Lindseyb: Need some help

[Lindseyb]

I am desperate for some help. My story is long, so if you read it entirely, I sincerely appreciate it.

 

I was on SSRI's for about 18 years, since age 11. I added in wellbutrin for about the last 7 years to counteract the side effects of celexa and lexapro. Eventually I had to add in buspar because my anxiety was uncontrolled. I felt better for a while, but when it got worse, I decided to see a psychiatrist. My primary doctor had been prescribing my meds previously. The psychiatrist tried me on zoloft, lamictal, paxil, and abilify. At the end of it, I was on paxil, wellbutrin, and abilify. I had taken abilify for 10 days and had a night where I vomited 6 times; I had not vomited in about 10 years.

 

My psychiatrist told me she felt I had serotonin syndrome and instructed me to discontinue all of my meds immediately. She gave me klonopin to get through withdrawal. I trusted her and did not know any better. I thought I would be okay. I had all of the typical withdrawal symptoms, but shortly after, started to experience new symptoms/injuries/illnesses. I started having panic attacks which I never had before. I started to have muted and painful orgasms, and then came pudendal nerve pain.

 

I tried to reinstate antidepressants 4 months later, but they have only made me feel worse. I'm experiencing side effects I've never had before, even on AD's I've previously been on with no issues. I will attach a medication timeline and a symptom timeline. I have a new psychiatrist and he does not know how to help me except to keep trying me on medications. I'm terrified of them now, but all in the same, I know I can't stay this disabled for an indefinite amount of time. I lost my job due to dizziness/dysautonomia/swaying etc. If anyone has any advice for me, I would really appreciate it. I'm feeling very lost and alone and terrified. 

 

I saw numerous specialists who all told me I had anxiety and needed pills; not that my brain and body are injured and destabilized. 

 

As of today I am still on klonopin (0.25mg twice daily) and tapering off of lexapro 0.5mg every 4 weeks (currently at 1.5mg, experiencing withdrawal symptoms, set to decrease to 1mg on saturday 1/1/22). I cannot taper off klonopin until I'm done with the lexapro taper. 

 

April 29^th- discontinued paxil (20mg) and Wellbutrin XL (150mg)

May 2021- muted and painful orgasms

May 2021- numbness/tingling in extremities

May 2021- panic attacks started

July 4, 2021- pudendal neuralgia/tailbone pain started

July 2021- waves of depression started

July 20, 2021- carvedilol increased from 1 q12h to 1 AM and 2 PM

August 11, 2021- BPPV maneuver (half somersault)- PPPD started

August 13, 2021- mouth twitching (due to Compazine)

August 25, 2021- clonazepam prescribed by primary doctor

August 31, 2021- jaw clenching (due to Trintellix prescribed by primary doctor)

August 2021- hair falling out in clumps

September 2021- dysautonomia/POTS started

September 2021 (after reinstating Lexapro per psychiatrist)- RLS, migraines, tinnitus, ear ringing, constant music in my head again

October 2021- rashes started

October 2021- PPPD diagnosed after vestibular testing

October 2021- left shoulder popping

October 2021- brain fog, memory issues, trouble word recalling

November 2021- muscle spasms (everywhere)

November 7, 2021- left knee popping

November 7, 2021- right shoulder pain

November 11, 2021- right shoulder popping

November 11, 2021- jaw popping

November 12, 2021- cold sensation and nerve sensations coming from tailbone

November 15, 2021- right shoulder pain and weakness

November 16, 2021- decreased carvedilol back to 1 q12h

December 9, 2021- blisters on top of hives

December 10, 2021- cardiologist confirmed dysautonomia due to discontinuing antidepressants

December 10, 2021- medial right knee pain

December 24, 2021- pudendal neuralgia symptoms back to square one (pins and needles, burning, stabbing, hypersensitivity and severe pain)

 

Celexa from 2003-2011

Cymbalta for 5 days in 2009- felt horrible like I was dying

Celexa + Wellbutrin from 2011-2014

Lexapro + Wellbutrin from 2014- 03/2017

Lexapro + Wellbutrin + Buspar from 03/2017-2018

Lexapro + Wellbutrin + Buspar + Carvedilol (carvedilol introduced for physical forms of anxiety high BP high HR)  from 2018-2020

Zoloft + Wellbutrin + Buspar + Carvedilol from Dec. 2020- Feb. 2021

Zoloft + Wellbutrin + Carvedilol + Lamotrigine (lamotrigine 2 weeks) Feb. 2021- lamotrigine caused stiff neck, increased anxiety, short term memory loss, overall floaty feeling in my head

Zoloft + Wellbutrin + Carvedilol March 2021- zoloft helped with ocd and depression, but not anxiety

Last dose of Zoloft April 1st

Paxil + Wellbutrin + Carvedilol March 2021- April 2021- still had some anxiety with paxil

April 15th, 2021- April 18th, 2021- trazodone 50mg

April 19th-April 28th – Abilify added. On the 28th, up all night vomiting/diarrhea

April 29th, 2021- discontinued meds cold turkey at Jaime Mendoza’s instruction (except carvedilol)- suspected serotonin syndrome

5/19/21-5/23/21 Seroquel (12.5mg)- made me very dizzy and I was already very dizzy from withdrawal (pre pppd)

6/22/21-6/30/21 Prozac (10mg)- heart was racing and pounding, chest hurt, increased blood pressure. Instructed to stop and see cardiologist: heart monitor and echocardiogram normal, cleared to take meds on 8/20

8/20/21- Pristiq er (50mg)- severe diarrhea, nausea, woke up at 1am having a panic attack, face green, eyes dilated, shaking, sweating and about to vomit

8/31/21-9/22/21 Trintellix (5mg)- jaw clenching, teeth clicking, brain zaps, increased dizziness, increased anxiety, nausea/vomiting, increased headaches, dry mouth, vivid and frightening dreams, increased panic attacks and pseudoseizures, itching, some blurry vision, gas, worsening depression, irritability

9/23/21-10/8/21 Lexapro (5mg)- Palpitations/pounding heart (mostly at night), Ear ringing, Tinnitus, Bad dizziness/off balance/increased 3pd, Nausea, Racing thoughts, Restlessness, restless leg syndrome

10/9/21-11/5/21 Lexapro (2.5mg)

11/6/21-12/3/21 Lexapro (2mg)

12/4/21-12/31/21 Lexapro (1.5mg)

1/1/21-1/28/22 Lexapro (1mg)

1/29/22-2/25/22 Lexapro (0.5mg)

 

Edited December 29, 2021 by ChessieCat
reformatted

[Shep]

Hi, Lindsey.

 

Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants.

 

It looks like you are suffering from a merry-go-round of drugs with both side effects and withdrawal symptoms. The goal will be to stabilize and hold for a number of months and then start a very slow and mindful taper. 

 

Please stop tapering. You may even want to updose to where you were before your last Lexapro reduction on December 3 at 2 mg. Please note that Lexapro is a very potent SSRI, 2 - 4 times stronger than other SSRIs. We go by a harm reduction method here, meaning we recommend tapering no faster than 10% a month off the previous month's dose (not the original dose prescribed). 

 

Here is some information to get you started:

 

Tips for tapering off escitalopram (Lexapro)

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

 

How psychiatric drugs remodel your brain

 

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

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Thanks for giving such detailed notes. Please add this information to your signature. You may need to reformat it so it will fit. Here is information to do this:

 

How to Summarize Your Drug History in Your Signature

 

A direct link to your signature is here:

 

Account Settings - Create or Update Your Signature

 

Information we need:

 

• Please list the names of the drugs you are currently taking, the doses, and the time(s) of day you take them
• Please list any supplements, the doses, and the time(s) of the day you take them
• Please list the date you started taking Klonopin

 

Please continue to use this thread to document your taper and to ask questions. 

[Lindseyb]

I read a lot before I posted; most of it just scared me. I have had really bad side effects on the lexapro, it's 100x worse while tapering and I just want to get off of it. I want to get off klonopin but cannot do that until I finish the lexapro taper. I'm also in sort of a hurry; my disability is only good until June 2023. I know I need to get my CNS stabilized. I ping pong back and forth about trying a different medication to help me heal faster. I don't have decades to be disabled and sick...I see that even people who taper properly, it still takes them YEARS to get back to normal and then sometimes they get bad again. I'm so wary of trying another serotonergic agent because I'm fearful of PSSD and other permanent side effects. I thought about trying lamotrigine to stabilize but my psychiatrist said he doesn't understand how that would help. He wants me to try Viibryd. I'm scared of either route; trying another med, or just waiting this out. I cannot drive, work, it's hard to read, I lose my balance, etc etc. I thought about trying paxil again because that's what I was CT off of. I don't know what my brain needs and I'm driving myself crazy trying to figure this out. I've seen a neurologist, neuro otologist, ENT, and cardiologist. My cardiologist is the only one who credited dysautonomia due to coming off antidepressants. The other specialists told me all my symptoms are due to anxiety. 

 

I smoked cannabis starting at the end of 2017 and it helped a lot. I stopped in July 2021 so that I could go through cardiac testing without any influences. I also smoked cbd flower for a while and that helped too, until I started getting dizzy on it in July. I know you are anti anything psychoactive but these things did help me. I would like to get to a point where I'm not on meds and I can just use these things. 

 

Started klonopin 8/25/21.

 

Lexapro 1.5mg, 7:15am

Carvedilol 3.125mg, 7:15am and 7:15pm

Zyrtec 20mg, 7:15am and 7:15pm

Klonopin 0.25mg, 7:15am and 7:15pm

Nortrel 1/35, 9pm. I have to switch to progestin only because I have liver adenomas from the birth control. I'm also very scared about how that will affect what I'm going through, my mood, my pelvic and nerve pain, etc.

Omeprazole 20mg, 11am-12pm- wanted to get off that, but have to have an EGD because I'm having breakthrough heartburn.

Meloxicam 15mg, whenever I eat, usually between 12pm and 4pm. 

Azelastine (0.1%) nasal spray, supposed to be BID but I don't always remember to use it

 

Supplements: I take these with food whenever I eat which is never at the same time every day. Let's say somewhere between 12pm and 4pm.

Equate womens multivitamin- 1 tablet

Nature's Bounty calcium (1200mg) + vitamin d3 (1000 IU)- equals 2 softgels

Innate Vitality magnesium glycinate (500mg) 1 capsule- started 4/15/21

Nature's Bounty probiotic (170mg) 1 capsule- started 1/8/21

Sports Research Omega 3 EPA (690mg) DHA (260mg) other omega 3 FA (90mg)- 1 liquid softgel

Nature's Bounty Vitamin D3 (5000 IU)- 1 capsule. Started at PCP instruction because levels were low. 

Was taking Nature's Bounty B12 (cyanocobalamin) 1mg, recently ordered Thorne's methyl B12 (1mg) but have not taken it yet. 

Recently ordered Dr. Emil collagen supplement that I took in 2020. I wanted to start it again because my hair is falling out. 

 

Also of note, I tried 15mg of methylfolate in October 2021 and did great for the first week, and immediately beginning on the second week had terrible anxiety so stopped. 

 

[Lindseyb]

I get the feeling that the people running this site do not believe in mental illness or that psych meds could help anyone. Most of my family has issues and are on medications. I would've stayed on them if I could've, but now I'm so scared because of everything that has happened to me. But what do you think about people who literally cannot live their lives because of depression, bipolar (my husband has this and I'm witnessing firsthand how bad it is), panic attacks, etc? 

[Shep]

16 hours ago, Lindseyb said:

I smoked cannabis starting at the end of 2017 and it helped a lot. I stopped in July 2021 so that I could go through cardiac testing without any influences. I also smoked cbd flower for a while and that helped too, until I started getting dizzy on it in July. I know you are anti anything psychoactive but these things did help me. I would like to get to a point where I'm not on meds and I can just use these things. 

 

Here is the thread on cannabis and CBD: 

 

Cannabis, marijuana, hashish, THC, & CBD (cannabidiol) or Hemp oil

 

We're not inherently anti-psychoactive here. Some people find it helpful, but some people find their nervous systems are too destabilized to handle it, so we urge caution. 

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements, as many members report their nervous systems are simply too fragile to handle them. However, magnesium and fish oil tend to be calming to the nervous system and many people report they do help. 

 

 King of supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker

 

You may want to research all the supplements you're on. You can use the search feature on this site or google "survivingantidepressants.org" + [name of supplement]. That way you can see how people with a destabilized nervous system react to them. Please don't make any abrupt changes to your supplements. Right now, it's best to gather information before setting up a game plan for your taper. 

 

 

16 hours ago, Lindseyb said:

I get the feeling that the people running this site do not believe in mental illness or that psych meds could help anyone. Most of my family has issues and are on medications. I would've stayed on them if I could've, but now I'm so scared because of everything that has happened to me. But what do you think about people who literally cannot live their lives because of depression, bipolar (my husband has this and I'm witnessing firsthand how bad it is), panic attacks, etc? 

 

There's no scientific proof that "mental illness" exists. There are theories out there, but the theories were created around the drugs, i.e. "depression," "bipolar", and "schizophrenia" are caused by chemical imbalances that psychiatric drugs "treat". None of these theories have ever been proven. While these "diseases" were being messaged by psychiatry for many years before these drugs were invented, the outcomes were much better, as detailed here:

 

Long-term Evidence We Can’t Overlook Anymore: Anti-Depressant Outcomes

 

More on the chemical imbalance of so-called "depression": 

 

Again, chemical imbalance is a myth. Stop the lies, please.

 

You may want to read the book Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker. It comes highly recommended on this site. Here is the book trailer video: 

 

Robert Whitaker, author Anatomy of an Epidemic video (11.5 minutes)

 

We know that trauma plays a large role in so-called "mental illness." We know that financial worries, loneliness, stressful and meaningless jobs, poor diets and lack of exercise, and lack of purpose in life all play a role in our distress. Covering that up with psycho-active drugs may work for awhile, but the long-term outcomes for these drugs is not good. 

 

We are not inherently anti-psychiatric drug here. If you feel the drugs help you, we're not here to change your mind. We exist solely to help those who want off the drugs. Personally, I am anti-psychiatry, but that's not true for all of the staff. Many people decide to come off the drugs in order to seek a holistic path to healing without any ideology other than wanting a drug-free life. 

 

Please let us know if you want help setting up a taper plan to come off these drugs. If so, we'll be glad to help you. 

[Shep]

@Lindseyb I want to draw attention to the numerous drug interactions in your cocktail. I'm placing the interactions here in your thread.

 

This information is found at:

 

Drugs.com - interactions

 

Please note in order to use this site to check 4 or more drugs, you'll need to register for the site. It's free to do so. 

 

It's likely some of your symptoms are from these potential adverse reactions. If you decide you wish to work with us to come off these drugs, we may recommend spacing out some of these drugs to reduce these reactions. 

 

Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

clonazePAM  omeprazole

Applies to: Klonopin (clonazepam), omeprazole

Omeprazole may increase the blood levels and effects of clonazePAM. This can increase the risk of side effects including excessive drowsiness and breathing difficulties. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

Moderate

clonazePAM  cetirizine

Applies to: Klonopin (clonazepam), Zyrtec (cetirizine)

Using cetirizine together with clonazePAM may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid driving, operating machinery, or engaging in potentially hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

Moderate

clonazePAM  carvedilol

Applies to: Klonopin (clonazepam), carvedilol

Carvedilol and clonazePAM may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. You may experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and/or changes in pulse or heart rate. These side effects are most likely to be seen at the beginning of treatment, following a dose increase, or when treatment is restarted after an interruption. Let your doctor know if you develop these symptoms and they do not go away after a few days or they become troublesome. Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you, and use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

Moderate

clonazePAM  azelastine nasal

Applies to: Klonopin (clonazepam), azelastine nasal

Using clonazePAM together with azelastine nasal may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

 

Moderate

cetirizine  azelastine nasal

Applies to: Zyrtec (cetirizine), azelastine nasal

Using cetirizine together with azelastine nasal may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid driving, operating machinery, or engaging in potentially hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

Moderate

carvedilol  meloxicam

Applies to: carvedilol, meloxicam

If you use carvedilol for the treatment of high blood pressure, talk to your doctor before using it together with meloxicam. Combining these medications may reduce the effects of carvedilol in lowering your blood pressure, especially if you use meloxicam frequently or regularly (for example, to treat arthritis or chronic pain). You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

Moderate

clonazePAM  escitalopram

Applies to: Klonopin (clonazepam), Lexapro (escitalopram)

Using clonazePAM together with escitalopram may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

Moderate

omeprazole  escitalopram

Applies to: omeprazole, Lexapro (escitalopram)

Omeprazole may increase the blood levels and effects of escitalopram. You may have an increased risk of developing side effects, including irregular heart rhythm and a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms while taking the medications. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

Moderate

cetirizine  escitalopram

Applies to: Zyrtec (cetirizine), Lexapro (escitalopram)

Using cetirizine together with escitalopram may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid driving, operating machinery, or engaging in potentially hazardous activities requiring mental alertness and motor coordination until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

Moderate

azelastine nasal  escitalopram

Applies to: azelastine nasal, Lexapro (escitalopram)

Using azelastine nasal together with escitalopram may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

 

Moderate

meloxicam  escitalopram

Applies to: meloxicam, Lexapro (escitalopram)

Using escitalopram together with meloxicam may increase the risk of bleeding. The interaction may be more likely if you are elderly or have kidney or liver disease. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may already be aware of the risks, but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any unusual bleeding or bruising, or have other signs and symptoms of bleeding such as dizziness; lightheadedness; red or black, tarry stools; coughing up or vomiting fresh or dried blood that looks like coffee grounds; severe headache; and weakness. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Switch to professional interaction data

Minor

clonazePAM  ethinyl estradiol

Applies to: Klonopin (clonazepam), Nortrel 1 / 35 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone)

Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.

No other interactions were found between your selected drugs. This does not necessarily mean no other interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

norethindrone  food

Applies to: Nortrel 1 / 35 (ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone)

Grapefruit juice may increase the blood levels of certain medications such as norethindrone. You may want to limit your consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment with norethindrone. However, if you have been regularly consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice with the medication, then it is advisable for you to talk with your doctor before changing the amounts of these products in your diet, as this may alter the effects of your medication. Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects. Orange juice is not expected to interact.

Switch to professional interaction data

Moderate

cetirizine  food

Applies to: Zyrtec (cetirizine)

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of cetirizine such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with cetirizine. Do not use more than the recommended dose of cetirizine, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Switch to professional interaction data

Moderate

azelastine nasal  food

Applies to: azelastine nasal

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of azelastine nasal such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with azelastine nasal. Do not use more than the recommended dose of azelastine nasal, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Switch to professional interaction data

Moderate

escitalopram  food

Applies to: Lexapro (escitalopram)

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of escitalopram such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with escitalopram. Do not use more than the recommended dose of escitalopram, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

 

 

[Lindseyb]

I cant come off any of the drugs for allergies. My allergies are actually worse. Im constantly itchy, sneezy, runny nose, etc. As I said previously I wanted to get off omeprazole but Im still having heartburn so I have to have an upper GI endoscopy.

 

Since lexapro is making me feel so terrible (as did trintellix), can you comment on trying lamictal or paxil (which I was CT off originally)? 

 

I would love to come off klonopin but cant do 2 tapers at once. I know my horrid panic attacks are going to come back when I attempt to get off of it. 

[Shep]

1 hour ago, Lindseyb said:

Since lexapro is making me feel so terrible (as did trintellix), can you comment on trying lamictal or paxil (which I was CT off originally)? 

 

It sounds like you're feeling terrible because your nervous system is destabilized from all of the changes. Please see:

 

One theory of antidepressant withdrawal syndrome

 

So it's not so much about the specific drug, but the trauma to the nervous system caused by the abrupt changes.  As noted in the first post in that thread, this is "iatrogenic neuropsychiatric dysregulation. The feedback mechanisms that keep your body in homeostasis are not functioning as they should." Your nervous system is hyper-alerting now. 

 

You were last on Paxil April 2021, which was about 9 months ago. Going back on a drug you've been off of for this long is very risky.  Reinstatements work best within the first few months of coming off. Your nervous system will likely hyper-react to it now. You took Lamictal (lamotrigine) for two weeks back in February, so it would also not be one we would recommend reinstating (luckily you weren't on it long enough to become dependent). 

 

 

On 12/29/2021 at 5:22 PM, Lindseyb said:

9/23/21-10/8/21 Lexapro (5mg)- Palpitations/pounding heart (mostly at night), Ear ringing, Tinnitus, Bad dizziness/off balance/increased 3pd, Nausea, Racing thoughts, Restlessness, restless leg syndrome

10/9/21-11/5/21 Lexapro (2.5mg)

11/6/21-12/3/21 Lexapro (2mg)

12/4/21-12/31/21 Lexapro (1.5mg)

1/1/21-1/28/22 Lexapro (1mg)

1/29/22-2/25/22 Lexapro (0.5mg)

 

You've been on Lexapro since September, long enough to become dependent (it only takes a month). And your reductions have been very rapid. 

 

I would stop tapering and updose back to where you were before your last Lexapro reduction on December 3 at 2 mg. 

 

 

1 hour ago, Lindseyb said:

I would love to come off klonopin but cant do 2 tapers at once. I know my horrid panic attacks are going to come back when I attempt to get off of it. 

 

You're right - it's not good to do two tapers at once. You'll likely want to stay on Klonopin and taper it last. Please see:

 

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

 

Please add Klonopin to your signature. 

[AbelRiver]

On 1/1/2022 at 8:43 AM, Shep said:

 

 

We know that trauma plays a large role in so-called "mental illness." We know that financial worries, loneliness, stressful and meaningless jobs, poor diets and lack of exercise, and lack of purpose in life all play a role in our distress. Covering that up with psycho-active drugs may work for awhile, but the long-term outcomes for these drugs is not good. 

 

 

hi @ShepI ordered the book you mentioned from robert whitaker and I'm looking forward to diving deeper.

 

I'm curious about really extreme cases of what the general public would consider "mentally ill." For example, the man on my street corner frequently swats the air, has full conversations with the wall, and simply doesn't communicate in a way that says we live on the same planet. I don't know him or his history. But, since I'm new to this "anti-psychiartry" line of thinking, what would explain someone like that? What could even help them? 

 

I'm just generally (and genuinely) curious. 

 

 

[Shep]

On 1/7/2022 at 8:10 PM, AbelRiver said:

I'm curious about really extreme cases of what the general public would consider "mentally ill." For example, the man on my street corner frequently swats the air, has full conversations with the wall, and simply doesn't communicate in a way that says we live on the same planet. I don't know him or his history. But, since I'm new to this "anti-psychiartry" line of thinking, what would explain someone like that? What could even help them? 

 

Could be all sorts of thing - vitamin D or B12 deficiency, trauma working its way out, and there's a link between insomnia and "psychosis" that ranges, depending on the study, well over 80 - 90%. And that makes sense - insomnia can cause hallucinations and delusions. But insomnia can be caused by many things - including the aforementioned vitamin deficiencies and trauma. But to label someone diseased for life (i.e. "schizophrenia") and subject them to endless drugging makes no sense and is quite cruel.

 

His stress may have overwhelmed his coping ability. His experiences in this world may indicate that other people will harm him and this is his way of saying "stay away." Or he may be in a position where having a "mental illness" disability check is his only way to survive. We simply don't know. But how could his mind be ill? As many anti-psychiatry activists put it, "Show me a mind in a plastic bag and I'll believe in 'mental illness.'" Or as Dr. Thomas Szasz wrote, "Calling a psychiatrist to fix a 'mental illness' is like calling a tv repairman because you don't like the tv show."

 

We also know that antipsychotics can cause dopamine super-sensitivity, which has symptoms of "psychosis."

 

If you're interested, you may want to read another one of Robert Whitaker's books, Mad in America. You're asking great questions. Robert Whitaker writes about non-drug ways of helping someone out of these crisis states without the use of drugs and without locking people up. Another highly recommended Whitaker book.

 

On 1/1/2022 at 1:32 PM, Shep said:

Please add Klonopin to your signature. 

 

Please let us know more about your Klonopin use and add it to your signature.

 

How are you feeling?

[Lindseyb]

I already added klonopin to my signature. Im doing pretty bad, circumstances in my life are not helping. I did 1mg lexapro for a week and decreased to 0.5mg yesterday. I cant stabilize on a drug that is making me feel like crap. Ive been on it for 4 months with no stabilization. I also need to get to a point where I can come off klonopin.

[Shep]

3 hours ago, Lindseyb said:

I already added klonopin to my signature.

 

I'm sorry, I missed that in the narrative. Thanks for adding it. 

 

3 hours ago, Lindseyb said:

I did 1mg lexapro for a week and decreased to 0.5mg yesterday. I cant stabilize on a drug that is making me feel like crap.

 

I would stop tapering and even updose. You've been through the grinder with a lot of drug changes, but rapidly tapering off a drug you've been on for several months is likely causing even more damage, especially long term. SSRI's are notorious for a delayed withdrawal, so the worst may not have happened yet. This isn't to frighten you, but to urge you to not create more damage by continuing to rapid taper this drug. 

 

This link gives a great description of what is happening and what is meant by being dependent on a drug: 

 

How psychiatric drugs remodel your brain

 

We may be able to help you tweak when you take your drugs, since there are so many drug interactions. Spacing them out may help tone down some of the symptoms.

 

If you're interested in working with us to do this, please start a daily drug and symptoms journal. Please also include any supplements you're taking and the number of hours you're sleeping at night. Please see the below for more information: 

 

On 9/27/2016 at 2:49 PM, Altostrata said:

In the course of discussion in your Introductions forum topic, you may be asked to keep notes on paper of your daily symptom pattern, including when you take your drugs, their dosages, and any symptoms. We ask this because there may be something we can do to reduce the symptoms.

 

What we need to see for every single day over several days is what symptoms you get before and after you take your drugs. If you're not taking any drugs and have withdrawal symptoms, we still need to see your symptom pattern throughout the day:

 

The time of day, dosage, and severity of symptoms are essential information. Include

 

- Time and dosage for all drugs taken throughout the day, psychiatric and non-psychiatric.

- Following each dose, note any symptoms. If you are having a reaction to the drug, it may take hours for a symptom to show up -- that's why we ask you to keep notes all day long.

- If you're not taking any drugs, your symptoms throughout the day.

- Your sleep pattern. Since so many drugs disturb sleep, if you find you're waking in the middle of the night, it could be from a drug you took earlier in the evening. If you're not taking any drugs, there may be ways you can improve your sleep.

And so forth. A diary, in chronological order, looking something like this:
 

Example:

DATE:

 

6 a.m. Woke with anxiety
8 a.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
10 a.m. Stomach is upset
10:30 a.m. Ate breakfast
11:35 a.m. Got a headache, lasted one hour
12:35 p.m. Ate lunch
4 p.m. Feel a bit better
5 p.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
6 p.m. Ate dinner
9:20 p.m. Headache
10:00 p.m. Took 50mg Seroquel
10:20 p.m. Feeling dizzy
10:30 p.m. Fell asleep
2:30 a.m. Woke, took 3mg Ambien (NOT "took 1/2 tablet Ambien")
2:45 a.m. Fell asleep
4:30 a.m. Woke but got back to sleep

 

 

[Lindseyb]

I was only on lexapro for 6 weeks before I began a slow taper of 0.5mg decrease every 4 weeks. Ive been tapering for months something I was on for 6 weeks.

I space out the time that I take omeprazole and lexapro/klonopin. The zyrtec and nasal spray, I have to be on, especially now with withdrawal making my allergies so horrific. I have rashes and blisters. I dont think Im going to come out of these horrible withdrawal symptoms unless I get back on an SSRI which I dont want. But I dont have years to wait this out.

[Lindseyb]

Just wanted to update. I ended up doing 1mg for a week and 0.5mg for a week, ended 1/14. My pudendal nerve pain started to come back on 1.5mg. My pudendal nerve pain came back 100% (bladder pain, urethral pain, trouble urinating, painful arousal, painful orgasm, etc). I am having horrendous anxiety attacks today. I'm also going through a lot in my life. I realize I probably need to reinstate, but I have so many concerns. I'm concerned about winding up back here later, permanent sexual dysfunction, emotional numbing, genital numbing, and the side effects that lexapro was giving me and still is (tinnitus, ear ringing, migraines, restless legs, restlessness). I still have to taper klonopin. I want badly to just ride this out, but it is extremely terrifying to not know how long I will be in pain and dealing with all of this (dysautonomia, drug/food sensitivities, hair falling out, everything I listed before). I feel very trapped and scared and do not know what to do. I'm sure the advice will be to get back on it, but does everyone understand my concerns with both options? I don't have years to wait all of this out. I don't want to be in a position where I have to take antibiotics or something stressful happens and I wind up back here. It seems for a lot of people that even years down the line things are too sensitive. I don't have time for all of that.  I have to go back to work. I also do not want to have permanent sexual dysfunction. I was only on it for 6 weeks before tapering (2 weeks 5mg, 4 weeks 2.5mg). I was able to start having sexual activity (not 100%) at 2mg. I never stabilized in any other form such as the dysautonomia. Any advice? 

[Shep]

On 1/19/2022 at 5:55 PM, Lindseyb said:

Any advice? 

 

Please re-read your thread. I posted the advice "stop tapering" three times. Even recommended updosing earlier in your thread. 

 

On 1/19/2022 at 5:55 PM, Lindseyb said:

I was only on it for 6 weeks before tapering

 

You've been on a series of psychiatric drugs since 2003. That drug history matters. I wish there was an easier way off these drugs, but we don't know of one. The slow taper is the best advice we can offer. 

[Lindseyb]

I understand. Now that Im at 0mg, what would be the recommended reinstatement?

[PerAsperaAdAstra]

If you reinstate I wouldn't reinstate at a too high a dose.  The following page has more information about reinstating:

 

[ChessieCat]

 

8 hours ago, Lindseyb said:

I understand. Now that Im at 0mg, what would be the recommended reinstatement?

 

Lexapro is a very strong drug.  It is better to go as low as you can before jumping off.  In your case you would be wanting to go to at least 0.025mg or even lower because of the strength of the drug.  See Post #1 of the link that is in the above post.

 

Lexapro (5mg) 9/23/21-10/8/21 (new and current psych). Lexapro 2.5mg 10/9/21-11/5/21. Began taper 11/6/21, 0.5mg every 4 weeks. 1mg 1/1-1/7, 0.5mg 1/8-1/14

 

Your last dose was 0.5mg on 14th January according to your drug signature.  So it's only been 1 week off.  You could try reinstating 1/2 that amount so 0.25mg.

 

It takes about 4 days for a dose to get to full strength in the blood and a bit longer for it to register in the brain.  But you might notice some improvement in the first 24 hours.

 

If you start to notice improvement then you would reassess after 2 weeks.

 

If you notice no improvement, and no worsening, after 1 week and your symptoms are still unbearable you could increase by a tiny bit more.  For example to 0.3mg.

 

The idea of reinstating is not to get rid of withdrawal symptoms completely but to bring them to a bearable level.

 

It is better to increase by small amounts than to risk taking too much.

 

Keep notes on paper for yourself of what symptoms have improved/worsened so you can see how reinstatement is affecting you.

 

 

[Lindseyb]

Thank you. I am wanting to get off klonopin ASAP. I know I cant make 2 changes at once. I understand reinstatement is a crapshoot, but, can I start tapering klonopin and reinstate lexapro later if I need to? I never stabilized on it, but I know even worse withdrawal is coming. My goal was to get off lexapro and get off klonopin asap after. I didnt realize my pudendal nerve pain was going to come back 100%. I guess lexapro was improving that. I wanted off because of ear ringing, tinnitus, migraines, restlessness, and RLS. I developed myoclonus when I began the lexapro taper, which I still have and I still have ear ringing and tinnitus, my ears are vibrating. I didnt think it was helping and side effects were bad so I wanted off of it; that and I dont want to keep taking klonopin but I couldnt do 2 tapers at once. Im not sure what to do...start klonopin taper, or get back on lexapro because I know worse symptoms are coming.

My main issues are severe anxiety, depression, dysautonomia (motion sensitivity, tachycardia, dizziness, the works), and nerve pain, but I have a whole list of other withdrawal symptoms.

[Lindseyb]

[Lindseyb]

How do you even measure out 0.025mg? I really need to get back to work and back to my life. I dont have years to be going through this. 

[ChessieCat]

36 minutes ago, Lindseyb said:

 

How do you even measure out 0.025mg?

 

 

My apologies, I was thinking that the link given was for Lexapro, but it was the reinstatement topic.

 

Post #1 of this topic explains how to get non standard doses.

 

tips-for-tapering-off-escitalopram-lexapro

 

The other option would be to change over to citalopram which is a gentler sibling of escitalopram.

 

Have you seen the list of common withdrawal symptoms:

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

 

39 minutes ago, Lindseyb said:

I really need to get back to work and back to my life.

 

If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms it is a sign that you reduced the Lexapro too quickly and/or jumped off at too high a dose.

 

The only known way to relieve withdrawal symptoms is to reinstate the drug.  And we have many SA members who regret not reinstating when they had the chance to do so.

 

Please carefully read Post #1 of this topic:

 

about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms

 

42 minutes ago, Lindseyb said:

I dont have years to be going through this. 

 

The idea of tapering isn't to get off the drug as quickly as possible but to get off it with minimal discomfort so that you can live you life as normally as possible.

 

Please check out the relevant posts linked in Post #1 of this topic:

 

are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take

 

To give you an idea of how these drugs can affect us, I will tell you of my own experience.  And please don't think that because it was from a high dose that it doesn't relate to your situation.

 

I was taking 100mg Pristiq and reduced my dose to 50mg.  During the 2 weeks I was on the lower dose I suffered extreme cog fog where even walking took my full concentration.  It was like my head was full of mud.  At the end of the 2 weeks I couldn't type.  Being a professional typist I immediately realised that something was terribly wrong.  I had joined SA a few days before I couldn't type and they had suggested taking more of my drug but I didn't straight away because I was doing a lot of reading trying to understand what was happening.

 

When I couldn't type I decided to take extra Pristiq and after only about 4 HOURS (not days) I was able to type again and the brain fog was lifting.  Because I had a benchmark I knew that it was the drug which had caused it.

 

And when I first started my proper taper I made a 10% reduction and had ear pain.  I took some cold medicine but it didn't do anything.  I then took a tiny bit more of my Pristiq and again within a few hours the symptom went.

[Lindseyb]

Thank you for that information. 

Did you happen to see my drug history? Ive been in withdrawal since April 2021. I didnt get a chance to properly taper the first time. So it's not just lexapro giving me withdrawal; Ive been in withdrawal and didnt stabilize on lexapro. Trying lexapro was my attempt to get out of withdrawal. Does it matter if I was only on it for 6 weeks before tapering? That's what I should reinstate even though it was giving me bad side effects? Im scared the ear ringing and tinnitus will be permanent if I go back on it.

I was cold turkeyed by my former psychiatrist after 18 years of meds. I never stabilized. I only noticed my nerve pain wasnt as bad. I havent been able to drive since August. Im trying to decide if I should get back on or give it time. I really need to start tapering klonopin. Is it okay to start that and try to reinstate lexapro later if I need to? 

[ShiningLight]

1 hour ago, Lindseyb said:

 I dont have years to be going through this. 

 

Nobody does. Just be careful because sometimes trying to get through it faster just makes it worse, which makes everything screech to a halt.

 

It helped me to realize that I'm not necessarily going to be able to avoid every bad symptom, ie accepting the situation. It was making me crazy to think that if I only made the right choice I could avoid pain. I don't think there's one right choice. I had to just make educated guesses. We do the best we can.

 

Polypharmacy is awful, it's a rotten situation to be in.

[ChessieCat]

6 minutes ago, Lindseyb said:

Did you happen to see my drug history? Ive been in withdrawal since April 2021. Trying lexapro was my attempt to get out of withdrawal. Does it matter if I was only on it for 6 weeks before tapering? That's what I should reinstate even though it was giving me bad side effects?

 

Thank you for pointing that out.  It is difficult to know whether reinstating Lexapro would work.

 

Sorry, but I don't have any suggestions about what to actively do, other than to stop trying to fix things with drugs, because you have already tried that and it hasn't worked, and give your brain the time it needs to recover.  And doing nothing IS doing something, because you are allowing your brain a chance to make the adjustments it needs to make without continually throwing something else at it which it then needs to deal with.

 

You have made a large number of changes in the last year and as Shep said your entire drug history does have an effect.

[Lindseyb]

Thank you all

[Lindseyb]

Update:

Yesterday my dizziness/motion sensitivity/3pd came back 100%. I am now feeling it constantly again. I guess I didn't realize I wasn't feeling it constantly while on lexapro. So it seems it helped mildly with this and with the pudendal nerve pain, but that's it. I had difficulty having an orgasm, migraines, ear ringing, and tinnitus (still have these). I was on an elevator today and when I got off I still felt like the floor was moving beneath me (3pd). I was going to just stay off of it, but now I'm not sure what to do. I can't deal with the constant 100% of the time motion sensitivity and nerve pain, but who is to say if I got back on and stabilized and then came off again, I wouldn't wind up right where I am now again? Has there been anyone in a similar situation as me that recovered without meds? I don't know what to do. I still need to get off klonopin. I see my psychiatrist on Thursday and I'm not sure what to say. I don't know if I'm ready to risk permanent sexual dysfunction again, but don't know if I can keep living like this for some unknown amount of time. Any thoughts? I never got a chance to taper correctly from the get go so I am stuck in this nervous system dysfunction.

Brain zaps, tinnitus, ear vibrating, ear ringing and migraines are insanely frequent and intense at this point.

[Lindseyb]

Update:

Had a psych appt today, useless again. I also had lidocaine today and got nexplanon implanted in my arm. I tried telling the psych how the body is very sensitive to things like antibiotics, stress, numbing medications, etc. He wasn't buying it; told me it is anxiety. I had dental work done on the 15th and on the 17th felt extremely weird, impending sense of doom, derealization etc. I also have an EGD coming up on monday so I know my brain is going through the ringer. I would like to try to start tapering klonopin. He suggested I stay on it for another 6 months-1 year, and suggested I go back on lexapro because two of my symptoms are worse without it and three of them are unchanged (The side effects ear ringing/vibrating and migraines). It is so dehumanizing to have all of these doctors completely deny that the brain and body can be in a fragile state and in prolonged withdrawal.

I'm not sure what to do. I just know I don't want to be going through this for years on end.

I feel very depersonalized, like a shell of who I used to be. I have trouble showing my husband affection or feeling romance. I'm not allowed to feel sexual pleasure because it hurts. I know a lot of people say they feel this way ON meds. I started meds at age 11 and I always felt very vibrant and like myself and sexual once I got wellbutrin added in. Now that I'm off everything, I feel totally empty. Does anyone experience this? Will it go away??? I miss my old life and personality. It is affecting my marriage deeply. 

[ChessieCat]

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

The above is a link to the topic

If you're not having an adverse reaction from the other medications, taper the most activating drug first. This is usually an antidepressant or stimulant (ADHD drug).

[Lindseyb]

40 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

The above is a link to the topic

If you're not having an adverse reaction from the other medications, taper the most activating drug first. This is usually an antidepressant or stimulant (ADHD drug).

Im only on klonopin at the moment. Having a lot of concern about how I felt alive on meds and now Im a shell of a person. 

[Lindseyb]

I had my EGD done. They saw food in my stomach still and suspect delayed gastric emptying/gastroparesis. They want me to get tested and get meds if I have it. They want me to stay on omeprazole. I did the EGD because I wanted off omeprazole. I do not want to take any more meds. 

Is this a symptom of withdrawal? Ive had heartburn since before I was CT off meds. Can klonopin cause delayed gastric emptying? 

What do I do?

[Blossom71]

Hi @Lindseyb

 

22 minutes ago, Lindseyb said:

They saw food in my stomach still and suspect delayed gastric emptying/gastroparesis. They want me to get tested and get meds if I have it. They want me to stay on omeprazole.

PPIs (omeprazole) can delay gastric emptying so I can’t for the life of me work out why they would tell you’ve to stay on something that could actually be causing the thing they suspect you have.

 
But given that lot of us are on psych drugs that are creating the exact problem that they told us that the meds were solving ( but had no proof) then I shouldn’t be at all surprised.

[Lindseyb]

38 minutes ago, Blossom71 said:

Hi @Lindseyb

 

PPIs (omeprazole) can delay gastric emptying so I can’t for the life of me work out why they would tell you’ve to stay on something that could actually be causing the thing they suspect you have.

 
But given that lot of us are on psych drugs that are creating the exact problem that they told us that the meds were solving ( but had no proof) then I shouldn’t be at all surprised.

I was put on it for worsening heartburn in 2019 before I ever was discontinued off my psych meds. I wanted to get off it recently but heartburn has been worse so they told me to get an EGD. Now I need another tests. I just keep finding out things wrong with my body since I was CT. Im supposed to be on 5 different diets. Ive dysautonomia really bad. If I get gastric emptying testing they are going to tell me to take more meds and if I say no then Im non compliant.

Has anyone had multiple symptoms of dysautonomia and recovered? Im so tired of finding out all these things are wrong with me since a psych CT me after 18 years of meds. I want to heal.

[DinaDina]

I'm so sorry that you're having deal with it. I had more than 40 symptoms after 3 weeks AD. It was 13 months ago. I have only bladder/genital issues now. And sometimes anxiety. So I tend to think that all of us can heal.

[Foxclover6]

I have most of your symptoms as well, I haven't reinstated. I'm hoping our guts can heal in time, it has been alot of stress, and during withdrawl the things that help with mood like exercise and certain foods become intolerable to us due to this histamine, oxalate issue, it's very defeating. The first few months after stopping my meds, I was going hard with workouts and ignoring my symptoms. Then I hurt my ribs and back doing too heavy weights and it put on a backslide,, laying around has made me worse because I focus on how I am feeling too much. You're not alone, just wanted to say. 

[Lindseyb]

8 minutes ago, DinaDina said:

I'm so sorry that you're having deal with it. I had more than 40 symptoms after 3 weeks AD. It was 13 months ago. I have only bladder/genital issues now. And sometimes anxiety. So I tend to think that all of us can heal.

The genital issues are huge for me. It has put a huge strain on my marriage in that it contributes to my husband's depression. I dont know how long I can tolerate dysautonomia and painful genitals.