Fairsome: Withdrawal syndrome, PSSD

[Fairsome]

Hello everyone. I have been struggling from withdrawal syndrome after "treatment" with various antidepressants /Venlafaxine, Zoloft, Cipralex/. I have severe PSSD (numb genitals, dead libido, almost no erections), anhedonia, bad nausea and some gut issues, lost appetite, altered taste and smell, over sensitivity to light and sound, pressure in my body, brain fog and fatigue, some blurry vision, occasionally cold hands and feet and pain in my right foot. I have read a lot about withdrawal syndrome and it looks to me that these poorly studied drugs have damaged my autonomic nervous system. My shi**y doctor neglects all of this and says it is somewhat anxiety or mental issue (she asked me what withdrawal syndrome was)... It's good that I have found this forum where the truth about these neurotoxic poisons is being said.

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  Congratulations for getting off the psychiatric medications!  I very much agree with you about these drugs being neurotoxic poisons.  

Are you currently on any other medications or supplements?  If so, please add this to your signature, thank you.

 

Here is some information about how these drugs actually work.   This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications.

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms: 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

Here is a link about PSSD, which includes other support forums for this symptom: 

 

PSSD

 

Please rest assured that eventually, you will recover.  Since the brain and nervous system are highly complex, recovery takes many months to years.  I know it's frustrating, but at least it is no permanent.  Keep us posted on how you are doing.  

Edited April 9, 2022 by getofflex

[Fairsome]

I don't take any medications and I don't plan on doing it either. My doctor was just switching me from the one drug to another, from one dose to another, because she was thinking when they don't have any effect on my mental being (and they didn't), I can just stop taking them like vitamins.

[getofflex]

13 hours ago, Fairsome said:

My doctor was just switching me from the one drug to another, from one dose to another, because she was thinking when they don't have any effect on my mental being (and they didn't), I can just stop taking them like vitamins.

I'm sorry that your doctor believes that - it is not necessarily correct.  Some people can just stop taking them cold turkey and be fine, but many of us have withdrawal when we stop abruptly, which is why this forum exists.  

 

Take heart, eventually your withdrawal with resolve itself, but it will take time.  Please read this link for more info about what affects the length of your recover. 

 

How Long is Withdrawal Going to Take

[Fairsome]

Some symptoms I forgot to mention are problems with my skin, some gum health problems and bladder function issues. I would also say that I experience something close to depersonalization. I just don't feel like myself at all in my body, I feel strange, numb and disorientated. It has something to do with the anhedonia and total emotional bluntness I am dealing with. I would listen to music and I would feel totally nothing. Also no feelings of hunger, no feel that I need to sleep. Although I am trying to stay as calm as possible waiting for this storm to pass out -- this is horrible, total zombie mode. 

 

As I read in other topic, there is literally nothing we can do against pharmaceutical bandits in terms of them paying out for the drug damage because it is not visible and there is no test to prove it... How can my doctor be so stupid saying these are symptoms of anxiety when I literally feel no emotions at all??! I urge her to spend a day living with this condition, she will hopefully enjoy it! It's hard to believe what a cruel world we live in... But for all the ones we lost in this battle, I promise to recover.

-Fairsome

[getofflex]

On 4/16/2022 at 7:06 PM, Fairsome said:

I would also say that I experience something close to depersonalization. I just don't feel like myself at all in my body, I feel strange, numb and disorientated. It has something to do with the anhedonia and total emotional bluntness I am dealing with. I would listen to music and I would feel totally nothing. Also no feelings of hunger, no feel that I need to sleep. Although I am trying to stay as calm as possible waiting for this storm to pass out -- this is horrible, total zombie mode. 

What you describe is classic.  It is caused by the drugs, and/or withdrawal from the drugs.  This will eventually resolve itself.  I understand that in the meantime, it is disheartening and frustrating to feel this way, to say the least.  Did you stop the drugs cold turkey, or do a taper?  

 

This link will help you understand more about how long your recovery may take, and factors that affect this. 

 

How Long is Withdrawal Going to Take, Factors Affecting Withdrawal

 

This will help you with coping with your symptoms:  

 

Steps for Managing WD Symptoms

 

On 4/16/2022 at 7:06 PM, Fairsome said:

How can my doctor be so stupid saying these are symptoms of anxiety when I literally feel no emotions at all??! I urge her to spend a day living with this condition, she will hopefully enjoy it! It's hard to believe what a cruel world we live in... But for all the ones we lost in this battle, I promise to recover.

So many of us here echo your sentiments.  We understand the anger and the outrage because we've been there.  I'm very glad you are determined to recover.  Strong determination is a huge asset to this process.  

[Fairsome]

Hi, didn't taper because my doctor 'denies' the existence of withdrawal syndrome. I know when I am now in the middle of it, it feels very permanent and devastating but reading out all the success stories here definitely fills me with hope. Today I started taking magnesium citrate (2g per day), maybe that can help things! 

[getofflex]

6 minutes ago, Fairsome said:

Hi, didn't taper because my doctor 'denies' the existence of withdrawal syndrome

Ugh.  I'm sorry for the ignorance of your doctor.  I sometimes wonder if they spend a majority of time in med school swapping jokes. 

 

6 minutes ago, Fairsome said:

I know when I am now in the middle of it, it feels very permanent and devastating

Yes, this is a common sentiment.  Read this link, especially item #2 and 5.  

 

Steps for Managing WD Symptoms

Edited April 18, 2022 by getofflex