Comecloser80: CT Mirtazapine 15mg and Amitriptyline 20mg

[Walleebug]

@Purae just checking in to see how you're doing.  

[Comecloser80]

@Walleebug Thank you for checking in. I wish I have something good to share but unfortunately, nothing has changed so far since my last post.

Looks like I am in for a very long haul.

How are you doing? 

[Walleebug]

@Purae At least you aren't worse.  Things will slowly get better.  I'm slowly getting better.  The vibrations have calmed down a lot.   I haven't had a headache in 3 weeks which is unbelievable for me and I almost went 2 whole days without eye twitches.   Hang in there. We will get through this. 

[Comecloser80]

7 months.

 

-Sleep deteriorated. Waking up multiple times 12,2,3,4am. Can’t sleep past 4:00am. No napping ability.

-Internal vibration (more noticeable while laying down on bed).

-Head sensation.(Brain vibration etc).

-Exhaustion: Sore legs (thighs), arms.

-ear fullness(right).

 

 

 

 

 

[Walleebug]

Are you waking up calm? I remember not long ago I couldn't sleep past 4am either.  I'm at 6 am most days now with at most 2 wakeups.  It does get better. 

[Comecloser80]

24 minutes ago, Walleebug said:

Are you waking up calm? I remember not long ago I couldn't sleep past 4am either.  I'm at 6 am most days now with at most 2 wakeups.  It does get better. 

I wake up calm very rarely. I feel jittery , restless, some weird head sensation. It’s been nonstop since last 7months. I have not slept uninterrupted since. It’s insane.

My brain vibrates, body vibrates, my thighs are very sore. 

I am happy that your sleep is getting better. I really hope mine will improve. 
I feel like I am going backwards.

[Walleebug]

I'm so sorry you've been dealing with this so long.  I know it's very hard. It will get better it just takes a really long time.  Mine isn't completely gone.  I still have some nights like that but for the most part it's much better.  

[Comecloser80]

New symptoms at 7 months :

Ear fullness: No pain 

 

LEFT EAR.

I am hearing double voice and sort of gravel noise/continuous wind sort of sound. I feel weird while I speak or talk.

 

Will this agony ever ends? Still disabled after 7months. Sleep issues, whole body pain , specially legs thighs, muscle spasms, electric shock in different part of body.

 

[Dutchsarah]

@Purae I'm sorry you are still having this many symptoms. Withdrawal really sucks. Did you download the symptom tracker sheets? It's gives me piece of mind to rate all my symptoms from one to ten and see what is improving. 

I'm sure you are doing all the right things, I just wanted to say you're not alone in this and that we will all leave this behind us. 

Take care! Sending lots of healing thoughts your way. 

[Comecloser80]

21 hours ago, Dutchsarah said:

@Purae I'm sorry you are still having this many symptoms. Withdrawal really sucks. Did you download the symptom tracker sheets? It's gives me piece of mind to rate all my symptoms from one to ten and see what is improving. 

I'm sure you are doing all the right things, I just wanted to say you're not alone in this and that we will all leave this behind us. 

Take care! Sending lots of healing thoughts your way. 

My new ear symptom is really scary. It’s different than ear fullness, blocked or tinnitus. I think I will have to go see ENT specialist for this issue. I hope I can get appointment soon.

 

Hope you are coping well and getting better as days go by.

 

I wish you well. Please keep posted your journey.

[Comecloser80]

Hearing Dysfunction, Sleep deteriorating, fatigue, tiredness, head zaps, brain electric sensation, totally drained. 

 

Just been to CT scan of brain and ear.

Did full blood tests.

Hearing test. 

Started with Nasal spray(steroid).

 

 

[kmac000]

Hi @Purae, I'm sorry to hear you're going through this. 
 

I wanted to share that I have also battled chronic sinus/ear fullness problems. I understand how frightening this can be. My journey has been similar to yours, including visits to an ENT, undergoing an MRI of my brain, ear, and c-spine, and exploring every available resource. Drawing from years of experience, here are some insights:

1. It Gets Better: Though it's undoubtedly distressing, these symptoms often ebb and flow. Hang in there and continue to explore all options.
2. Eliminate Physical/Serious Medical Causes: Ensure that the symptoms are not due to serious medical conditions. The MRI and ENT visits are significant steps in this direction.
3. Consider in Impact of Long-term Stress: If serious medical conditions or physical obstructions are ruled out, consider the possibility that the symptoms may be stress-related, perhaps linked to withdrawal or other stress conditions.

In my case, withdrawal-related stress led to stiffness in my neck, TMJ (bruxism) grinding, and other sources of inflammation in the head and neck area. This inflammation affected my inner ear, eustachian tubes, and sinus cavities, aggravating tinnitus and ear fullness symptoms. The silver lining is that these symptoms are treatable, though managing them can be a constant battle.

 

If your condition is indeed stress-related, the following resources might help. I've personally found these methods effective in alleviating symptoms:

1. Saline Rinse: There are various resources available for saline rinses and neti pots, but Navage stands out. Though the pods can be expensive, you can find ways to use more affordable saline sources and reuse old pods.
2. CPAP Usage: Even if you don't have sleep apnea, it might be worthwhile to investigate a CPAP. I found it helpful in reducing anxiety and breathing issues, thereby improving my sleep. Your doctor / insurance agent may even allow a trial period.
3. Ear Plugs/Sound Buds: While these might not totally eliminate the sensation of fullness or tinnitus, a cheap pair of ear plugs for night use and ear buds for the daytime can provide some relief by partially masking your symptoms.
4. Self-Massage/Therapy: Though the relief may be temporary, these techniques can offer a proactive means of symptom management. Consider exploring methods to alleviate facial pressure, sinus issues, neck tension, and TMJ pain, as these are often interconnected with ear-related symptoms. Many resources are available, and I've included a few links below to assist you.

 

 

 

In addition to the aforementioned strategies, there are numerous medicinal, spray, and alternative therapy options available, such as acupuncture, acupressure, physiotherapy, and TENS/IR light therapy. However, it's important to consult with your ENT specialist to determine if any of these treatments are suitable for your specific situation. I have personally experimented with all of them, and unfortunately, I found no single "magic pill" however they all help in different ways...which is better than no help at all. 
 

One more reflection to share: lately, I've come to realize that obsessing over symptoms seems to exacerbate them. Once you've ruled out serious, observable medical conditions, it might be beneficial to recognize that your mind might be operating in a "fight or flight" mode. While your symptoms are undeniably real, constantly focusing on the pain could keep your mind in a state of panic. This realization has led me to limit excessive research, rumination, and medical exploration, allowing my body space to heal independently. This is no easy task, and I'm not always successful, but it's a goal I strive toward. However, as above, it's crucial to consult as many medical professionals as necessary to ensure that there are no underlying serious medical conditions that require immediate attention.
 

Hold onto hope and stay strong. Improvement is possible, and I am living proof of that. I wish you the very best of luck, and I sincerely believe things will get better.

[Comecloser80]

@kmac000 Thank you for all those information. I have never experienced this symptom during my early withdrawal, I initially had sore temples that were bearable then went away. After some time( May be after few weeks or months),I experienced bit of right ear fullness and then went away. 

But after many months(almost 8months) , I am experiencing this and it’s extremely uncomfortable. Dr and hearing test did not find anything except for bit of high pressure on my right ear but I feel uncomfortable on my left ear. I am pretty sure my CT scan result will show nothing as well but I chose to do it for my own peace of mind. 
 

I did start with some OTC nasal spray( steroids) even though I have read many people have reacted to steroids during WD. 
 

I do use CPAP , been almost 3 yrs.
 

I really hope this will lift. How are coping by the way? Has anything improved for you? 
 

 

[kmac000]

Sounds very similar to my experience. Keep checking for medically-related reasons, it's important to eliminate those first. I hope that it's a temporary situation and you find some relief soon. Personally I had no adverse reaction to nasal steroids during WD, but everybody is different. 

Thanks for asking about my condition. My WD is still slow progress with dizziness and visual disorientation, but I have some "windows" now. They are not long, but they give me hope. It's about lightly exploring alternative treatments and giving my body time to heal. 

[jack9]

Hey @kmac000 

I read your post above and i have the same symptoms ( neck stiffness and ear fullness with pain) 

 

Can i ask you if you had them from wd or another thing ? And how are these symptoms now ?

[kmac000]

It started with a serious infection in my left ear and sinus that required surgery. That experience set off a chain of mental and psychological reactions which led me to start antidepressants. After stabilizing, I noticed that whenever I had periods of increased stress or anxiety, that same sense of fullness and sinus pressure would come back, even though an EMT could find nothing physically wrong.
 

After 3+ years, and multiple doctors visits, I’m convinced that it is an inflammatory response triggered by certain foods, stress, and muscular tension. Therefore, when withdrawing from anti-depressants, the ear/sinus pressure got much worse. I can’t say that I have completely solved this issue, only that I’ve learned what my triggers are, and I’m able to better control it as long as I have the coping mechanisms in place that I listed previously. 
 

There are still a few therapies I haven’t tried, and I’m excited to see if it makes a difference. Specifically, Jordan Peterson‘s experience on the carnivore diet with his daughter, both of whom suffer from auto immune maladies, and the use of nebulizers to better deliver anti-inflammatory sprays.

 

Finally, as a word of warning, there are a lot of alternative therapies out there, but can be risky if used without professional supervision. I would always caution that you talk with your ENT or general practitioner first before trying anything outside medically accepted treatment. They could benefit you, but could also do harm.
 

I hope this helps and wish you the best of luck. 

[jack9]

@kmac000 

I'm thinking of having an ear tube to equalize the pressure in the ear. But this is my last solution and i heard it works good.

 

Did you ever consider having it done ? 

[Dutchsarah]

@Purae how are you doing? 

[Comecloser80]

1 hour ago, Dutchsarah said:

@Purae how are you doing? 

I am feeling bit better since yesterday. Managed to go for a walk after many weeks. For me, it’s like, one part of me gets lil better then other suffers. 
 

Ear issue , fatigue, muscle soreness are bit tolerable for now.Sleep is still like 4 to 5 hrs (take hours to fall asleep and lot of dreams). 
 

Hope you are doing well? 
 

New symptoms( for my own reference).

 

-Brain and jaw pain.

-Left wrist and right hand finger pain.

-Shooting pain throughout my body   during middle of the night.

 

[kmac000]

@jack9 I have thought about it, but never tried. In research, it seems like a very low risk procedure, as they naturally fall out over time. Certainly worth a shot! Let us know if it works. I’m going in to my ENT tomorrow to discuss a eustachian tuboplasty (widening of the Eustachian tube) to help equalize the inner ear and sinuses. I’ll update with his feedback. 

[Dutchsarah]

@PuraeI'm going ok. I just got out of a bad wave. When in a wave all is just so dark, but when in a window I can see pretty clearly that it will all be temporary.

I went to Angie's online support group yesterday evening, it was awesome. It gave me that boost to trust the process. I'm almost 6 months out now.....! I really hope at the one year mark this will all be behind me. 

Take care of yourself, it's good to read that you are doing a little better! 

[Walleebug]

@Purae how are you? Im praying you're making some improvements.

[Comecloser80]

@Walleebug I am almost 9 months out. I am  still very far from my old self but better than earlier months. 
 

Lot of my symptoms have subsided. My current symptoms are tingling and burning brain and head, hearing sensitivity, lack of energy, lack of sleep( broken and can’t sleep long hours, averaging 5-6.5hrs a night).

I am hoping it will get better. How about you? Hope you going forward and upward.

 

I wish you peace and a good health.

[Walleebug]

@Purae Very good to hear that you're getting better. Do you still have the vibrations? Im 11 months off and still vibrate every day. Fun fun.  

[Comecloser80]

1 minute ago, Walleebug said:

@Purae Very good to hear that you're getting better. Do you still have the vibrations? Im 11 months off and still vibrate every day. Fun fun.  

Not like in early days but I still get them sometimes , very mild though. 

[Walleebug]

@PuraeI'm so happy to hear the good news. I'm still vibrating daily unfortunately.  It's really not bad though. It's just annoying at this point. I hope you have more good news next month.

[Comecloser80]

Pharmaceutical Gift I have received so far. I might have forgotten some.

 

•Panic attacks 

•Terrible anxiety/morning anxiety 

•Terror

•Restlessness/akathisia 

•Lip tremors 

•Racing thoughts

•Deep depression 

•Hopelessness 

•Crying spells

•Insomnia( broken sleep, early awakening, onset)

•Brain zaps

•Sore temples

•Ear fullness

•Hearing dysfunction 

•Muscle spasms 

•Excessive gas

•Stomach spasms

•Sore muscles 

•Sore legs/arms

•Brain shivering

•Air hunger 

•Fatigue 

•Weakness

•Constipation

•Diarrhoea 

•Electric shock through body

•Pulsatile tinnitus

•Neuro-emotions 

•Sore muscles(thighs)

•Lethargy 

•Finger pain 

•Wrist pain 

•Jaw pain

•Genital vibration 

•Night sweat 

•Disturbing dreams

•Adrenaline surges

•Headache 

•Genital vibration 
•Dry skin and scalp

•Itchy and watery eyes. 

 

Currently , almost at 9 1/2 months.  I am still very far from being normal myself. 
 

Sleep disturbance ( onset and early awakening with surges, interrupted , lots of dream), I feel scared for no reason while falling onto sleep.

 

Night sweats.
 

Sore temples, electric sensation in my brain, inner vibrations, I feel my whole body vibrates when I wake up from sleep, burning brain. 

 

lack of energy, sore legs (feels like they are in fire and some muscle tear) . 
 

Noise sensitivity, feels my ears are blocked , some burning sensation.

 

Anxiety on and off. 

Pulsatile tinnitus, whole body zaps. 

[modelarz71]

I also have Itchy and watery eyes. and additionally redness. Has any specialist looked at your eyes or said anything about it?Greetings.

[Dutchsarah]

@Purae its good to read an update from you. im sorry you are still having this many symptoms, 😞

I have quite a few symptoms left myself as well. I have been going to angie peacock online withdrawal support groups and its been good to talk about symptoms face to face.

 

hang in there, one day we we laugh and feel happy again. 

[Comecloser80]

8 hours ago, modelarz71 said:

I also have Itchy and watery eyes. and additionally redness. Has any specialist looked at your eyes or said anything about it?Greetings.

I am putting it down to histamine issue which I have read will solve overtime but unfortunately no one knows when. 
 

If yours too bad then low histamine diet might help you. 
 

I wish you well.

[Comecloser80]

@Dutchsarah Thank you once again for stopping by. Has Angela peacock recommended anything in particular?

Holding onto tiny bit of hope . Honestly, that is all I have got left.

 

I wish you speedy recovery and wellness. 

[Dutchsarah]

No, nothing particular. But it has giving me lots of hope to be part of the online zoom support groups. And definitely makes me feel less lonely in this horrible process. 

 

[Dutchsarah]

@Purae just checking in. Are you sleeping a little better? How are you doing now?

 

[Comecloser80]

24 minutes ago, Dutchsarah said:

@Purae just checking in. Are you sleeping a little better? How are you doing now?

 

@Dutchsarah Thank you for stopping by. My sleep is still very fragile, even minimal stress or commitment can shake it up quite easily.

 

My mind won’t stop telling me whether it is permanent. I really have no idea where to turn around for help or is it just because I am still healing. 
 

Overall I would say I am doing better compare to earlier months but still very hard to convince myself if this is going to get over. 
 

My whole body feel very raw inside, I really do not know how to explain how I feel. 
 

How are you doing ? I hope you have some progress. 
 

Have you started working yet? I remember you mentioning about surgery too, what is happening with your procedure?

[Dutchsarah]

I'm doing a bit better. 

Yes I had my shoulder surgery and before hand I booked a private session with Angie peacock to go over all possible adverse reactions to the medication they where planning to give me before, during and after the procedure. 

It was a comical and sad moment when I tried to convince the anesthesiologist to not give me fentanyl because of it's effect on serotonin.

 

I made it through that and I'm slowly recovering from my surgery. I have another 6 months before I can use my arm at full function again but the shoulder discomfort is nothing compared to SSRI withdrawal.

 

I'm going to biweekly online support groups which has been very helpful.

 

I haven't started working yet. My cognitive symptoms are still there. I'm very forgetful and can't concentrate for very long.

But I'm hopeful to start with part time work in January. 

 

I'm at a place now where lf I'm able to avoid any kind of stress I'm able to feel pretty good and that is huge compared to the constant feeling of SI and akathesia from a few months ago. 

 

Hang in there, it seems like every time you give an update on your wellbeing it does sounds like you are making steps in your recovery.

 

Are you having some clear windows now where you feel completely normal again?

 

 

 

[Comecloser80]

@Dutchsarah I am glad that your surgery went well and it didn’t setback your recovery.

 

Were you on any antibiotics or opiates after surgery? 

 

“Are you having some clear windows now where you feel completely normal again?”

 

I have days where I feel good but not completely normal , there is always one or the other going on. 

I have been using marijuana continuously before going to bed solely for sleep purpose. I feel like whether it is the cause for slowing down my recovery process but again, I am finding really hard to gather courage quitting this habit. It certainly hasn’t worsened my condition and helps me forget the pain for few hrs and falling onto sleep. 
 

 

I wish you speedy recovery.