TaperCommunityTaperCommunity
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4 posts

United States of America

Hi, I'm Sea Jules

September 15, 2026ยทยท
Hi I'm Sea Jules I have a 30 year history of psych meds. I was tapered off in 3 weeks, had surgery, stayed somewhat stable because of the one or two opioids I took every 5 to 10 days for 3.5 months, as I realized what was happening to me (since I was never told it could) and that the opioid was keeping me stable. When I was denied a new prescription and diagnosed with MDD instead of anybody acknowledging the taper even happened, my central nervous system went into complete destabilization. I have spent a year living moment by moment trying to recover without any outside help. That's a story in itself. I have tried to stay strong, but so many moments are so entirely agonizing even after a year, and the tense moments of not being able to stand another moment so many times led me to reach out to see if there is anybody out there who can help.

SERTRALINE 3 week taper | At least 19 different drugs in a 30 year period

7 Replies

Based
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BasedStaff3d ago
Community AnchorEffexor
Sea Jules, welcome. A year of living moment by moment after a 3 week taper and nobody acknowledging it, that is a heavy weight. The fact that you pieced together what the opioid was doing on your own says a lot about your instincts. You have been through the wringer and you are still here reaching out, that counts for something. I would encourage you to log your days under My Taper in the sidebar, even the brutal ones. After a year you might not see a pattern yet, but tracking what you are going through now could give you a clearer picture of the waves and windows. And when you have a spare moment, jump in on other folks' posts. Your story, the part about the opioids masking it and the doctors missing it, that is experience someone else here is desperate to hear. They need to know they are not crazy either.

Creator of Taper Community, here to help you.

Catina
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Catina3d ago
Community AnchorEffexor
Hi @Sea Jules, a very warm welcome to you! You've endured some very challenging and difficult moments in your life, but I can tell that you're a survivor. What symptoms are you dealing with? Just like with any injury, a drug injury needs time to recover. How are you trying to cope? What does a typical day look like for you? Do you feel supported by family and friends or do you feel misunderstood? We have some information here that I'll share with you that I hope will help. Please know you're not alone. We understand what these drugs are capable of. We also have seen people heal who have been polydrugged and injured. Healing happens, it just takes longer than we'd like. You've already survived so many difficult days and are still here fighting and hoping. https://taper.community/resources/blog/protracted-withdrawal-syndrome-explained https://taper.community/thread/26b781b7-f7f2-480c-8bc7-b893e9b6f802 https://taper.community/thread/57d0fb51-6e6e-4517-9d3d-1dd2f2e3880c https://taper.community/thread/ec72f5e5-39fe-4f0e-b3c9-083b3e99d1c3 https://taper.community/thread/9fb2eccd-87d1-4e28-99fb-bd3764817f5e Weathering the Darkest Nights: https://taper.community/thread/1c8811c9-e7c0-47e7-9ad0-504629f868a1 Big Hugs, Catina ๐Ÿ’œ

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 25 mcg

โ€œYour brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.โ€

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.

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Sea Jules1d ago
Since I initiated this, I have been enduring end over end adrenaline dumps because of my noise sensitivity and do not have the capacity to think so I can only say thank you for being here and if I can get on the other side of this latest assault, I want nothing more than to somehow manage to tell my story, read what you graciously sent me and if at all possible, help others in any way I can. There are so many of us. I once thought I was the only person in the world this was happening to. I so appreciate you all being here.

SERTRALINE 3 week taper | At least 19 different drugs in a 30 year period

Based
โญ
BasedStaff1d ago
Community AnchorEffexor
We will be patiently waiting for you @Sea Jules ! Looking forward to hearing everything and of course supporting others!

Creator of Taper Community, here to help you.

Catina
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Catina1d ago
Community AnchorEffexor
"if I can get on the other side of this latest assault" โ€” @Sea Jules
I know you will make it. You've come this far and survived, which shows you have great strength and fortitude. ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป
"I want nothing more than to somehow manage to tell my story, read what you graciously sent me and if at all possible, help others in any way I can. There are so many of us. I once thought I was the only person in the world this was happening to. I so appreciate you all being h..." โ€” @Sea Jules
We will gladly hear your story and support you 100%. You're not alone by any means. We have members here from all over the world, and we all share the same struggles. And one day you'll be able to pay it forward and help others. You have to survive so you can tell others you made it through. Your example is priceless! ๐Ÿฉต

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 25 mcg

โ€œYour brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.โ€

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.

A
Azul21h ago
NavigatorKlonopin ยท active
"Since I initiated this, I have been enduring end over end adrenaline dumps because of my noise sensitivity and do not have the capacity to think so I can only say thank you for being here and if I can get on the other side of this latest assault," โ€” @Sea Jules
You will make it. I was prescribed opioids one year ago, and they also added Klonopin, I developed noise sensitivity. I hear you.

Klonopin โ€” 1,75mg โ€” 6 months โ€” actively tapering

S
Sea Jules2h ago
"You will make it.
I was prescribed opioids one year ago, and they also added Klonopin, I developed noise sensitivity. I hear you. 1"
โ€” @Azul
I don't know how this works. I accidently brought up quote and reply so I'm trying this. Did somebody believe you when you told them what was happening and they prescribed an opioid? You are the first person I have come across that talks about an opioid in this entire nightmare. So much of my anger comes from the fact that I accidently stumbled on that and I never had a chance to find out if that one to two opioids every 5 to 7 days that was keeping my CNS from getting blown up from the too fast taper could have saved me all this suffering. The doctors won't even address the taper and said they wouldn't give it out for an 'unknown' issue yet called it MDD and I was high risk of dependence. My blood pressure was at medical emergency and they said I had MDD and told me to come back in two months but more than willing to give me any other drug that would have made things worse. You are also the first person that has mentioned noise sensitivity. I still can't stop asking people if they hear something I hear and then wonder why I do because the answer from them is always no. I understand my dog way better than I ever did. We both hid in the closet during the fireworks. Bass is the worst. I've tried headphones, music, noise reducing devices, white noise, brown noise, pink noise (I never knew there was so many colors of noises) nothing drowns it out. Retreating to a mattress and pillows staying off the floor and covering up with a weighted blanket with my feet flat on the mattress seems to be the only way to endure it.

SERTRALINE 3 week taper | At least 19 different drugs in a 30 year period

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