Posted by 49er on December 31, 2009, at 9:13:01
In reply to New Year...New Plan, Advice needed...., posted by Buckeye Fan on December 31, 2009, at 8:09:10
> First I would like to wish ALL a Happy New Year!
> Though we are all from different places and in various stages of dealing with our mental health issues, I am grateful to Dr Bob for this site, and for the input and help I have received over the years from those that share on this site.
>
> It is my goal to once again become Med Free in 2010.
>
> Please excuse me if these questions are redundant,
> I do have trouble remembering my previous posts.
>
> I am on 50mgs Pristiq...25 mgs of Librium...and 100 mgs of Trazadone at bedtime.
> Which Med should I taper first? Second?
>
> I am tired of the side-effects of long term drug use. I dont recommend this approach to others...nor do I know if it is the right thing for me to do...but I just have to TRY and see if I can function Drug-Free.
>
> After more than 12 years of benzo's and anti-depressants, I feel I have lost too much of the real me.
>
> My primary fear is two-fold.
> The "real me" may no longer exist....and the current "real me" may not be the me I think I should be.
>
> Number 2.....IF I have to reinstate, there appears to be ample evidence that the same drugs may not work upon reinstatement.
>
> Again...I know there is no way of knowing if I can successfully do this....nor do i claim this to be advisable.
>
> But I just need to try.
> I need to KNOW.
>
> BFBF,
As one who has slowly tapered off of 4 psych meds down to 3.79mg of Doxepin, I would save Trazadone for last since that is your sleep med.
If you taper that first and then do the other meds, you may have more rebound insomnia than you would be saving it for last. Of course, saving it for last doesn't guarantee you won't have rebound insomnia. But I think it will be less.
I am not sure if you should taper Librium or Prisitiq first. I would pick the drug that is causing you the most problems.
I don't mean to sound discouraging but you're not going to know who the real you is for awhile. You will see flashes of that person but even a slow withdrawal will cause alot of adjustments for your brain.
Also, remember, you're not the same person you were 12 years ago. No one is.
By the way, I started tapering in 2006 after starting on meds over 10 years ago. You can do this but please taper slowly at 10% of current dose every 3 to 6 weeks. You may need to even go more slowly.
Yes, it will take awhile but you're chances of being more successful will increase with a slow taper. Your body needs time to adjust to the neurochemical changes these drugs have made throughout it during the 12 years you have been on the meds. This isn't a case of lowering a drug level like Tylenol.
Write me off list if you want support. You can do this.
49er
poster:49er
thread:931755
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091227/msgs/931761.html