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What is withdrawal syndrome?


Altostrata

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Hi Lilu,

I know your post is 4 years old, but I have to respond because this is the best thing I've read in a long time. Thank you. I've been struggling with anger and rage and couldn't even describe it properly until I read your post. I was lost. It started when my SSRI drug wasn't fully eliminating my anger but just suppressing it under a blanket of lethargy and slowness. My life had ground to a complete halt. In the end the rage was coming back and when I decided to wean myself off the SSRI my personality changed, I became mentally unsafe. I would fall into a pattern of vengeful rumination every night, going over past grievances and flying into fits of rage, planning violent acts out in my head. It got to the point where I would wake up at night and pace around the house. I was self harming and looked like I was going to wind up in jail or dead. I was deranged. At this point I read up about serotonin and a week ago today, I tried talking L tryptophan. It has helped, I find when I take it I can feel a sensation inside my head at the top of my skull. Initially it caused nightmares but now not so much. I find, I recovered from the rage and it is now at a level I would call resentment which I hope will also fade. However there has been one or two relapses but I think I can get on top of it. The point is that the uncontrolled manner of my rage and crazy thoughts seems to have passed. Thankfully. I plan to keep taking the l tryptophan in the medium term and see if I can get my brain back to a normal point where I can get on with my life. 

 

You post helped explain what was happening to me. Thanks.

 

 

 

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Hello, Anthony. Please start a topic for yourself in the Introductions forum so we can get to know you.

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.

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  • 1 month later...
  • Administrator

Folks, please discuss your own personal symptoms in your Intro topics or in the appropriate Symptoms and Self-Care topic. Thank you.

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.

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  • 3 months later...

I am really struggling with a wave of depression and anxiety that has lasted almost a month now. 

Wanting to cry all. the. time.

No other symptoms, nothing physical except continued handfuls of hair falling out.

Have had a problem with sleep, only 5-6 hours some nights.

Otherwise, all was on the up and up until I hit this thing. 

Felt totally normal.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Not on any meds, just occasional magnesium and fish oil for sleep.

(I am thinking my body may have changed again and these may be the culprits?)

 

This is the best of my recollection.

20 mg Prozac 3-4 days per week from 1994 until May 2018.

Beginning May 15 I began to drop doses. 

I dropped 1 dose per week for the next 4 weeks.

It was not systematic at all. I don't have which days I took what.

so the week of May 13 I took 4 doses, which was pretty normal for me.

Then the week of May 20 I took 3 doses 20 mg.

The week of May 27 I took 3 doses 20 mg.

The 1st week in June l took 2 doses 20 mg.

The week of June 10, 2018 was my last dose 20 mg.

I had been on Prozac only for over 20 years.  No other medications.

 

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  • 1 month later...

im asking this question now.

May 2016 - Aug 2016 - Prozac 20mg

 

March 2017 - June 2017 - Sertraline 100mg. Horrific withdrawal 5 m onths.

 

July 2017 - Aug 2017 - Mirtazapine 15mg. Horrific.

 

August 2017 - December 2017 Fluoxetine 10mg for 2 weeks ghen Escitalopram 20mg for 12 weeks. Never felt normal since this. Or baseline.

 

March 2018 - June 2018 - Escitalopram 5mg for 12 weeks. Stopped and here i am full of symptoms i never had.

 

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On 12/1/2019 at 2:06 PM, Tweet said:

I am really struggling with a wave of depression and anxiety that has lasted almost a month now. 

Wanting to cry all. the. time.

No other symptoms, nothing physical except continued handfuls of hair falling out.

Have had a problem with sleep, only 5-6 hours some nights.

Otherwise, all was on the up and up until I hit this thing. 

Felt totally normal.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Not on any meds, just occasional magnesium and fish oil for sleep.

(I am thinking my body may have changed again and these may be the culprits?)

 

Hi Tweet, hair falling out may indicate vitamin D deficiency. I think that can also contribute to mood issues. I'd check it out if you can.

"Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig 

 

I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. 

 

In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. 

 

Aug  2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg,  xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn 

Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used)

Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up)

September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0

Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd

March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week

Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering)

citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg,  7/27/19 -1.5 mg,  8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg

 

Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate

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I'm at 18 months since my final dose of Lexapro, and am suffering from WD symptoms. So yes, it is.

 

Hair loss has been an issue for me throughout WD.  I also have trichotillomania (done this my whole life).

 

It can also be due to hormonal changes and vit deficiencies.

 

 

Dose History: 19 Feb 2014 - Escitalopram 10mg daily June 2015 - Started taper, 5mg every other day July 2015 - 5mg every 2 days August 2015 - 5mg every 3 days September 2015 - 5mg every 4 days Sept 14th - Completed tapering, but at 7 weeks "drug free" I suffered serious WD symptoms as a consequence of "incorrect" tapering. Nov 25 2015 - Re-instated Cipralex @ 2.5mg daily. WD symptoms faded. Held at this dose and experienced "windows and waves". 12 Oct 2017 Reduced dose to 1.25mg. 13 Mar 2018 Reduced dose to 0.625mg (approx.). 16 April 2018 0mg. Windows and waves triggered by stress (IBS/reflux, headaches, sinus issues) Aug 2019 Mirena coil fitted 6 Jan 2020 MAJOR Wave hit 19 months following last dose (protracted WD).  Symptoms listed below Mar 2020 Mirena coil removal.

Therapy: Nov 15th 2016 Re-started therapy Jan 19th 2017 Started CBT Dec 2017 Started listening to Hypnotherapy CD (self-esteem). Nov 2019 Started couples therapy.

Supplements: "Bioglan" Biotic Balance Ultimate Flora 10 billion CFU, live Bacteria, Probiotic, suitable for Vegetarians, with Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Longum"Pukka" Vitalise a unique blend of 30 energising botanicals.

Diet: 16 April 2018 Detox cleanse / anti-candida for 90 days. Jan 2020 Started "small plate" diet (i.e child size portions).

Exercise: Stretching, Yoga, Pilates, Spinning, Elliptical/upper body workout, walking.

Medical Test Results: 4 Jan 2017 Homeopathic Treatment starts 24 Feb 2017 Started weight loss program 24 Mar 2017 Naturopathic Treatment + anti-Candida diet started due to suspected Candida Related Complex (CRC). DETOXED for 7 weeks to "re-set" gut. April 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Comprehensive Stool Analysis NEGATIVE; Full Blood Count (Normal) / Blood Cholesterol: 5.6 (Borderline) / Blood Sugar (Normal) / 28 Jun 2017 FSH 8.2 / 14 Nov 2017 FSH 17.7 Dec 2017 Blood Cholesterol: 3.9 (Normal) / Kidney Function (Normal) / Blood Sugar (Normal). December 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Food panel allergy (bloodwork) analysis - a few "VERY LOW/VL" allergens; Mar 2018 "Genova Diagnostics" SIBO urine analysis: High Level of Yeast/fungal markers found in small intestine but NO SIBO.  April 2018 Thyroid (Normal) / Full Blood Count (Normal) / FSH (Normal). 16 April 2018 Started anti-Candida diet - 3 month protocol.   25 March 2020 All test results "Normal". CRP" 5 mg/L (normal range to 0-5 mg/L).

Symptoms:  Flu-like symptoms, anxiety, anhedonia, sinus headaches right-side (severe), IBS issues/reflux (severe)**, tinnitus, fatigue, inner tremor, nausea, chills/hot flushes, pounding heart, muscular issues including stiff left hip flexor, intense anger, PSSD (ongoing).  **Histhamine intolerance (suspected).

Major Life Events: 

Re-located to UK from Canada: Jan 2016

My father died: 5:05pm, Monday 5 Feb 2018 Last Lexapro dose: 16 April 2018 (its now been over a year since I quit ADs)  Moved house: Friday 23rd February 2018  "Divorced" toxic Mother: Monday 26 March 2018 Starting working again: 19 November 2018  Diagnosed with: 5th August 2021 PTSD/C-PTSD Diagnosed with: March 2022 Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Painful bladder syndrome

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Hi. It was a wave. So much better now!😁

This is the best of my recollection.

20 mg Prozac 3-4 days per week from 1994 until May 2018.

Beginning May 15 I began to drop doses. 

I dropped 1 dose per week for the next 4 weeks.

It was not systematic at all. I don't have which days I took what.

so the week of May 13 I took 4 doses, which was pretty normal for me.

Then the week of May 20 I took 3 doses 20 mg.

The week of May 27 I took 3 doses 20 mg.

The 1st week in June l took 2 doses 20 mg.

The week of June 10, 2018 was my last dose 20 mg.

I had been on Prozac only for over 20 years.  No other medications.

 

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On 1/15/2020 at 5:55 AM, Onmyway said:

Hi Tweet, hair falling out may indicate vitamin D deficiency. I think that can also contribute to mood issues. I'd check it out if you can.

Thanks😊. Already checked and been taking. Also thyroid is fine. I'm thinking high cortisol may be the culprit. Nothing to help that, though! 🙁 

This is the best of my recollection.

20 mg Prozac 3-4 days per week from 1994 until May 2018.

Beginning May 15 I began to drop doses. 

I dropped 1 dose per week for the next 4 weeks.

It was not systematic at all. I don't have which days I took what.

so the week of May 13 I took 4 doses, which was pretty normal for me.

Then the week of May 20 I took 3 doses 20 mg.

The week of May 27 I took 3 doses 20 mg.

The 1st week in June l took 2 doses 20 mg.

The week of June 10, 2018 was my last dose 20 mg.

I had been on Prozac only for over 20 years.  No other medications.

 

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On 1/16/2020 at 1:50 AM, Junglechicken said:

I'm at 18 months since my final dose of Lexapro, and am suffering from WD symptoms. So yes, it is.

 

Hair loss has been an issue for me throughout WD.  I also have trichotillomania (done this my whole life).

 

It can also be due to hormonal changes and vit deficiencies.

 

 

Tried to get hormones checked but since I had a hysterectomy it's not possible to get checked by saliva.

Also, all I need right now is to get hormonal about things lol.😨😁

Thanks for the reply. If you find any solutions, please share!!❤️

 

This is the best of my recollection.

20 mg Prozac 3-4 days per week from 1994 until May 2018.

Beginning May 15 I began to drop doses. 

I dropped 1 dose per week for the next 4 weeks.

It was not systematic at all. I don't have which days I took what.

so the week of May 13 I took 4 doses, which was pretty normal for me.

Then the week of May 20 I took 3 doses 20 mg.

The week of May 27 I took 3 doses 20 mg.

The 1st week in June l took 2 doses 20 mg.

The week of June 10, 2018 was my last dose 20 mg.

I had been on Prozac only for over 20 years.  No other medications.

 

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44 minutes ago, Tweet said:

Thanks😊. Already checked and been taking. Also thyroid is fine. I'm thinking high cortisol may be the culprit. Nothing to help that, though! 🙁 

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ways-to-lower-cortisol

 

This made me laugh. It has ways of lowering cortisol including advice such as: "be happy" and "be your best self" and "sleep better". Granted, there are some useful things as well - the usual deep breathing etc. I remember people talking about some supplement or other in the cortisol group but I haven't tried it. I'm sorry you're going through this 18 months out. Hope it's one of those short lived 🌊 s.

"Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig 

 

I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. 

 

In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. 

 

Aug  2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg,  xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn 

Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used)

Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up)

September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0

Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd

March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week

Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering)

citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg,  7/27/19 -1.5 mg,  8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg

 

Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate

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  • 2 months later...

Hello, 

 

I hope everyone is feeling some improvement and keeping safe during these difficult times. 

 

I've heard quite a few people talk about a 10-month wave being very common after either a cold turkey or drastic reduction, and I've experienced this first hand. I reduced my dosage of Anafranil by 25% on April 19 2019, and while things were gradually getting better, I was hit with an enormous wave about a month ago. I was going through some very stressful and anxiety inducing life circumstances, so I'm sure that only compounded things, but it seems like the 10-month wave is a real thing. Has anyone else experienced a big wave around the 10-month mark after CT/large reduction? If so, how long did it last? I'm just taking it one day at a time, knowing that if I keep my dose steady and my lifestyle healthy/stress-free, it will eventually pass. Any stories or experiences regarding 10-month waves would be extremely helpful. Thanks!

2004-2016: Varying doses of Anafranil (Between 12.5mg and 100mg)

May 2016-September 2016: 25mg Clonazepam/night

September 7 2016: Stopped Clonazepam cold turkey

2016-August 2018: 25mg Anafranil/night

August 11 2018 - April 18 2019: Alternating nighs taking 25mg (3 nights on, 1 night off)

April 19 2019-present: 18mg Anafranil/night

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9 hours ago, ColdTurkeySoup said:

Has anyone else experienced a big wave around the 10-month mark after CT/large reduction? If so, how long did it last?

 

Hi.  Thank you for starting this topic.  10-month mark for me would be mid-August 2020.  This 10-month wave effect would explain a lot why I think I have a resistance to Amitriptyline, and feel withdrawal effects even if I am not tapering yet.  So,  it is a useful info for me, as I often wonder when will I stabilize after reinstating Amitriptyline +2months after CT early October 2019.  I'll have to wait until that time to confirm to you such a 10-month mark do exist.  I hope it does.  

 

This 10-month CT big wave could explain that I should not start any tapering before mid-August 2020, when hopefully CT withdrawal symptoms & side effects from reinstatement ceases, yes?

 

My dosage is 7.5mg am and 15mg pm - total 22.5mg daily since Dec 21st.  3 days ago, I reduced am dosage from 7.5mg to 7mg  for a 22mg total per day instead of 22.5mg.  I would like to get rid of the am dosage, as Amitriptyline is 20-hr short life and I would like so much to be free from the drug 4hrs a day as a start.  I would like to taper .5mg from the am dose twice a month until only my 15mg pm dose remains next October 2020.  Then I could start to taper 15mg once a month with a micro dose for one or two years.

 

1989, 25mg, Amitriptyline 1st prescribed for 1wk insomnia, 2020 october Cold turkey

20/12/21, 22.5mg reinstated; waited 1.5 year to start tapering

21/07/25, 20mg tapering started. 10% every 4 weeks

22/02/26, 9.5mg - Emergency surgery put chaos to tapering: chronic insomnia till May

22/04/11, 10mg tapering started. 10% every 4 week. Sleep came back but trickled away in Sep' 22

22/09/17, 5,1mg - 10/15, 4.6mg - 11/12, 4,1mg - 12/10, 3.7mg.  Too fast. Permanent symptoms.

22/12/28, 4,0mg - partial updose where I'll remain until perfect stabilizing

22/12/30, 4,0mg - started Melatonin 3mg, Maritime Pine Bark Extract am & pm

23/02/03, 4,0mg - sleeping well every night with dreams, symptoms are diminishing

22/03/20, 4,0mg - insomnia is back on some nights. Waves. Anxiety. My dog is sick.

Maritime Pine Bark Extract (Omega Alpha Labs) in capsules am & pm, Melatonin 3mg

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This is absolutely valid for me. I  going to 11th month and hit by a big anxiety wave one month ago. It is not anx., it is like my face nerves are stimulated by a factor. Terrible. So it is true for me

2014-2017- Prozac-on and offs-minor issues

2018 December - Abilifiy 2.5 off - 2 months- bad anx.

2019 until May some ADs on and off and hospital

2019 May - (Brintellix 10 mg-Lamictal 100 mg-Remeron 15 mg CT after 2 weeks)

-Remeron journey-

19/7 15 mg fast taper 18/8 12 mg 12/9 11.5 mg holding

2020 1/2 10,8 mg 26/2 10,65 mg 5/3 10,5 mg 11/3 10,35 mg 18/3 10,2 mg 25/3 10,05 mg 14/4 9,9 mg 21/4 9,75 mg 16/5 9.45 mg 6/6 9.3 mg 25/7 9.15 17/8 9 14/8,77

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  • Altostrata changed the title to Is there an 18 month wave? A 10 month wave?

Hi all. I just wanted to write a post that was part celebration / part question / part venting. First, as for the celebration: It has been slightly more than 4 months since my last dose of antidepressant. As you can see from my signature, my taper was from 2 antidepressants in 2019, more rapidly than a lot of people do their tapers, but what's done is done and there's definitely no going back. 

 

Part 2: Question (more for the "veterans" of withdrawal who have seen some windows):  Was the 4-6 month mark particularly difficult in any sort of way? I have read in some posts that people get bad waves around 4 months out. I of course realize everyone is different; I was just wondering if some people who are partially recovered could speak to this time frame? From different posts, it seems like a common time for people wanting to reinstate. (By the way, reinstatement of ADs is not at all on my radar).

 

Part 3:  I keep getting stuck in a major mental loop, which is:  As long as I'm still healing from/tapering from a benzo, I cannot heal from the other meds. I know this probably isn't true, but good God, I can't get this loop out of my head;  can people start stabilizing from past meds while still tapering a current one?  

--Current supplements: Fish oil 1000 mg x4 (split into 2 doses of 1000 mg); Vit. D 2,000 iu once daily; 2-3 tsp coconut oil daily

--3/14/20: Re-discontinued gabapentin after 2 weeks, due to agitation

--2/27/20: Reinstated Kpin .5mg and also briefly reinstated gabapentin 300mg. 2x/daily, to help with side effects (Kpin dose usually taken in a.m. between 5-8 a.m.; gabapentin once in a.m. and once around 6 p.m.)

--2/13/20: Tried reducing Kpin down to .375mg due to dysphoric side effects; tried to CT but started hallucinating again after 4 days

--1/23/20: Placed on daily .5mg dose of Klonopin

--From July 2017-Jan. 2020: PRN Klonopin 1mg. :  up to 1x/day:  sometimes weeks without it, sometimes 1-2x/week, sometimes 4-5x/week; tried to CT in Jan. 2020 and ended up in hospital with delirium and hallucinations

--November 2019: Weaned down gabapentin approx. 100 mg. per week and discontinued it

--August 7, 2019-10/18/19: Reduced Trintellix from 10mg. down to zero (insurance stopped paying for it - I couldn't afford it).

--February 2019-11/30/19: Reduced nortriptyline from 75 mg. to zero

--As of February 2019:  Meds were 10 mg. (1x/day) Trintellix, 75 mg. (1x/day) nortriptyline, and 600 mg. gabapentin

--1992 through 2018: On various cocktails of meds, starting with anafranil

 

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Wow! Congratulations delsol! You made it to here. I reinstated one month after a 5 month taper and CT (didn't know about SA) and remember the first 4-months being the most difficult. You've made it!

 

Reading question 3: there is no evidence to support your worry that if you're still tapering a benzo, you can't at the same time heal. Your body is striving towards stability and 

homeostasis all the time. 

 

Are you tapering at this time? Maybe holding for a while might help. Clonopin is a nasty drug - it made me nauseous and depressed but in due time you will get off of it as well; slowly, without needing to make trips to the hospital. Give your body space to do its own thing. It knows what to do to heal. 

 

 

 

"Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig 

 

I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. 

 

In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. 

 

Aug  2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg,  xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn 

Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used)

Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up)

September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0

Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd

March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week

Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering)

citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg,  7/27/19 -1.5 mg,  8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg

 

Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate

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On 4/8/2020 at 11:25 AM, delsol said:
On 4/8/2020 at 11:25 AM, delsol said:

can't get this loop out of my head;  can people start stabilizing from past meds while still tapering a current one?  

I think so.  I tapered off multiple meds within the last 1.5 years.  I am currently tapering Effexor.  I feel that I am getting better little by little. 

1993-2000: Zoloft few months CT, Prozac 1-2 yrs, Ritalin PRN

2002/2003: Wellbutrin,  Paxil 25mg FT, and Xanax PRN CT (all 3 to 6 months), Adderal 40mg, Strattera 40mg

2003- 2016: Effexor XR 75 mg to 150 mg., Strattera (2002-2008)

2017: Effexor XR 225 mg. Gabapentin 300 mg. Elavil 25 mg.

2018: (Sept.) Effexor XR 187.5 mg, Zoloft 10 mg. (OCT.) FT off Gabapentin (NOV.) FT off Elavil (DEC) FT Effexor to 150 mg.

2019: (JAN.) D/C Zoloft, added Viibryd 10mg (FEB) CT Viibryd, (MAR) Prozac bridge, Effexor xr 112.5mg, (Sept.) Effexor XR 112.5 mg + 0.4 mg (1 bead), (Oct.) Effexor XR 112.5mg, (Dec.28) start 10% taper Effexor XR 101.25 mg, 

2020: (Jan. 25) Effexor XR 91 mg., (Feb. 22) Effexor xr 82 mg., (Mar. 21) 75 mg. 

Supplements:  Vitamin D 5000 IU topical, Probiotic 6 billion CFU, Epsom salt bath 1C 2 to 3 X week, California Poppy 2 droppers, various essential oils 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/21446-superwoman-effexor-taper/page/8/?tab=comments#comment-475779

 

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Thank you @Onmyway  and @Superwomanfor the reminder that healing takes place and can occur all along. Klonopin is the dooziest of them all, in my case. It's almost like I forget I'm still recovering from other meds. Sometimes, due to my rapid tapers, it's hard to know which med might be causing which current problem. Right now I'm having severe headaches, nausea, and burning skin that had stopped (sort of -- well at least they were less in intensity) a couple of months ago. It's hard to know if it's a new "wave" from prior drugs, or some kind of tolerance to the Klonopin. It's like the worst hangover x100. And the DP/DR is worsening. I know 4 months really isn't all that long to be off antidepressants. It's nice to see that people can see improvements while still coming off other drugs though.

--Current supplements: Fish oil 1000 mg x4 (split into 2 doses of 1000 mg); Vit. D 2,000 iu once daily; 2-3 tsp coconut oil daily

--3/14/20: Re-discontinued gabapentin after 2 weeks, due to agitation

--2/27/20: Reinstated Kpin .5mg and also briefly reinstated gabapentin 300mg. 2x/daily, to help with side effects (Kpin dose usually taken in a.m. between 5-8 a.m.; gabapentin once in a.m. and once around 6 p.m.)

--2/13/20: Tried reducing Kpin down to .375mg due to dysphoric side effects; tried to CT but started hallucinating again after 4 days

--1/23/20: Placed on daily .5mg dose of Klonopin

--From July 2017-Jan. 2020: PRN Klonopin 1mg. :  up to 1x/day:  sometimes weeks without it, sometimes 1-2x/week, sometimes 4-5x/week; tried to CT in Jan. 2020 and ended up in hospital with delirium and hallucinations

--November 2019: Weaned down gabapentin approx. 100 mg. per week and discontinued it

--August 7, 2019-10/18/19: Reduced Trintellix from 10mg. down to zero (insurance stopped paying for it - I couldn't afford it).

--February 2019-11/30/19: Reduced nortriptyline from 75 mg. to zero

--As of February 2019:  Meds were 10 mg. (1x/day) Trintellix, 75 mg. (1x/day) nortriptyline, and 600 mg. gabapentin

--1992 through 2018: On various cocktails of meds, starting with anafranil

 

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  • 2 months later...
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I’ve had big waves at 12, 15 and 18 months, each one 5 weeks long and debilitating. Strangely prior to the 12 month wave I just had good/bad days and nothing that went on for weeks. 

 

Each wave had different symptoms. 12 months was nausea 15 more gastric and dizzy and the 18th I’ve had spasms. I’ve noticed the zaps are moving in my head too. They used to be on the left side of my head, then they moved to the top and now the front. I get my left eye closing a lot involuntarily too. 

 

The windows are better though. Sharper and I have more stamina. 

 

I’m so hoping this 18th month wave, which I feel is coming to an end, is a turning point, but who knows...

 

2 years on 25/50mg Zoloft. FT to zero on Nov 1 2018. 19th months at zero....

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

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There are no waves at any particular times while recovering from prolonged withdrawal syndrome.

 

After the acute withdrawal phase, which starts immediately after drug cessation and is a few weeks of severe, variable symptoms, post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) starts. PAWS, which can be debilitating, can last months or years.

 

There is no clear line of demarcation between acute and post-acute withdrawal syndrome. There are no predictable periodic waves of symptoms while recovering. Recovery is individual.

 

On the other hand, anyone can bring on a wave of symptoms by doing something that upsets the nervous system, such as taking a drink, an antibiotic, over-exercising, getting overheated, or staying up too late.

 

In my observation, what happens is that, off the drug for some months, people start feeling better and do things they might normally do, such as have a glass of wine, smoke marijuana, work out strenuously, or stay up until too late binging Netflix. This can trigger a wave. Mild symptoms tend to go back to your "withdrawal normal" baseline in a week or two. With alcohol or antibiotics, it seems the wave might be quite severe and may take months to fade.

 

If you're feeling pretty well off drugs, you might take care for at least 6 months after discontinuation. Although you feel good, your nervous system might still be somewhat vulnerable.

 

Other than that, I do not believe there are waves at any particular intervals after you go off.

Edited by Altostrata
updated

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

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