Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1022291

Shown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Transition from meds to emsam

Posted by Mrose on July 28, 2012, at 9:51:39

Have to get off Paxil, nortriptyline, zyprexa and adderall and 2 weeks of nothing. Anyone with experience? Worried.

 

Re: Transition from meds to emsam » Mrose

Posted by papillon2 on July 28, 2012, at 13:01:23

In reply to Transition from meds to emsam, posted by Mrose on July 28, 2012, at 9:51:39

Hey there, I read your post below too. Withdrawal can be hell, easy sailing with no problems at all, or anything in between. From your list:
- I've heard that Paxil can be tough to stop.
- I didn't have any problems withdrawing from Zyprexa, but I was only on it for about 8 weeks and the med itself made me anxious, so off it I felt better. Some people find it hard to withdrawal from Zyprexa.
- If I've missed a dose of Nortriptyline I've found no ill effects apart from increased cardio and blood pressure side effects upon restarting (not an issue for you since you're stopping completely), so the effects of the half-life mustn't be too bad at least (unlike, for example, with Effexor).
- I haven't been on Adderal so can't comment on that one.

My advice for withdrawal from meds:
(1) Get a proper written taper schedule from your doctor. Follow it, but take it slower if necessary, especially when you get to the pointy end of things where a seemingly minor reduction is essentially a 50% dose decrease.
(2) If it's an option, don't be afraid to go to hospital if you need to. They can withdraw meds more quickly there and you'll be safer if you completely bottom out.
(3) Perhaps read some of the documents about withdrawing from meds which are available on Psycho-Babble or do a search of PB for withdrawal + your applicable meds. You'll get a better idea of what to expect and tips for dealing with potential issues.
(4) I've heard of some people cross-tapering with Prozac when discontinuing Paxil as it has a longer half-life. Perhaps speak to your doctor about the possibility of doing this if you struggle withdrawing from Paxil.
(5) Speaking of your doctor, schedule some extra appointments if you can so they can keep a closer eye on you and provide timely advice if you run into any problems.
(6) Your illness(es) will likely worsen as you taper because your med dosages will become sub-therapeutic. Be prepared for this and restart all those general looking-after-yourself habits if you've let them lapse, things like a good diet, gentle exercise and relaxation techniques. Without meds, it's even more important to throw everything you possibly can at your illness.
(7) Reach out to friends and family if you need to. Let someone other than your doctor know that you are tapering off all your meds so they can look out for you. Don't be afraid or too proud to accept their help if/when you need to. Things like doing your grocery shopping (with your money) or cooking a meal can be a godsend.
(8) Most importantly, hang in there!

I guess it all comes down to hoping for the best, but being prepared for the worst. As I said, you may be lucky and have no problems at all tapering from your meds. Good luck!

 

Re: Transition from meds to emsam » papillon2

Posted by Mrose on July 28, 2012, at 13:42:03

In reply to Re: Transition from meds to emsam » Mrose, posted by papillon2 on July 28, 2012, at 13:01:23

> Hey there, I read your post below too. Withdrawal can be hell, easy sailing with no problems at all, or anything in between. From your list:
> - I've heard that Paxil can be tough to stop.
> - I didn't have any problems withdrawing from Zyprexa, but I was only on it for about 8 weeks and the med itself made me anxious, so off it I felt better. Some people find it hard to withdrawal from Zyprexa.
> - If I've missed a dose of Nortriptyline I've found no ill effects apart from increased cardio and blood pressure side effects upon restarting (not an issue for you since you're stopping completely), so the effects of the half-life mustn't be too bad at least (unlike, for example, with Effexor).
> - I haven't been on Adderal so can't comment on that one.
>
> My advice for withdrawal from meds:
> (1) Get a proper written taper schedule from your doctor. Follow it, but take it slower if necessary, especially when you get to the pointy end of things where a seemingly minor reduction is essentially a 50% dose decrease.
> (2) If it's an option, don't be afraid to go to hospital if you need to. They can withdraw meds more quickly there and you'll be safer if you completely bottom out.
> (3) Perhaps read some of the documents about withdrawing from meds which are available on Psycho-Babble or do a search of PB for withdrawal + your applicable meds. You'll get a better idea of what to expect and tips for dealing with potential issues.
> (4) I've heard of some people cross-tapering with Prozac when discontinuing Paxil as it has a longer half-life. Perhaps speak to your doctor about the possibility of doing this if you struggle withdrawing from Paxil.
> (5) Speaking of your doctor, schedule some extra appointments if you can so they can keep a closer eye on you and provide timely advice if you run into any problems.
> (6) Your illness(es) will likely worsen as you taper because your med dosages will become sub-therapeutic. Be prepared for this and restart all those general looking-after-yourself habits if you've let them lapse, things like a good diet, gentle exercise and relaxation techniques. Without meds, it's even more important to throw everything you possibly can at your illness.
> (7) Reach out to friends and family if you need to. Let someone other than your doctor know that you are tapering off all your meds so they can look out for you. Don't be afraid or too proud to accept their help if/when you need to. Things like doing your grocery shopping (with your money) or cooking a meal can be a godsend.
> (8) Most importantly, hang in there!
>
> I guess it all comes down to hoping for the best, but being prepared for the worst. As I said, you may be lucky and have no problems at all tapering from your meds. Good luck!

Hey papillon2. Thanks for all the tips. I am aware and scared of what can happen. In the past I've had bad withdrawals with almost everything. What was your experience thru all of it?

 

Re: Transition from meds to emsam » papillon2

Posted by Mrose on July 28, 2012, at 13:44:00

In reply to Re: Transition from meds to emsam » Mrose, posted by papillon2 on July 28, 2012, at 13:01:23

> Hey there, I read your post below too. Withdrawal can be hell, easy sailing with no problems at all, or anything in between. From your list:
> - I've heard that Paxil can be tough to stop.
> - I didn't have any problems withdrawing from Zyprexa, but I was only on it for about 8 weeks and the med itself made me anxious, so off it I felt better. Some people find it hard to withdrawal from Zyprexa.
> - If I've missed a dose of Nortriptyline I've found no ill effects apart from increased cardio and blood pressure side effects upon restarting (not an issue for you since you're stopping completely), so the effects of the half-life mustn't be too bad at least (unlike, for example, with Effexor).
> - I haven't been on Adderal so can't comment on that one.
>
> My advice for withdrawal from meds:
> (1) Get a proper written taper schedule from your doctor. Follow it, but take it slower if necessary, especially when you get to the pointy end of things where a seemingly minor reduction is essentially a 50% dose decrease.
> (2) If it's an option, don't be afraid to go to hospital if you need to. They can withdraw meds more quickly there and you'll be safer if you completely bottom out.
> (3) Perhaps read some of the documents about withdrawing from meds which are available on Psycho-Babble or do a search of PB for withdrawal + your applicable meds. You'll get a better idea of what to expect and tips for dealing with potential issues.
> (4) I've heard of some people cross-tapering with Prozac when discontinuing Paxil as it has a longer half-life. Perhaps speak to your doctor about the possibility of doing this if you struggle withdrawing from Paxil.
> (5) Speaking of your doctor, schedule some extra appointments if you can so they can keep a closer eye on you and provide timely advice if you run into any problems.
> (6) Your illness(es) will likely worsen as you taper because your med dosages will become sub-therapeutic. Be prepared for this and restart all those general looking-after-yourself habits if you've let them lapse, things like a good diet, gentle exercise and relaxation techniques. Without meds, it's even more important to throw everything you possibly can at your illness.
> (7) Reach out to friends and family if you need to. Let someone other than your doctor know that you are tapering off all your meds so they can look out for you. Don't be afraid or too proud to accept their help if/when you need to. Things like doing your grocery shopping (with your money) or cooking a meal can be a godsend.
> (8) Most importantly, hang in there!
>
> I guess it all comes down to hoping for the best, but being prepared for the worst. As I said, you may be lucky and have no problems at all tapering from your meds. Good luck!

Hey papillon2. Thanks for all the tips. I am aware and scared of what can happen. In the past I've had bad withdrawals with almost everything. What was your experience thru all of it?

 

Re: Transition from meds to emsam » Mrose

Posted by Phillipa on July 28, 2012, at 18:24:23

In reply to Re: Transition from meds to emsam » papillon2, posted by Mrose on July 28, 2012, at 13:44:00

When or what is the plan for date of starting EMSAM? I always wanted to try this when new. But expense was prohibitive for me. If you do a babble google search a great and lengthy thread is the one by Robert David think the name was. He was the first. Phillipa

 

Re: Transition from meds to emsam

Posted by Mrose on July 28, 2012, at 20:00:27

In reply to Re: Transition from meds to emsam » Mrose, posted by Phillipa on July 28, 2012, at 18:24:23

> When or what is the plan for date of starting EMSAM? I always wanted to try this when new. But expense was prohibitive for me. If you do a babble google search a great and lengthy thread is the one by Robert David think the name was. He was the first. Phillipa

Thanks! I started tapering today. Went to 50mg nortriptyline from 100mg. Also viibryd 40mg to 20 , all for 1week. Then work on Paxil 40mg, zyprexa 5mg, and adderall. Then nothing. Yikes! Later on I'll tell u what it's like. Thanks for the info. I'll look him up.

 

Re: Transition from meds to emsam

Posted by papillon2 on August 12, 2012, at 4:56:31

In reply to Re: Transition from meds to emsam » papillon2, posted by Mrose on July 28, 2012, at 13:42:03

> Hey papillon2. Thanks for all the tips.  I am aware and scared of what can happen.  In the past I've had bad withdrawals with almost everything.  What was your experience thru all of it?

Hey, I realised today that I had failed to respond to the above question. I recall writing and erasing whole paragraphs because (a) it had turned into a multi-page essay and (b) I didn't want to scare you unecesssarily. I'm sorry for leaving it so long.

---- How are you going? Where are you up to in your taper?

In answer to your question, I could talk about the withdrawal effects I've experienced - my spine shaking frantically like a slithering snake was an interesting one. But this was with a different medication (Effexor) and, in any case, everyone responds to medication differently - both when taking it and when discontinuing it.

You may not think so, but you are lucky to be able to draw on your own experience in dealing with prior medication withdrawals. You have lived through this before. This is evidence that yes, you might get really bad withdrawal effects (discontinuation syndrome), that you may feel worse - perhaps a lot worse - for a while, but you can prevail and get through to the other side.

I think it's more important to be prepared not for withdrawal effects which may or may not eventuate, but for the potential that you may experience the full force of your untreated depression, particularly if it is severe. Untreated depression is agonizing, exhausting, soul-crushing. It can be life-threatening.

So, if it comes to that, be prepared to fight. If you relapse hard, it is unlikely that your thoughts will be entirely grounded in reality (or at all). Being able to recognize this is powerful ammunition, because our illnesses can do a very good job of convincing us that our thoughts/compulsions are entirely rational when they're not. DON'T GIVE IN.

I hope to read an update from you soon. Until then, take gentle care of yourself.

Papillon

 

Re: Transition from meds to emsam

Posted by Mrose on August 12, 2012, at 5:49:23

In reply to Re: Transition from meds to emsam, posted by papillon2 on August 12, 2012, at 4:56:31

Thanx Papillon. Just spent 3 days in hospital. Couldn't take withdrawals. Am on Librium, zyprexa, abilify. Trying to wash everything out then try Emsam. You are right. Am aware that it might not work but I have to try. I may be a mess. Thanx for the advice. So far just feel doped up. God bless.


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