Hi There,

A few years ago, I discovered hyperbolic tapering. I have been practising this method and gradually reducing my medication over many years. 

 

I’ve experienced all sorts of symptoms that come and go. I'm not sure why, but I’m always shocked when new ones emerge, especially with such intensity, despite taking a relatively low dose. 

 

After holding my dose for the past three months, I had three options:

• Recommence tapering: a bad idea, as my body is showing significant signs of withdrawal, or
• Do nothing: this would have been ideal, but it became increasingly difficult, or
• Slightly increase: I reluctantly swallowed my pride and made this decision yesterday.  

 

 I’m so close to the end of this journey, yet I find myself stuck on this poison.

 

A friend mentioned this site to me, so I decided to join and record the final stages of my taper.

 

AlmostOff

 

Hi @AlmostOff

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

This is a volunteer-run, community forum aimed at helping those who are tapering and/or experiencing difficulties with psychiatric medications and withdrawl syndrome. We are not medical professionals and cannot offer medical advice. We simply offer support and opinions which you could use as talking points with a medical provider knowledgeable in withdrawing off psychiatric medications.

 

Please familiarise yourself with the forum rules and the disclaimer located here: Guidelines

 

Please make sure your signature is kept up to date with your drug history. This will allow members to see some basic information about your drug history and situation so that they may help you best. Information on how to do this is located in the FAQs section above, but here is a direct link: Update Signature

Once this is done, future posts made by you will have this signature turned on by default. For this reason please keep it clear but condensed as possible.

 

You mentioned you have taken a number of years to taper Bintellix. When did you start? What kind of taper have you done? 10% per month?

 

Im sorry you have hit a rocky patch at the tail end of your journey. It is not uncommon for folk to find those last drops difficult.

 

You must be well versed in dealing with WD symptoms at this point. Where did you learn about all this? On surviving anti-depressants? Were you a member there?

 

I hope this up-dose helps settle things down for you.

 

10 hours ago, AlmostOff said:

A friend mentioned this site to me, so I decided to join and record the final stages of my taper.

I assume your friend is the amazing @LostinCanada as she is following you I noticed? Glad you found us! 🙂 

 

Some general info we give new members:

 

-Stay Hydrated 

 

-Eat a good clean whole food diet, avoiding processed foods and sugars.

 

-Stay away from caffeine, alcohol and antihistamines and any other psychoactive substances.

 

Supplements are to be avoided initially, as they often irritate our nervous systems. Try to get your nutrition through food.

 

Down the line, you may wish to introduce Fish Oil and Magnesium. Those who can tolerate them have found them calming to the nervous system. Be careful try one at a time and start low and see how you get on should you choose to try them.

 

A daily walk is very important as much as you can manage, if you can manage it. Gets you your fresh air and Vitamin D does wonders for your mind!

 

You are very welcome here and I hope you find the site supportive.

 

Speak soon

 

Chippy

I'm sorry you had to increase the dose a bit, I understand why that would be difficult.

 

You need to prioritise your health and wellbeing and all any of us can do is make decisions that support that as best we can, so try not to beat yourself up too much.

 

I hope this place is supportive and helpful for you.

Glad you are here @AlmostOff

 

Good for you getting so far...you are doing great. ❤️🙏

Thank you for the welcome * 3.

 

12 hours ago, Chippy said:

Where did you learn about all this?

 

I read and listen to a lot from Dr Horowitz and his colleagues.

 

I taper slower than he advocates in his book...I'm still tapering after 3 years.

 

12 hours ago, Chippy said:

It is not uncommon for folk to find those last drops difficult.

 

Very true, sadly.

 

AlmostOff

7 hours ago, AlmostOff said:

I read and listen to a lot from Dr Horowitz and his colleagues.

Ah good. Nice to see how much Dr Hs work is helping the world. 😀

@AlmostOff what symptoms are showing up now? Are there new ones? Extra stressors can cause an upsurge in symptoms as well. 

Slow and steady. 

18 hours ago, AlmostOff said:

taper slower than he advocates in his book...I'm still tapering after 3 years.

Most of us can't go as fast as he advocates....some of us are like 🐢or🐌or🦥. Your body has to set the pace. ❤️🙏

4 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

Your body has to set the pace.

 

Oh, so true!

 

I've been given a not so gentle reminder of this reality.

 

5 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

Slow and steady.

 

Yes, even if we have to up-dose. Slow and steady to minimise the risks of something adverse / kindling.

 

5 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

Extra stressors can cause an upsurge in symptoms as well. 

 

This certainly magnifies symptoms - I can 100% confirm that. If the stress could be removed, I reckon I'd be fine.

 

5 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

what symptoms are showing up now?

 

Within three days of up-dosing, my ears have started ringing, so I'm glad I only did 5%.

 

Other new symptoms:

• Body jolts / tremors 
• Rapidly changing / cycling mood 
• Panic / Catastrophizing 
• ...and a few others

These things are listed as withdrawal, but they could also be a response to significant stress.

 

What journey.

20 minutes ago, AlmostOff said:

Within three days of up-dosing, my ears have started ringing, so I'm glad I only did 5%

It is definitely a gamble with an updose...glad you only did 5%. 

21 minutes ago, AlmostOff said:

Other new symptoms:

• Body jolts / tremors 
• Rapidly changing / cycling mood 
• Panic / Catastrophizing 
• ...and a few others

Definitely time to slow it down....what percentage were you tapering...looks like you should go a bit slower.

This journey is so hard...glad you are here to get some support. It can be very isolating otherwise. No one can fully understand unless they have dealt with this level of madness. ❤️🙏

20 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

what percentage were you tapering

 

Always < 10% per month of the current dose.

 

21 minutes ago, LostinCanada said:

No one can fully understand unless they have dealt with this level of madness.

 

Sad, but true.

19 minutes ago, AlmostOff said:

Always < 10% per month of the current dose

Even a slow careful taper isn't symptom free... really sorry you are dealing with this. 

Within a week of my first post, I started feeling calmer.

 

That feeling could have been a result of:

• Being more accepting of the position I find myself in, or
• The microscopic 0.02mg up-dose, or
• A placebo effect, or
• A combination of all three.

I suppose it doesn’t really matter. Calm is calm... but I’m leaning towards it being acceptance.

 

Although not part of my original plan (life can be complicated), I now find myself trying to follow the “slower taper” in the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines. This approach is a bit quicker than the tapering I’ve done previously.

 

I usually notice WD symptoms within the first 1-3 days. So far, I haven’t experienced any significant WD symptoms since dropping 12 days ago – maybe a few minor things. That said, I’m not getting ahead of myself, as this process can humble you in a flash! 

 

LostinCanada’s words still echo in my mind; our bodies set the pace with tapering. I’ll be sure not to ignore any warning signs.

 

AlmostOff

16 minutes ago, AlmostOff said:

Within a week of my first post, I started feeling calmer.

 

That feeling could have been a result of:

• Being more accepting of the position I find myself in, or
• The microscopic 0.02mg up-dose, or
• A placebo effect, or
• A combination of all three.

I suppose it doesn’t really matter. Calm is calm... but I’m leaning towards it being acceptance.

 

Although not part of my original plan (life can be complicated), I now find myself trying to follow the “slower taper” in the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines. This approach is a bit quicker than the tapering I’ve done previously.

 

I usually notice WD symptoms within the first 1-3 days. So far, I haven’t experienced any significant WD symptoms since dropping 12 days ago – maybe a few minor things. That said, I’m not getting ahead of myself, as this process can humble you in a flash! 

 

LostinCanada’s words still echo in my mind; our bodies set the pace with tapering. I’ll be sure not to ignore any warning signs.

 

AlmostOff

There are other factors but the main one is no doubt acceptance which you seem to be working on very well.

Hope the relief only gets bigger @AlmostOff well done!

21 minutes ago, AlmostOff said:

Although not part of my original plan (life can be complicated), I now find myself trying to follow the “slower taper” in the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines. This approach is a bit quicker than the tapering I’ve done previously.

Sometimes life throws a curve ball and we have to regroup. I know some have been able to go a bit faster in these lower doses...I hope your body says 'yes, let's do this!'.

23 minutes ago, AlmostOff said:

the pace with tapering. I’ll be sure not to ignore any warning signs.

Happy to hear... it's all we can do. ❤️🙏

Hi AlmostOff

 

I love your forum name. You are nearly there!!!! (I dream of getting to that dose).

 

Unfortunately, the lower doses are harder.

 

You are doing so well.

 

Keep listening to your body, hold when necessary. 

 

Wombat

8 hours ago, Fullhealing said:

There are other factors but the main one is no doubt acceptance

 

Absolutely.

 

Thank you for dropping by to say hi. I appreciate your kindness.

 

8 hours ago, LostinCanada said:

Sometimes life throws a curve ball and we have to regroup.

 

So true.

 

We must adapt to those curve balls, one step at a time!

 

7 hours ago, Wombat said:

Unfortunately, the lower doses are harder.

 

Yes. I've read and heard Dr Horowitz talk about this, hence his recommended hyperbolic taper.

 

I'll see how it works out 😬

 

Hi AlmostOff,

 

Just sending you a note of encouragement. How did the last drop go? Hope you are doing OK.

 

Thanks for all the help with the micropipette on Cheeky's thread. I have been following carefully.

 

Best wishes

 

Wombat

22 hours ago, Wombat said:

Just sending you a note of encouragement. How did the last drop go? Hope you are doing OK.

That's very thoughtful of you, Wombat. I'm doing ok. I have some very minor WD symptoms at the moment.

I'm due to drop again in two weeks, but I will reassess closer to the date.

When people push on and ignore the WD warning signs, that's when they get themselves into trouble.

22 hours ago, Wombat said:

Thanks for all the help with the micropipette on Cheeky's thread. I have been following carefully.

I am glad you found that information beneficial. We all have to learn lessons from those who have gone before us on this journey. I've made the progress I've made because I have trusted people with 'lived experience' (I don't really like that phrase, but it's true). It has been my experience that doctors just don't understand.

Had others not been brave enough to leave an account of their experience on sites like this, we'd be none the wiser!

Hi AlmostOff,

Minor withdrawal symptoms aren't too bad if you are able to function. (Any withdrawal symptoms are awful). I always reassess before I do another drop too. Check how I am, hold if necessary.

1 hour ago, AlmostOff said:

We all have to learn lessons from those who have gone before us on this journey. I've made the progress I've made because I have trusted people with 'lived experience' (I don't really like that phrase, but it's true). It has been my experience that doctors just don't understand.

Had others not been brave enough to leave an account of their experience on sites like this, we'd be none the wiser!

I have read A LOT of the stories on SA. Without that community I don't know where I would be. (Actually, probably on a whole lot of different meds).

Wishing you a speedy recovery from this drop.

Wombat

6 hours ago, AlmostOff said:

When people push on and ignore the WD warning signs, that's when they get themselves into trouble.

I whole heartedly agree!

6 hours ago, AlmostOff said:

I've made the progress I've made because I have trusted people with 'lived experience' (I don't really like that phrase, but it's true). It has been my experience that doctors just don't understand.

It’s how this whole community works! You’re a shining example @AlmostOff and everything you are posting is adding to the information, that will help those in the future. 😀

Hi AlmostOff,

Just thinking of you, hope your recent drop hasn't caused too many bumps.

Wombat

So kind of you to drop by, Wombat.

11 hours ago, Wombat said:

hope your recent drop hasn't caused too many bumps.

It's been 5 days since my last drop. Usually, I'd be hit by something by now, but I'm doing ok. I do have mild WD symptoms, but not the debilitating anxiety or sense of impending doom of the past.

I've had maybe 4 or 5 nights with 7 hours of unbroken sleep! That's unheard of over the past number of years. I was waking up every 2 hours or so for quite some time.

I'm not getting ahead of myself. I remain vigilant for the warning signs.

I appreciate you reaching out, Wombat (as I type your name, my mind goes back to visiting my mate’s farm as a kid and seeing the wombat burrows).

This is really exciting to read. The drop you made is really quite large (which I realise has to be when you are in the lower doses). I was wondering how to go about the really, really low doses.

I am so happy to read of your sleep improving. That is really great.

Hopefully you are going to be able to slide off these meds without too many ripples when the time comes.

I am excited to see you make it to the other side.

1 hour ago, AlmostOff said:

wombat burrows

I've never seen a wombat burrow before. But I chose my name because when I am in my waves I imagine being a wombat and going and hiding in my burrow for a while. 😆

Hopefully, the rest of this month is wave free for you (or at least mild).

Wombat

3 hours ago, AlmostOff said:

So kind of you to drop by, Wombat.

It's been 5 days since my last drop. Usually, I'd be hit by something by now, but I'm doing ok. I do have mild WD symptoms, but not the debilitating anxiety or sense of impending doom of the past.

I've had maybe 4 or 5 nights with 7 hours of unbroken sleep! That's unheard of over the past number of years. I was waking up every 2 hours or so for quite some time.

I'm not getting ahead of myself. I remain vigilant for the warning signs.

I appreciate you reaching out, Wombat (as I type your name, my mind goes back to visiting my mate’s farm as a kid and seeing the wombat burrows).

So happy to read @AlmostOff and the sleep! Excellent!

Hi AlmostOff,

Thinking of you. Hoping everything is still going well with this drop.

Wombat