lulabelle Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 I have taken Nortriptyline for 23 years after suffering catastrophic injuries in an accident. I take 4 pills once a day in the evening to help relax me to sleep. However Nortriptyline is no longer available and the pharmacy has put me on Aventyl. It caused me severe itching that kept me awake at night. I decided to stop it to see what happens and it has been a week. Well the itching has stopped but I don't sleep more than an hour a night, I have super headaches and nausea starting after I wake up. I don't know what to do. Do I go back and take it again and put up with the constant itching This is so frustrating. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Petunia Posted November 17, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 17, 2015 Welcome lulabelle, I moved your introductory post from the symptoms forum to a Journal thread of its own. No one should suddenly stop taking an antidepressant after having been on them for 23 years, this is dangerous and can cause withdrawal symptoms, which can sometimes be quite severe and long lasting. Insomnia, nausea and headaches are common withdrawal symptoms. I suggest you reinstate right away. Perhaps the itching was a reaction to one of the fillers in this particular brand, you could ask to try a different brand. This is a site for safely stopping medications, so unless this is what you would like to do, I'm not sure we can be much help to you. Petunia. I'm not a doctor. My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one. My Introduction Thread Full Drug and Withdrawal History Brief Summary Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects 2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010 Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal) May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins. Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens. Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days. April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close. VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from? VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made? VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes? VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects? VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes Link to comment
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