covfefe : undiagnosed ADHD led to being prescribed Zoloft

[covfefe]

I had talked briefly with my family doctor in the beginning of 2022, about how I was feeling down. I had every reason to feel down: I had just dropped out of University after two and a half years, I had absolutely no idea where my life was going, I felt like I was living on "hard mode" (which I was). Not to mention the pandemic and it's effect on someone my age. I turned 19 right as Covid was surfacing, and I'm currently 22. In Canada, the lockdown was very strict; I'd say normalcy was only attained towards 2022. 

 

So after that conversation in January 2022 with my doctor, I was prescribed Zoloft 50mg. I decided not to take it, since I had prejudices against SSRIs in general. However, in March 18th, I impulsively decided to start them. I told myself it couldn't be that bad, that I could finally rule it out as a solution if it didn't work out. It would also give me something to do until my psychiatrist appointment in the coming august, even if I heavily suspected that the undiagnosed ADHD was the issue.

 

Before proceeding: I have been on Lansoprazole 30mg since 2017, which could explain my intense side effects if I am to rely on the information posted on SA.

 

When I started Zoloft, it was rough. I had heightened anxiety, panic attacks when I'd try to sleep at night. suicidal thoughts, vivid dreams for months, nausea, etc. I just felt sick, stuck on the couch. I couldn't drive, play video games... I wasn't taking clear notes at the time, so I can't say for sure what other side effects I was experiencing. My only regret is not stopping the medication then and there; I feel very, very stupid for not doing so.

 

The psychiatrist would officially diagnose me with ADHD, and suggest continuing the SSRI alongside the stimulant. So that's what I did. I paired Concerta with Zoloft for the rest of 2022, then switched to Vyvanse in February 2023. 

 

During the next 10 months, I would be on Zoloft 50mg. All throughout, I'd say it had significant effects on libido and gave me anhedonia. I was very sensitive to coffee, I'd take 2-3 naps a day even if I slept 8+ hours, I'd have remotely no social life nor motivation to have one. I think I blamed the anhedonia on the Concerta at the time, and wanted to try something else. In hindsight, I'd say Zoloft was the culprit the whole time. I also made a link between my sensitivity to coffee and my physical reaction to the stimulants; I would feel quite jittery/anxious, and suspected the combination was behind it. One more reason to stop Zoloft. The whole time I was on it, my goal was to get off sooner than later; but I knew it wouldn't be easy, judging by my reaction when I started it. 

 

With my doctor's guidance, I did a taper to 25mg in mid-January 2023 and then went down to 0mg in February. Only later would I find out about compound pharmacists, and how I had the option to go wayyyyy slower. As I went down to 0mg, that's really when the withdrawal hit :  a period of anger/irritability, following a period of total depression and anxiety, and all throughout having very bad appetite and sleep quality. To this day, 15 weeks since going to 0mg, I am still stuck in the windows/waves of it. I can say that I feel way less despair than before, that I can somewhat see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

My libido is still borderline inexistant and I still experience anhedonia regularly, something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. It's been damn near impossible to maintain any form of a life during this period of time; I just tend to keep to myself and try to forget how indifferent I am. Isolation is better than attempting to meet a friend or trying a favorite hobby, cause then you're experiencing no pleasure where previously you'd feel plenty. It makes you feel terrible, and you feel guilt for being so uninterested in the activity taking place. As for my dating life? I luckily date the most understanding person ever, but it kills me to have such little interest in hanging out with them. Knowing myself, it's entirely out of character. Excitement for going to the movies, or for eating good food? Gone. I have interest in absolutely nothing during waves, and it's just brutal. I'm starting a summer job in a week, and I'm worried of how socially inept I'll be.

 

It is absolutely nuts that someone my age or younger should have to go through this. I don't care if they help other people, if I'm the one over here losing a precious year and a half of my life to this crap. I haven't been myself, and I can't wait to go back. I am never taking basic things like pleasure and libido for granted ever again. I wholeheartedly believe that I would've been fine with just a stimulant, and that I will be in the future.

 

As to the reader: is Lansoprazole solely responsible for this extreme reaction? Or do everyday people also get a raw deal like me?

 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @covfefe

 

It appears you have protracted withdrawal syndrome from going off Zoloft too fast. We have many people here (tagged "paws") who have similar protracted withdrawal symptoms.

 

See Protracted withdrawal or Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) -- How long does it last?

 

It's a good sign that you can see some improvement. We expect this to be very slow and frustrating, often in The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

On 6/4/2023 at 12:22 AM, covfefe said:

As to the reader: is Lansoprazole solely responsible for this extreme reaction? Or do everyday people also get a raw deal like me?

 

 

Lansoprazole is not responsible for protracted antidepressant withdrawal syndrome, though it can have other adverse effects you should review, as an informed consumer.

[covfefe]

57 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Welcome, @covfefe

 

It appears you have protracted withdrawal syndrome from going off Zoloft too fast. We have many people here (tagged "paws") who have similar protracted withdrawal symptoms.

 

See Protracted withdrawal or Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) -- How long does it last?

 

It's a good sign that you can see some improvement. We expect this to be very slow and frustrating, often in The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Lansoprazole is not responsible for protracted antidepressant withdrawal syndrome, though it can have other adverse effects you should review, as an informed consumer.

Thanks for the reply. Would a person in my situation typically get better with a small reinstatement, or is it safer to wait it out? (February 17th being the date I went to 0mg) I’ve been very sensitive to the medication since the beginning, so I’d be a bit worried, but the anhedonia is… not great. I’m hardly living, but if I must wait and be patient, then I will. I do know about a compound pharmacist in my area, if it comes down to it. 

[Altostrata]

What do you mean by "anhedonia"?

 

How's your sleep?

[covfefe]

23 hours ago, Altostrata said:

What do you mean by "anhedonia"?

 

How's your sleep?

By anhedonia, I mean how I’m completely uninterested in hobbies, socialization etc., because I’ll have virtually zero response to it. Sitting on the couch and staring at a wall feels the same way as doing a typically fun thing. It’s been going on for months now, and I definitely experienced a more mild version of this while on Zoloft too. I am aware that my situation could be completely worse, though. 
 

I do get sleep, but it’s very crappy. I rarely ever feel rested, in fact I can easily stay in bed all day if I wanted to.

[covfefe]

Update: I went to see a renowned pharmacist in my city. We had a good conversation, since he knew about SSRI withdrawals. He recommended that I take two things to help with my situation. I got the following :

 

- Natural factors, Active B complex

- Garden of Life probiotic, Mood+

 
I tried them both today, but it’s hard to tell what the result will be. I’m also hoping that it doesn’t affect my stimulant medication. For now, there’s a bit of heartburn and I feel spaced out; however, the latter could be attributed to a wave that I already suspected was beginning. All in all, I can say that there’s somewhat of an energy boost after taking them. I’m looking forward to evaluating my sleep quality, and also my mood these next couple of days.

 

Edit: The probiotics might be giving me a foul mood. I also have doubts that there’s much correlation with the withdrawal I’m experiencing, I’m thinking the WD will just take time to heal itself on its own and that’s it. It just sucks, cause I’m under pressure from my parents to “find a solution”. I’m not sure I actually want to try these products, especially if I’m right about the probiotic making me irritated.     
 

At this time, it’s hard to tell what’s caused by the probiotic as opposed to the withdrawal itself. I’ll have to try it a couple more days and take notes. As you can imagine, I am nervous to start new things after my experience with Zoloft. 

[covfefe]

June 8th: The weird sensation in my head has continued since taking the supplements yesterday. I feel close to vomiting, and the gained energy is not entirely positive; a lot of it contributes to anxiety and rumination. I’m definitely stopping them. I really hope I didn’t set back my recovery, since I considered myself to be somewhat stable before this. I would’ve never tried something risky like that if it wasn’t for the pressure of my parents, who literally drove me to the pharmacist themselves so I could “get help”. If only withdrawal was that easy to rid!!
 

I do wish I had read up SA on the subject of supplements, even if I knew that the best strategy was to “do nothing”. Maybe I thought it was okay because it was all natural products? I know this isn’t a therapy session, but I can only hope that my parents will finally leave me alone and stop being the devil on my shoulder when it comes to decision making for my mental health (their intentions are not bad). It makes me think about how they contributed to me starting the SSRIs to begin with. I suppose I can grieve this once withdrawal is over; I don’t plan to make WD worse than it should be by being negative. I’m in this situation, and that’s it.

I can only hope that I’ll be back to normal within a couple days, back to the waves/windows; in contrast, my mental state was way less chaotic before the B complex and the probiotic. 

[Altostrata]

Psychiatric drugs tend to dull emotions. What we've seen here is that after people go off psychiatric drugs, they often feel the post-drug effect of emotional anesthesia, which ordinarily gradually goes away. But the stimulant you're currently taking might be causing emotional numbness on its own.

 

On 6/8/2023 at 12:12 AM, covfefe said:

 

- Natural factors, Active B complex

- Garden of Life probiotic, Mood+

 

We haven't seen any supplements like this to be helpful for withdrawal. Sometimes people find B vitamins too stimulating. Probiotics have their own potential adverse effects.

 

Many people find these to be helpful:

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

You might try a low dose of one at a time to see what it does for you

[covfefe]

Can confirm that the supplements only worsened my condition. It gave me anxiety, brain fog, made me restless, etc. My gut did not respond well, and the vitamin B just made me on edge. 
 

I’m hoping that the side effects will be resolved within a week or two. After that, I’ll make sure not to try anything else. I hate that I sidetracked myself from resolving the withdrawal, but it is what it is. I really took my focus and zen for granted, which had taken long enough to partially “come back”  in the first place. If I get back to WDnormal, I’ll address my fatigue with a small dose of melatonin. 

 

[covfefe]

Welp, I didn’t expect to be in this predicament, but here I am. Since taking the probiotics, I can say for sure that I get heavy brain fog/fatigue after eating meals. If this persists, it means I have something relating to SIBO. It would make sense, since the PPIs I take would’ve facilitated this. It’s also possible that it’s a worsening of SIBO that I already had, without my knowledge. I feel so hopeless. And who knows what the withdrawal is doing in all this?

 

If I do have SIBO, it probably means I need to take antibiotics to take myself out of my misery. But let me guess: they make withdrawal worse, and bring their own issues? The current brain fog is so damn bad, though!! I haven’t felt this debilitated in months. I thought I would have been the one to avoid a med cocktail, but it seems that I made a major slip up when I took the probiotics. I feel so ******* bad. When is this going to end?

 

If I do take antibiotics, I assume it would be the kind that only targets the gut like Xifaxan (although I don’t know what my doctor will say). I hear that otherwise, it would affect my whole body. Perhaps they’re safe to take? I don’t see waiting as an option, seeing the severity of my symptoms for the past week. They seem to be distinctive of withdrawal, only showing up after a meal then seemingly ruining the rest of my day. I only post this here in hopes of avoiding another catastrophe, that maybe someone would see this plan as a mistake and warn me. Otherwise, I likely have no other choice…

[Onmyway]

There are lots of things you've changed recently so it is unlikely this is the probiotics. Even if they were - just stop the probiotics. No need to go diagnose yourself with ever more issues. 

 

Also, everyone gets sleepy and brain foggy after a meal to some extent, you may just be noticing it more because you are paying attention ( + it may be that your stimulants are wearing off by this point as well so you get a double dose of a dip in energy). That is why the Spanish have a siesta in the middle of the day and in most of Europe a cup of espresso is common after a meal. I am not recommending an espresso, I am just saying that 'postprandial somnolence' is a thing - it has a name - also known colloquially as 'food coma.' I've had all my life, it has nothing to do with withdrawal just your body sending all its energy to digest the food and not worry about your intellectual endeavours. SIBO would have other symptoms. 

 

There is no need to worry that you have made a mistake with the supplements. You acted on advice of someone you trusted, it was a mistake but it is done now, no need to think about it. While we see that alcohol consumption sets people back quite a lot, B vitamin consumption setback goes away quickly from what we can see. I haven't yet heard of probiotics causing issues but I haven't investigated it specifically. Usually, people not in WD will see some changes with probiotics - such as more indigestion more gas when they first start, their gut then adjusts to it. It is normal. 

 

Can you please put any new drugs/supplements in your signature as well so that we know what is happening at glance? 

Edited June 15, 2023 by Onmyway

[covfefe]

On 6/15/2023 at 1:52 AM, Onmyway said:

There are lots of things you've changed recently so it is unlikely this is the probiotics. Even if they were - just stop the probiotics. No need to go diagnose yourself with ever more issues. 

You’re completely right. I found out that some probiotic strains augment the amount of histamine in the system, which could explain my “bad reaction”. It’s allergy season, and it was cranked up to eleven after taking it. That’s just my theory, though. Regardless, I started taking antihistamine yesterday and I’ve been feeling better ever since. I just get very foggy and irritated if I don’t.

 

I’d also agree on the B complex having a short effect. As of now, I’m pretty much where I was before the supplements. I’m just glad I’m not panicking anymore. There’s comfort in predictability, even if the symptoms are not fun…

[Onmyway]

@covfefe all the literature I can find says that probiotics are antihistaminic. If you are worried about them I'd suggest you stop taking them rather than add an antihistamines. AHs cross the blood brain barrier (even the non-drowsy ones) and mess with brain chemistry which means they have the possibility of making withdrawal more chaotic.

 

You may need to stop looking for cause and effect of ecery single thing on this journey. It will drive you crazy. And it is almost impossible to tell given 1)the chaotic nature of withdrawal 2) placebo effects 3) the number of variables that are acting on a sample of one 4) the little that we know about this process.

 

I'd suggest 1) stop messing with things you take (meds/supplements) so your body gets stability 2) follow best practices here -  no alcohol, B/D supplements etc., good sleep hygiene 3) distract and learn emotional management techniques (CBT, mindfulness, gratitude lists)

 

The rest will fall into place slowly in the windows and waves pattern. You DO NOT have control over this process. Step back and let it happen as it will. You will get better quicker, trust me.

 

OMW

[Altostrata]

Some people may react badly to probiotics. If this happens, you might want to eat a bit of fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, instead -- if you can tolerate them. However, gut bacteria will eventually repopulate from any food you eat.

[covfefe]

I’m definitely in a weird spot as of now. Considering the rate of my recovery so far, I think it possible that I’m mostly out of the woods by now in terms of withdrawal. What I called “anhedonia” is not really present anymore: I have emotions, I can more easily cry or laugh, my libido is slowly but surely increasing… but of course the bad emotions have come back too. The switch I noticed is anxiety coming back. 
 

I feel like antidepressants were a safety net, that they would give passive 24/7 relief on top of the stimulant. Without anxiety, the ADHD had less power in making me uncomfortable.

However, the trade off to having this “comfort” was:

- emotional anaesthesia

- fatigue

- extremely dry mouth

- physical restlessness/jitteriness (I am almost certain that Zoloft had multiple interactions with the stimulant, which is also backed up online)

- Cardiovascular issues, like palpitations 

and overall just feeling like my life was a dream. The biggest surprise is realizing that my cardiovascular issues, which I experienced during and after ceasing, were no more once the withdrawal “subsided”. The medication really was making me a mess, physically.
 

I hardly have any memories of my time on the medication, nor many from the 5-6 month withdrawal period. I see why I got alarmed and decided to exit the fog. Was it blissful while on the medication? Yeah, pretty much. But I can’t say that I was experiencing genuine joy, either. I was just being thankful for the newfound lack of anxiety, since I had been very anxious my whole life (definitely due to ADHD and other factors). Now that this anxiety is back, I’m… scared. 
 

Even if it removed my anxiety, the Zoloft was a bust. The initial reaction to it was preposterous, and so was the middle and end of my journey with it. Why was I so sedated? Why was it so harsh? Would another SSRI treat me well, and live in harmony with my stimulant? Cause people definitely take both of them sometimes!

 

Even after all that, I would still try an SSRI again. I feel foolish, but the truth is that my anxiety has ruled over me my whole life. Sure, I’ll try therapy/exercise before turning to medication again, but I have this disability that haunts me and makes my life harder. I have every reason to be anxious, and those reasons might never really go away as long as I’m disabled. Not to mention that ADHD highly facilitates fixating on those negatives for days on end, never having any break. At that point, you might as well reconsider muting it all and stopping the anguish.

 

If anyone in this community has co-morbid ADHD with their anxiety, I’d love some advice right about now. I genuinely believe the ADHD is the source of most of my problems, but it’s so deeply embedded in anxiety. Maybe if I had gotten diagnosed sooner, the anxiety wouldn’t have had to become the constant “fuel” for pushing myself through life with such a disability. 
 

This is basically a draft for my first visit to a therapist, but perhaps someone on here had a breakthrough in their lives that could pertain to mine. And if there are major reasons for not going on an antidepressant again, I’ll consider those points too…

[Altostrata]

Good to hear you're feeling better. Looks like you're still devoted to a drug solution. We don't work overtime to persuade people not to take psychiatric drugs. 

 

If you go on another antidepressant, you probably have to kiss your libido goodbye. Suggest you commit seriously to psychotherapy or other stress reduction counseling instead.

 

Because you're feeling better, I added our cheerful "here comes the sun" symbol ☼ to the title of your Intro topic, to show you're recovering.

 

Please continue to let us know how you're doing. I hope you will add your story to our Recovery Success Stories eventually!

 

Please see this topic:  How to write your success story

[covfefe]

The “feeling better” part is a bit illusive. I suppose I should refrain from saying that until I get true consistency. Since last night, I feel numbed out and exhausted. It’s very reminiscent of the way I was feeling these last 1-2 months, and probably before that too. I always chalked it up to withdrawal, but I’m having doubts about my stimulant medication. However, I feel like a crazy person; I’ve definitely had this “epiphany” a hundred times before, and dismissed it the same number of times.
 

I understand that stimulant medication can cause numbness and such, but the inconsistency was always strange. Some days, I’d feel better without having tweaked my stimulant medication; it seemed very similar to the waves/windows pattern described on the internet. Nevertheless, I might still try skipping a dose of stimulants to see how I feel. 

[covfefe]

I also wonder if withdrawal is making me extra sensitive to the stimulant, a bit like how some people have trouble with coffee. Regardless, I’ll skip a stimulant dose and see what happens 

[Altostrata]

Yes, withdrawal can make you more sensitive to the stimulant and to skipping a dose of the stimulant.