TardiveTongueNmore Posted June 10, 2020 Share Posted June 10, 2020 Hi. I'm new here. I've been suffering from severe & serious WD symptoms for almost 4 years now. My body is in chaos still. I don't know all the abbreviations yet do excuse me for that. I was on highest of Zyprexa for 6 years and also 40mg of Prozac. Told to taper off Zyprexa in 2 weeks! Tapered off Prozac in 6 months. I feel lost as my body continues to be banged around from odd symptom to the next, zaps, twists, spasms, ears ringing at 3 different levels, tics, balance issues, jackhammer esophagus, Dystonia, TD...immuno suppressed. I catch the craziest illnesses and am lucky to be alive! I'm a fighter and came here to find help and even terminology for my overall set of issues, too. I'm very confused from what has happened, but also what to do about it to get better! My Dr abandoned me after he hurt me and I've been trying to fight thru the discrimination to find my own specialists but it's been a tough journey! I'm here and will continue to read on. Hope you don't feel alone anymore and maybe I helped in some way? IDK. I was on Prozac for 26 years and had no idea until about 15 min ago that may have been a contributing factor also? Not sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heylel Posted June 15, 2020 Share Posted June 15, 2020 Whats the difference between post acute withdrawl and normal withdrawl? I know we take a lot of time to completly heal, but i was wondering if the worst parts are in the first months? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted June 19, 2020 Administrator Share Posted June 19, 2020 READ THE TOPIC FROM THE BEGINNING 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 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spruce30 Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 Hi Altostrata: You mention in your most recent post in the Post SSRI sexual dysfunction thread , that it took 11 years for your PAWS from Paxil to completely end. I just wanted to ask, if your PAWS went on for 11 years, and at about 11 years post Paxil, they have now completely resolved? Have your PAWS now completely resolved, and it took 11 years for them to completely end? Is this correct? Last took an SSRI January 2009. Last took a benzodiazepine May 2015. Free from all prescription medication since May 2015. Everything has mostly healed apart from PSSD which is still very bad, and is my most distressing symptom. Also i have developed some allergy problems/ sensitivities to things in the environment which i believe was possibly caused by the prescription medications (SSRI's and benzos). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spruce30 Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 On 9/19/2020 at 10:50 PM, Spruce30 said: Hi Altostrata: You mention in your most recent post in the Post SSRI sexual dysfunction thread , that it took 11 years for your PAWS from Paxil to completely end. I just wanted to ask, if your PAWS went on for 11 years, and at about 11 years post Paxil, they have now completely resolved? Have your PAWS now completely resolved, and it took 11 years for them to completely end? Is this correct? Bump Last took an SSRI January 2009. Last took a benzodiazepine May 2015. Free from all prescription medication since May 2015. Everything has mostly healed apart from PSSD which is still very bad, and is my most distressing symptom. Also i have developed some allergy problems/ sensitivities to things in the environment which i believe was possibly caused by the prescription medications (SSRI's and benzos). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 3, 2020 Share Posted November 3, 2020 (edited) Length of withdrawal If theres a topic for this please merge it since i cant find it myself why is that im 10 years out and people have kicked it in 2 years or 4 or 5 ? Does anyone have theories regarding how long it takes some brains? Edited November 3, 2020 by Guest added topic title Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted November 3, 2020 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 3, 2020 (edited) Have you read this topic? are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take experiences-after-tapering-to-zero-and-symptom-management cold-turkey-and-fast-taper-cold-turkey-community Edited November 3, 2020 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 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccfb Posted November 12, 2020 Share Posted November 12, 2020 I'm not experiencing any withdrawal symptoms at this point (11 months post-cessation). And my pre-existing headache disorder is in remission thanks to a more proactive approach with my medical team. I did not appreciate being prescribed Lexapro. As for why the withdrawal seems to have abated, I credit an aggressive post-withdrawal supplement regimen: I saw the biggest effects with magnesium citrate, omega 3s, lion's mane, and judicious use of 5htp (with meals) (DO NOT take this with an antidepressant). I don't know if these have physically helped as much as I think, or if it's just placebo effect. Be very careful with supplements, though - especially while withdrawing. It took me a while to come up with these, and some trial supplements caused reactions. What worked for me might not work for you, and I'm not a doctor. Definitely run everything you are interested in taking by a qualified provider beforehand. As for what else might help, I would suggest: Soft music in the background; Daily meditation (I like Jeff Warren's guided sessions on calm); Daily light exercise (4,400-10,000 steps per day); Sleep tracking with a wearable (I use Oura); VR - I use Oculus Go and am particularly fond of the Alcove and Guided Meditation apps; Calendaring (Google Calendar), to-do lists (Trello), tracking your time (Forest app); Learning something every day (TEDx talks are amazing); Chamomile tea Hope this helps. You will heal! Previously - Escitalopram ("Lexapro"): 03 - 05/2018 - 10mg // 05/2018 - 12/2019 - monthly hyperbolic dose reduction to 0. I am not a medical doctor. Always consult a qualified medical professional before taking any substance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentor DaBro Posted January 6, 2021 Mentor Share Posted January 6, 2021 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2045125320980573 A new study on PAWS. Thanks to Alto for posting this in fb 50 mg Sertraline Nov 2016 to Dec 2016 100 mg Sertraline Jan - March 2017 50 mg Sertraline April - June 2017 25 mg Sertraline July 2017 - Sept 2018 12.5 mg Sertraline Oct 2018 0 mg Nov 1 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotteves Posted December 17, 2021 Share Posted December 17, 2021 (edited) Benzo Q&A with Dr. Jenn and theory on why we get protracted withdrawal YouTube video title: Benzo Withdrawal with Dr. Jennifer Leigh - Everything You Wanted to Know About Benzo Withdrawal Edited December 17, 2021 by ChessieCat added topic title before merging with existing topic Ativan Sept 2016 to February 2017 Cymbalta 30mg from November 2016, taper started in July 2018. Horrible withdrawals from Ativan. Was starting to feel better until I began tapering Cymbalta in July. CNS was still very fragile from benzo WD. Went from Cymbalta 30mg to 20mg in in 2.5 months. Was at 20mg for approx 3 weeks and then went back up to 22.5mg. Symptoms: intense shaking, heart palpitations, extreme anxiety and rage, depression, sweating, nausea. Used to be into fitness but can't workout now until my nervous system calms down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeralCatman Posted December 9, 2023 Share Posted December 9, 2023 I made the following chart for myself and my therapist to help understand what it is that people going through withdrawal and recovery are up against. I thought some may find it helpful. The Human Body in Post Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) What Generates Symptoms The Body (3 Central Control Systems) The Nervous System (2 main components – Central and Peripheral) The Immune System (Fight Infections, Viruses, Inflammatory Response) The Endocrine System (Hormone Production and Balance) Central Nervous System (Brain and Spinal Cord) Peripheral Nervous System (2 Components – Somatic and Autonomic) Somatic Nervous System (Muscles, Pain) Autonomic Nervous System (Breathing, Heartbeat, Organ Functions, Digestion, Fight/Flight, etc.) Sympathetic (Activating – Fight Flight) Parasympathetic (Calming – Rest and Digest) These 3 Control Systems are Inter-dependent. They operate in synchronization with each other. To alter or disrupt one system is to alter or disrupt all 3 systems. Psychiatric Drugs, Street Drugs, Alcohol, And Other Neuroactive Substances Directly Bind With And Alter Neurotransmitter Receptors In The Nervous System. Not Just In The Brain But Throughout The Body. Steroids, Immune Modulators, Antibiotics Etc. Also Alter All 3 Systems. Neurotransmitters (Serotonin, Dopamine, Nor-epinephrine, GABA, etc) Are Used By The Nervous System Not Just For Mood But For Organ Function, Muscle Function, Immune Function, And Endocrine Function. Immune And Endocrine Chemistry Also Bind With And Alter Receptors in the Nervous System. All 3 Systems Use The Same Shared Chemistry To Communicate Both Internally And Between Systems What This Means Is That Neuroactive Drugs Alter Every System And Component In The Body. Nothing Is Left Untouched. Over Time The Body Makes Structural Changes To Every System To Compensate For The Presence Of The Neuroactive Drug. The Longer You Take It The More The Entire Body Changes. Most psychiatric drugs primarily suppress the sympathetic Nervous System. Over time the parasympathetic nervous system becomes weak / damaged. When the drugs are taken away the sympathetic nervous system comes roaring back to life and patient becomes sympathetic dominant (Fight / Flight dominant). Initially the parasympathetic nervous system cannot compensate. This autonomic imbalance is where symptoms come from in PAWS throughout every system in the body. The real healers are time, good diet, relaxation activities, and low stress. (Average PAWS recovery time is 2-3 years - Outro Health) 2 Current Psychiatric Medications Paxil 10mg daily (a.m.) 2017 - Present Carbamazepine IR 190 mg twice daily (380mg Daily) 2011 - Present (Currently Tapering) Past Psychiatric Medications From 1994 to August 2021 Seroquel (in Recovery since August 2021 final dose 6.25mg), Depakote, Lithium, Risperidone, Xanax, Lamotrigene, Olanzapine, Lorazepam, Welbutrin, Trazodone, Oxazepam, Gabapentin, Abilify, Topiramate, Prazosin, Ambien (See Attached Spreadsheet And Seroquel Tapering And WIthdrawal Summary) Current Non Psychiatric Medications - Levothyroxine 88mcg (a.m.)-Vitamin D3 1000 IU (p.m.)-Fexofenadine 180 mg twice daily -Clonidine 0.1 mg (p.m.)-Azelastine Nasal Spray Other - Fish Oil Twice Daily-Multi-Vitamin (a.m.)-Vitamin C 1000mg Daily (a.m.)-Saline Nasal Spray-Salsalate 750mg twice daily PRN, Diclofenac Gel on affected joint PRN-Magnesium Citrate 250mg twice daily, Betaine HCL & Digestine Enzymes With Meals Quitting Seroquel_A Vacation In Hell_Redacted.pdf Other Documents https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/26099-feralcatman-recovering-from-seroquel/?do=findComment&comment=633907 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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