Cross Tapering and brutal side effects

Hi @Cuddlebear . I’ve just read your post about coming off an antidepressant and into a new one and I can relate to this as a person who has depression and therefore a lived experience of this type of issue. Changing medication is hard and often not an enjoyable experience at the time, especially with side effects and I can relate in some ways to your thoughts and feelings of the experience, however, it does get better and improve over time once the new medication starts working. I’ve also done the PARCS experience several times and have an idea of what goes on in that type of facility as well- some good, some not so good.

Changing meds is hard and some antidepressants have some bad side effects when coming off them and changing to new ones. I do know that the PARCS I’ve been to on the past refuse to do any meds changes because of only being short term - usually 2 week stays at the most- and would prefer this to be done in hospital or with your own doctor or psychiatrist monitoring this. In the past, I’ve contacted my own treating team for medication issues with my housemate calling my psychiatrist at one point when a med made me violent and aggressive - a side effect of an anti depressant- which he got me off straight away and onto another one. Is it possible for you to call your treating team for advice on these medication issues? If not, I’d call an emergency line such as nurse on call or psych triage - this is in Victoria where I’m based- or your local hospital to try and speak to someone about these issues you’re currently experiencing as they may be able to help you. The other option is to go to your nearest hospital emergency department and explain your symptoms and see what they can do to help you. I’ve done this in the past and have had the help of their mental health team who have linked me in with the community mental health service to assist me at home during this change over period which could last for at least 4-6 weeks until things correct themselves and you start feeling okay again.

As for the mental health and wellbeing service discontinuing your support at Christmas time, this is upsetting to hear but to be honest, I’m not surprised as there’s been lots of changes to funding mental health services with funding cut and too many people requiring care but not enough staff to be able to help them. I’ve been in a similar situation where I needed my medication reviewed as I couldn’t afford a private psychiatrist and I finally got linked in to the local hospital mental health service only after my housemate advocated for me and one hospital admission later only to be put on a medication by them and no follow up afterwards as they believed my GP could manage my condition, despite not being trained in mental health. If you’ve got friends or family who could advocate for you and your needs, it might be worth them contacting your social worker and trying to see if they can get the services to extend your care with the team? The social worker or psychologist could also refer you on to a new care team who could take on your care if they know of other services as well. This also depends on whether or not they believe you still need treatment and support and what they can offer you. Talking to your GP or person who referred you to PARCS and is following up your medication changes would also be beneficial as they may have people who could help you. Again, just some suggestions for you to look into.

I do hope things improve for you and you feel better soon.

Take care and stay safe.

Judi9877

@Judi9877 Hello it’s so good to meet you and I really want to thank you for sharing your experience with me. It’s really helped me know that others have gone through the change and survived it despite having awful symptoms. It’s just tremendously kind of you to reply. Thank you so much.

You are so correct in saying changing meds is not a fun experience. I realise everyone is different but it’s just been brutal for me personally. I’m hoping the new medication will start to work ie I’ll notice a change as I keep tapering off the old one. PARC was a mixed experience for me too. It had some really helpful parts and not so helpful but I’m overall glad I went. That’s where I had access to the psychiatrist as I can’t afford one being on a pension. PARC now have had my GP managing the cross taper. He’s not a bad GP and understands at least thwt I don’t want to keep cross tapering so fast and want my body to be given a chance to adjust properly to each taper before the next ones. He’s given me a small dose of a sedative which has helped. I’ll go off that once the cross taper is done and new medicine is working.

The mental health well being local said if the new drugs not working they can refer me to CATT. I’ve not had the most positive experience with them and discharged myself from their care. I’m also deaf/blind and CATT were terrible in regards to having multiple disabilities to meet my needs.

The social worker at the local has just made a referral to the LINK program. This will give me some opportunities to get out to do some activities which helps me as I’m not left alone feeling awful. Gets my mind off how I’m feeling and focusing on something pleasant and I get to be with others who are peers from our community and have lived experience. She’s also referred me to a group they run a peer group which I can attend once a week. I’m also in Victoria. 🙂

I have 1 supportive friend who’s actually just come over to stay the night so I have some company which is really lovely of them. My family just find me a burden having disabilities and so they rarely make contact.

I do have the mental health triage number and didn’t think of nurse on call. I’ll get their details online and call them should I need it.

Did your taper go quickly or were you able to do it slowly? I’m thinking slowly is good as it can reduce the full on withdrawal effects.

How are you feeling now? I really hope you are feeling better after changing meds.

Hugs 🫂 @Cuddlebear

Hearing how hard it is.

One med caused me a lot of grief, the psychiatrist tried to wean me off it at least half a dozen times and it was brutal too. I kept having to be hospitalised and put back on it. Tbh I don't remember how I finally got off it (something was eventually subsequently substituted).

When I came off my last antidepressant I tapered very slowly, perhaps a week at each level, and 1/4 tablet at a time (I started out on 3 tablets and used a tablet cutter.) As you can imagine it took ages.

The silver lining for you is that if your local suspends services at Xmas you'll almost immediately be eligible for 6 + 4 psychology sessions in the new year if you have a mental health care plan. It would be wise to plan ahead and ask your gp if they know anyone who bulkbills.

I was booted off a community service mid-therapy course last year when my time expired, although I was approaching an extremely challenging life event that could have had devastating consequences. The time limits are essentially arbitrary and seem to relate to rationing funding and demand for services rather than meeting actual needs - people do have different needs and the model seems more related to relatively minor problems that can be treated with a short course of CBT.

Please know that people here do care and I'm glad the lovely @Judi9877 was able to share her experience and wisdom.

I do hope the awful problems with your "new" accommodation have been resolved and you're not battling that as well.

@Dimity How are you lovely? How is your day today?

It must have been so hard for you having to taper. It’s like that for most people but I really can see your strength in persevering and doing what you could to find the best way to taper and feel better. I’m just really sorry it took a lot of work for you.

Are you now off medicine completely? How are you feeling?

How awful you were booted off a service before you were ready especially as you had significant challenging times coming up. I realise services are stretched but allowing people to stay supported until they are better is critically important. By exiting people early the person will need to reengage only adding to the load the service has and it really puts the person in a terrible situation. It’s absolutely not OK and I’m so sorry it happened.

Yes I’ll be able to use the mental health plan if I can afford the out of pocket costs for a psychologist. I’ll be honest too 10 visits won’t be a lot for me. But I guess it’s better than nothing.

It’s hard doing this cross taper from home. But I have no other option. I just really hope it works. [medication abreviation - edited by moderator] is the new medicine.

I really also wanted to thank you for sharing your experience and giving me encouragement. It’s been a really comforting thing to see your post and Judith’s.

Hello @Cuddlebear yes I've come through the other side of antidepressants and that difficult-to'-taper med. I'm still on another med, I guess I will be for life. My psychiatrist thinks a mood stabiliser would suit me better than another antidepressant. I do still struggle with low mood but have been avoiding adding another med.

When I tapered 1/4 tablet at a time it was hardest just after halfway, perhaps at the threshold of efficacy. Cross tapering must be more difficult. I wonder if you're on enough of the new med to take the edge off.

My day has started slowly. I got up late. I've done my exercises (go me, I avoided them for weeks) and am pondering what to do with the afternoon.