Aa
Getting off SSRI's
Anyone have a withdrawal-symptom-free way to get off of antidepressants? I've mostly been at a half dose (5mg) of Lexapro, plan to split the pill again next week to 2.5mg's for a week, then a sliver for a week and then the sliver every other day for a week. Will this work without making me nuts?
Any positive methods out there for getting this **** out of my system?
Any positive methods out there for getting this **** out of my system?
Thanks. I've been looking for something doctor-written. I am so impatient that I was going to shorten my schedule but I will go back to at least a one week schedule between reductions. I've survived this far, surely I can last another month and not jump the gun.
Coming off ADs is the same as coming off sleepers in that they must be tapered and the slower you go the better. The Ashton Manual also has a taper program for coming off different ADs and you can find it here:
http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzsched.htm#s13
Also a couple of notes from the schedule as follows:
"Consult your doctor before starting to withdraw the antidepressant and agree on a tapering schedule. Antidepressant withdrawal MUST be gradual to avoid withdrawal effects.
1. Make each dose reduction as small as possible, e.g. by halving the tablets or using a liquid preparation.
2. If smaller doses are not available, reduce by taking a tablet every other day, then every third day, etc.
3. Allow 1-2 weeks between each dosage reduction.
4. If withdrawal symptoms are severe (Chapter 3, Table 2) increase the dosage slightly (e.g. to the dose at your last reduction). When symptoms have settled, resume withdrawal at a slower rate.
5. With slow tapering, as outlined above, withdrawal symptoms from antidepressants are usually absent, or if they occur, are mild and short-lived."
I've did my first reduction of 1mg 7 days ago and have found it quite doable. A few fleeting moments of irritability and labile tendencies but all over and done within 3 days. Will be staying at the current reduced dose for another 7 days and then reducing by 1mg again. Feeling much more confident that I can do it now and that it will be absolutely fine.
The worst thing you can do is to go too fast too soon. Withdrawals are horrible, truly feels like you are losing your mind and your control over your body. My current schedule will take me about 4 months but I am ok with that, after all it took me 11 months to get here!
Best of luck and if I can help with anything else please pm me!
Epi :)
http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzsched.htm#s13
Also a couple of notes from the schedule as follows:
"Consult your doctor before starting to withdraw the antidepressant and agree on a tapering schedule. Antidepressant withdrawal MUST be gradual to avoid withdrawal effects.
1. Make each dose reduction as small as possible, e.g. by halving the tablets or using a liquid preparation.
2. If smaller doses are not available, reduce by taking a tablet every other day, then every third day, etc.
3. Allow 1-2 weeks between each dosage reduction.
4. If withdrawal symptoms are severe (Chapter 3, Table 2) increase the dosage slightly (e.g. to the dose at your last reduction). When symptoms have settled, resume withdrawal at a slower rate.
5. With slow tapering, as outlined above, withdrawal symptoms from antidepressants are usually absent, or if they occur, are mild and short-lived."
I've did my first reduction of 1mg 7 days ago and have found it quite doable. A few fleeting moments of irritability and labile tendencies but all over and done within 3 days. Will be staying at the current reduced dose for another 7 days and then reducing by 1mg again. Feeling much more confident that I can do it now and that it will be absolutely fine.
The worst thing you can do is to go too fast too soon. Withdrawals are horrible, truly feels like you are losing your mind and your control over your body. My current schedule will take me about 4 months but I am ok with that, after all it took me 11 months to get here!
Best of luck and if I can help with anything else please pm me!
Epi :)
My doctor is an infectious disease specialist, so won't be any help at all. Think I will look up Epiphany's posts.
I was wrong about Epi's links. Although excellent, they are for weaning off sleeping pills and that was what she was sorting out post-tx.
I'm sure by tomorrow more people will respond.
I'm sure by tomorrow more people will respond.
Gosh, I thought I could do it in 3 weeks but willing to hear more. I think the sliver every 3 days is a good idea, too. I guess I could take longer. I know Portann had a backlash from stopping the interferon that went back away again. May as well stay doped for the possibility of that.
Must confess I am still aggrieved about being put on antidepressants when I was never depressed. It drug my platelets down and made treating rougher. I should have been given something like Atacan or other occassional med for irritable days. Naturally I'm ticked that I have to figure how to get off this addictive drug I never needed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Must confess I am still aggrieved about being put on antidepressants when I was never depressed. It drug my platelets down and made treating rougher. I should have been given something like Atacan or other occassional med for irritable days. Naturally I'm ticked that I have to figure how to get off this addictive drug I never needed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Medication Interactions With Valerian Root:
Valerian root may cause drowsiness if taken with prescription medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), benzodiazepines, narcotics such as codeine, barbituates such as phenobarbitol, and over-the-counter cold and sleep remedies.
The supplement may also interfere with the effectiveness of medications broken down in the liver, such as allergy medications, cholesterol medications, antifungal medications and cancer medications.
In general, you should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional and/or pharmacist about possible interactions.
Valerian root may cause drowsiness if taken with prescription medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), benzodiazepines, narcotics such as codeine, barbituates such as phenobarbitol, and over-the-counter cold and sleep remedies.
The supplement may also interfere with the effectiveness of medications broken down in the liver, such as allergy medications, cholesterol medications, antifungal medications and cancer medications.
In general, you should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional and/or pharmacist about possible interactions.
Why is it name valium so close to the word valerian root???
is valium made from the valerian plant??/
Description of Valerian Root:
Valerian root (valeriana officinalis) is derived from a plant native to Europe and Asia. The root of this plant has been used for thousands of years as a remedy for various ailments including sleep problems, digestive problems, disorders of the nervous system, headaches, and arthritis. It is believed that valerian root has an impact on the availability of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain
is valium made from the valerian plant??/
Description of Valerian Root:
Valerian root (valeriana officinalis) is derived from a plant native to Europe and Asia. The root of this plant has been used for thousands of years as a remedy for various ailments including sleep problems, digestive problems, disorders of the nervous system, headaches, and arthritis. It is believed that valerian root has an impact on the availability of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain
It's important to note that adjustment doesn't mean addiction. Antidepressants aren't considered addictive substances. Addiction represents harmful, long-term chemical changes in the brain. These changes can lead to tolerance, physical dependence and uncontrollable cravings. Withdrawal from an addictive substance is a very different phenomenon from withdrawal from antidepressants — which are simply drugs designed to restore normal chemical balance in the brain.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antidepressant-withdrawal/AN01425
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antidepressant-withdrawal/AN01425
I would take it slower, remove a quarter of the 5 mg and take for 3-4 wks (or longer), then 1/2 the 5 mg for another 3-4 wks, etc.
I've done it before, slow, slow, slow is the way to go. - stacie
I've done it before, slow, slow, slow is the way to go. - stacie
Slow Saturday night here on the board, especially with the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals going on. We have some serious Penguin fans here, not to mention that other team.
Epi recently shared her experience in detail (including a temporary setback) coming off her pills. She provided some great links and a chat forum I think she said is excellent. I'll dig them up for you if she doesn't see this.
Epi recently shared her experience in detail (including a temporary setback) coming off her pills. She provided some great links and a chat forum I think she said is excellent. I'll dig them up for you if she doesn't see this.
Port, take it slow & easy. I thought I didn't need one after TX and found out differently LOL. I'm takin' my zoloft and am quite mellow (most of the time) these days.
Maybe take your half pill for longer than just a week and your sliver for a while then every other day then every 3 days. I hear the withdrawls are nasty, be careful please.
Denise
Maybe take your half pill for longer than just a week and your sliver for a while then every other day then every 3 days. I hear the withdrawls are nasty, be careful please.
Denise
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