Hi Everyone, I'm new too...

[Luc]

How do you get those smilie icons to work? LOL! I need to nurse this headache for a bit but I'll be back.

You use the "Go Advanced" option when posting. Let me know if it worked for you.

[Elizabeth]

Thanks Luc.

[Junior]

HI Elizabeth and Welcome to IAWP :)

[bruno2006]

thanks for sharing your story, liz. this is the reason I left my first psychiatrist--they began adding things and it started with seroquel. I turned that drug down and eventually left that place. I believe this is a common theme with most psychiatrists.

I wish you well on your journey to a drug free life. PLease be strong and get as much support as you need. You could also enlist the help of a holistic doctor in your area if you can find one or maybe one in your state that can do online appointments like skype.

[Elizabeth]

Hi Bruno, nice to meet you.

You are right, the shrinks seem to switch from one med to another. I've had the "pleasure" of being put on Seroquel. It's absolutely awful isn't it? I've tried the cold turkey route with Effexor XR but it was a disaster. I'm so thankful to have found this site.

I have been thinking of the holistic route actually. I also find that meditation is very helpful in keeping me on an even keel through the W/D process. I need some "in person" support as well so after the holidays I am going to seriously investigate what is out there!!!

[Elizabeth]

HI Elizabeth and Welcome to IAWP :)

Hi Junior, thanks for the welcome! :)

[bruno2006]

well i never took the seroquel. I turned it down. Actually I didnt know what it was, she just said I can add something that would help my compulsiveness. I said ok and took the sample home. When I opened the box I realized it was an antipsychotic and threw it away.

If you can meditate daily, it is guaranteed to provide some relief. The problem is sometimes its hard to keep up with it but I make it a habit of doing a body scan before bed and then trying to meditate once during the day. Check out Jon Kabatz Zin for some good guidance. You could also find a Buddhist temple as they usually offer free classes.

I think a holistic approach would work well. I prefer orthomolecular medicine as they are specialists in nutrient levels and mental health. I have been off and on a nutrient formula which is basically like my own personal multi. I know I had very low zinc.

I tried to find in person support in my area but did not find anyone who wanted to meet up. I found a few people but guess people in wd sometimes dont like to be around others. I know Laura Delano knows various psychiatric survivors around the country so maybe you could ask her.

I was wondering (maybe others could add to this), but isnt it better to taper the cymbalta first before trazodone? I think cymbalta is one of the hardest to get off along side paxil and effexor so the trazadone may help that. just a thought.

[Junior]

I don't know about Trazadone but yes, Cymbalta is a bugger (is it ok to say that here?) to get off. I was only on it - 60mg- for 19 days, went cold turkey, and endured 2 weeks of moderate/severe upper abdo pain and all sorts of digestive issues.

[Sheila]

Bruno brings up a couple of thoughts for me -- 1) You don't absolutely need a psychiatrist to get the scripts you need. You could find a cooperative GP. 2) I had also wondered about the order you're doing the tapering. What is your thinking about doing the Trazadone before the Cymbalta?

Keep in mind that the amount of thyroid med you need may shift as you go through w/d.

[Elizabeth]

Hard night. Very upset with my psychiatrist for putting me in this horrible position. Thinking too far ahead re: Cymbalta. Just read about someone's experience coming off of Effexor and the 2 drugs are closely related it seems. Scary story. SO TIRED AND FRIGHTENED!!! Tomorrow is a new day............