ReneeW Posted September 21, 2022 Posted September 21, 2022 Hello. I'm a 36 year old woman who has struggled with depression and anxiety most of my life. I've joined this group because I am at the end of my rope with symptoms no one seems to be able to diagnose. I feel like I'm losing my mind and have been to the ER multiple times for what I thought were heart attacks but nothing was ever found. My doctor has never even mentioned withdrawal as a possibility, I stumbled on this on my own. Just looking for some support and maybe some reassurance that I am not alone. Here is my recent history, I'll try to keep it brief: -Have been on many different meds most of my life for depression and anxiety (started with Paxil then Effexor). Most recently on Wellbutrin 300mg for about 6 or 7 years at this dose. -March 2022 - Briefly increased to 450mg Wellbutrin (only for a week or two, reduced back to 300mg due to migraines) -April 2022 - Abruptly reduced to 150mg Wellbutrin cold turkey due to migraines, added in 5mg Cipralex (to be gradually increased over 2 weeks to 10mg). -May 2022 - vague symptoms begin: sweating, dizziness, shortness of breath, shaking, heart palpitations, diarrhea, cramps and bloating, frequent urination -July 2022 - several trips to ER for terrifying "episodes": severe heart palpitations, tingling and muscle rigidity in hands and chest, numbness, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath. Nothing found on BW or EKG. Sent home despite days on end with uncontrollable shaking. -July 25, 2022 - abruptly stop Cipralex cold turkey due to fears of "serotonin syndrome" after only being on it about 8-10 weeks. Told there was no need to taper as I was on "such a low dose" -August 2022 - symptoms briefly improve. Still out of it, having brain fog and dizziness but feeling a bit better. -Sept 5, 2022 - another trip to ER after another severe "episode". Feels like I am having panic attacks that go on for hours sometimes days. Nothing found on chest x-ray, EKG, bloodwork, urinalysis. -Now still experiencing severe episodes, waking up at night sweating, tingling, shaking, feeling unable to breathe. Horrible "buzzing" in chest and ringing in left ear. GP sent me to endocrinologist but was no help. I've almost entirely cut out caffeine, alcohol and cannabis (I had been a regular marijuana user to help with anxiety. Stopping this has been incredibly difficult). I'm extremely sensitive to any drugs, I've been given Ativan to help with the shaking but I'm afraid to take it. I'm afraid to eat big meals, I'm afraid to go to sleep. Sorry this ended up being quite lengthy, I'm just at the end of my rope and no longer know where to turn. -on many different meds most of my life for depression and anxiety (Paxil & Effexor). Most recently on Wellbutrin 300mg for at least 6-7 years (on this dose, probably 10 years total) -March 2022 - Briefly increased to 450mg Wellbutrin (only for a week or two, reduced back to 300mg due to migraines) -April 2022 - Reduced to 150mg Wellbutrin cold turkey, added in 5mg Cipralex to be gradually increased over 2 weeks to 10mg) -July 25, 2022 - abruptly stop Cipralex due to fears of "serotonin syndrome" -presently still on 150mg Wellbutrin. Have tried taking 0.5-1mg Ativan from time to time but not much help.
Moderator Emeritus Onmyway Posted September 25, 2022 Moderator Emeritus Posted September 25, 2022 Dear @ReneeW welcome to SA. You seem to have had severe side effects (adverse drug reaction or ADR) from escitalopram. After stopping it, it seems like you are now having withdrawal effects and experiencing the windows and waves pattern of recovery from it - it is a slow process. Years of drug use and changes seem to have sensitized your nervous system and are making this latest cut very difficult. Your nervous system is destabilized. What we see here is that it recovers over time but takes quite a while. In the meantime, you need to remove as much stress as possible. We also find that that introductions of other psychoactive substances (alcohol, pot, even some vitamins and drugs) or change in drugs exacerbates withdrawal symptoms. The following links may be able to elucidate what is happening. If you have been checked out by all kinds of doctors including neurologists etc and have been found to be ok, I think you can now focus on acceptance and recovery. You may have very strange symptoms - at some point I had only the left side of my body feeling pins and needles while the right side was ok. People have light and sound sensitivity, tinnitus and many many other strange symptoms. Have a look at our collective wisdom. The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization - Symptoms and self-care - Surviving Antidepressants What is happening in your brain? - Symptoms and self-care - Surviving Antidepressants How psychiatric drugs remodel your brain - Symptoms and self-care - Surviving Antidepressants In the meantime you can focus on learning and applying some non-drug techniques to managing these symptoms. Many of our members find Claire Weekes' methods very useful. Look up videos and articles about her. This is your intro topic, you can keep track of your recovery process here and ask any questions that you may need and a member of staff will try to respond. All members have intro topics and you can interact with them on these topics and offer support if you wish. This is a long and difficult journey and I am so sorry that you have to go through it but glad that you have found us so we can support you and help you get through it as painlessly as possible. OMW Please let "Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used) Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up) September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering) citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg, 7/27/19 -1.5 mg, 8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate
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