SarahMc: Struggling with a year of multiple drug changes

July 29Jul 29

23 hours ago, SarahMc said:
Well I think it’s safe to say this UTI has thrown me into a bad wave. I’m the worst I’ve been in a long while. I know I’ll come back out of it but it’s hard to see the other side right now. Before this I had been making decent progress so I really hope I can get back there soon.
I’d really love to hear from others who got sick or injured, thrown into a wave, and then recovered to their pre-wave baseline.

Sending some love Sarah, when we are in the midst of a wave it often feels endless, remember your progress, proof and encouragement that it will get better. This is not an easy path we walk, but together we have got this. xxxx

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

3

July 29Jul 29

Author

Sadly my UTI symptoms have started worsening again since I finished my initial antibiotics (took the last dose Monday morning). I took an at-home UTI test again today and it was immediately positive, so I’m now assuming the last two were negative since I was on antibiotics and they were suppressing things. Anyways, going to the doctor today to get a urine culture.

So frustrating to deal with this stuff while in WD, but I suppose life doesn’t stop! Hoping I can get this cleared up soon.

Edited July 29Jul 29 by SarahMc

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I am new to this journey and my thoughts are based only on my personal experience with psychiatric drugs. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

Current regimen:

Cymbalta - 90 mg/day

Seroquel - 12.5 mg/day

*holding to stabilize as of Apr 2026

History:

Seroquel - up to 50 mg as needed for sleep (generally 6.25-12.5 mg a few times a week, though sometimes more) - 2009 (ish) to present

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day, periodically down to 30 mg/day - May 2014 to May 2025

Clonazepam - up to 1 mg/day as needed - March to May 2025, quick taper off

Zoloft - 150 mg/day - May 2025 to Aug 2025 (quick cross-taper from Cymbalta)

Pristiq - 50 mg/day from Aug 2025 to mid-Oct 2025 (quick cross-taper from Zoloft); 100 mg/day from Oct 2025 to Dec 2025; back down to 50 mg/day from Dec 2025 to Jan 2026

Lyrica - 200 mg/day - Nov 2025 to Jan 2026 (quick taper off from mid-Jan to early Feb 2026 due to severe depressive symptoms)

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day - Jan - March 2026; up to 90 mg/day from March to present

1
1

July 29Jul 29

1 hour ago, SarahMc said:
Sadly my UTI symptoms have started worsening again since I finished my initial antibiotics (took the last dose Monday morning). I took an at-home UTI test again today and it was immediately positive, so I’m now assuming the last two were negative since I was on antibiotics and they were suppressing things. Anyways, going to the doctor today to get a urine culture.
So frustrating to deal with this stuff while in WD, but I suppose life doesn’t stop! Hoping I can get this cleared up soon.

So sorry Sarah, I really hope you get some clearty on what's going on!

Sending much healing your way 🤍

please keep updating.

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

1

July 29Jul 29

Thinking of you @SarahMc hope things ease for you soon. This is a bump in the road, you can't see it now but you'll get back on track 🧡

Edited July 29Jul 29 by Amy B

Sertraline 50mg (June'16-Sep'24).

Sertraline 25mg (Sep'24-Aug'25)

Sertraline 50mg (08.08.25-01.08.25) *AR*

Sertraline 25mg (12.08.25-05.09.25)

Prozac 20mg (06.09.25 - 20.09.25) *AR*

Stopped all meds (Sep-Oct)

Sertraline 25mg (Oct-Dec) *AR*

Diazepam 2mg as needed for 8 weeks

Propranolol for 3 days

Sertraline 50mg (Dec'25),45mg (Feb'26),44mg (Jul'26)

~Taper on hold~

1

July 29Jul 29

Prayers going out to you, @SarahMc !

Started Paxil for GAD in 1999

Unsuccessful taper attempt in 2006

Paxilprogress helped with a successful taper completed in 2009

Using therapy and CBT to manage my anxiety

I offer advice based on my experience. Nothing I share is intended to be medical or therapy advice.

1

July 29Jul 29

I'm sorry to hear that. At least it's something specific and treatable- hopefully doing so will make you feel better in the long run.

Nothing I say is medical advice, it is simply my opinion. I am an anonymous person on an internet forum with no relevant qualifications other than being badly harmed by a drug. For all you know, I could be an idiot. You are making your own decisions and part of that is deciding how much to listen to my opinion, if at all.

Perhaps you should consider this post an artistic work of fiction written for entertainment purposes.

Story from SA: LukeUK: Remeron/Mirtazapine Severe Withdrawal - Introductions and updates - Surviving Antidepressants

15mg Remeron/Mirtazapine November starting 2022 (severe physical side effects)

Attempted to taper off January 2023, ended up having a major breakdown and going up to 30mg, took weeks to stabilise

1 month taper to 0mg

Last dose April 2023

Severe withdrawal syndrome with many physical symptoms

Summary: 5 months using Mirtazapine, including 1 month taper ending late April 2023.

1

July 29Jul 29

Author

Thanks @Luke. Although it's frustrating that the infection is stubborn, I am actually relieved to have some real confirmation that it's an infection and not WD or an adverse reaction. Now we just figure out how to treat it and hopefully I'll be back on track soon 🤞.

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I am new to this journey and my thoughts are based only on my personal experience with psychiatric drugs. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

Current regimen:

Cymbalta - 90 mg/day

Seroquel - 12.5 mg/day

*holding to stabilize as of Apr 2026

History:

Seroquel - up to 50 mg as needed for sleep (generally 6.25-12.5 mg a few times a week, though sometimes more) - 2009 (ish) to present

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day, periodically down to 30 mg/day - May 2014 to May 2025

Clonazepam - up to 1 mg/day as needed - March to May 2025, quick taper off

Zoloft - 150 mg/day - May 2025 to Aug 2025 (quick cross-taper from Cymbalta)

Pristiq - 50 mg/day from Aug 2025 to mid-Oct 2025 (quick cross-taper from Zoloft); 100 mg/day from Oct 2025 to Dec 2025; back down to 50 mg/day from Dec 2025 to Jan 2026

Lyrica - 200 mg/day - Nov 2025 to Jan 2026 (quick taper off from mid-Jan to early Feb 2026 due to severe depressive symptoms)

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day - Jan - March 2026; up to 90 mg/day from March to present

2

August 1Aug 1

Author

Hi all -- the saga continues. Urine culture came back totally clean -- no UTI. False positive on the dip was likely due to contamination from my period. Doctor now thinks this is some entirely different kind of infection, but the symptoms don't really match and I'm starting to strongly suspect it's WD or an adverse reaction. I'm having a really, really hard time because the symptoms have been affecting my sleep quite a bit. Just feeling really hopeless. A week ago I was looking forward to writing an optimistic update after holding for four months because I had been making steady progress, and now I'm feeling the worst I've felt since the very beginning with no end in sight.

Sorry all, I'm feeling really beat down and struggling a lot today. Love to you all 💜.

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I am new to this journey and my thoughts are based only on my personal experience with psychiatric drugs. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

Current regimen:

Cymbalta - 90 mg/day

Seroquel - 12.5 mg/day

*holding to stabilize as of Apr 2026

History:

Seroquel - up to 50 mg as needed for sleep (generally 6.25-12.5 mg a few times a week, though sometimes more) - 2009 (ish) to present

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day, periodically down to 30 mg/day - May 2014 to May 2025

Clonazepam - up to 1 mg/day as needed - March to May 2025, quick taper off

Zoloft - 150 mg/day - May 2025 to Aug 2025 (quick cross-taper from Cymbalta)

Pristiq - 50 mg/day from Aug 2025 to mid-Oct 2025 (quick cross-taper from Zoloft); 100 mg/day from Oct 2025 to Dec 2025; back down to 50 mg/day from Dec 2025 to Jan 2026

Lyrica - 200 mg/day - Nov 2025 to Jan 2026 (quick taper off from mid-Jan to early Feb 2026 due to severe depressive symptoms)

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day - Jan - March 2026; up to 90 mg/day from March to present

2

August 1Aug 1

Sarahmc, so very sorry to hear you've been in a rough patch and struggling. I know it is definitely not easy, especially when our mind is ruminating on thoughts and the CNS is not cooperating, they sometimes play against each other, what a violent cycle we must endure. It's good new to hear your UTI is better. Your deffinatly right when you say it just part of WD symptoms. They can get bothersome but it's just our over sensitized system try to settle things down. Sending thoughts and prayers for some needed relief my friend, you are so very strong and will get through this wave. Hugs for now xxxxx Bernadette 🤗❤️

Dec 23 Citalopram 15mg

13 March 24 13.5mg

27 March 24 10mg

12 March 24 7.5mg

20 March 24 6mg

10 Aug 24 5mg

24 Aug 24 4mg

2 Sept 24 3.5mg

11 Sept 24 3mg

19 Sept 24 2.5mg

26 Sept 24 2mg

5 Oct 24 1.5mg

12 Oct 24 1mg

17 Oct 24 Jumped off.

1

August 1Aug 1

20 minutes ago, SarahMc said:
Hi all -- the saga continues. Urine culture came back totally clean -- no UTI. False positive on the dip was likely due to contamination from my period. Doctor now thinks this is some entirely different kind of infection, but the symptoms don't really match and I'm starting to strongly suspect it's WD or an adverse reaction. I'm having a really, really hard time because the symptoms have been affecting my sleep quite a bit. Just feeling really hopeless. A week ago I was looking forward to writing an optimistic update after holding for four months because I had been making steady progress, and now I'm feeling the worst I've felt since the very beginning with no end in sight.
Sorry all, I'm feeling really beat down and struggling a lot today. Love to you all 💜.

Whatever happens, we're all here for you and in this together. <3

Remember, feeling like you're back to the start (if you made no changes which you haven't) doesn't mean you're back at the start, you're just at a bump in the road <3

2016 - Sertraline 50mg

2016 - Sertraline 100mg.

I didnt know better and rarely took it consistently.

June 2024 - went down to 75mg

2025 - Down to 50mg

2026 - down to 25mg

April 2026 - hit by withdrawal and kindling

Reinstated April 2026 - 25mg

May 27th 2026 - Upped to 50mg

3

August 1Aug 1

20 minutes ago, SarahMc said:
I'm starting to strongly suspect it's WD or an adverse reaction. I'm having a really, really hard time because the symptoms have been affecting my sleep quite a bit. Just feeling really hopeless. A week ago I was looking forward to writing an optimistic update after holding for four months because I had been making steady progress, and now I'm feeling the worst I've felt since the very beginning with no end in sight.

I think you're right about it being WD. Doctors are trained to find a physical cause for a symptom, so its natural yours wants to look for another source of infection.

Its also natural to be disappointed by a setback. But think about how far you've come! Waves are inevitable, but they don't define your recovery. You're making steady progress--stay focused on that and you'll be back on track in no time!

Started Paxil for GAD in 1999

Unsuccessful taper attempt in 2006

Paxilprogress helped with a successful taper completed in 2009

Using therapy and CBT to manage my anxiety

I offer advice based on my experience. Nothing I share is intended to be medical or therapy advice.

3

August 1Aug 1

31 minutes ago, mstimc60 said:
I think you're right about it being WD. Doctors are trained to find a physical cause for a symptom, so its natural yours wants to look for another source of infection.
Its also natural to be disappointed by a setback. But think about how far you've come! Waves are inevitable, but they don't define your recovery. You're making steady progress--stay focused on that and you'll be back on track in no time!

mstimc60, I definitely agree, our minds and body absolutely like to get our CNS worked up. Symptoms I've had during this process were 9 times out is 10 WD realated and made me frustrated letting my mind overanalyzing everything. It definitely a vicious cycle. SarahMc you will get through this, it's just a glitch in the path to recovery.

.

Dec 23 Citalopram 15mg

13 March 24 13.5mg

27 March 24 10mg

12 March 24 7.5mg

20 March 24 6mg

10 Aug 24 5mg

24 Aug 24 4mg

2 Sept 24 3.5mg

11 Sept 24 3mg

19 Sept 24 2.5mg

26 Sept 24 2mg

5 Oct 24 1.5mg

12 Oct 24 1mg

17 Oct 24 Jumped off.

3

August 1Aug 1

@SarahMc Sorry this is causing you so much worry. I read on co-pilot that SRNI's and SSRI's can absolutely mimic uti symptoms that come and go and can flare with stress. It's even more pronounced with SRNI's.

Try not to worry, hope you feel better soon x

2008, 10 mg citalopram, 2.5 mg bendroflumethiazide.

2021 reduced citalopram over 3 years and stayed on 5.2 mg citalopram for approx. 1 year.

Sept 2023 taken off all meds and put on amitriptyline 10 mg and Ramipril 2.5 mg.

October 2023 taken off amitriptyline and ramipril and put on propranolol 10 mg and Losartan 25 mg.

November 2023 taken off propranolol and losartan.

December 2023 back on citalopram 0.5 mg and bendroflumethiazide 2.5 mg.

February 2024 taken off bendroflumethiaide put on bisoprolol 1.25 mg but came off it same month. Put on ramipril 1.25 mg, still on citalopram 0.5 mg. Stopped ramipril same month. Decided to quit all meds.

June 2024 0.45 mg citalopram

July 2024 0.4 mg citalopram

October 2024 0.2 mg citalopram but had to increase to 0.3 mg same month

January 2025 quit citalopram at 0.3 mg CT.

Not taking any prescription meds currently, health checks have been good results to date.

2

August 2Aug 2

13 hours ago, SarahMc said:
Hi all -- the saga continues. Urine culture came back totally clean -- no UTI. False positive on the dip was likely due to contamination from my period. Doctor now thinks this is some entirely different kind of infection, but the symptoms don't really match and I'm starting to strongly suspect it's WD or an adverse reaction. I'm having a really, really hard time because the symptoms have been affecting my sleep quite a bit. Just feeling really hopeless. A week ago I was looking forward to writing an optimistic update after holding for four months because I had been making steady progress, and now I'm feeling the worst I've felt since the very beginning with no end in sight.
Sorry all, I'm feeling really beat down and struggling a lot today. Love to you all 💜.

I'm so sorry the infection hit so hard @SarahMc but I hope that now after medical issues are ruled out it's a withdrawal symptom that will go away on its own, I've definitely seen it happen, including on myself.

I know it's easier said than done but try not to stress out and in the meantime, maybe natural methods like vinegar etc. can help?

We're all behind you, dear, hope today will be easier for you 🩷

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

2

August 2Aug 2

16 hours ago, SarahMc said:
Hi all -- the saga continues. Urine culture came back totally clean -- no UTI. False positive on the dip was likely due to contamination from my period. Doctor now thinks this is some entirely different kind of infection, but the symptoms don't really match and I'm starting to strongly suspect it's WD or an adverse reaction. I'm having a really, really hard time because the symptoms have been affecting my sleep quite a bit. Just feeling really hopeless. A week ago I was looking forward to writing an optimistic update after holding for four months because I had been making steady progress, and now I'm feeling the worst I've felt since the very beginning with no end in sight.
Sorry all, I'm feeling really beat down and struggling a lot today. Love to you all 💜.

I am so sorry to read Sarah. :(

I agree this does seem likely WD related, as LIC said on SA there was much talk I believe about symptoms that mimicked Uti's.

I wish this path we were all on was straight and predictable but unfortunately it is often not. If this is WD then given some time this will settle down for you I have no doubt. xxxxx

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

2

August 2Aug 2

16 hours ago, mstimc60 said:
Waves are inevitable, but they don't define your recovery.

If I could like 10 times!

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

1

August 2Aug 2

hi SarahMc

Will say at prayer for you at mass today

Oaktree1

1991 - 1992 - Surmontil 50mg and Fentazin 4mg

Jan 1992 - May 1993 - 30mg Seroxat (Paxil); Fentaxin 4mg

May 1993 - July 1994 - 220mg and after two months 165mg Dothiepin - Melleril for two months from July - September 1994

2006 - 2014 Surmontil (Trimipramine) 50mg

2014 - April Cold turkeyed Surmontil and started Cymbalta 30mg; April 2014 15mg Mirtazapine reduced to 7.5 after six weeks

Tapered Cymbalta 30mg from June 2018-Feb 2019 and Seroquel 150mg to zero from Oct-December 2020.

Mirtazapine Taper: 2021 -tapered from 7.5mg liquid taper to 1.08 in December 2025;

Jan 2026 - Had to reinstate at 7.5mg; March reduced to 4mg and holding

2025 August - January 2026 50mg quetiapine generally three times per week at night; two 0.5mg tablets clonazapem per week ongoing

July 2026 - stopped Seroquel

This is not medical advice . Please do not PM me thanks.

2

August 2Aug 2

So sorry @SarahMc With you all the way 🧡 Keep letting the time pass

Edited August 2Aug 2 by Amy B

Sertraline 50mg (June'16-Sep'24).

Sertraline 25mg (Sep'24-Aug'25)

Sertraline 50mg (08.08.25-01.08.25) *AR*

Sertraline 25mg (12.08.25-05.09.25)

Prozac 20mg (06.09.25 - 20.09.25) *AR*

Stopped all meds (Sep-Oct)

Sertraline 25mg (Oct-Dec) *AR*

Diazepam 2mg as needed for 8 weeks

Propranolol for 3 days

Sertraline 50mg (Dec'25),45mg (Feb'26),44mg (Jul'26)

~Taper on hold~

1

August 4Aug 4

Checking in @SarahMc how are you doing today? Any positive progress with the infection I hope?

Hugs!

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

August 4Aug 4

Author

39 minutes ago, Fullhealing said:
Checking in @SarahMc how are you doing today? Any positive progress with the infection I hope?
Hugs!

You’re so kind @Fullhealing, thanks for checking in. Whatever this fake UTI is, the symptoms just out of the blue calmed down around midday on Sunday and have been much more tolerable since. I didn’t do anything to make them calm down, so I guess this is just WD 🤷‍♀️.

I’m still in a pretty bad wave, but I finally managed to get a solid night’s sleep last night so hopefully I’ll be on the upswing soon.

What about you, have you seen any improvement? 💜

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I am new to this journey and my thoughts are based only on my personal experience with psychiatric drugs. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

Current regimen:

Cymbalta - 90 mg/day

Seroquel - 12.5 mg/day

*holding to stabilize as of Apr 2026

History:

Seroquel - up to 50 mg as needed for sleep (generally 6.25-12.5 mg a few times a week, though sometimes more) - 2009 (ish) to present

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day, periodically down to 30 mg/day - May 2014 to May 2025

Clonazepam - up to 1 mg/day as needed - March to May 2025, quick taper off

Zoloft - 150 mg/day - May 2025 to Aug 2025 (quick cross-taper from Cymbalta)

Pristiq - 50 mg/day from Aug 2025 to mid-Oct 2025 (quick cross-taper from Zoloft); 100 mg/day from Oct 2025 to Dec 2025; back down to 50 mg/day from Dec 2025 to Jan 2026

Lyrica - 200 mg/day - Nov 2025 to Jan 2026 (quick taper off from mid-Jan to early Feb 2026 due to severe depressive symptoms)

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day - Jan - March 2026; up to 90 mg/day from March to present

3

August 4Aug 4

31 minutes ago, SarahMc said:
You’re so kind @Fullhealing, thanks for checking in. Whatever this fake UTI is, the symptoms just out of the blue calmed down around midday on Sunday and have been much more tolerable since. I didn’t do anything to make them calm down, so I guess this is just WD 🤷‍♀️.
I’m still in a pretty bad wave, but I finally managed to get a solid night’s sleep last night so hopefully I’ll be on the upswing soon.
What about you, have you seen any improvement? 💜

That's great news regarding the infection @SarahMc really happy to hear that although so sorry about the tough spot! I hope as well the the solid night is encouraging sign for a bright window 🤞🤍

I hesitate to say that I am getting better, there are perhaps a little more bearable moments throughout the day that are swept away by wild chemical storms that are very limiting, still housebound but the more I learn the more I realize that this is how the process works which lowers the level of resistance and a bit of the burden.. thanks for asking.

As long as we keep moving forward we will be fine 👊

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

August 4Aug 4

Author

45 minutes ago, Fullhealing said:
I hesitate to say that I am getting better, there are perhaps a little more bearable moments throughout the day that are swept away by wild chemical storms that are very limiting, still housebound but the more I learn the more I realize that this is how the process works which lowers the level of resistance and a bit of the burden.. thanks for asking.
As long as we keep moving forward we will be fine 👊

I’m sorry things are still so hard for you but it sounds like you’re coping impressively as always. You’re such a warrior @Fullhealing, thanks for constantly inspiring the rest of us. I hope things start to ease up for you soon 💜🤗

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I am new to this journey and my thoughts are based only on my personal experience with psychiatric drugs. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

Current regimen:

Cymbalta - 90 mg/day

Seroquel - 12.5 mg/day

*holding to stabilize as of Apr 2026

History:

Seroquel - up to 50 mg as needed for sleep (generally 6.25-12.5 mg a few times a week, though sometimes more) - 2009 (ish) to present

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day, periodically down to 30 mg/day - May 2014 to May 2025

Clonazepam - up to 1 mg/day as needed - March to May 2025, quick taper off

Zoloft - 150 mg/day - May 2025 to Aug 2025 (quick cross-taper from Cymbalta)

Pristiq - 50 mg/day from Aug 2025 to mid-Oct 2025 (quick cross-taper from Zoloft); 100 mg/day from Oct 2025 to Dec 2025; back down to 50 mg/day from Dec 2025 to Jan 2026

Lyrica - 200 mg/day - Nov 2025 to Jan 2026 (quick taper off from mid-Jan to early Feb 2026 due to severe depressive symptoms)

Cymbalta - 60 mg/day - Jan - March 2026; up to 90 mg/day from March to present

1

August 4Aug 4

9 minutes ago, SarahMc said:
I’m sorry things are still so hard for you but it sounds like you’re coping impressively as always. You’re such a warrior @Fullhealing, thanks for constantly inspiring the rest of us. I hope things start to ease up for you soon 💜🤗

Bless you @SarahMc

THANK YOU so much for being a great strength to us all and such a strong warrior!

Appreciate you 🩷

Edited August 4Aug 4 by Fullhealing

1998 forced on cipramil *no anxiety/depression background*

Over the years all kinds of SSRI/SNRI/antipsychotics/stabilizers due to apparently side effects/withdrawal

Many attempts to quit over the years with failure (extremely rapid taper followed by doctors' guidens)

Current attempt-Paxil 20 mg:

6/24 20 mg to 5 mg-severe AKA

9/24 Increase to 20-AKA continues

10/24 stopped completely-AKA out of control

11/24 Zoloft bridge attempt-25 mg to 75 mg+Seroquel-AKA continued-stopped them CT.

12/24 Back on Paxil 10mg (0.1789g)-some stabilization-from here tapered by about 30% each time (don't remember doses and dates).

2025 - 7.10 0.0558g (3.11mg)/7.11 3% 0.0541g (3.02mg)/4.12 1% 0.0535g (2.98mg)

2026 - 3.1 1.5% 0.0526g (2.93mg)/9.1 8.5% 0.0480g (2.68mg)/16.2 1.8% 0.0470g (2.62mg)/21.3 1% 0.466 (2.60mg)/23.4 2.2% 0.455g (2.54mg)/8.7 21.7% 0.0356.5g (2mg)/15.8 updose by 11.7% 0.0400g (2.23mg)

Supplements:

Magnesium Glycinate - started 28.5.26 1 capsule 200mg in the morning - Increased brain fog and muscle stiffness - stopped after two weeks.

Iron - liquid, quarter of recommended dose - increased anxiety and burning sensation - stopped after two weeks.

Saffron - started 8.7.26 1 capsule 30mg in the morning - pretty immediate improvement in terms of terror, body pain and sleep.

3

August 4Aug 4

2 hours ago, SarahMc said:
Whatever this fake UTI is, the symptoms just out of the blue calmed down around midday on Sunday and have been much more tolerable since. I didn’t do anything to make them calm down, so I guess this is just WD 🤷‍♀️.

Withdrawal is the gift that just keeps giving... wonderful isn't it. 🙄

Nobody can make this stuff up...it is so absurd. ❤️🙏

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for refux/150 mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger 400 mg as needed for nausea

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

1
1
1

August 6Aug 6

I am pleased that your UTI like symptoms have abated. I feel on the verge of them some days , but pretty mild and I know it is the drug aggravating me.

I hope you stay on that upswing, sounds good. The symptoms you describe at the beginning of your story are familiar to me. Share them with you and the overdoing it thing on a better day simply to catch up on surviving.

Pets are amazing therapists for us through all this. Hugs to you xx

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)

1

SarahMc: Struggling with a year of multiple drug changes

Featured Replies

Top Posters In This Topic

Most Popular Posts

SarahMc

SarahMc

SarahMc

Create an account or sign in to comment

Top Posters In This Topic

Most Popular Posts

SarahMc

SarahMc

SarahMc

Account

Navigation

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)

Chrome (Desktop)

Safari (iOS 16.4+)

Safari (macOS)

Edge (Android)

Edge (Desktop)

Firefox (Android)

Firefox (Desktop)