CMK5496 Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Hi. I'm a 45 year old woman totally addicted to psych meds. Several years ago I had a terrible depressive episode and ended up in the hospital for 4 days. I was prescribed several medications, but two of them I have been taking ever since, Prestiq 50 mg and Seroquel 300 mg. I have recently made some changes in my life, eating a vegan diet, exercising more, and now feel ready to get over my addiction to these drugs. I am not bipolar or schizophrenic, never had a manic episode, just severe depression which has come over me about 5 times in my life. This last time I was so scared I told myself I could never go off of meds. But I realize now that my doctor has never really asked me how I'm doing, or what my symptoms are or were. Skipping dosages of Prestiq here and there has had no effect. But skipping just one Seroquel leaves me shivering, anxious, sweaty, crying, and completely unable to sleep. Anything that feels that bad when I skip one pill has got to have bad long term side effects. I want to be free of all meds. I also have my own business now and insurance has been a nightmare. I'm having to spend over $300/month on meds. Anyway, I've stocked up on supplements, B complex, magnesium, fish oil, 5HTP, melatonin. I'm ready to start my taper. Wondering how many supplements to take, when, with my meds? Is it possible to take too much? Any guidance is appreciated Prestiq 50 mg, Seroquel 300mg since 2000. Haven't started tapering yet Link to comment
MollyN Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 (edited) Hi CMK, Welcome to SA! We're so delighted you're here at the beginning of your tapering journey, not a quarter of the way down a hellish road of withdrawal. It's very sobering when you realise just what a hold these drugs have on us. When we notice, like you have, how even one skipped dose, or taking a dose later than usual has significant effects. I'm so glad to read you've been able to make such positive health changes ahead of your taper, you're off to a great start. You've already added a signature, thanks so much, it really helps to know where you're at. When/if you start taking supplements (we suggest magnesium and fish oil) do add them into your signature. SA suggests a taper at 10% of your last dose, then hold for 4 weeks and if you feel stable, reduce again by 10% etc. Here are some links to discussions to get you started: Why taper by 10% of my dosage? Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first? Tips for tapering off Seroquel Tips for tapering off Pristiq It's also really important to take your dose, daily, at around the same time. Your brain likes stability, to be treated gently. The object is to gradually accommodate it to lower and lower dosages. Don't throw it off a cliff every day by skipping/alternating doses. Move it slowly down a ramp by gradually decreasing dosage by an amount it may hardly notice. A 10% reduction in dosage may be appropriate. Stay at that dosage for 4 weeks, then decrease again if appropriate -- by 10% of your last dose. Please read this discussion of 5HTP before you consider taking this supplement. Let us know how you're getting on and do ask any questions! xxxmollyn Edited October 29, 2017 by MollyN typo Drug history 20mg paxil in 2001 - 4 months use 20mg paxil in 2003 - 2 months use 20mg paxil in 2008 - 8 years continuous Withdrawal history: March 2014 - disastrous alternate day taper Jan 2015 - 15mg to 10mg. Disaster Sept 2015 - 10mg to 5mg. Disaster. Reinstated to 6mg. Relief Oct 2015 - started slow 10% taper Oct 2016 - at 4mg- stop taking paxil (not recommended) I'm not a medical professional. Seek advice from a knowledgeable medical practitioner. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted October 29, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted October 29, 2017 Hi, CMK5496 and welcome from me too. A couple of other points about supplements: Yes, you can take too many; your system is very sensitized and some supplements might not agree with you. Add supplements one at a time, at a very low dose, to see how you tolerate each one. You can always increase the dosage. B-vitamins can be very activating (possibly making you anxious) during a taper so they might not be advised. Single-ingredient vitamins are better than multiples; with a multiple, if something isn't working, there's no way to tell which ingredient it is. As MollyN said, it's great you found your way here before your taper. The links she provided will be very helpful. Gridley Introduction Lexapro 20 mg since 2004. Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017. End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg Oct. 30, 2020 Jump to zero from 0.025mg. Current dose: 0.000mg 3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete. Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper. Taper is 95% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper. Current dose as of Aug 26: 4.0mg Taper is 95% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotic, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase, L-Glutamine, milk thistle, choline I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. It is information based on my own experience as well as that of other members who have survived these drugs. Link to comment
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