jjwarf: struggling with post acute withdrawal

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

your headache sound like the withdrawal symptoms I had before I knew I was having withdrawals. The pressure in the front of my head would be sooo bad I thought I had a brain tumor (Ct rules that out). 
 

I hope they subside soon. Hang in there hun. 

[Kieran]

I reinstated sertraline in June under GP’s instruction for what I now realise was a protracted withdrawal response. I’m slowly tapering but yes, I’ve also been experiencing head pressure and dull but persistent headaches lately as an emerging symptom. I’m getting a bit better at trying to accept the multitude of symptoms presenting but it’s hard. I’m sorry you’re experiencing pain and really hoping that you get relief soon.

 

 All the best

 

 Kieran

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

 

Omg! I'm so glad you said that. I've been so worked up trying to figure out what would be causing these god awful headaches that I've been thinking, "What if it's a tumor? Or cancer?" Have your headaches gotten any better?

 

@Kieran

Thank you for posting. It really helps to know that I am not the only one! I can definitely relate to what you said about trying to get some acceptance with all of the different withdrawal symptoms we experience. It's tough. I just keep trying to remind myself that this is not going to last forever. One day this will all be a memory. Best of luck to you on this journey! 

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

yes they have. I get them occasionally but not consistently like I did at first. 

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

 

how are you doing hun? 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

Im doing ok! Tapered to 6.4mgs Prozac today. Im still struggling with headaches and nausea. The anxiety comes in waves but isn’t as bad as it was.

 

How are you? Thank you for checking in on me! 

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

good to hear! But make sure your stable when tapering no need to rush. 
 

I'm doing better, Finally stabilizing. Last 4 days have been great. Cycle due soon so dreading that. I go in for blood work this week to check  my hashimoto so hoping that comes back lower or same. 
 

Reading a great book called The Waiting Room by Jennifer Swantkowski If you’re a reader this book has been great to put my mind at ease about my symptoms. 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

You’re absolutely right about being stable before tapering. I’m so glad you’re doing well! Enjoy the moment

I am a reader! I’ll be adding that book to my cart now. A good book distraction sounds lovely.

[jjwarf]

The last couple of days have been hard. I have been sick this week but yesterday and today have felt like withdrawals from before. Not quite as severe but certainly close. Yesterday my head hurt so bad I didn't think I was going to make it through. That is with taking the new migraine medication. My friend who is a pharmacist seems to think that the Prozac is the issue. The new headache started when I switched to Prozac but I'm not sure if it's the Prozac itself or if it's withdrawal or what. I am frustrated and scared. My friend thinks I should switch back to Zoloft and taper from it but I really don't know if that's a good idea. 

 

Today I have been emotionally unhinged. I feel fragile and like I could snap at any moment. I did go and have dinner with a friend and tried to distract myself with talking to people and it seemed to help some later this evening. I am grateful that I have gotten some relief tonight. I still feel a bit on edge but not as bad as earlier today. I am projecting/worrying about how I am going to be able to function and do all of the things I need to do in the next week or so.

 

I also tapered down to 6.2mgs this morning but I am wondering if maybe I should hold at 6.4 until I am more stable. Anyone have any suggestions?

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

 

oh hun I hate hearing this. I’m so sorry. I’m so proud of you for feeling terrible and still trying to make the best if it. Hang in there hun. 
if it was me I would hold until stable. 
 

here to talk any time. Thinking of ya! 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

 

thank you for being here. It really helps knowing I'm not alone and that we are all here trying to get better and supporting each other. I think holding is a good idea. I just keep getting caught up on wanting to be at a lower number and get off these meds.

 

I decided this morning to stay at 6.4 and not taper until I am stable. I feel a lot better today. Thank God. I'm trying to not be afraid of when the next wave is coming and just enjoy the moment.

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

i know the feeling of wanting that number lower. But slow wins the race. My cycle started and for me that usually means a wave but this month I tried to change my mind set and embraced the wave coming. To my surprise no wave. I’ve learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Remind myself that “ this shall end” comes will the good and the bad. 
 

hang in there hun you got this! 

[jjwarf]

Tapered down to 6.2mgs of Prozac last week and today I dropped down to 6 mgs. I feel strange but I am making it. The headaches and nausea are coming on strong. I may hold off on tapering anymore until Christmas break. I am still functioning but it's hard to do all of the things I need to.

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

im hoping this cut goes smoothly for you. I’m also thinking of not starting my taper back up until after the holidays. I’m in a ok functioning window. I just want to enjoy the holidays and my daughter birthday. 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

 

Thank you! I know exactly what you mean about just wanting to be able to enjoy the holidays. I’m glad you’re in a good functioning window! It’s so important to embrace those moments.

 

I have felt off all week. Sad, irritable, nauseous, and the headaches. It still seems crazy how much even micro tapers effect me. Then I start beating myself up for not being able to just stop taking these meds. I just want to be off of them and feel ok again. This isn’t forever though. I’m so glad this forum exists.

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

 

fast isn’t better. Don’t beat yourself up hun you are doing great!!! Slow and steady. 
 

this week I’ve felt off. Emotional and irritable, I think I’m ovulating. My cycle due right at thanksgiving so that’s great 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ 

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

how ya doing hun? 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

i am doing ok! I’ve had some anxiety bubble up the last couple of days but overall things are alright. I’m down to 5.8 mgs of Prozac. I going to hold here for a couple of weeks I think. 
 

how are you?

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

That’s so great to hear. I’m doing good. Busy with holiday coming but its been a great distraction and been feeling pretty good. Bought of anxiety here and there but they don’t last long. So I’ll take it. 
 

I hope you have the best thanksgiving. 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

that is wonderful! I’m so glad you’re in a stable place and getting through the anxiety when it comes. This is what healing looks like.

 

hope you have a happy thanksgiving too! 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

 

How are you doing? Were you able to enjoy the holidays?

 

I feel like I am stabilizing. Today is the first day this week that I feel good and hopeful. I am grateful for today and more proof that all feelings do eventually pass. 

 

I think I know the answer to this but I need some advice. My classes are over at the end of the first week in December and then I don't go back until after the first week in January. I want to drop a full milligram that first week after class is over and then maybe another full milligram before I go back. I have been tapering 0.2mg each week. I'm worried that maybe that's too fast but God, I just want to be off of these meds. Maybe I should just take it easy.

[Kelsears]

Happy thanksgiving! I did enjoy the holiday feeling off today. Maybe the busy week crashing in on me. 
 

So glad you were able to enjoy the holiday. 
 

I would NOT make that big of a cut. Staying stable is where you need to be. You’re not going to heal faster by causing havoc to your nervous system. Slow and steady. 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

 

I'm glad you were able to enjoy it. It probably is just the effects of a busy week catching up. I hope the feeling off passes soon for you.

 

Thank you so much for saying that. I needed confirmation from someone outside of my own head. I knew it was a bad idea but somehow convinced myself if my responsibilities were reduced I would be able to handle the instability better. Slow and steady. Phew...

[Kelsears]

My taper coach says going fast doesn’t  make the withdrawal end faster just makes them harder. Don’t put a time frame on getting off. Your body will tell you when it’s time. Just listen to your body. 
 

Quote: I read daily 

 

One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will be someone else's survival guide.

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

 

God, I needed to hear that. Thank you 

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

 

we got this. 

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

 

thinking of ya! I hope you’re doing well. 
 

Happy holidays!!!! 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

That’s so sweet of you! I am doing ok. Tapered to 4.8 mg Prozac this morning. Been having some anxiety but it’s manageable. These headaches though, omg! Surely it’s the meds, right? I still have moments of paranoia/fear that it’s some crazy underlying illness. 
 

I was able to enjoy the holidays which is amazing! How are you?

[Kelsears]

@jjwarf

the headache can be horrible. You can always talk with your doctor and get scan if it would help you feel less anxious about it. I did a year ago. Because I sore I had a brain tumor or something. 
 

im doing ok. Had a stomach infection just coming off antibiotics. Felt good on them but now in a wave. Not a terrible wave just heightened anxiety. 
 

Christmas was ok I was proud of myself for getting through it without to many hiccups. My in laws are hard to handle so considering my current state of emotional regulation I did well. 

[jjwarf]

@Kelsears

 

im not glad you went through that with the headaches but it helps me to feel better knowing I’m not alone. How long did the headaches last for you? Or are you still experiencing them? Mine are almost every day even with migraine meds and seem to be triggered by almost everything I eat.

 

Getting through holidays, especially with difficult in laws, is an accomplishment! I think that highlights how much better you’re doing. Could you imagine trying to get through that six months or a year ago? This journey may take a while but I’m hopeful one day we will be better and it will all be a distant memory

[Kelsears]

I still get them on and off but not as consistently as they used to be. Now they seem to just happen around my cycle. I completely changed my diet after this all started. No caffeine, sugars, processed foods, gluten, dairy, soy, nightshades, seeds, nuts, grains, alcohol. I even went from vegetarian to eating meat to help build my brain back up. 
 

The holidays have definitely shown me how much I’ve healed in the last 11 months. 

[jjwarf]

I posted about this before and got some good feedback but can’t find the topic again.

 

Has anyone else struggled with near daily headaches/migraines? I started having them several months ago when I switched from sertraline to Prozac. Once I started tapering the Prozac it has gotten so much worse. I take Nurtec for migraines for the last couple of months because my head hurts so bad I cannot function. Even with the migraine meds it isn’t completely gone. They get worse with each dose cut I do. I am constantly nauseous.

The headaches seem to be triggered by food sometimes. My doctor had me cut out beef, eggs, chocolate since those are some of the big ones.

 

Can anyone relate? I feel crazy and like I will never get better.

[FireflyFyte]

3 hours ago, jjwarf said:

I posted about this before and got some good feedback but can’t find the topic again.

 

We ask that you keep all of your questions and updates to your introductory thread.

If you don't get the answers you are seeking here, would recommend using the search functionality on the site to find others who have dealt with headaches as part of withdrawal.

[DillyDally]

On 12/31/2023 at 5:21 PM, jjwarf said:

 

 

Can anyone relate? I feel crazy and like I will never get better.

I can relate, you’re not crazy and I do believe (as much as I struggle to believe this for myself too) that this Will get better, Im so sorry you are experiencing this. 

 

I have been experiencing nearly daily headaches for 3 years and can understand how debilitating it is and how hard it is to remain hopeful, especially in a wave. Pain is exhausting (especially headache) and I try to remember that it drains me of my ability to be hopeful while in it, of course it does, it hurts and is all consuming when the headache is happening.

 

hang in there x

[jjwarf]

@DillyDally thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I am sorry you've been experiencing that. It is so hard! I am glad we aren't alone and it helps me to not feel as crazy knowing that someone else has/is going through the same thing.

[jjwarf]

Just wanted to check in. I have been struggling really bad the last week. I found out I am pregnant, which is cause for excitement, but I have felt nothing but darkness. I don't know what is wrong with me. I'm guessing hormones but it feels so heavy. I don't actually want to die but it feels like that would be easier than continuing to feel the way that I do.

 

I made an appointment with my therapist and my prescriber. I am not sure if going back up on my meds or trying something new is the answer. Does anyone have any experience with this? I have worked so hard to get on a low dose with the hope of coming off of antidepressants completely.