Support coming off medications

[flymttm]

hello my name is flymttm (flymetothemoon) this is a new thread for people who want support coming off medication

I have been taking zoplicone for more than 10 years. I take 7 mcg one hour before bedtime and another 7 mcg around 3 am. I am also taking fluoxetine ( Prozac) and amytryptyline and gabapentin for neuropathic pain which was a result of TVT operation . I was left in pain because of an operation to mend my body which was damaged as a result of childbirth . I had an anterior

repair and a TVT to cure stress incontinence . I believe these operations
normally have good outcomes but unfortunately I was one of a small minority
for whom it did not suit, the operation was a success insofar as I no longer pee myself but unfortunately the past two years have been fraught with pain . Pain from sitting, standing, wearing tight jeans, sexual intercourse was off the agenda in fact normal life ceased to exist. I have seen numerous pain
specialist who recommended various treatments ranging from Botox injections
in my pelvic floor to pain medications such as gabapentin and amytryptyline .

I chose the latter which I have taken in quite lareg quantities over the past
two years, I am on holiday at the moment and am so excited because I have
cut out the gabapentin entirely, have managed sex three times with NO PAIN
yeah and am contemplating cutting the amytryptyline next. I am only on
reduced dosage of 10 mcg . I am to be completely pill free by the end of
2012 . This is my aim but I need your support. Can anyone out there offer
me support? I know I will have good days and bad but I believe I want to be able to go to sleep naturally.

Hi fmttm
I replied to you on the other thread, here are a couple of links which may help you with the ziplicone. I'm not sure about the amytryptiline, the CITA site will probably help with that one. I think you should take it extremely slowly, one drug at a time and forget the calendar, go by how you feel physically/mentally when withdrawing and making the next reduction. I have no experience of getting off benzo's and tricyclics.

www.bcnc.org.uk/howtowithdraw.htm and www.citawithdrawal.org.uk/

I do have experience of tapering off Prozac though and it's taken me nearly 4 years. You can get it in liquid form and taper off it that way, whatever you do don't do the alternate day thing. Make sure you are eating a healthy diet, keep well and take a good multivitamin and I find fish oil capsules www.vegepa.com/ all help.
Does your doctor know?

Dear strawberry 17 thank you for your post. Yes I think you are right about coming off one drug at a time . I am going to tackle the zopiclonr next . I will try not to get hung up about a time frame and listen to how I feel . I will remember about liquid Prozac when I get to that . I am going to check out the websites you gave me. My doctor doesn't know but I will check in with her . Are you off Prozac completely now ? Thanks again for your post

I think you should check in with your doctor on this, even though in my experience they are pretty rubbish about knowing how to get people properly off psych drugs. It would help to have her support. Seriously you really must do this very very slowly, as withdrawals can be harsh. A friend has told me that on the benzo support group (first link) you can e mail them direct for advise and they have very supportive forums, she used to work for pharamceutical companies, definately worth a look.
I am now down to 1.40ml or liquid Prozac (hopefully 1.30ml this week), hope to be off completely this time next year prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/ It has taken me 3.5years to taper to this stage, I was very sensitive to withdrawal, before the start of this 3.5 year taper I had many failed attempts over the previous 10 years to get off Lustral/sertraline and Prozac.

Hi strawberry I have checked out those websites and I feel encouraged. I have a plan. . I am going to cut down by .7 of my dosage every two weeks or as my body allows . Am going to read your blog now . Thanks again