dalsaan - please be careful from here on - i have always gained momentum at the end and it has come to bite me in the butt. I am very glad to hear you have ditched a stressful job! Started in 2000 - On 150mg most of the time, (but up to 225mg at highest dose for 6 months in the beginning)Reduced off easily first time - but got depressed (not too much anxiety) 6 months laterBack on effexor for another 9 months.Reduced off again with no immediate w/d - suddenly got depressed and anxious ++ again 3 or 4 months later.Back on effexor - this time for 3 yearsReduced off over a month - 6 weeks later terrible anxiety - back on.Rinse and repeat 4 more times - each time the period before the anxiety comes back got shorter and shorterJan - July 2012 75mg down to 37.5mg;, 8/3/12 - 35mg. 8/25/12 - 32mg. 9/11- 28mg, 10/2 - 25mg, 10/29 - 22mg, 11/19 - 19.8mg; 12/11 - 17m,1/1- 15.5mg; 1/22 -14mg, 2/7 14.9mg, 2/18 - 17.8mg - crashed big time: back to 75mg where i sat for 2 years.... 4th March 2015 - 67.5mg; 31st March - 60mg; 24th April - 53mg; 13th May - 48mg; 26th May - 45mg; 9th June - 41mg; 1 July- 37.5mg; 20 July - 34mg; 11 August - 31mg; 1st Sept - 28mg; 1st Dec - 25.8mg; 28th Dec - 23.2mg; 23rd Jan-21.9mg; Feb 7th- 21mg; March 1st - 20.1mg, March 30th - 18mg Link to comment
starlitegirlx Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I'm glad you are doing well. Here's to a full and healthy recovery! Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus dalsaan Posted February 21, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 21, 2013 Time for anOther update. My sleep hasn't been very good but seems to be getting better slowly. Other than that things have been very good. I have rediscovered a love of life and have become much more social Last weekend I went interstate to catch up with a friend I hadn't seen for 8 years. It was like old times and so was I. This lightness of being has lasted for a while now. I think it's a form of recovery I am still on 2 ml of mirtazapine so that suggests that yes you can achieve positive change while still being on the journey. For me change hasn't actually been all that incremental. It's like I turned a corner and things were good I still feel for everyone suffering but hope this gives a little hope. Dalsaan Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist. Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014. Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September. Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015. Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15). Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past. DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017 >My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan Link to comment
alexjuice Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Yes, I think we all need a little hope sometimes to keep soldiering on. I hope things keep getting better especially with the sleep. best, Alex "Well my ship's been split to splinters and it's sinking fast I'm drowning in the poison, got no future, got no past But my heart is not weary, it's light and it's free I've got nothing but affection for all those who sailed with me. Everybody's moving, if they ain't already there Everybody's got to move somewhere Stick with me baby, stick with me anyhow Things should start to get interesting right about now." - Zimmerman Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus strawberry17 Posted February 21, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 21, 2013 Dalsaan I love reading positive updates from people, it's good to share the good news and not just the bad, I'm really happy for you, let's hope the sleep falls into place as well because that one really sucks doesn't it? I just read on another thread that you're shaving you head for a charitable cause, good luck with that, hope it's not too much of a shock when you see it!! *** Please note this is not medical advice,discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner***http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/ Original drug was sertraline/Zoloft, switched to Prozac in 2007. Tapering from 5mls liquid prozac since Feb 2008, got down to 0.85ml 23/09/2012, reinstated back to 1ml(4mg) 07/11/2012, didn't appear to work, upped to 1.05ml 17/11/2012, back down to 1ml 12/12/2012 didn't work, up to 1.30ml 16/3/2013 didn't work, bumped up to 2ml (8mg) 4/4/2013 didn't work, in July 2013 I reinstated Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg, feeling better now. A few months down the line I switched to 5ml liquid Prozac and tapered down to a compromise dose of 3ml liquid Prozac and have stayed there ever since, no withdrawals and no emotional blunting/loss of libido. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Rhiannon Posted February 21, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 21, 2013 Time for anOther update. My sleep hasn't been very good but seems to be getting better slowly. Other than that things have been very good. I have rediscovered a love of life and have become much more social Last weekend I went interstate to catch up with a friend I hadn't seen for 8 years. It was like old times and so was I. This lightness of being has lasted for a while now. I think it's a form of recovery I am still on 2 ml of mirtazapine so that suggests that yes you can achieve positive change while still being on the journey. For me change hasn't actually been all that incremental. It's like I turned a corner and things were good I still feel for everyone suffering but hope this gives a little hope. Dalsaan Dal, I also have experienced something like what you describe. I am more social and able to connect with other people, most of the time now. Also less numb, I can feel my emotions more. And I really really like getting out and doing things and staying busy. That's how I used to be 20 years ago before ever starting psych meds. I'm down to just under 2 mg of Celexa now and also on lower doses of everything, and I'm pretty sure that's why I'm getting my old self back. Can't say for sure if that's what is happening for you, but I hope so! I'm so glad to hear how well you're feeling. Unfortunately for me it kind of comes and goes, I have times of feeling more like my old self and then other times the medication-time badness washes over me. For me it's related to how fast I'm cutting. I'm tapering three other meds besides the Celexa so it's all mixed in. Still overall, definitely noting permanent changes in cognition and in my desire to engage with other people and get out into the world. Started on Prozac and Xanax in 1992 for PTSD after an assault. One drug led to more, the usual story. Got sicker and sicker, but believed I needed the drugs for my "underlying disease". Long story...lost everything. Life savings, home, physical and mental health, relationships, friendships, ability to work, everything. Amitryptiline, Prozac, bupropion, buspirone, flurazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, Paxil, citalopram, lamotrigine, gabapentin...probably more I've forgotten. Started multidrug taper in Feb 2010. Doing a very slow microtaper, down to low doses now and feeling SO much better, getting my old personality and my brain back! Able to work full time, have a full social life, and cope with stress better than ever. Not perfect, but much better. After 23 lost years. Big Pharma has a lot to answer for. And "medicine for profit" is just not a great idea. Feb 15 2010: 300 mg Neurontin 200 Lamictal 10 Celexa 0.65 Xanax and 5 mg Ambien Feb 10 2014: 62 Lamictal 1.1 Celexa 0.135 Xanax 1.8 Valium Feb 10 2015: 50 Lamictal 0.875 Celexa 0.11 Xanax 1.5 Valium Feb 15 2016: 47.5 Lamictal 0.75 Celexa 0.0875 Xanax 1.42 Valium 2/12/20 12 0.045 0.007 1 May 2021 7 0.01 0.0037 1 Feb 2022 6 0!!! 0.00167 0.98 2.5 mg Ambien Oct 2022 4.5 mg Lamictal (off Celexa, off Xanax) 0.95 Valium Ambien, 1/4 to 1/2 of a 5 mg tablet I'm not a doctor. Any advice I give is just my civilian opinion. Link to comment
Nikki Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 So happy for you. I know how good that feels when there is a "love of life" moments and when moments become days and so on. Can you tell us what your 'secret' is? Lots of cyber hugs for you today Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/ Paxil 1997-2004 Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries Lexapro 40mgs Lexapro taper (2years) Imipramine Imipramine and Celexa Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each 45mgs. Serzone 50mgs. Imipramine Link to comment
hippopotamus Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Wow. This makes me really happy. Thank you. Have been on Seroquel XR from 2008. Dosages have fluctuated quite a bit. Rough guess: I've been on 250-300-350-400-450-500 mg from 2009-summer 2012. Started tapering july 2012 with cuts of 50 mg. By then I had been on 450 mg for a while. October 2012: 200 mg. Due to flu-like WD reinstated to 250 mg nov 12th. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus tezza Posted February 21, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 21, 2013 That's great Dalsaan! Is 2mL equal to 2mg? http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1644-tezza-risperdal-withdrawal/ Seroquel and Mirtazipine Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus dalsaan Posted February 21, 2013 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted February 21, 2013 Hi Everyone In response to your questions/comments Yes 2ml equals 2mg. Rhi, it's a bit come and go with me as well which I think is related to sleep deprivation and therefore normal but withdrawal related. I also think if I went too fast from here I could regress so I will have to manage my impatience even more than normal Re the 'secret'. I don't think there is one. All I can say is I have followed the advice on here about slow tapering, reading my body for signs it needs a longer hold and making good decisions for myself - cutting out stuff that exacerbates system distress like caffeine However, the only thing I will say is that I have been keeping an eye out for the old me and seized glimmers of this. So if I felt able to cope with people and remotely social, I organized to catch up with someone or I contacted them by Facebook It's a difficult balance between keeping an eye out for the me that's not in withdrawal while still monitoring withdrawal reactions. It's so important that we listen to our bodies - both good and bad. I think the length of the journey and the distress of it means our ability to hear withdrawal is potentially more developed than our capacity to hear/recognize recovery This, to me, is one of the key functions of hope- it holds the door open for things to be otherwise. If we allow hopelessness a free rein we jeopardize our chances of recovery AND our capacity to see it when it's happening. That becomes a bit of a viscous circle That's just my view. I know it's very difficult at times 1 Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist. Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014. Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September. Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015. Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15). Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past. DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017 >My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan Link to comment
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