Chemistry Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 Hey guys, Just wondering how normal it is to have 1 or more symptoms progressively get worse and worse as time goes on... It seems the further i am away from my last dose (20 months) the more severe some of my symptoms get. The biggest thing for me is some of the sexual symptoms, the emotional anesthesia, the cognitive problems, and the visual symptoms. They all seem to be increasing, becoming more severe, as time goes on. Now this doesn't necessarily mean that these symptoms dont fluctuate at all for me... Think of it this way, the "typical" progression of withdrawal is something along the lines of "2 steps forward, 1 step back", except in a more complicated and unpredictable manner. Now, for me its more like "2 steps back, 1 step forward". Or at least it feels that way. When i came off zoloft (too quickly might i add), the initial withdrawal consisted of the usual stuff, brain zaps, stress, abdominal pain, tension, fatigue, headaches, etc... After that phase which lasted about 2-3 weeks, i basically never fully returned to normal and then i just slowly spiraled down hill. Yes i've had tiny "windows" or i'd prefer calling them "glimmers of hope" where 1 symptom or more would 'seem' better for a while, or i'd have those relaxing evenings where i can at least somewhat enjoy whatever i'm doing, but the general trend of my symptoms have been negative progression, its like i'm going in the wrong direction. Especially in the past 6 months. (new symptoms appearing, worsening, etc). I understand in withdrawal things get better, worse, etc its all over the place! but for me, its way more on the 'worse' side than the 'better' side. I dont think i've had any considerable improvements so far, like i dont think i've ever felt this bad so far and i rarely find anything gets better. Genital numbness and low libido (two symptoms i never had initially) are starting to really settle in and its really scaring me. I guess the main question is, despite this worsening these past 6-12 months, can/will the PSSD, emotional anesthesia, agitation/stress, etc get better? These are the issues i'm mainly worried about. 2010 - citalopram 10mg 2011 - 20-40mg, 1 month taper, PSSD & Anhedonia - Elavil 10mg during taper.Clonazepam when needed after a month of daily use. 2012 - Off Elavil - Zoloft (sertraline) 25mg - 50 mgs for 6 months + Buspar for a while. Pssd & anhedonia improved on zoloft, now has gotten a lot worse since a year off. Off all drugs since October 2012. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoMeaning25 Posted June 28, 2014 Share Posted June 28, 2014 I have the same exact problem. My symptoms are getting worse instead of better. I also have a symptom or two that gets tiny bit better sometimes, but its not a bothersome symptom so it hasn't really affected me. I would be interested to see if anyone else had this who are now recovered, or if someone has any suggestions. Was on Citalopram 20mg since Feb 2008 - switched to Paxil 20mg in August 2010 Tapered way too fast in April 2012 by skipping days. Taper completed in 6 weeks Tried prozac 20mg for 3 days - felt spaced out, not better. Tried 30mg Cymbalta for 2 days. SEVERE ADVERSE REACTION Antidepressant free since 14 August 2012 Birth control on and off during this time - Last taken 18 June 2017 - Morning after pill Started mainly using 0.5mg Xanax beginning 2016 for severe panic attacks and anxiety due to trauma Xanax on and off never more than 0.5mg at a time, never taking it 3 days in a row - used sparingly 6 Years antidepressant free - Still in severe withdrawal with over 60 symptoms Severe setback started May 2018 with no let up to date. Developed many new symptoms like tremors, inner vibrations, insomnia, visual distortions and dr/dp are 100x worse, i have severe sensitivity to movement, My dizziness and vertigo got worse and it now feels like im constantly rocking on a boat, my anxiety is sky high, suicidal idiation is back, i feel extremely brain damaged Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted June 28, 2014 Administrator Share Posted June 28, 2014 The symptoms tend to get better, but it can take a very long time. In the meantime, have you reduced light stimulation for the eye symptoms? Or have you tried to lessen other symptoms -- see http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/604-important-topics-about-symptoms-including-sleep-problems/ As you know, if you manage to reduce even one symptom slightly, it can make you feel better. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chemistry Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 Alto, my visual symptoms seem to be unrelated to my eyes. I got them checked and everything is fine, its a CNS problem like most other withdrawal symptoms. My sleep isn't the best. I do get at least 7-8 hours a night, but i feel very tense, physically anxious, bloated , etc in the morning and i do not feel rested. I think i just need to try and sleep earlier. Have you seen cases like this Alto where people got worse and worse but still got better? you say they tend to get better, is there any worry that they will not? Thank you, 2010 - citalopram 10mg 2011 - 20-40mg, 1 month taper, PSSD & Anhedonia - Elavil 10mg during taper.Clonazepam when needed after a month of daily use. 2012 - Off Elavil - Zoloft (sertraline) 25mg - 50 mgs for 6 months + Buspar for a while. Pssd & anhedonia improved on zoloft, now has gotten a lot worse since a year off. Off all drugs since October 2012. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted June 30, 2014 Administrator Share Posted June 30, 2014 Correct, the light sensitivity is a CNS problem. You can relieve the hypersensitive reaction with a few simple changes in habits. You need to work with your nervous system to help it heal. Please try this. Improvement can be very intermittent with lots of setbacks -- and very frustrating. Sounds like you're experiencing this. Only you can take care of you in this recovery. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LetsGoBuffalo Posted November 26, 2022 Share Posted November 26, 2022 I realize that everyone’s circumstances are different based on what drug(s), time taken, etc… Has anyone noticed evolving symptoms? For instance, my physical symptoms have been gone for about a month (~3 months off meds), but the anxiety, panic attacks, and guilt from giving up a “stabilized” life have been FIERCE since those subsided. Full disclosure, I also made the grave mistake of testing my stress limit wayyyy to quickly by going to a very loud and chaotic hockey game. Just curious how everyone else’s symptoms have fluctuated through this hellish journey we’re all on. 2011 - 2013: Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2011 - 2019: Prozac 30mg 2019 - 2020: Prozac 20mg 2020 - 2022: Prozac 10mg 08/22 - 11/26/22: 0mg Prozac 11/27/22 - Present: reinstated 2mg Prozac due to severe withdrawal symptoms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StayHopeful Posted November 26, 2022 Share Posted November 26, 2022 Hi LetsGoBuffalo! 4 hours ago, LetsGoBuffalo said: Just curious how everyone else’s symptoms have fluctuated through this hellish journey we’re all on. From all that I've read on this site, it happens to everyone going through this hell... It's so weird, the healing process. The moment one symptom subsides, another takes its place. What you could tolerate before, even while tapering, changes. Then when you've gone without a symptom for months, it crops back up again. I also, had a ton of side effects over the years, after I started taking and during the use of AD's, that I never had before. They mimicked autoimmune disease and other maladies, and of course, all specialized tests came back negative. All but neuropathy, have disappeared during tapering so far. The neuropathy has come back and continues off and on. However, many symptoms have been added and are changing all the time. I walk on eggshells hoping not to trigger anything new. The worst part for me, is that I can't control any of it. There doesn't seem to be anything I can do preemptively to keep a symptom from happening, just dealing with it after it starts. I do things that I think help, but what works one day, doesn't the next. I just keep trying. It's one surprise after another. Don't feel bad about "Testing" your stress limits. At least you tried ☺️. I get so sick of the anxiety, that I force myself to do things that I used to enjoy. Sometimes, it proves to be just what I needed and others... not so much. How can we tell if we're getting better, if we don't try? I can't just give up on life because of all this. I can relate to the feeling of missing stabilization. I started my taper over 11 months ago and have been off all meds completely for almost 5 months. I can't quantify my experience for comparisons. So, I don't know where I truly am in the spectrum of healing. I mostly feel ok - being what I consider that to be now. I've become very sensitive emotionally though and have to be cognizant of those around me and to not take it out on them. I'd love to be able to say, that all symptoms start subsiding, continuing to get better until gone; and that when they go, they don't come back. That's not been my experience so far, but I have hope that eventually it will be. SH 1993-1997 Prozac 20mg 1997 Paxil 10mg 1998 Zyban 2005-2010 Celexa 20mg 2005-2014 Xanax .5mg prn 2010-2022 Lexapro 40mg tapered, last dose 2/12/22 2014 Zoloft 10mg 2014-2022 Seroquel 800mg tapered, last dose 7/13/22 2022 Klonopin .5mg prn (haven't used it yet) Lexapro start taper 12/16/21 - 40mg - 30mg, 1/2/22 - 20mg, 1/15/22 - 10mg, 2/1/22 - 5mg, 2/12/22 - 0mg. Seroquel start taper 12/16/21 - 800mg - 600mg, 1/2/22 - 400mg, 1/15/22 - 300mg, 2/12/22 - 200mg, 3/1/22 - 150mg, 3/15/22 - 100mg, 4/1/22 - 50mg, 4/15/22 - 25mg, 5/1/22 - 12mg, 5/15/22 - 6mg, 6/15/22 - 3mg, 7/13/22 - 0mg. Currently taking magnesium, fish oil, calcium and vitamin D3. Cut down processed foods and sugar, no alcohol or caffeine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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