Femme47: Lexapro withdrawal, now wanting to taper Gabapentin

[Altostrata]

You may be cranky from poor sleep.

 

For digestive issues, see the Symptoms and Self-Care forum.

[Femme47]

Check in / up date

 

Just over 4 months since I stopped the gabapentin and amitriptyline.

 

For the past month or so, I have been feeling very anxious mainly about my set backs in my health, lack of motivation and extreme anger. Intense tiredness,  aches and pains in my muscles (lack of endurance). Very broken sleep (though this has been going on for months now).

Unfortunately, I can't fall back on my usual ways of dealing with stress by way of exercises and doing the sport due to the recent injuries.

 

Also, wondering if this may be due to the change in my thyroid meds. But will be seeing a doctor in a few weeks about it.

 

Sometimes, it's just difficult to know what causes what.

 

The worst is my health anxiety..

It gets better though as day goes by towards the evening..

 

It was so good to read some recovery stories.

 

Very grateful for this site and people who contribute here 🙏. 

 

F47

 

 

[Altostrata]

Good to hear from you. How has your symptom pattern changed in the last month?

[Femme47]

Hi Altostrata,

Thank you for your message.

Good question.

I'd say that I am more anxious (health anxiety), more depressed, perhaps angrier than usual.  perhaps have more muscles pain, sciatic or leg tendon pain. I sort of feel like I am falling physically apart, which triggers intense health anxiety.

It coincides with the reduced thyroid meds and a set back in my rehabilitation programme (I got injured).  And the fact that I can't do as much physical activity as before that was a way to deal with my psychological distress.

Really don't know what causes what..🤪

 

[Femme47]

Ah,  and kind of heavy, turning head feelings in my head that I have not had for a few months..

[Altostrata]

You've mostly mentioned physical issues. You have a physical injury that's being treated?

[Femme47]

Yes, I broke and dislocated my shoulder + damaged some nerves resulting in almost full paralysis about 3 years ago. 

I have made a good recovery but still have significant neuropathic pain and some shoulder problems with pain..

I have an appointment with my sugeon for a check up in a few days.

I have unmanageable and almost disabling health anxiety in relation to my recent shoulder problems..and some rage, no motivation and significant tiredness.

I almost cancelled my trip abroad because of that..and now dreading this trip..

👹

[Altostrata]

Sorry to hear you have this frustrating painful injury as well. It will not be possible to distinguish withdrawal from the symptoms of your physical injury. Please do what you can to cope with and heal from the injury.

[Femme47]

Ok. Thank you for your help!

[RachelSusan]

@Femme47 How are you feeling now?  Did you take your trip?  I hope you are doing better.

Best wishes. Rachel

 

[Femme47]

1 hour ago, RachelSusan said:

@Femme47 How are you feeling now?  Did you take your trip?  I hope you are doing better.

Best wishes. Rachel

 

Hi @RachelSusan,

Thank you for your message.

I did go abroad and it went well ! 

However, my "health anxiety " that has been triggered by the real health problems is at its full force and its difficult to manage resulting in frequent visits to the doctors. My mood is up and down (occasionally very down).

As well as having real problems with the sleep.

 

Also, tried to stop Levothyrox,with the doctors approval, but starting feeling worse (vertigo, fatigue, headackes,muscles ackes) so increased the dose. Feeling dissapointed about that.

 

Saying that trying to exercise regularly, eat well, trying to find some voluntary work to keep my mind of my health obsession and physical pain..

 

Thank you for asking.

 

How are you?

 

Take care 

F47

 

 

 

 

[RachelSusan]

@Femme47 Hi. I am struggling a bit. After quitting zoloft I started trying to decrease Gabapentin and it has been a nightmare for me.  8 months since my last cut and I am still very symptomatic.  Being symptomatic for so long tends to lead to health anxieties.  This is what interested me about your posts. I think it is natural to have anxieties when dealing with real problems or even when tapering. 

 

I am glad you were able to go on your trip. Sorry about the Levothyrox. It can be extremely disappointing when we have to move up the dosage. Just remember, it is only for now, not forever.

 

Thank you for answering.