Needhelp: Hello

[Needhelp]

Hello, here for support and advice.  

Insomnia came on gradually. Sleeping less, waking earlier. My hubby got laid off from his job, my cousin died & found out I needed a rootcanal with no dental insurance. I was in a tail spin. 

I had taken Paxil since 2002 & suspected it was pooping out on me & was having withdrawal symptoms even being on the drug.

The insomnia got worse. Dr. prescribed Ambien but I took it at couple of times. The 2nd time I didn’t sleep at all. Also on Keflex for the root canal and it can cause anxiety.

I had been tapering paxil over time, alternating days of 20 and 10 but when all these things happened, I thought I should take 20 again daily just to get through.  Then my dr. upped it to 30.  Big mistake! 

I landed in the hospital with possible serotine syndrome/sleep deprivation.  All they did was lay me out with a big dose of Ativan.

I did sleep and that was probably the last night I had a significant sleep.  The Dr. there discontinued the Paxil & told me to take Prozac.  One of the worse side effects is insomnia and I quit the Prozac…was also suffering terrible Paxil withdrawal with involuntary movements, anxiety, insomnia.

The only relief is an Ativan which I am afraid to take because of the addictive properties but sometimes I get so desperate.

My dr. gave me Trazadone to sleep.  Worked for a few hours only.  Then she reinstated me on the Paxil (smaller does) because of the withdrawal & those two together raise the risk for serotonin syndrome.

I’ve continued to have symptoms, not sure if I am still withdrawing or if even a smaller does is heading me back to serotonin syndrome.  I have bad involuntary muscle movements.

For sleep, my dr. also tried hydroxyzine. Not very effective.

I am at my wits end.  I am trying to get over my fears of addiction to some meds as it might be better to be addicted than a nonfunctioning mess.

When I get a little sleep, I can think more clearly.  I need help badly.  I had heard of Restoril.  Scared of it but probably need it.

That’s my dilemma and I need help.

Edited January 3, 2018 by Shep
added username to title

[Shep]

Hi, Needhelp.

 

Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants.

 

That's a lot of drugs and a lot of drug changes.

 

Quick caution with the z-drugs (Ambien) and benzodiazepines (Ativan and Restoril) - you are right to be concerned about their addictive properties. You can become dependent on them in as little as two weeks, even with "as needed" use. And they don't work well after two weeks - the reason we stay on them is to stave off withdrawal.

 

Some information to get you started:

 

What is withdrawal syndrome? 

 

Before you begin tapering, what you need to know

 

Healing from antidepressants. Patterns of recovery video (4 minutes)

 

How psychiatric drugs remodel your brain

 

And some information on how to withdrawal from Paxil:

 

Tips for tapering off Paxil (paroxetine)

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Please use this thread to provide updates on how you're feeling as well as to ask questions.  

 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, needhelp.

 

What are you taking now, at what dosages, and at what times of day? Please keep daily notes on paper about your symptoms, when you take drugs, and their dosages.

 

Do you have any Prozac left?

[Needhelp]

Thanks for your input.  Shep, most of the meds in my signature are related to diabetes, thyroid, etc.  Not sure if I was supposed to put everything or just what was related to mental condition.  Altostrata, i tried reinstating at 10 mg, at my dr's advice but it seemed too much.  I then used some of the 30mg pills and quartered them, so I guess now it is 7.5.  I do have Prozac capsules left.  I only took about 4 in total but the side effects were so bad, I didn't take more.  I probably still had paxil in my system too and these would lead back to the serotonin syndrome.  That makes me feel like I am between a rock and a hard place.  No sleep doesn't help either.  With all my other health issues, I am not sure how I am going to survive.  

[Shep]

Hi, Needhelp. Yes, it's good you put all of your drugs in your signature. We have other people dealing with diabetes and thyroid issues, as these all too often occur with psych drugs. Perhaps as you come off your antidepressant, some of your other health issues may resolve in time. 

 

If you'd like to read how other members are dealing with thyroid issues, please see:

 

Thyroid symptoms, hypothyroid, Hashimotos

 

And for discussions on diabetes during withdrawal:

 

Diabetes, insulin issues

 

As Alto mentioned, daily notes will definitely help. This is a great format to use:

 

Keep notes on paper about your drug dosages and daily symptom pattern

 

If you could write this out online for a few days here in your thread, we can see how you're responding and offer taper advice and specific non-drug coping skills to help your symptoms. Please include all of your drugs and any supplements you're taking. 

 

There are a number of non-drug techniques you may find helpful:

 

Non-drug techniques

[Staz]

Welcome Needhelp.

Just try and avoid antipsychotics like seroquel for sleep if you possibly can. They are really hard to get off of and I'm struggling with Seroquel now. Dr's are increasingly using these drugs off label for insomnia.

Staz

[Needhelp]

Thanks all.  I slept some...not a lot last night, but it has helped.  Now, I notice my urine looks a little cloudy.  I have tried to replace electrolytes from the diarrhea.  Not sure if that would cause this or not. 

[Needhelp]

This is so strange.  Hubby got a job offer and I got a panic attack because he asked me to scan some documents.  I am just losing it.  A normal person would have such joy right now.

[Gridley]

I often overreact to tiny things.  You are a normal person dealing with withdrawal.

[bhasski]

I m too suffering same. Overreaction. 

[Needhelp]

So miserable from insomnia.  Now, when I dose off my mind will wake me up.  NO SLEEP!!!  This can't go on.

[Gridley]

Here are several links dealing with insomnia.  

 

I've had some relief taking 1 mg Melatonin around 8pm.  If you decide to try Melatonin, start low, perhaps .5mg.  If after a few days, you see no change, you could go up to 1 mg.  I wouldn't go higher than 2mg, since at higher doses Melatonin can have an activating effect.

What is the sleep cycle?

Early-morning waking with panic or anxiety

Melatonin for sleep: Many people find it helpful

TV or computer use in evening can disrupt sleep: Bright light signals the brain that it's daytime

White noise devices for sleep

Light therapy for sleep problems

Update on milk peptides for sleep: Our friend Lactium again