A123: Domperidone / Motilium withdrawal

[A123]

Hi all,

 

This is my short story...

 

06/2016 - 11/2016 - Domperidone for increasing breast milk supply (30mg-60mg was my daily dose) 

11/2016 -  I stopped Dom. cold turkey (30mg)  => my life was in ruins...terrible strong withdrawal sypmtoms: anxiety, panic attacks, heart palpitations, intrusive thoughts, trouble sleeping, headache, vertigo, fatique, body pain and spasms, low appetite, etc. etc. etc.....

These problems are improving and disappearing and some of them  re-appearing again to a lesser extent. I can say that overall I am better than a year ago. But still it is not my old myself.  I am very sensitive to stress and any changes in my life (for example to weather changes too).

 

I refused any psych. treatment. My problems are clearly due to stopping Domperidone. I have never taken antidepressants, benzos or other psych stuff in all my life except for Domperidone. I have no psychiatric history.

 

Please...ask all of you (especially breastfeeding mothers) to avoid this dangerous drug. There are FB groups where mothers give advices how to take it, where to buy it, etc...It is one big dirty bussiness with health.

 

And what now? I will still fight...

 

Sorry for my English...

 

 

 

[Songbird]

Welcome to SA, A123.  I'm sorry to hear your life was in ruins, but glad to hear that things are improving for you.  As you say, Domperidone is not a psych med, however it does effect neurotransmitters by blocking dopamine receptors.  It is apparently not supposed to cross the blood-brain barrier to cause CNS effects, however (using Dr. Google) I just found these interesting articles:  

Domperidone withdrawal in a breastfeeding woman

Domperidone as an unintended antipsychotic

 

[A123]

Thank you Songbird. I know these articles. I do not believe that Dom does not cross the blood brain barrier. Its activity is moderates by dopamine to prolactin growth. (higher prolactin is better for breastfeeding)  I have read that much about this medicine. I have been communicating with many women who have gone or gone this trauma. We all have similar issues. I would like to stop this maddness with the use of Dom in breastfeeding women.

[mammaP]

Hi A123, I am so sorry this has happened to you. I found another article which you have probably read, in the British Journal General Practice BJGP where it is advising GPs that dompridons needs to be tapered.  My daughter is pregnant and I will pass this on in case she is offered it. My other daughter has taken it for years for GI issues, and I am sure she will be interested too. 

http://bjgp.org/content/yes-breast-best-taper-domperidone-when-stopping

 

You might find our symptoms and self care section interesting. We have many topics on coping with withdrawal, and explaining the process.  

Memvers share what has helped them and what has made things worse. We all hang on to the fact that this is transient and our nervous systems will recover with good self care. I am glad that you are feeling better now and hope you continue to improve. 

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forum/8-symptoms-and-self-care/

[A123]

mammaP, thank you for your support. Yes, please post this information about the dangers of Domperidone. Yes, I know that horrible story about domperidone psychosis...Domperidone must be tapered - there is no doubt. But I have read story and have comunicated with women who had problems during the tapering. There are also women who have experienced serious side effect (heart problems, etc.) during their use and they have had to stop using Dom immediately...and this drug is used very much for the breastfeeding purpose. And there is still more and more damaged women.

 

Thanks, I will also look at the self care section...Hope I will feel better and better...

 

 

 

 

[domperidonewithdrawl]

Have you found any relief?  My wife took domperidone as part of lactation induction, and has been anxious and had insomnia for a year.  Need help.

[Altostrata]

Hello, @domperidonewithdrawl We will need more detail about your wife's situation. Please ask her to join and start an Introductions topic for herself or create a topic for her so we can ask questions.