Jimmyv: hello - almost a year into WD

[Jimmyv]

I started this journey in Aug 19’. Luckily I learned about wd before it happened because I would not have expected a “medicine” would have such horrible reactions in your body. After going thru therapy for many years to manage my anxiety it was suggested to me that I talk to a psychiatrist to see what they could do for me. I was always weary about medications but I told myself that I needed to just trust the dr when she prescribed me 10mg Prozac. It was fine for the first 18 days, after this I came down with what I thought was a stomach bug. I couldn’t eat, had bad GI issues and was extremely dizzy.  It was not a normal dizziness though more of a pressure or stuffiness between my eyes and forehead area. I also had really bad insomnia which I thought was from the illness. I went to my GP who agreed I probably had a stomach bug. After 2 weeks of this stomach bug and some research on SSRI I called my psychiatrist and told her my symptoms. She told me to stop taking the Prozac and that antidepressants were not for me. She said she wanted to help me find a good talk therapist. She also told me I would not go through discontinuation syndrome because of the low dose and short amount of time I was on it. I slowly started to feel better over the next 2 weeks then all at once I woke up from my sleep with horrible GERD, dizziness and heart palpitations. Over the next few months I experienced insomnia, heart palpitations, horrible GERD that ppi’s could not control, insomnia, brain zaps, and horrible anxiety and panic attacks which are far worse than before the Prozac. My GP told me it could not be from the Prozac cause it would have been out of my system. I now have a new GP. I also went to a cardiologist and GI who have checked me out and said I am ok. I found a therapist who listens to me and tries many different therapies to help me but I think what helps the most is that she doesn’t think I am making this all up. 
Since my first three months of wd I still have some heart palpitations, some periods of dizziness, worse anxiety and sometimes have panic attacks but most of the other symptoms have subsided or happen infrequently. 
I still feel I have some time to go To get all the way through this and I have times where I feel I will be going thru this forever but I try to stay positive and use some techniques I learned in therapy to cope with the bad times. 

Edited June 29, 2020 by Gridley

[NoMoreLexapro]

Jimmy - really happy to hear that you are starting to climb out of this and that you started experiencing some lessening of sx after 3 mths! I wish I could say the same.  Are there any supplements or techniques that you've tried that really have helped more than others?

[Gridley]

@Jimmyv

 

Welcome to SA, Jimmyv.

 

You apparently had an adverse reaction to Prozac, which basically means the drug is like poison to you.  Your body rejected it and in so doing threw your system into chaos.  It's a very good sign that your symptoms are beginning to subside.  While we can't predict how long it will take, you will recover.

 

Though the causes are very different, the symptoms caused by an adverse reaction are similar to those of withdrawal.  The symptoms you describe are typical of adverse reaction/withdrawal.

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

You mentioned using techniques learned in therapy to copy.  Take a look at the links in the following link and see which you think might be helpful to you in coping with your symptoms.

 

Non-drug techniques to cope

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 29, 2020 by Gridley

[Jimmyv]

Hi NoMoreLexapro,

As far as supplements go I tried fish oil and magnesium but i can’t say if they had a positive effect on anything. I am weary of taking any types of supplements overall. I think that the talk therapy with a therapist who is understanding of the situation I was in helps the most. I still go through the waves and windows but they are fewer and far between and still remind myself that these symptoms will go away eventually. I also try to find something to look forward to when I am through this. 

Edited June 29, 2020 by Jimmyv
Clarification of who I was responding to.

[Ris88]

Hi Jimmy,

how are you going now?

my story is pretty similar to yours. I was prescribed Prozac for irritability and after two months had a severe reaction and ended up in emergency, my heart rate was 130bpm for 6 hours, followed by days of anxiety etc. I’ve been off the drug since March now and am still getting the heart palpitations and waves of anxiety. My doctor also does not believe it could be the medication. 
it’s horrible to feel like this, good to know I’m not the only one.

 

[ChessieCat]

Hi Jimmy and a belated welcome to SA.

 

We ask all members to create a drug signature so that the moderators and members can see your history at a glance.  Please create your drug signature.  Please include any other drugs you have previously or are currently taking.  Instructions for what is needed:  please-summarize-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature

 

This link goes to your signature.  Remember to Save after creating/editing it.  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

Thank you.

[Jimmyv]

Hi Ris,

I never thought that anyone would have a reaction like we did. It is good to know others have struggled with the same syndrome after taking these drugs. After 11 months I am doing a lot better from the first few months I started getting symptoms. In fact most days I feel pretty good compared to then. The anxiety, panic attacks and heart palpitations are still there but they happen less frequently and my cardiologist checked my palpitations which are just PVCs which everyone gets to some degree and can come on from a panic attack or anxiety. I also get the dizzy brain fog feeling and vivid dreams from time to time but not frequently. I’m sorry you are going thru this but it helps to remind yourself that you will get through this and it will get better. 
In my opinion having a good doctor check you out gives you piece of mind and helps calm some of the anxiety. That Dr doesn’t necessarily have to believe that it is the Prozac that got you here but they shouldn’t dismiss anything you are feeling because of your opinions of the drug and it’s effects either. Also having a good therapist who you see regularly helps a lot too. I hope you feel better soon. 

[ChessieCat]

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