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Catbird: Dealing with Polypharmacy

Catbird
Catbird
in Introductions & Ongoing Recoveries

Featured Replies

I'm sorry Catbird. Take some deep breaths, have a nice cup of herbal tea. Distract as you are able. Whatever your tools are to slow yourself down.

It's extra hard when your support person isn't with you.

You will get through it. Give yourself permission to take it easy today.

Thinking of you

Wombat

1998 Paroxetine 20mg, getting to 60mg and staying there for many years.

Started reducing by 10mg at a time, December 2018 to June 2019. At 30mg held for 2 and a half years.

Beginning 2023, start micro tapering from 30mg

End 2023 - 18.76. End 2024 - 13.37. End 2025 - 8.58 

2026 - 31 Jan - 8.38, 15 Feb - 8.19, 07 March - 8.06, 14 March - 8.00, 08 April - holding and start liquid transition, 22 May completed liquid transition 8mg (16ml) held for 1 month

27 June - 7.9, 12 July - 7.75, 18 July - 7.6, 25 July - 7.45, 22 August - 7.30,

 

Deuteronomy 31.8 "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

 

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    • Catbird
      Catbird

      in my CONTROL my actions & responses my values & goals my boundaries my beliefs what I focus on how I respond to my emotions how I spend my free time people I choose as friends ho

    • Catbird
      Catbird

      This is going to be insanely difficult. after holding my dose at 1.020mg at the end of April I thought I'd try to taper down to 1mg. The first couple of decreases went okay. My past was 5 days ago I d

    • cheeky
      cheeky

      @Catbird this really is an unfair battle . If it was me I would do what chippy said and taper of the sedating drug by a little and see if that makes a difference . You can only try and see . I will

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    @Catbird Sorry you are having a hard time of it. Being alone when you are not comfortable with it can cause a lot of anxiety. I hope you having something planned for yourself to distract you. A movie you have been wanting watch? A podcast or a book? Sending hugs. Hang in there.

    I am not a health professional in any way, and I do not give medical advice. These are only my opinions. Any decisions about your medical care should be discussed with a qualified medical professional.

    Quote of the century: "it's much easier to stop humpty from falling then it is to put him back together again." * as relayed to us by Chippy paraphrasing a comment by Altostrata, the founder of Surviving Antidepressants

     

    If you would like to reach me, please post on my thread and tag @rachelsusan, or post on your thread and tag in the same way, so I will see it. 😀😀😀

    Gabapentin reduction. 2026 Transitioned to partial liquid, 100mg in liquid and a 100mg capsule for a total of a 200mg dose. Dose three times a day. April 18 2026 first cut to 195mg (2.5%). May 18, 2026 to 187.5 (3.85%), June 28, 2026 to 185 (1.33%), July 28 to 180 mg (2.7%), Sept. 2, 2026 to 175mg (2.78%),

     

    HISTORY FOR ZOLOFT TAPER

    Feb. 2016 to June 2016  - Was on 150mg Zoloft.  

    Quit Zoloft (Sertraline) June  2016,  reinstated 50mg of Zoloft July 2016.  From July 2016  to October 2016 went from 50 mg down 2.3 mg. I up-dosed in November 2016 to 12.5 mg. Held there until January 2017 when I started a much slower taper.

    STARTING SENSIBLE  ZOLOFT TAPERING USING GUIDELINES FROM ANOTHER SITE - WHICH WAS VERY HELPFUL

    Dec. 10, 2016 – Switched to liquid Zoloft (sertraline) at 12.5 mg. Held until Jan. 2017, then resumed a slow taper. I tapered continuously from that point onward; however, my detailed taper records begin with Jan. 4, 2020. - Jan. 4, 2020 1.875 mg (6.3%). Jan. 25, 2020 1.75 mg.  Feb. 29, 2020 1.625mg (7.10%).  Apr. 4, 2020 1.5 mg.  May 9, 2020 1.375 mg.  June 6, 2020 1.25 mg. (9.10%).  July 4, 2020 1.125 mg. (10%).  August 15, 2020 1.0 mg.  Oct 24, 2020 .875 mg.  Nov. 28, 2020 .75mg.  Jan 16, 2021 .685mg (8.7%).  Feb 13, 2021 .62mg. March 12, 2021 .56mg.  May 1, 2021 .375mg.  May 29, 2021 .25mg. June 26, 2021 .125mg. July 25, 2021 .065mg. August 22, 2021 .048mg.  October 2, 2021 .043mg.  October 10, 2021 .038mg.  October 23, 2021 .035mg.  October 30, 2021 .032mg.  Nov. 13, 2021 .030 mg.  Dec 4, 2021 .0285 mg.  Dec 11, 2021 .0265 mg. Dec 18, 2021 .0246 mg. Dec 25, 2021 .023mg. Jan 1, 2022. 0 mg. OFF COMPLETELY

    My thread at SA - https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/12649-☼-rachelsusan-zoloft-on-off-and-reinstated/page/28/

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    2 hours ago, RachelSusan said:

    @Catbird Sorry you are having a hard time of it. Being alone when you are not comfortable with it can cause a lot of anxiety. I hope you having something planned for yourself to distract you. A movie you have been wanting watch? A podcast or a book? Sending hugs. Hang in there.

    Thanks @RachelSusan . I'm pretty sure I didn't take them as I started to settle not long afterwards. Still feel pretty shaky though. It's amazing how one's brain can go off line so quickly. I really appreciate the support I get from every one here. It can feel very lonely sometimes.🙏

    Link to SA Profile: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/32414-catbird-introduction-a-long-and-winding-road/

    1996 Commenced on Sertraline 50 - 100mg. Many ADs trialled -Fluoxetine 20 mg, Paroxetine 20mg, Venlafaxine 75mg, Escitalopram 10 - 20mg, Vortioxetine 20mg, Bupropion 150mg.  2019 Recommenced Escitalopram 2022 Mirtazapine 30mg - Rapid taper. Amitriptyline 20mg

    CURRENT MEDICATIONS: Escitalopram taper from ~ 10mg commenced 2024, Amitriptyline 20mg at night, Diazepam 7.5mg total per day, Baclofen 10mg morning, 10mg lunch and 20mg night, Polaramine 2mg at night, Ketamine troche 25mg per day (Ceased early September 2025), Valsartan 160mg evening, HRT (Oestrogen 25mcg/day) 

    ESCITALOPRAM TAPER: 5 April 2025 - started holding at 1.516mg. Escitalopram taper resumed July 2025; End Aug 1.364; End Sept 1.228; End Oct 1.145; End Nov 1.1 Early Dec 1.11; End Dec 1.082; 2026 End Jan 1.047; Feb 6 1.030; Feb 20 1.014; April 10 1.012; May 3 1.014; May 11 1.020 & still holding; Sept 19 1.014; Oct 4 1.006; Oct 8 1.010

    Supplements: Mg++ glycinate, Omega 3s, Curcumin. Vit D3/K2 spray, Vitamin B12 spray, chelated zinc.

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    • Hugs 1

    I'm glad you're feeling a bit better. Sometimes it takes a while for the adrenaline to come back down, hence the shakiness.

    12 minutes ago, Catbird said:

    It's amazing how one's brain can go off line so quickly.

    I know this feeling. And when we reach out sometimes someone will say something to remind us that we are going to be ok.

    I'm glad you reached out.

    15 minutes ago, Catbird said:

    I really appreciate the support I get from every one here.

    Me too 😊

    Wombat

    1998 Paroxetine 20mg, getting to 60mg and staying there for many years.

    Started reducing by 10mg at a time, December 2018 to June 2019. At 30mg held for 2 and a half years.

    Beginning 2023, start micro tapering from 30mg

    End 2023 - 18.76. End 2024 - 13.37. End 2025 - 8.58 

    2026 - 31 Jan - 8.38, 15 Feb - 8.19, 07 March - 8.06, 14 March - 8.00, 08 April - holding and start liquid transition, 22 May completed liquid transition 8mg (16ml) held for 1 month

    27 June - 7.9, 12 July - 7.75, 18 July - 7.6, 25 July - 7.45, 22 August - 7.30,

     

    Deuteronomy 31.8 "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

     

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    Always thinking of you @Catbird .

    You are doing so well. I had monophobia first time around after CT and RI. Not pleasant.

    Aug 2006 - Sertraline 25/50/75/100mg TO June 2019 - Reduced from 100mg to 50mg over a few months

    Sept  2019 - Reduced from 50mg to 25mg lasted a week,  then went back up to 50mg, after a few weeks back up to 100mg.

    Oct 2021 - Reduced to 75mg, Dec 2021 (mid) reduced to 50mg , March 2022 - Reduced to 25mg

    Oct 2022 - Reduce to 0mg (Immediate withdrawal crying, mood unstable, impending doom, digestive probs, tingling,numbness,burning, brain zaps,  insomnia)

    Feb 2023 -  "Panic attack" lasting 14 hours, 2 weeks later start back on 25mg sertraline, 12 hours later severe 'panic attack' with chest pain, tachycardia, restlessness, hyponatraemia, impending doom, racing thoughts, akathisia mild.  Taken to emergency. 

    March 2023 back up to 50mg (on medical advice), April 75mg, May 100mg. Back to 75mg within a few weeks due to feeling too stimulated and anxious. 

    Nov 2023 resume taper. 70, 65, 60, 55, 50 (March 2024)

    April 45mg, May 41mg, June 37mg, July 34mg Aug 31mg, Sept 28mg, Oct 26mg, Nov 25mg, HOLD 

    Jan 1st 2025 24mg, Jan 12th 23.5mg, Jan 20th 23mg, Feb 20th 22mg, March 20th 21mg, April 14th 18.9mg, May 5th 17mg, May 28th 15.3mg, July 16th 13.7mg, Aug 26th 12.3mg, Sept 16th 10.5 mg, Sept 22, 10mg, Oct 7th 8.3mg, Nov 4th 8mg, Dec 1st 7.7mg, Dec 26th 7mg 2026 Updose to 7.2mg Mar 20th, Back to 7mg Mar 21. Currently holding

     

    Other supplements: Fish oil, Mg citrate/glycinate 150-300mg per day, Ginkgo biloba daily, womens multi vit/min 3 times week, Vitamin C 1000mg night, valerian/passiflora as needed. B12 as needed. Bone support for osteopaenia (Ca/Mg, K, D)

    • Author

    thanks @Tracey my abdominal myofascial pain has now shifted to sporadic visceral pain following a period of relative calmness. I tried a couple of 3 mcg drops and my body and brain went berserk 5 days into the second round; I've had to updose. Aghh!! these drugs!!

    How are you doing? You've been pretty quiet this last week. Hoping your'e okay 😋

    Link to SA Profile: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/32414-catbird-introduction-a-long-and-winding-road/

    1996 Commenced on Sertraline 50 - 100mg. Many ADs trialled -Fluoxetine 20 mg, Paroxetine 20mg, Venlafaxine 75mg, Escitalopram 10 - 20mg, Vortioxetine 20mg, Bupropion 150mg.  2019 Recommenced Escitalopram 2022 Mirtazapine 30mg - Rapid taper. Amitriptyline 20mg

    CURRENT MEDICATIONS: Escitalopram taper from ~ 10mg commenced 2024, Amitriptyline 20mg at night, Diazepam 7.5mg total per day, Baclofen 10mg morning, 10mg lunch and 20mg night, Polaramine 2mg at night, Ketamine troche 25mg per day (Ceased early September 2025), Valsartan 160mg evening, HRT (Oestrogen 25mcg/day) 

    ESCITALOPRAM TAPER: 5 April 2025 - started holding at 1.516mg. Escitalopram taper resumed July 2025; End Aug 1.364; End Sept 1.228; End Oct 1.145; End Nov 1.1 Early Dec 1.11; End Dec 1.082; 2026 End Jan 1.047; Feb 6 1.030; Feb 20 1.014; April 10 1.012; May 3 1.014; May 11 1.020 & still holding; Sept 19 1.014; Oct 4 1.006; Oct 8 1.010

    Supplements: Mg++ glycinate, Omega 3s, Curcumin. Vit D3/K2 spray, Vitamin B12 spray, chelated zinc.

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