Archeth: Came off Ecitalopram 5 months ago - still symptoms?

[Archeth]

Hello,

 

I'm coming to this forum to see if others have experienced similar symptoms to mine since I haven't been able to find information by searching the internet. If you have similar experiences, please let me know and how it has progressed for you! I feel a bit lost at the moment and a bit hopeless over when the tides will turn.

 

I've been on antidepressants for almost 10 years starting with Citalopram in 2013. Over the years the dosage was adjusted when needed (both higher and lower), and I was switched to Ecitalopram in 2017 when the doctors realized that Citalopram wasn't helping with me depression and anxiety (I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder in 2013). After a failed attempt to taper down/come off the meds in 2017 I did things differently this time around. I started lowering my dosage over 2 years and in the beginning of 2023 I decided to taper down my 5 mg of Ecitalopram (the lowest dosage provided in my country). I tapered off over 2 months by taking one pill every other day and then quitting completely since I had time off work and could focus on this completely. I had severe withdrawal symptoms, both physical (brain buzzing, sweating, tingling) and mental symptoms (feeling depressed, high anxiety, nervous, super sensitive, cried a lot). This started going away after about a month. 

 

In June I unexpectedly crashed after having a stressful month (new job, big projects in my free time, tried a new IBS died etc.). I barely slept for 2 weeks and had to get strong sleeping meds to sleep at all. I was able to get off these after 10 days and haven't used them since. My psychologist said this isn't a relapse, but rather a temporary set-back and I'm already on the right path.

Fast forward to now, August. I've been experiencing symptoms ever since and I'm wondering if this is all part of the withdrawal/quitting antidepressants? This is where I would love input or thoughts from others as I don't have anyone in my IRL life that I can really relate to on this.

Current symptoms:
- Almost constant physical anxiety (feeling worried, pressure over chest, shortness of breath)

- Very sensitive, more than "normal" (small things at work can become huge for me and make me feel extremely anxious)

Things I've tried to help ease this:
- Physical activity/working out
- Seeing friends and family

- Doing fun activities that makes me focus on other things
- Meditation, yoga and relaxation exercises

 

I find that the things in my "toolbox" listed above haven't worked nearly as well as they used to do. No matter what I do, it seems like the physical part of the anxiety just won't budge. Do you think this is related to the antidepressants and the body getting used to a new normal? Have you experienced anything similar and when did it start to go away for you? All answers welcome!

Edited August 8, 2023 by manymoretodays
name to title

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @Archeth

 

On 8/4/2023 at 2:02 AM, Archeth said:

I tapered off over 2 months by taking one pill every other day and then quitting completely since I had time off work and could focus on this completely. I had severe withdrawal symptoms, both physical (brain buzzing, sweating, tingling) and mental symptoms (feeling depressed, high anxiety, nervous, super sensitive, cried a lot). This started going away after about a month. 

 

We do not recommend going off psychiatric drugs with this method -- it causes terrible withdrawal symptoms. Although they seemed to go away after some weeks, your nervous system was still vulnerable from the stress of withdrawal and additional stress in June revived the underlying withdrawal syndrome.

 

How has your symptom pattern changed in the last month?

 

Many people find fish oil and magnesium supplements helpful, see

 

https://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/

 

https://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

You might try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you. Please let us know how you’re doing.

Edited August 14, 2023 by Altostrata
correction

[Archeth]

On 8/11/2023 at 4:25 AM, Altostrata said:

Welcome, @Archeth

 

 

We do not recommend going off psychiatric drugs for this reason -- it causes terrible withdrawal symptoms. Although they seemed to go away after some weeks, your nervous system was still vulnerable from the stress of withdrawal and additional stress in June revived the underlying withdrawal syndrome.

 

How has your symptom pattern changed in the last month?

 

Many people find fish oil and magnesium supplements helpful, see

 

https://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/

 

https://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

You might try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you. Please let us know how you’re doing.

Hi there! Thank you so much for your response and the warm welcome. It feels really reassuring to know that this is "normal" and that the nervous system takes time to recover. I've never heard this from any of my many doctors over the years and I highly doubt that they're even aware of this. 

Afte your advice I started taking magnesium and it's been a few days. I'm unsure if it's helping but it can't hurt, so I will keep using it!  Thank you for sharing this.

Since June I am far less anxious, even if it's still more than what I feel is my "normal" state (whatever that is, now that I no longer use the antidepressants). Just knowing that it's common to struggle with withdrawal/readjustment so long after quitting has made a huge difference, so thank you, thank you, thank you for your reply and for this forum! I don't feel alone in this anymore.

While there is still quite some anxiety left (not really any other symtoms anymore, sleep is back to normal YAY!), I've been able to adjust to it more recently. I started meditating frequently, and am planning my time outside of work much more mindfully not to overwhelm myself again. I feel hopeful and positive for the future, and just remind myself that this takes time.

I hope you have a lovely day! <3

[Altostrata]

Sorry, meant to say 

 

On 8/10/2023 at 7:25 PM, Altostrata said:

We do not recommend going off psychiatric drugs with this method -- it causes terrible withdrawal symptoms.

 

How has your symptom pattern changed in the last week?