degen12 Posted February 3, 2015 Author Share Posted February 3, 2015 I had my final interview for the group therapy today and so I will be starting later this month. It was very intense, and I imagine the group will be even more so when people are sharing deep thoughts and emotions break lose. I'm kind of excited really. It's going to be a challenge and I think it will be a big part of the inspiration that keeps my taper going. Must not stagnate. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
LoveandLight Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 That's great. Stagnation..know it well.. 2000 - sertraline for job anxiety low confidence (17 years old) ..which turned the next 16 years into nightmare! On/off sertraline severe withdrawals every time. 2014 - felt better as reduced dose of sertraline no more inner restlessness. Doctor rushed off again. Hit severe withdrawal. Lost the little I had in life. Couldn't get stable again on 12.5mg. Was switched to prozac. Had severe reaction to prozac..came off in November 2015 at 6mg as felt more confused and damaged on it..Even more withdrawal ..rage, depression, dyphoria, near constant suicidal ideation, self harm impulses, doom, concrete block in head, unable to do much of anything with this feeling in head..went back on 6mg of sertraline to see if would alleviate anything. It didn't..reduced from December to June 2016 came off at 2.5mg sertraline as was hospitalised for the severe rage, suicidal impulses, and put on 50mg lofepramine which in 2nd week reduced all symptoms but gave insomnia which still have..psych stopped lofepramine cold turkey..no increased withdrawal symptoms new symptoms from lofepramine except persistant insomnia which has as side effect. Taking Ativan for 8 months for the severe rage self harm impulses 1-3 times a week (mostly 2 times a week) at .5mg. Two months (I'm unsure exactly when the interdose started to happen) ago interdose withdrawal seemed to happen..2 days I think after the Ativan. Nightmare that could have been avoided! Link to comment
btdt Posted February 5, 2015 Share Posted February 5, 2015 I had my final interview for the group therapy today and so I will be starting later this month. It was very intense, and I imagine the group will be even more so when people are sharing deep thoughts and emotions break lose. I'm kind of excited really. It's going to be a challenge and I think it will be a big part of the inspiration that keeps my taper going. Must not stagnate. when did you increase the luvox? some dates in the signature would be nice... I found group therapy when everyone in the room is drugged to be a free for all...lol hope it is ok for you without drugs and the right group leader it was amazing for me wishing you good things WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG Had a car accident in 85 Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89 Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above. One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking. As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/ There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in Link to comment
btdt Posted February 6, 2015 Share Posted February 6, 2015 this link may be of interest to you http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2207-taking-multiple-psych-drugs-taper-the-antidepressant-first/ WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG Had a car accident in 85 Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89 Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above. One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking. As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/ There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in Link to comment
degen12 Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 this link may be of interest to you http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2207-taking-multiple-psych-drugs-taper-the-antidepressant-first/ That is a general guideline. I've been tapering my benzo successfully for the better part of a year so I don't want to stop now. I think I will try to target Lyrica now, hopefully briefly, as I feel an acute depressant effect with every dose. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
degen12 Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 Yes the more I think about it the start of Lyrica was associated with a rather dramatic reduction in my functioning. Funny that I was not more alarmed at the time. Now I feel like I'm under a deep depressive veil and my mood is much lower than my usual low mood from dysthymia. I think I am on the threshold of an MDD attack so I will devote my attention to Lyrica now. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
btdt Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 I don't know much about Lyrica so looked it up. http://www.drugs.com/monograph/lyrica.html from there I looked up glutamate and gabba... found this I like http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/symptoms/a/Gaba-And-Glutamate-In-Fibromyalgia-And-Chronic-Fatigue-Syndrome.htm What I was thinking when I made the last post was that people say wd is easier from Ads if your on a benzo... but I don't know personally. Cold turkey was my path as I did not know any better. I wish you well in your taper peace WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG Had a car accident in 85 Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89 Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above. One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking. As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/ There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in Link to comment
degen12 Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 "Now! This is it! Now's the time to choose! Die and be free of pain, or live and fight your sorrow! Now's the time to shape your stories! Your fate is in your hands!" I have chosen to live and fight my sorrow. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
btdt Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 I love the book The Power of Now Have you read it? WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG Had a car accident in 85 Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89 Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above. One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking. As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/ There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in Link to comment
degen12 Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 I have it. I should practice mindfulness more often. I'm either going to my doctor's today and getting 50 mg Lyrica capsules or I'll be opening the 75 mg capsules and cutting roughly to 37.5 mg. This drug seems to mess with my ear pressure. So weird. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
Member cymbaltawithdrawal5600 Posted February 9, 2015 Member Share Posted February 9, 2015 Degen, I am sure you know this but I think it bears repeating anyway: we suggest you always reduce your drugs slowly so as not to cause your body to react badly. We recommend no more than 10% of the current dose as a way to 'reduce harm'. You are contemplating reducing by either 50% or 25%, both of which are very steep drops in the amount of Lyrica you are taking. You have had quite a few drug and dosage changes since you started your journal last Nov. and instead of changing you should probably be holding at this time. This topic (which is pinned art the top of the Intro forum) has a lot of excellent information and is easily remembered because of its title: The rule of 3KIS: Keep it simple. Keep it slow. Keep it stable. I am going to refer you back to a post Rhi made in your topic last year when you first arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7254-degen12-starting-ssris-as-a-child-and-the-ssri-enigma/#entry104696 What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878 July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site. Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey. Link to comment
degen12 Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 Thanks. I have been on Lyrica for less than a month so I am hoping to make a hasty retreat. I would never consider making such drastic cuts with any medication I have been taking long-term. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
Member cymbaltawithdrawal5600 Posted February 9, 2015 Member Share Posted February 9, 2015 Still, adding this rapid change to all of the other dose and med changes you have made may not turn out well. But at least you are aware of this. As Alto likes to point out, our nervous systems are not made of rubber. They can only absorb so many changes before things turn out less than optimally. What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878 July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site. Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey. Link to comment
degen12 Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 Still, adding this rapid change to all of the other dose and med changes you have made may not turn out well. But at least you are aware of this. As Alto likes to point out, our nervous systems are not made of rubber. They can only absorb so many changes before things turn out less than optimally. Point well taken. If there is any hint of trouble I will back off immediately. I am only hoping to avoid another drawn out taper. I wish I had never started the drug. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
Member cymbaltawithdrawal5600 Posted February 9, 2015 Member Share Posted February 9, 2015 All the same, when I read this post you made in January (while I was trying to find out when you started it and why): EDIT: I took an extra 150 mg of Lyrica and now I'm dizzy as hell and can barely think or type so I'm going to stumble off to bed. Hopefully my posts made sense tonight. I question the wisdom of changing the doses of any of your meds at his time. But I have done my duty and given my recommendation to hold everything so now I will bow out and let you deal with it as you will. As always, we are the only ones who can make our decisions for our own bodies. I just hope things turn out ok for you. What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878 July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site. Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey. Link to comment
degen12 Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 I see what you did there, but I think you are unexpectedly supporting my decision to change the dose of this medication. The prescription is written as "Take 1-2 pills 1-2 times daily as needed (75 mg capsules)", a silly indication to be sure, but one that requires me to hunker down into dependance-forming ritual dosing or take doses erratically. Given that you just quoted me misusing the drug close to the beginning of my prescription, do you still think it is wise to hold everything? April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
btdt Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 I see what you did there, but I think you are unexpectedly supporting my decision to change the dose of this medication. The prescription is written as "Take 1-2 pills 1-2 times daily as needed (75 mg capsules)", a silly indication to be sure, but one that requires me to hunker down into dependance-forming ritual dosing or take doses erratically. Given that you just quoted me misusing the drug close to the beginning of my prescription, do you still think it is wise to hold everything? "forming ritual dosing or take doses erratically' How have you been taking the drug so far? It may has some bearing on CW answer. If you have not kept track of exactly how you have taken it to this point I suggest you start keeping tack now. peace WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG Had a car accident in 85 Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89 Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above. One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking. As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/ There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in Link to comment
degen12 Posted February 12, 2015 Author Share Posted February 12, 2015 Yes, I have kept track. I was taking 75 mg x 2 before. Since Tuesday I have been taking roughly 37.5 mg x 2. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
Martin Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I think you correctly labelled it as the SSRI Enigma - SSRI's are enigmatic because we dont actually knew why or how they work. We have ideas, sure, but we dont conclusively understand it... Currently in the medical world SSRI's are not seen as having withdrawal, because you dont get addicted to it as quickly as you would ritalin or benzodiazepines, however from reading this forum I've come to understand that withdrawal symptoms appear with every drug, and some are unlucky to recieve what is known as protracted withdrawal syndrome which causes the user to experience withdrawal symptoms from that drug for very long periods of time. This too seems to have gone unnoticed by the medical world. Lyrica is something that I've been able to adjust the dose to quite rapidly, (usually within a week) but I suspect lower dosages will have higher chances of a withdrawal syndrome... Best of luck to you, fellow final fantasy fan. Have been on psyc drugs for years, too many to include in this signature. Currently on 475 mg lyrica, 37.5 mg venlafaxine 50mg seroquel, 2mg melatonin. 1-2.5 litres chamomile, only thing that seems to help with all of this. Multivitamin and vitamin D prescribed by doctor for not going out in the sun enough. Link to comment
btdt Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 I had a very short experience with lyrica tried it from a neurologist after I was told I could not longer have effexor and could not tolerate effexor... then came the parksinon drug mirapex and maybe another one I forget .. after all those failed I tried to go back on effexor and could not that was horrid... then out came the lyrica could not do it either... I told him it was way too strong for me so he ordered the kid size he said to gradually go up in dose I could not take the kid size either.. end of my lyrica story Sorry I know it was of no use to you just my two cents. How do you feel on the 3 7.5 twice a day? WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG Had a car accident in 85 Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89 Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above. One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking. As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/ There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in Link to comment
degen12 Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 Best of luck to you, fellow final fantasy fan. Hehe. Thank you for that and thank you for your post, it definitely put a smile on my face. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
degen12 Posted March 7, 2015 Author Share Posted March 7, 2015 Back after some really bad eye strain issues. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
degen12 Posted March 7, 2015 Author Share Posted March 7, 2015 My mom recently did a quick taper from Lexapro 5 mg over a period of about a month. She had been on it for years. I hope it doesn't come back to bite. She previously had a difficult time weaning off of Effexor so I'm not sure if her subsequent relapse some time later was due to a delayed withdrawal syndrome, the onset of marital strife, or both. Her only issue so far, according to her, is that she has some trouble deciding if something happened, or if it just occurred in a dream. I have shown her some things on this site and sent her many more links, but she doesn't seem too interested. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
degen12 Posted March 7, 2015 Author Share Posted March 7, 2015 As CW predicted, I had some trouble with my Lyrica withdrawal. Nasty drug that. Details in my signature. I should keep better notes. My experience with Lyrica so far: Positive: - Dramatic reduction in muscle pain - Resolution of akathisia Neutral: - Relaxing, pleasant sensation when taken in the evening Negative: - Rather extreme abdominal bloating. Whether it is blood or water I don't know. This is a huge issue because I already have issues with blood pooling in my abdomen. Thankfully I am not concerned about aesthetics at the moment - Exacerbation of autonomic dysfunction and POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). I suspect this is due to an additional reduction in circulating blood volume because of abdominal bloating. Think of it is a redistributive form of blood volume loss rather than an overall one - Dark thoughts unlike those of my previous mild depression - Unable to engage in conversation beyond carefully planned single sentences - Atrocious short-term and working memory - Blurry vision resulting in worsening of eye strain - Reemergence of acid reflux and LPR - Dry mouth and dry eyes - Constipation - Withdrawal symptoms of nausea, alternating hot and cold flashes, headaches, and anxiety April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
degen12 Posted July 16, 2015 Author Share Posted July 16, 2015 After I started Lyrica I spent several months in deep depression. Most of my mental faculties declined significantly. I fell into a deep depression and went to the ER several times. I overdosed once (not on Lyrica), but not with the intent of killing myself. I ended up switching from Luvox to Cipralex, which triggered benzo withdrawal because Luvox props up diazepam several-fold (at least). This triggered a lot of myoclonic jerks and intense anxiety which led to more ER visits. I started mirtazapine at the same time as Cipralex and these changes triggered a state which mimics a mixed state from Bipolar II. I don't know what my mood will be one hour to the next. Psychiatrists would call it ultradian cycling, and they would be right. The problem is that is has been induced by prescriptions drugs, and none would admit that. Zyprexa stops it completely at doses as low as 2.5 mg. I use it as an emergency PRN. I threw out my mirtazapine today for the third or fourth time. It will be for good this time. Racing thoughts all the time. My current goals: - Stay off of mirtazapine for good. I have taken it for 5 or 6 days. I expect a minor withdrawal (even 3 days gave me a super minor withdrawal in the past). There is no point in tapering after 5 or 6 days. Even if there was, I would give in and take the drug at full dose again. - Stabilize Lyrica dosage. I have been taking higher doses recently. Need to stabilize at a lower dose that does not induce withdrawal ASAP before more tolerance occurs. - Don't add more drugs. Don't switch drugs. Stability is #1 priority. Don't screw with doses except as stated above. Only variance besides that is Zyprexa in emergency as needed bases. Long-term goals: - Wean off of all medications using KISS and 10%/month guidelines. In order of priority: Lyrica, diazepam, Bystolic, Cipralex (this will be the hardest, my brain and SSRIs are in a love-hate relationship). PS: If you read all that, thanks! I would appreciate any comment from anyone who has heard of or experienced this Bipolar II like mixed state associated with psych med instability. Please don't post links to stuff I have seen 1000 times, like the 10% and stability guidelines. I have paid the price for introducing Lyrica for a "short time". Tolerance and withdrawal propensity built insanely fast for that drug. I won't make the same mistake with mirtazapine. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
degen12 Posted July 16, 2015 Author Share Posted July 16, 2015 Behavioural destabilization after 10,000 years on an SSRI? I think that's what it is. I can see how I'm entering the med merry-go-round (merry-go-rounds are supposed to be merry?!?). The internet has come to the rescue. Thanks to the people who make this site possible. The link to the tardive dysphoria article completely changed my life. Annnnd I'm crashing. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted July 16, 2015 Administrator Share Posted July 16, 2015 Yes, stabilize on the Lyrica dosage. Also, if a little Zyprexa helps, you may wish to take 1mg per day rather than throwing it in now and then. Stability and all that. I believe doctors mistake The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization for "cycling." "Bipolar 2" is a wastebasket diagnosis for conditions they don't understand. 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
degen12 Posted July 16, 2015 Author Share Posted July 16, 2015 Yes, stabilize on the Lyrica dosage. Also, if a little Zyprexa helps, you may wish to take 1mg per day rather than throwing it in now and then. Stability and all that. I believe doctors mistake The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization for "cycling." "Bipolar 2" is a wastebasket diagnosis for conditions they don't understand. The worst part is that I self-diagnosed Bipolar 2. For sure it's a wastebasket diagnosis. I'm using the term because I think behavioural destabilization from long-term antidepressant use (I got that term from one of the journal articles you posted) is very similar to what most doctors would diagnose as Bipolar 2. Even if the criteria for Bipolar 2 is flakey I can't think of anywhere else I would be grouped. I do have a problem with labels though. Even though I except that most of the psychiatric babble that has been thrown my way is bullsh*t, it's difficult to think in a different paradigm. Even as I try and distinguish me from the DSM, it keeps pulling me back in. It's like a drug addiction. Diagnosis, med trial, destabilize, meds trial, rinse, repeat. Thanks for the suggestion about Zyprexa. Stability and all that. I could get 1.25 mg out of my tablets. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted July 16, 2015 Administrator Share Posted July 16, 2015 Bipolar 2 is a nonsensical diagnosis, whether you apply it yourself or a doctor does. 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
degen12 Posted July 16, 2015 Author Share Posted July 16, 2015 Bipolar 2 is a nonsensical diagnosis, whether you apply it yourself or a doctor does. Unlike some other posters here, I won't ask you to read my entire thread. Just my post. From above. I except that most of the psychiatric babble that has been thrown my way is bullsh*t, it's difficult to think in a different paradigm. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted July 16, 2015 Administrator Share Posted July 16, 2015 Yes, I did. This is what you wrote: I think behavioural destabilization from long-term antidepressant use (I got that term from one of the journal articles you posted) is very similar to what most doctors would diagnose as Bipolar 2. Given that misdiagnosis is rampant and bipolar disorder has become whatever a doctor says it is, you may be correct -- you can get a misdiagnosis of bipolar 2 quite easily. It still has no validity. A knowledgeable, conscientious psychiatrist would see the drug involvement in your history. Possible adverse effects from drugs preclude a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Why would you want to think of your condition the way many lousy doctors would? I can't see the benefit in that. 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
degen12 Posted July 16, 2015 Author Share Posted July 16, 2015 Yes, I did. This is what you wrote: I think behavioural destabilization from long-term antidepressant use (I got that term from one of the journal articles you posted) is very similar to what most doctors would diagnose as Bipolar 2. Given that misdiagnosis is rampant and bipolar disorder has become whatever a doctor says it is, you may be correct -- you can get a misdiagnosis of bipolar 2 quite easily. It still has no validity. A knowledgeable, conscientious psychiatrist would see the drug involvement in your history. Possible adverse effects from drugs preclude a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Why would you want to think of your condition the way many lousy doctors would? I can't see the benefit in that. You are arguing, correctly, that it has no validity. But I never said it did. That the diagnosis exists is a fact. It's properties are what is up for debate. Most (all?) psychiatric diagnoses fail any sort of litmus test of objectivity, and thus are invalid. Why would I want to think of my condition that way? I don't think I want to. I think by habit I do. By my own error I continue to think in outdated, psychobabble terms. I can make excuses for myself. I was brought up from a young age to believe that there was a chemical imbalance in my brain, that it was an objective condition caused by low serotonin, and that serotonin-boosting medication was the answer. Through this error I continue to be responsible for much of the pain I continue to endure. There is no benefit to it. Blah blah, feel sorry for me I was only a kid is my only excuse basically. Time for me to grow up. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted July 16, 2015 Administrator Share Posted July 16, 2015 You may wish to un-patient yourself. A lot of us have gone through this. You don't have to assume you need a psychiatric diagnosis. 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
degen12 Posted July 16, 2015 Author Share Posted July 16, 2015 You may wish to un-patient yourself. A lot of us have gone through this. You don't have to assume you need a psychiatric diagnosis. Thanks.. I agree. I fell into an old habit of looking for a pill to feel better. It was the easy way out. I felt trapped blah blah empathize with me. Anyhow I'm going to do some activity that doesn't involve internet research and psychobabble. A visit to these forums every once and a while seems warranted though. I had been on a steady course down with my drugs and I got side-tracked when I hit a rough patch. A quick look at some of the Remeron withdrawal threads has set me on the straight and narrow. I've removed psychobabble from my signature in admission. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
degen12 Posted July 23, 2015 Author Share Posted July 23, 2015 Well last night and tonight I took 5 mg Zyprexa. Feels like an intense betrayal to myself and I felt intensley guilty each time. I feel like I have defiled myself. Dramatic wording but I think it's true to an extent. I still wonder what drives me to do it. April / 2016: Cipralex 10 mg, Mirtazapine 30 mg, Lyrica 600 mg, Diazepam 20 mg, Bystolic 5 mg 2018: Lots of polypharmacy which is undocumented here. Started and stopped several drugs and changed doses of existing ones August / 2018: Back on track! Cipralex 15 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg, Diazepam 15 mg September 2018: Cipralex 15 mg -> 12.5 mg October 2018: Cipralex 12.5 mg -> 10 mg, Mirtazapine 7.5 mg -> 3.75 mg -> Stopped, Diazepam 15 mg November 2019: Cipralex 5 mg, Diazepam 10 mg Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Petunia Posted July 23, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 23, 2015 If you still need to be on a small amount of Zyprexa for now, then that's what you need. This is a process and you have a long term goal. Occasionally its necessary to take a small step back, to correct your course, in order to continue walking in the preferred direction so you can eventually reach your destination. Also, if a little Zyprexa helps, you may wish to take 1mg per day rather than throwing it in now and then. Stability and all that. The way I see it, is if you're going to take Zyprexa, there's two ways you can do it, one way that helps you and the other way that hurts you. Trying not to take it, telling yourself that its evil and bad, then caving in, taking it, arousing feelings of guilt and shame is causing extra stress and further damaging your nervous system, along with the destabilizing effect of adding a drug randomly. But taking a smaller dose regularly (temporarily) it would alleviate any guilt or shame from 'failure' and would avoid the continual destabilization to your NS, from both the drug directly and from the increase of negative emotions. I briefly read through the first part of your thread and I'm wondering, did you ever get hold of a copy of Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker. In my teens I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. I think I have this, it presents quite differently in girls, which makes it harder to get a diagnosis. I was trying to get myself diagnosed around the time I went into withdrawal, which pretty much put a stop to every non-essential activity in my life. I'm not a doctor. My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one. My Introduction Thread Full Drug and Withdrawal History Brief Summary Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects 2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010 Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal) May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins. Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens. Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days. April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close. VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from? VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made? VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes? VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects? VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes Link to comment
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