Been recovering on my own…

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Introductions and Updates Support

September 21, 2026

I’m so glad I found y’all! Nearly 5 months ago, I was hospitalized after a fall, because at 82 when you fall you go to the hospital. I was uninjured in the fall, however the ER doc pronounced me “polypharmacy” a fancy way of saying “this elderly woman is taking too many drugs. He (without asking or telling me) removed 7drugs. Two were: Sertraline and Trazadone. After 24 hrs, transferred to rehab ( don’t really know why) where I began the horrific withdrawal from those two drugs. The 12 day stay has been documented by me in a paper called “My Season in Hell.” Now, after telling the medical folks and trying for comfort ( not interested in any more drugs), I was dismissed as having Dementia. This is a common occurrence in my assisted living community. My five months of research on my own have brought me here and many other helpful sites (Outro). Now pretty much just needing confirmation and comfort. Current symptoms: sweating, confusion, dizziness, occasional brain fog, nausea, gait instability.

In my life, have been on Prozac, Wellbutrin, Amytriptiline, Ambien, Seroquel, Zoloft, pamelor, Nortriptiline, Clonazepam, Suboxone (for insomnia), Effexor, Valium, Trazadone, Zanax, and Gabapentin. These, I remember.
Currently on,Duloxetine 60 mg — 2 yr — holding | without clinician

8 Replies

AniSep 21

LighthouseZoloft · active

Welcome! I am happy you found this community. So sorry this happened to you, to just remove several medications sounds very irresponsible of the doctor to do. So it has been several months already? I also get several of the symptoms you described. I am sorry you were dismissed like that, good for you to have found all the information yourself, it took me two very short taper attempts and an attempted cross taper to figure out what's going on.

Zoloft — current 2.8 mg — 6 years — actively tapering - tapered from 50 mg

Peggy WallaceSep 21

NavigatorCymbalta · holding

Great to hear from you. Thanks!

⭐

CatinaSep 21

Community AnchorEffexor

@Peggy Wallace, I'm incredibly sorry your doctor took you off 7 drugs without tapering...that's horrific! And then to be misdiagnosed as having "Dementia" is crazy! I'm so thankful that you had the wherewithal to do your own research and found Outro and this community! You've been through so much. If you're currently experiencing all those symptoms you might want to hold your dose for awhile until things stabilize. You don't want to keep pushing through your taper if you're already dealing with so many things. Have you checked the Symptoms and Self-Care section and the I Need Support section? If you click on the Guides tab for each of those you'll find many helpful articles. 💝

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.28 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

Peggy WallaceSep 21

NavigatorCymbalta · holding

Thanks so much! I’m continuing to work through all the incredible advice here.

⭐

CatinaSep 21

Community AnchorEffexor

"Thanks so much! I’m continuing to work through all the incredible advice here." — @Peggy Wallace

You're very welcome! We are so glad to have you here and hope you benefit from all the wonderful advice and support. You deserve it! Hugs, Catina 🥰

Overthis66Sep 21

WelcomerValium · active

@Peggy Wallace, first I’m so sorry you’ve been through such hell. I cannot imagine how horrific that withdrawal was for you. Your story is inspiring. It gives hope, even through the ugly there’s healing in sight!! There’s many smart people here that like you have been through the ugly. Keep advocating for yourself. God bless you. 🌻🌻🌻

Valium — 10mg — 2 months — actively tapering | without clinician

StuartSep 22

LighthouseEffexor · supporting

What an awful and unjust experience @Peggy Wallace There's some organizations and researchers in Canada starting to tackle this issue as their primary focus is on care homes where elderly patients are over prescribed and will encounter unnecessary suffering when Dr.'s add, change or take away medications. https://deprescribing.org/news/deprescribing-in-ontario-long-term-care-framework/

Historic experience tapering off: Citalopram 20mg | Zyprexa 2.5mg | Effexor 75mg | Valium 20mg

Peggy WallaceSep 22

NavigatorCymbalta · holding

Wow! Good for Canada❤️!

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