other · Holding · Nov 11, 2026

Tapering: other

holding

8 posts

Aarhus, Denmark

The Lithium taper from hell

Posted in:

Lithium Support Symptoms & Self-Care Tapering

November 11, 2026

Hi. I am a 36 year old woman living in Denmark. I've been on lithium for 15 years, diagnosed with bipolar disorder. At the moment I'm finishing the last phase of a horrible attempt to taper Litarex initiated by my psychiatrist. It's been the most painful experience of my life going through this alone. I've being ridiculed by the all the Danish psychiatrists I've talked to. Last year I successfully tapered off high doses of Quetiapine and Lamotrigine on my own using the hyperbolic method. The doctors also ridiculed me when I did that, trying to convince me I needed more meds, and that my illness was getting worse. I got my life back when i stopped taking these poisons. I hope to conquer lithium too. I'm looking for info on lithium taper - phases, literature, experiences etc. x kat

other — 2-2.5 tablets of lithium citrate (litarex retard) — 15 years — holding | without clinician

14 Replies

HopeNeverFails1d ago

LighthouseZyprexa · active

You are not alone! We're here and support you 🙂 Be strong. Just like your other meds you tapered, you'll finish this one as well and be happy soon. And you can laugh at your Drs again Blessings and prayers 🙏

Zyprexa started at 2.5mg in late April26 — 0.60mg at Nov 2026— actively tapering
Doxepin (Silenor / Sinequan) — started at 2mg in June26 - 0mg at Nov 2026— completed tapering

HopeNeverFails1d ago

LighthouseZyprexa · active

Btw, Here's an article from the TC database you should read soon... https://taper.community/resources/blog/lithium-discontinuation-and-rebound

Zyprexa started at 2.5mg in late April26 — 0.60mg at Nov 2026— actively tapering
Doxepin (Silenor / Sinequan) — started at 2mg in June26 - 0mg at Nov 2026— completed tapering

Polly's Farm1d ago

Trusted VoiceTrintellix · researching

I'm so sorry your doctors weren't supportive, they really think they know everything, don't they?! Welcome to Taper Community! I've never been on lithium but I have been ridiculed by a psychiatrist before so I wanted to say hi and you're not alone 🙂

Trintellix — 15mg — 4 years, 9 months — researching taper | Risperdal — 0.25mg — 4 years, 9 months — actively tapering | Depakine — 1000mg — 12 years — supporting others | with clinician

Kat231d ago

other · holding

Thanks for the supporting comments and the links ❤️ It helped a lot reading the article about lithium taper actually.

other — 2-2.5 tablets of lithium citrate (litarex retard) — 15 years — holding | without clinician

anne noni moss1d ago

Trusted VoicePaxil · holding

So mad on your behalf! You know there's a psychologist from your country we really like around here: https://www.centerforibh.com/about/anders-sorensen/ he posts lots of helpful videos, some of which appear in our video feed. You are SO RIGHT to reject the stupid, mental illness labels that were plastered on you. Glad you are here!

atypical in presentation of side effects, super sensitive to small doses and general delayed responder. never took a psych med that didn't' make me sick immediately with infections and restless legs. have never been able to tolerate being on them, but have never had support to get off so I've been bouncing back and forth. i don't like capital letters. sorry.

Paxil — 1 mg — 2 yrs — holding until Oct. 7 doc appt.
Seroquel — 50 — planning taper |
trileptal -75 planning taper
prasozin 1 mg planning taper

started my psych med saga in 2001 and wish I never had. I had some difficulties with sleep and anxiety, but NOTHING like what was in store for me after trying every med out there. My last treatment center promised to "get me totally off" in 2022 but it was a lie. They just switched drugs and added more and more in a desperate attempt to help me "stabilize," so they could call me a "success story" once insurance stopped paying. I agree with those who state that this industry needs to change. AND I'm working on not being resentful about my suffering because it doesn't help anyone.

been on an off cocktails since 2001. Most recent mixture, prescribed in 2024: 20 mg Paxil, 150 Trileptal, 50 Seroquel, 2 mg prasozin, (for PTSD/nightmares.)

immediately went to 1 mg prasozin, and after 3 months cut to 10 mg paxil. No felt effects. Then went to 5 about 3 months later, (though I didnt' keep track so I'm rusty.) No felt effects. So, I've roughly been on 5 mg for a year and a half.

Side effects always force to to start tapering RIGHT AWAY.

I didn't start keeping track of my Paxil taper until this year. I went from 3mg to 1 in 10 months, using a liquid Maudsley-ish slow taper. Again, no felt effects until now.

October 2026...sleeping less and feeling more sedated during the day. Having trouble managing my social life without getting over-stimulated. Must set boundaries according to my body and not my heart.

Holding 1 mg paxil until blood work done and evaluated, and to see if build a social life that doesn't make me lose sleep. Sounds silly as I type it, but actually, nothing is "silly" on this ride! Everything is WILD!!!! LOL

Keeping all other meds the same. Sorry so long.

renee j1d ago

LighthouseSeroquel · active

Interesting that one of the pioneers of hyperbolic tapering is Dr Anders Sorenson (PhD) who runs a tapering clinic in Copenhagen. I have his book "Crossing Zero" which has been very helpful to me in creating my own taper. Maybe you could look him up, or even get a consult with him if you want one. You might need bottomless pockets to pay for it, but who knows, could be worth a try, right?

Seroquel — 69 mg — 13 years — actively tapering

renee j1d ago

LighthouseSeroquel · active

And about tapering off quetiapine, my psychiatrist (-ex fortunately) told me I had to go VERY, VERY slowly, by which she meant by 25mg every two weeks! I'd been on it for 10 years, and that stupid "advice" would have landed me in hospital within the first 2 weeks with severe withdrawal and possibly seizures. Very thankful to my guardian angels for keeping me from that one.

Seroquel — 69 mg — 13 years — actively tapering

Kat2310h ago

other · holding

Thanks for your reply ❤️ I am very familiar with Anders Sørensen and his super helpful advice and books on tapering. It was actually that book who saved my life last year when I tapered off Quetiapine. I am horrified by the mentality of the doctors who were supposed to help us. What a truly nightmarish system.

other — 2-2.5 tablets of lithium citrate (litarex retard) — 15 years — holding | without clinician

Adam10h ago

LighthouseAbilify · active

Hi @Kat23 I use a method of tapering by using magnetic stirrer, currently for antipsychotics. I’m also on lithium 900mg and so far with info I gathered the stirrer will help with making lithium carbonate into solution, not suspension. I have a plan to use 200ml of distilled water in glass beaker and mix it very well. Drag the dose by plan with syringe. Going until 450mg with 20% of previous dose. Then switch until roughly 20mg by 10% speed. I’m not sure if I will stop at 300mg as its the only drug remaining to taper in the future and I’m scared of mania as there is no precise guidance how to taper off this life saving, life limiting drug !

Abilify — 25mg — 9 years — actively tapering | Zyprexa — 7.5mg — 8 years — holding | with clinician. Lithium 900mg holding with clinician

Kat237h ago

other · holding

It is very scary to acknowledge that there is no clinical guidelines of a lithium taper. Right now I'm in a state of constant cold shivers on my spine, feelings of restlessness and agitation. Luckily I know this is a sign that my body is in the last phase of adjusting (Quetiapine tapering was the same). But it is torture. I think the lithium I'm on is lithium citrate retard. So it's the slow release one. I read that you can't use the water method with that :(

other — 2-2.5 tablets of lithium citrate (litarex retard) — 15 years — holding | without clinician

Kat237h ago

other · holding

@Adam regarding mania I've found that a strict regime of meditation, a good sleep hygiene and and healthy diet have proven to be super helpful. I also avoid caffeine and all stimulants. Good luck with your taper ❤️

other — 2-2.5 tablets of lithium citrate (litarex retard) — 15 years — holding | without clinician

renee j6h ago

LighthouseSeroquel · active

Yes, it's a sensible thing to make your body and mind as healthy as possible when tapering. The brain and nervous system has to go through enough with a taper without being over-stimulated and under nourished before you even start!

Seroquel — 69 mg — 13 years — actively tapering

Adam5h ago

LighthouseAbilify · active

@Kat23 Best of luck to you too ! I’m disciplined when it comes to health. Let me know if you advance with your taper of lithium anytime ! I’m curious as lithium is the last remaining puzzle to solve for me 🙂

Abilify — 25mg — 9 years — actively tapering | Zyprexa — 7.5mg — 8 years — holding | with clinician. Lithium 900mg holding with clinician

Kat235h ago

other · holding

I will keep you posted when I figure it out. I've been quite structured about taking notes in the different phases during my taper, so I should be able to map the process when it's done @Adam I am on a super determined quest to solve the lithium puzzle 💚

other — 2-2.5 tablets of lithium citrate (litarex retard) — 15 years — holding | without clinician

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