Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted July 29, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted July 29, 2017 2 hours ago, AmyK said: Andy, I am so sorry for your loss. Sending warm thoughts. Thanks, Amy. Much appreciated. Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
Flowers Posted July 31, 2017 Share Posted July 31, 2017 So sorry Andy for your loss and the terrible shock you and your family have received. Sending you hugs and strength to get through this sad time. Flowers xxx 15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM. MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT. JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month. 28.5 mgs FEB Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs . JUNE 24 mgs . JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to 22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed. 13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize 1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at 50 mgs at night. Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. XANAX Jan 27 - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover. Feb 14 2019 Updosed Xanax by .0625 Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily. Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM 20mg taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm. XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night. LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight. SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm. 7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm. 2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19 .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg x 2. 23.1.20 .23 mg x 2. 20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20 .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2. 18.6.20 .11mg x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2. 2.12.20 .06 mg x 2. 8.1.21 .05 mg x 2. 4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2. 7.4.21 .02 mg x 2. 9.5.21 .01 mg x 2. 21.6.21 .01 mg x 1. 11.8.21 ZERO! Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 2, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 2, 2017 Thanks for your kind words, Flowers. Best, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
bromor Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Andy, So very sorry to read this. Praying for peace and strength for you & your family during this time. On Zoloft for 10 years (50 mg) for GAD & panic attacks Weaned off fall of 2013, terrible set back in Feb '14 back on 100 mg & trazadone to sleep. Did CT off of Zoloft in May 2014 - bad decision! Back on 50 mg Zoloft & Xanax as needed (was upped to 75 mg by doctor in Feb 2015) Started to wean off of Zoloft in April 2015 ~ totally off Zoloft in Oct 2015 and now am on Buspar 11.25 mg to help. I was on a 50 mg pill & 25 mg pill - I cut the 25 mg pill in half (12.5) and took that with the 50 for 6 weeks - 1st week June 2015 50 mg for another 6 weeks. 25 mg in half and the 50 mg in half (37.5), 25 mg mid Sept for about 2 weeks.,1/2 of the 25 mg last week of Sept/1st week of Oct then off. Update** 9 mg Zoloft reinstated early Nov 15, along with 1.5 mg Buspar daily. On .50 of Buspar & 9 mg of Zoloft. Oct '16 - off of Buspar, Nov '16 - down to 7.5 mg Zoloft. March'17 - 4 mg Zoloft. July'17 - 2 mg, Sept 1 mg. Oct'17 - off! Done! I also take magnesium, L theanine, Gaba Calm, L Glutamine, Vit B complex(for methyl issues), Liver & Gall bladder support, Zinc, Whole Food Vit C & Fish Oil. DARE & the bible are the tools I use to help navigate this process. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 2, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 2, 2017 Thanks so much, B. Much appreciated. Best, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 3, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 3, 2017 As those of you who follow my thread know, my father-in-law just passed away and the resulting activity and stress has caused what was already a challenging period for me to spiral further downhill. It has been extremely difficult to remain the stoic as seems to be expected when I combine my emotions over the loss with the challenges that withdrawal presents on a daily basis. I am hoping that things will normalize over the next couple of weeks but there is a lot of ongoing work to be done in the form of estate administration and planning for care for my mother-in-law (as well as keeping her from getting too lonely). It is a trying time for sure and while people at work have been very understanding, I still have a job to do so that stress continues unabated. As a result, I have been finding myself with a significant increase in the number of shooting pains, numb sensations and general "weirdness" all over my body. And I mean ALL OVER my body. From pain in my left wrist to my right jaw and molars, to my left shoulder to my right achilles tendon, the pains and strange sensations rotate around my body like there is a maestro conducing a symphony of discomfort. I can write about it as if it is interesting, but when it happens it throws me for a loop and I am sent into a wave of anxiety that derails me from whatever else I am doing. I continue to work on "acceptance" but when the feelings are so weird that little voice creeps into my head to say "this is different -- there MUST be something wrong" and the health anxiety train leaves the station. In addition to the raft of strange pains and sensations, the dp/dr continues to be a problem and I now believe that the dizziness that I experience is a related manifestation. Through some discussions in therapy it has become clear to me that these sensations predated use of meds and, while coming off the meds has no doubt exacerbated them, they are most likely something that I will need to figure out ways to cope with even after the meds are ancient history (which feels like it will take so long that I will be ancient by the time I'm off ). In light of the recent stressors and the fact that I just am not feeling close to "right" I have embarked on a hold. My last drop on the modified BM slide that I have been using was 7/12 when I went down to 14.0 mg so I would have been holding that week and the week ending 7/25. I would have reduced this past Saturday but I have decided to hold for at least the next several weeks. It is such a precarious thing, however, as holding creates great stress in me for fear I will never get off this poisonous crap. I know all the arguments and will err on the side of caution because I can't afford to become disabled, but I loath the fact that I have to put the medicine in the syringe every day. It just gets harder and harder to will myself to do it for the sole reason of harm reduction. Anyway, not much new to report. Just wanted to document the latest round of crap and, selfishly, seek some compassion from the only group of people on the planet that can understand. Best, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
AmyK Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 Andy. Be very kind to yourself right now. You are under a a lot of stress and all those symptoms are most probably related to that. Can you take some time of from work? Just a week? About holding - well done! This taper won't be forever. A couple of weeks is nothing in the long run. Instead it is self care. All the best to you Andy and your family in this time of sorrow. It would be very hard on anyone. You will be fine. Hugs, Amy Current dose: 0! Free! Quit June 2017. 2017: Last dose zoloft: 17 June 0,00065 mg 18 May 0, 001 mg 14 May 0,002 mg 9 May 0,003 mg 28 April 0,006 mg 19 April 0,009 mg 8 April 0,013 mg 25 March 0,019 mg 22 March 0,039 mg 18 March 0,052 mg 16 March 0,079 mg 4 March 0,086 1 March 0,099 mg 22 February 0,11 mg 15 February 0,13 mg 6 February 0,145 mg 24 January 0,15 mg 19 January 0,19 mg 10 January 0,20 mg 3 January 2016: 0,98 to 0,22 mg; 2015: 2,35 to 1,01 mg; 2014: 4,9 to 2,5 mg; 2013: 9,1 to 5,1 mg; 2012: 15,7 to 9,7 mg; 2011: Started on 25 mg - then 50 mg- dropped to 25- to 12.5 mg - back to 25 mg - after 18.75 mg started tiny tapering to 16.6 mg Started on 25 mg Zoloft in March 2011 due to stressrelated tinnitus that gave me panicattacks. Had a terrible reaction to Zoloft from start, but was told to "hold on". After four months I was stuck. Therefore the long taper. Crazy, I know... Super sensitive to drops and have dropped by 4-6 % from the previous dose. Link to comment
Moderator Frogie Posted August 3, 2017 Moderator Share Posted August 3, 2017 Andy: Do what you tell all of us, hold, hold, hold until you feel stable. A couple of weeks is not going to make a difference and you will feel better. You have enough going on in your life right now without the added stress of tapering. You need to take care of you. Again, I'm deeply sorry for your loss and you and your family are in my prayers. Take care, Frogie xx PREVIOUS medications and discontinuations: Have been on medications since 1996. Valium, Gabapentin, Lamictal, Prilosec and Zantac from 2000 to 2015 with a fast taper by a psychiatrist. Liquid Lexapro Nov, 2016 to 31-March, 2019 Lexapro free!!! (total Lexapro taper was 4 years-started with pill form) ---CURRENT MEDICATIONS:Supplements:Milk Thistle, Metamucil, Magnesium Citrate, Vitamin D3, Levothyroxine 25mcg, Vitamin C, Krill oil. Xanax 1mg 3x day June, 2000 to 19-September, 2020 Went from .150 grams (average weight of 1 Xanax) 3x day to .003 grams 3x day. April 1, 2021 went back on 1mg a day. Started tapering May 19, 2023. July 28, 2023-approximately .87mg. Dr. fast tapered me at the end and realized he messed up. Prescribe it again and I am doing "slower than a turtle" taper. 19-September, 2020 Xanax free!!! (total Xanax taper was 15-1/2 months-1-June, 2019-19-September, 2020) I am not a medical professional. The suggestions I make are based on personal experience. Link to comment
Moderator brassmonkey Posted August 3, 2017 Moderator Share Posted August 3, 2017 Try changing "this is different -- there MUST be something wrong" to "F'-it, I don't have time to worry about this right now." Get momentarily pissed at the symptoms for getting in the way, then drop it and go on with what you were doing. It can be hard with all the pain you are talking about, but it should help. Good idea to hold things where they are for a while. Let life settle, give it a few more weeks and then pick up where you left off. In the long run any extra holds aren't going to push out the end date by that much. When you get lower there are going to be a lot of little adjustments in timing, so it will all wash out. Keeping you in my thoughts. Tom 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Shep Posted August 4, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 4, 2017 Andy, I'm going to add to what Tom just advised, regarding what could be called the "F'-it Technique". It may help break what looks to be some unhealthy "spiral thinking". It's inline with the "fake it 'til you make it" technique. As much as it's draining to have to soldier on and get done what needs to be done, from what you've written on this forum, you are someone who takes the lead in a lot of what goes on in your work and personal life. That's who you are, so it's unlikely to change and fighting it may take more energy than going with it. To be honest, I don't know a lot of people who aren't going through withdrawal who could hold a full-time job time, help out with construction projects, suffer the loss of a beloved family member and take care of his family as much as you are doing. As Dr. Bessel von der Kolk writes, "The body keeps the score." But as the emotional events settle, the pain will fade and slowly, Withdrawal Normal will replace this current painful state, and your taper will continue on. And as far as worrying about getting off the AD, keep in mind how much progress you have already made, especially while accomplishing all of the above. Get as much help from other family members as you can, find time to rest as much as you can, and know that this is an incredibly long journey, but you have really come far. Your benzo taper ended November 2014, so you're coming up on three years off. I have a feeling you may see some improvements in the next year from that. I follow a lot of the long-time benzo survivor stories and two and three year marks seem to come with improvements for a lot of people. Maybe not complete healing from the benzo, as it bumps into waves with the AD taper, but improvements in the GABA system that may bring some much needed and much deserved windows. You won't have to wait for complete healing for you to feel improved. I think once you experience some windows (even partial windows), that will really help with the health anxiety. And then you'll build on those improvements, growing stronger and stronger, as you feel up to doing more. This wave is temporary and considering the amount of stress and loss you are dealing with, to be expected. And keep in mind - coming out of the wave is also to be expected. Tell THAT to your health anxiety! You are going to heal from this. Sending healing vibes your way. I hope you find some time to rest this weekend. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 4, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 4, 2017 17 hours ago, AmyK said: Be very kind to yourself right now. Thanks, Amy. Good reminder. I'm NOT good at this. I appreciate your words. Best, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 4, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 4, 2017 17 hours ago, Frogie said: Do what you tell all of us, hold, hold, hold until you feel stable. A couple of weeks is not going to make a difference and you will feel better. You are right, Frogie. Thanks for your reminder and well wishes. Best, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 4, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 4, 2017 16 hours ago, brassmonkey said: Try changing "this is different -- there MUST be something wrong" to "F'-it, I don't have time to worry about this right now." Get momentarily pissed at the symptoms for getting in the way, then drop it and go on with what you were doing. It can be hard with all the pain you are talking about, but it should help. It's a continual battle I'm working on, Tom. Sometimes I see improvement and sometimes not so much. I think the trauma of my father's stroke when I was a teenager/young adult is something that I'm going to spend a lifetime trying to overcome. It can be done but it is not easy. Neuroplasticity will get a run for its money! Thanks so much for your ongoing support and guidance. From one who has made it through the storm it is very insightful and uplifting. Best, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 4, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 4, 2017 (edited) 8 hours ago, Shep said: You won't have to wait for complete healing for you to feel improved. I think once you experience some windows (even partial windows), that will really help with the health anxiety. Thanks for this and for your continued support, Shep. I am counting on this statement to be true (not because you said it but because it is my belief and understanding about how things "should" work. 8 hours ago, Shep said: Your benzo taper ended November 2014, so you're coming up on three years off. I have a feeling you may see some improvements in the next year from that. I follow a lot of the long-time benzo survivor stories and two and three year marks seem to come with improvements for a lot of people. Maybe not complete healing from the benzo, as it bumps into waves with the AD taper, but improvements in the GABA system that may bring some much needed and much deserved windows. I know you have said this before and all I can do is hope that it is applicable in my case. A little partial window about now would go a long way to sustaining me for a while. At the very least a return to my baseline from before my father-in-law's passing (even if that baseline was nothing to write home about) would be welcome. Thanks again, Shep. Best, Andy Edited August 4, 2017 by apace41 Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
joy2730 Posted August 4, 2017 Share Posted August 4, 2017 Quote Hi A death causes so many changes, it would be brilliant and very wise to hold. It takes a very strong person to decide to hold, in my weak moments I run back to full dose, undoing any good I have done. You are so wise, I would say holding is paramount. Your body/mind will have taken a real blow by recent events, and now you have extra nurturing to do, and clearly little time to nurture yourself. However, you must show yourself kindness by holding. Joyy Jan 2023 to July 2023 250mg quetiapine Tapered off quetiapine again over 2 months - now weight problem Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 4, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 4, 2017 57 minutes ago, joy2730 said: However, you must show yourself kindness by holding. Thanks for this, Joy. Much appreciated. Best, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
nz11 Posted August 5, 2017 Share Posted August 5, 2017 Hi Andy Just popping by haven't been around much lately. Sorry to hear of the difficult time you are going through. I see you are on 14 mg that is quite an accomplishment. I think your plan to hold for a while is a good one. I'm reminded of a prior place member by the name of junior who had difficulty at this stage. Not that I want to be reminded of junior as we saw things very differently but unfortunately 13mg or 14mg stage seems to bring back memories of junior prior place moments. ugh!! I digress hang in there as the 13 and 14 mg stage has produced a bit of a hurdle for others. Maybe its just coincidence anyway sending wishes for comfort and stability your way. nz11 Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment
Flowers Posted August 5, 2017 Share Posted August 5, 2017 Hi Andy I guess any symptoms will be increased when your CNS is under the stress it is at the moment. It is a wise move to hold until things start to settle down and they will. You have had a huge shock and a bereavement is very hard to deal with let alone all the arrangements and sorting out you are dealing with. I should imagine it also brings back memories of the terrible time of losing your own father. Just take time out from the taper - frustrating I know but you have to let your system be as stable as possible. Like Amy suggested maybe take some time off work if that lessens all that you have to cope with. You will get through this - you are a very strong guy - just take one day at a time at the moment. In a few weeks once things are more settled at home I am sure you will feel so much better. Thinking about you and hoping for better days for you very soon. Flowers xxx 15 yrs on 20 to 30 mgs CITALOPRAM. MAY 2014 Increased to 40 mgs per day.SEPT/NOV 2014 tapered in 6 weeks down to 10 mgs as per Dr instructions due to violent nightmares/palpitations.Given Noctamid (lormetazepam) to help with anxiety. On average took 2mg per day for 8 weeks.No taper was advised.DEC 2014 WD severe. Nervous tic in eyes and limbs, muscle pain,fluct temp, weakness, dep and anxiety, nausea, giddy, unstable when walking. Different Dr suggested taking 20mgs CIT. BROMAZEPAM 3mgs up to 3 x daily for anxiety.DEC 9 2014 Updose CIT to 30mgs. Only taking BROMAZEPAM in emergency.DEC 31 2014 Settling at 30mg CIT - helping with depression. No Brom for 2wks.Found SA.APR 2015 Trying to stabilise on 30mgs CIT. JAN 2016 Started Cit Taper reducing by 5% per month. 28.5 mgs FEB Taper held bereavement. APR Taper resumed 27mgs . MAY 25.50 mgs . JUNE 24 mgs . JULY I stupidly mixed up my BP meds with CIT. Consequently took no CIT for 3 days and doubled my BP meds. Waiting for the fallout....Holding for a while until any chance of repercussions have abated. SEPT taper resumed to 22.5 mgs . OCT 21 mgs .NOV 19.95 mgs DEC crashed. 2017: FEB 3rd updose to 20.5 mgs to try to stabilise.FEB.switched over to 75mgs of Venlafaxine XR for 3 weeks.Too stimulating so switching back to Cit. 12 March 37.5 Ven and 20 Cit. 21 March 18mg Ven 20mg Cit. 4 April 9mg Ven 20mg Cit. Xanax .50mg when needed. 13 April 0 mgs Ven, 20mg Citalopram. Xanax .50 mg per day. 5 May reinstated a small amount of Ven to stabilize 1 mg twice a day. 20 mg Citalopram at night. Xanax .25 mg twice per day.Other Meds: Losartan (BP)Started 1993 at 50 mgs at night. Seretide (Asthma) Started 1996 at 1 puff twice a day. Jan 2019 Antibiotic Ceclor 500mgs twice a day for bronchitis and Atrovent 2ml capsules twice a day for asthma. Finished the course of both Jan 17. XANAX Jan 27 - Feb 3 2019 Failed Valium Crossover. Feb 14 2019 Updosed Xanax by .0625 Feb 17 2019 Decreased Xanax by .0625. Back to .50mg daily. Update Xanax 28.2.20 tapered to .1250 mg 8am .25 mg midnight. Update Xanax 11.8.21 tapered to .25 mg at night. Current Meds 28.2.19: CITALOPRAM 20mg taken at midnight. VENLAFAXINE .9 mg twice a day at 8am and 10pm. XANAX .50 mg split into 4 doses per day. 10am .0625mg / 2pm .1250mg/ 6pm .0625mg / midnight .25mg.Update 10.8.22 .25 mg at night. LOSARTAN 50 mgs taken at midnight. SERETIDE 1 puff taken at 8am and 10pm. 7.7.19 VENLAFAXINE UPDATE: Started tapering 10% every 4 weeks. Currently .4 mg twice a day at 8am and 10 pm. 2.9.19 .36 mg x 2. 1.10.19 .32 mg x 2. 26.11.19 .29 mg x2. 26.12.19 .26 mg x 2. 23.1.20 .23 mg x 2. 20.2.20 .21 mg x2.20.3.20 .19 mg x 2. 21.4.20 .17 mg x 2. 19.5.20 .13 mg x 2. 18.6.20 .11mg x 2 .18.7.20.10 mg x 2.1.9.20.09 mg x 2. 30.9. 20 .08 mg x 2. 1.11.20 .07 mg x 2. 2.12.20 .06 mg x 2. 8.1.21 .05 mg x 2. 4.2.21 .04 mg x 2. 9.3.21 .03 mgx2. 7.4.21 .02 mg x 2. 9.5.21 .01 mg x 2. 21.6.21 .01 mg x 1. 11.8.21 ZERO! Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 5, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 5, 2017 5 hours ago, nz11 said: hang in there as the 13 and 14 mg stage has produced a bit of a hurdle for others. Maybe its just coincidence anyway sending wishes for comfort and stability your way. Thanks, NZ. This provides a little additional support and validation. Good to hear from you -- we miss you when you are on hiatus. Best, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 5, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 5, 2017 4 hours ago, Flowers said: You will get through this - you are a very strong guy - just take one day at a time at the moment. In a few weeks once things are more settled at home I am sure you will feel so much better. That is very kind of you to say, Flowers. Thank you for being such a kind soul. 4 hours ago, Flowers said: Like Amy suggested maybe take some time off work if that lessens all that you have to cope with. A little challenging right now since I was out of my office for about 10 days between my father-in-law's illness, passing, arrangements and funeral. Keeping a roof above our heads, food on the table, etc. can be a VERY STRONG motivator! I will take your and Amy's advice to the extent I can and try to keep my days shorter and only to the extent required, i.e., the 12 hour days can probably become 9-10 for a while. Best, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
Blondiee1915 Posted August 5, 2017 Share Posted August 5, 2017 Hi Andy, I am so sorry for you loss. May your father-in-law rest in peace. You are doing extremely well given the circumstances. A loss of a loved one is a shocking and painful event and for a person in withdrawal and with sensitive nervous system is even more shocking/traumatic to say the least. I can relate to health anxiety so much. And I do agree with prior comments with the "F*** it technique". Based on my own experience the more energy I give to "what is wrong with me" "why I am not better", "there has to be something else besides anxiety/withdrawal" the more I feel the symptoms and start to believe them. But if I ignore them and work on staying present, engaged those thoughts become less dominant. It is scary and frightening because it feels so real, but it is not dangerous and will pass. I also wanted to comment on DP/DR and dizziness. I wonder if my DP/DR and dizziness is attributed to anxiety too and the WD just amplified those feelings. I also feel faint and weak like I am going to pass out (but I never do). There is no certainty for me if this is anxiety or WD or both. I am left with learning how to overcome it without the meds. What helps is remembering that it is not dangerous and it will pass. At time I get so frustrated and I say to myself "if I faint I will faint I am sick of being scared of it" (aka the "F*** technique") and I typically feel okayish and the intense fear associated with this goes away. The more we work on ourselves the stronger we will get and I have hope we will overcome this. Have a good weekend. Hope you will get some rest B. 04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM 03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM 01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon 12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016 Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16 Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg) Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 5, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 5, 2017 Blondiee, Thanks for stopping by and for posting this. You and I have a lot of common symptoms so I know you get what I'm feeling. Hope you are doing ok. Best, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 8, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 8, 2017 As all know, one of the key concepts behind our expectation that we will heal from all of the psych med damage wrought upon us is the concept of neuroplasticity. This youtube video is incredibly inspiring in that regard. This is one of those "if she healed certainly we should be able to as well" type of things. Best, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Shep Posted August 9, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 9, 2017 22 hours ago, apace41 said: As all know, one of the key concepts behind our expectation that we will heal from all of the psych med damage wrought upon us is the concept of neuroplasticity. This youtube video is incredibly inspiring in that regard. This is one of those "if she healed certainly we should be able to as well" type of things. Not only did she heal, she healed herself first (good thing a shrink didn't get ahold of her) and she went onto become a western Shaman and is working to heal the next generation of kids who struggle to learn. This is an incredibly beautiful story, Andy. Thanks for posting it. I was curious what type of education she advocates using neuroplasticity and I found her featured on 60 Minutes: New Hope | 60 Minutes | Arrowsmith School - video 13 minutes I can relate so much to this because I've been trying to allow my symptoms to be my teacher and use them to teach me what I need to do to heal. Sounds like there is precedence for this. It's interesting the effect that spatial skills plays in this. I've been doing a lot of spatial skills games because I've read that's good for improving the frontal lobe, as well as other areas of the brain. That has been a featured symptom for me, so I was really inspired by Arrowsmith-Young's story, her success, and the success of the students in that 60 Minutes segment. You are so right - "if she healed certainly we should be able to as well". Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 9, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 9, 2017 Thanks for finding and sharing the 60 Minutes piece, Shep. What an inspiring piece! Best, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
Moderator brassmonkey Posted August 9, 2017 Moderator Share Posted August 9, 2017 Hope things are settling down a bit for you. Tom 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 12, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 12, 2017 This is ridiculous. 2 am and I woke with burning, tingling and numbness all over my body. High anxiety as a result. And all this in the middle of a hold? Things just don't seem right. I am running out of coping skills. If this is all from the meds right now I would gladly take some pharma execs apart limb by limb. This is so unfair. Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
AmyK Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 How long have you hold? I will tell you my experience. I could never hold for more than five weeks, otherwise the symptoms got worse again. It was my body telling me to drop again. But that's me. Maybe, and probably, this is just a blip, symptoms coming from stress, and will subside. Use all your mindfulness skills, "this is now, but won't be forever. Everything changes." To rest is also ok. Sleep will come. Hugs, Amy Current dose: 0! Free! Quit June 2017. 2017: Last dose zoloft: 17 June 0,00065 mg 18 May 0, 001 mg 14 May 0,002 mg 9 May 0,003 mg 28 April 0,006 mg 19 April 0,009 mg 8 April 0,013 mg 25 March 0,019 mg 22 March 0,039 mg 18 March 0,052 mg 16 March 0,079 mg 4 March 0,086 1 March 0,099 mg 22 February 0,11 mg 15 February 0,13 mg 6 February 0,145 mg 24 January 0,15 mg 19 January 0,19 mg 10 January 0,20 mg 3 January 2016: 0,98 to 0,22 mg; 2015: 2,35 to 1,01 mg; 2014: 4,9 to 2,5 mg; 2013: 9,1 to 5,1 mg; 2012: 15,7 to 9,7 mg; 2011: Started on 25 mg - then 50 mg- dropped to 25- to 12.5 mg - back to 25 mg - after 18.75 mg started tiny tapering to 16.6 mg Started on 25 mg Zoloft in March 2011 due to stressrelated tinnitus that gave me panicattacks. Had a terrible reaction to Zoloft from start, but was told to "hold on". After four months I was stuck. Therefore the long taper. Crazy, I know... Super sensitive to drops and have dropped by 4-6 % from the previous dose. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 12, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 12, 2017 Thanks, Amy. I am in the 4th week of a hold. I had been doing 4 weeks of one cut per week with a 2 week hold at the end so this hold is really only another 2 weeks so far. I don't know if my body is saying "don't hold" as this is a very severe and out of the ordinary reaction for me. Very long night with horrible sensations all night and virtually no sleep. Still not past this anxiety state at this point -- still burning and tingling all over. Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
AmyK Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 I am so sorry, Andy. Wd is such a horrendous experience. Impossible to understand. Try to do everything you can to relax. Those symptoms will pass. Then it's probably not that you should drop again, just hold on and everything will stabilize. You have been under a lot of pressure and maybe your body reacts. But it will calm down. Many hugs, Amy Current dose: 0! Free! Quit June 2017. 2017: Last dose zoloft: 17 June 0,00065 mg 18 May 0, 001 mg 14 May 0,002 mg 9 May 0,003 mg 28 April 0,006 mg 19 April 0,009 mg 8 April 0,013 mg 25 March 0,019 mg 22 March 0,039 mg 18 March 0,052 mg 16 March 0,079 mg 4 March 0,086 1 March 0,099 mg 22 February 0,11 mg 15 February 0,13 mg 6 February 0,145 mg 24 January 0,15 mg 19 January 0,19 mg 10 January 0,20 mg 3 January 2016: 0,98 to 0,22 mg; 2015: 2,35 to 1,01 mg; 2014: 4,9 to 2,5 mg; 2013: 9,1 to 5,1 mg; 2012: 15,7 to 9,7 mg; 2011: Started on 25 mg - then 50 mg- dropped to 25- to 12.5 mg - back to 25 mg - after 18.75 mg started tiny tapering to 16.6 mg Started on 25 mg Zoloft in March 2011 due to stressrelated tinnitus that gave me panicattacks. Had a terrible reaction to Zoloft from start, but was told to "hold on". After four months I was stuck. Therefore the long taper. Crazy, I know... Super sensitive to drops and have dropped by 4-6 % from the previous dose. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 12, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 12, 2017 Thanks, Amy. You are a love. I will say I've had a horrible stomach all night. Don't know if that's the result of this wave or possibly that something I ate last night triggered the stomach and other issues. Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
AliG Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 Yes, This is most likely a mere blip on the radar however I understand how hard this is. It takes all kinds of strength to get through this and I understand and commiserate with all going through this.We all have to hang in there. I'm so sorry. Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 . Link to comment
AmyK Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 Could be something you ate. Just hold focus that you will come through this. Wd is very unfair! Current dose: 0! Free! Quit June 2017. 2017: Last dose zoloft: 17 June 0,00065 mg 18 May 0, 001 mg 14 May 0,002 mg 9 May 0,003 mg 28 April 0,006 mg 19 April 0,009 mg 8 April 0,013 mg 25 March 0,019 mg 22 March 0,039 mg 18 March 0,052 mg 16 March 0,079 mg 4 March 0,086 1 March 0,099 mg 22 February 0,11 mg 15 February 0,13 mg 6 February 0,145 mg 24 January 0,15 mg 19 January 0,19 mg 10 January 0,20 mg 3 January 2016: 0,98 to 0,22 mg; 2015: 2,35 to 1,01 mg; 2014: 4,9 to 2,5 mg; 2013: 9,1 to 5,1 mg; 2012: 15,7 to 9,7 mg; 2011: Started on 25 mg - then 50 mg- dropped to 25- to 12.5 mg - back to 25 mg - after 18.75 mg started tiny tapering to 16.6 mg Started on 25 mg Zoloft in March 2011 due to stressrelated tinnitus that gave me panicattacks. Had a terrible reaction to Zoloft from start, but was told to "hold on". After four months I was stuck. Therefore the long taper. Crazy, I know... Super sensitive to drops and have dropped by 4-6 % from the previous dose. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus apace41 Posted August 12, 2017 Author Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 12, 2017 7 minutes ago, AliG said: Yes, This is most likely a mere blip on the radar however I understand how hard this is. It takes all kinds of strength to get through this and I understand and commiserate with all going through this.We all have to hang in there. I'm so sorry. Thanks, Ali. You are always there through thick or thin. XO, Andy Sertraline 50mg and Clonazapam .375mg from 2000 -- symptoms of dizziness Spring 2012 increased to .5 Clonazapam and 100mg Sertraline -- no improvement Benzo microtaper from November 2012 to November 2014 (followed benzo sites "taper benzo first") Started Sertraline taper in December 2014 cut by 25mg to 75mg; 62.5mg 1/1/15 and 50mg on 2/1/15 Held at 50mg through April 5 to use liquid Reduced dosage in 10% or less drops from 50mg to 25mg -- at single tablet of 25mg on 10/5/15 Transitioned to all liquid for accuracy while tapering -- Horrible insomnia -- back to 25mg liquid and held until October 1, 2016 10/16 -- 11/18 tapered very slowly to 10.6mg. No real improvement and never really stable so updosed to 12.5mg (1/2 a pill) for convenience and long hold. After 8+ months of holding with no noticeable improvement decided to add .4ml of liquid Prozac (about 1.5mg) to see if that improves the situation Supplements, Magnesium, D3, Omega 3, curcumin, Valerian, 81mg Aspirin, L-Theanine, Vit. C, Link to comment
Blondiee1915 Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 Hi Andy, Sorry about your rough night. It is so unfair and frustrating. Just try to remember that there is nothing wrong with you health wise, and this is directly related to drugs. You are also going through challenging times and maybe your body is catching up to high stress situation on top of that. In any case, this will pass. Time heals everything. Continue to stay strong and just breathe, distract and rest when you can. Sending positive thoughts your way. B. 04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM 03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM 01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon 12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016 Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16 Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg) Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Shep Posted August 12, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted August 12, 2017 10 hours ago, apace41 said: This is ridiculous. 2 am and I woke with burning, tingling and numbness all over my body. High anxiety as a result. And all this in the middle of a hold? Things just don't seem right. I am running out of coping skills. If this is all from the meds right now I would gladly take some pharma execs apart limb by limb. This is so unfair. 5 hours ago, apace41 said: I will say I've had a horrible stomach all night. Don't know if that's the result of this wave or possibly that something I ate last night triggered the stomach and other issues. I'm sorry you've had such a horrible night, Andy. My main physical symptom involves GI issues, so I can really relate to this. If you can write out what you ate yesterday on a piece of paper, perhaps you can figure out what it was so you can avoid it in the future. Sometimes I've been able to do that, but other times, I have no clue what set it off. I do know the insomnia from GI problems can be brutal and can ramp up the entire nervous system including the burning and tingling sensations, so I hope it passes quickly for you. Please give it a few days and don't give up. If it was something dietary, you'll recover from that and be able to get on with your taper. Like others have said, it's likely a blip. Sending healing vibes your way. I hope you're able to rest this weekend. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now