marialuz: Amitriptyline withdrawal

[marialuz]

Hello, I’ve found this site after searching for the withdrawal symptoms I’m currently having.

I started to take Amitriptyline 12.5 mg on June this year, started with 1/4 of 25mg for 2 weeks, then 1/2 over 2 months and a half, since I was feeling the drug was not helping me, my neurologist and psychiatrist agreed with taper Ami.

so, I started reducing the dose, started with 1/4 of the pill (25mg) over two weeks and then 1/4 every other day for 2 weeks. On September 18 this year was my last dose of Ami. Even when I started tapering, i felt nausea, lost appetite, dizziness, burning pain and anxiety. It’s been 18 days without Ami and I am still having these symptoms. I feel weak, kinda dizzy, burning pain on my neck and chest came back, feel a pressure in my head and eyes, restless legs, insomnia, had some anxiety attacks too. I talked to my neurologist and he told me that these symptoms could be from my anxiety and not from Amitriptyline. However, another doctor who saw me in A&E told me that I was having discontinuation syndrome and I would be feeling that way 2 more weeks. So, is it normal to have these WD symptoms¿ I mean, I have been on it 3 months. I refuse to take it again. Please, need some advice. 
thanks 

Edited October 5, 2023 by Emonda
Added name to title

[Emonda]

Hi @marialuz,

Welcome to S.A., and thank you for including your drug signature.

 

I'm sorry to hear of your experience. It seems you've made quite a few drug changes over the past few years, and all of this would be destabilising for your body.

 

I've read that after one month of taking ADs, your brain can become dependent on them, and if you remove the drug suddenly/rapidly, your body will likely experience WD symptoms.

 

3 hours ago, marialuz said:

another doctor who saw me in A&E told me that I was having discontinuation syndrome

 

Whilst this doctor has used a different name (discontinuation syndrome), I believe their assessment is correct. You are most likely experiencing WD symptoms from the very rapid taper of your last AD. Taking doses on alternate days would also likely cause the issues you are experiencing. Have a read of the WD symptom checklist to see if you can identify with some of the things listed: WD symptom checklist. Does this reassure you that you are experiencing WD rather than a relapse?

 

Where to from here? Time is the cure for WD symptoms (I'd suggest longer than the two weeks mentioned by the A&E doctor). You might find it beneficial to have a read of these non-drug coping strategies. Your recovery will come in the form of Windows and waves pattern of stabilization.

 

Some people choose to reinstate a small amount of the AD to try to relieve the WD symptoms, so they can stabilise, then taper slowly from there - a maximum of 10% per month of the most recent dose (Why taper by 10% of my dosage?) 

 

If this is something you consider, please let one of the moderators provide a suggestion as to an amount to reinstate. Generally speaking, people start with a small amount of the AD and reassess from there. You can read more about reinstating here: 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but two that many of us find helpful with WD symptoms are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. Add one at a time and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

Avoid alcohol. It'll likely add to your anxiety. 

 

Please post any updates here in your thread. It is helpful to keep everything related to your journey in one spot. You are very welcome to jump onto someone else's page and interact with them. The encouragement members give each other on this site is wonderful to see.

 

Sing out with any questions. 

 

Once again, welcome to S.A.

 

Emonda.

 

 

[LotusRising]

12 hours ago, marialuz said:

So, is it normal to have these WD symptoms¿ I mean, I have been on it 3 months.

Hi @marialuz,

 

Unfortunately, this is absolutely possible. I had a similar experience with buspar and was only on it for 4 months. The good news is that your symptoms should slowly start to fade. The windows and waves link Emonda gave you offers a lot of info on what to expect from your symptom pattern. Please take a read.

 

The good news is that your symptoms will slowly start to fade with time. 

 

Please reach out with questions.

 

Best,

MedRN

[marialuz]

On 10/5/2023 at 8:39 AM, MedRN said:

Unfortunately, this is absolutely possible. I had a similar experience with buspar and was only on it for 4 months.

Hi, thanks for replying. 

What about your WD symptoms? How long have they last? These days I'm having many panick attacks, not feeling well. Diziness is reducing, but nausea is still there, as well as body aches. I hope this ends sooner. 

Edited October 12, 2023 by LotusRising

[LotusRising]

@marialuz

 

I can't say for sure how long the WD lasted from buspar. I was prescribed two different medications that I took for about a week each, and then tried reinstating the buspar, which only made things a lot worse for me. I became very destabilized from this and took a benzo to try to buffer the withdrawal, which destabilized me further. I would urge you to avoid taking the clonazepam if you can - even sporadic use can create dependence.

 

When did you stop the cymbalta, and how long did you taper? And why the switch to amitriptyline?

 

It sounds like you've been on a rollercoaster of medications, which is not uncommon. Is your goal to stay off medications?

 

I wish I could give you a timeframe for WD symptoms to stop, but I just can't since we are all different. 

 

Have you had a chance to look at the resources on the site?

 

 

 

[marialuz]

Hi, thanks for your reply!

I’ve changed from Cymbalta to Amitriptyline because I started to have some unbearable headaches. I taper Cymbalta 30 over 2 weeks and since them are capsules, I couldn’t count them. That’s why I took them every other day over 2 weeks. Then my doctor told me to stay clean over a week. I started then with Ami 25 mg (1/4). 
and definitely I want to be away of meds. 
I’m trying natural things but it is impossible since I cannot feel myself

Edited October 12, 2023 by LotusRising

[LotusRising]

46 minutes ago, marialuz said:

I’ve changed from Cymbalta to Amitriptyline because I started to have some unbearable headaches.

You started getting headaches while on the cymbalta? Did they resolve? 

[marialuz]

I’ve always suffered from headaches, specially catamenial headaches (during my period). After 4 months taking Cymbalta, headaches started, that’s why my doctors switched to Amitriptyline 12.5. They resolved, but atm they’re coming back, not so intense fortunately. 

[Katerina]

Please, do not take Amitr to ease wd ´s from Cymbalta or other drug. Amitr is very potent antidepressant and getting off off it can be challenging… more than from other drugs. I was on Ami for several years and now more than a year without it… still suffering from wd ´s (dizziness, headaches and histamine issues). There is no quick fix in wd process… it seems to me that you want to fix it fast and to be fit asap… that ´s what everybody wants and takes whatever drug nevetherless side effects and more troubles these changes bring long term. Try not to make other changes… because the relieve you have from a new drug can be very very short term 

[marialuz]

Hi @Katerina thank you for the reply! Actually I switched from Cymbalta to Ami because Cymbalta has causing me some headaches. That’s why my doctors switched the antidepressant. In 2021 I took Ami for migraine over 1 month and it worked, so based on that background, I started again with Ami, but I think this time didn’t work that well.

then my doctor suggested Desvenlafaxine to treat my chronic pain, anxiety and depression, but I cannot stand the side effects, as well as Escitalopram. 
I didn’t switch the antidepressants to avoid WD symptoms.

I’m 20 days off Ami, some symptoms are reducing, and I hope Incan continue getting better 🙏

[Katerina]

I wish you progress. And stay away from any psychdrugs… they are doing much harm than good in long term. 

[shurico]

Hello! Your history sounds so much like mine…I started getting bad headaches from Cymbalta and was switched to so many drugs - effexor, then back to cymbalta, now amitriptilyine and cymbalta both half doses (12.5 and 30). I have the same symptoms too - nausea, neck pain, fatigue - since June! I would think you are also having cymbalta withdrawal and so many changes our CNS is just so sensitive. Now I have 4 drugs to taper…besides the two AD, lyrica and ativan 😕

But we have to remain hopeful! We will get over this and enjoy a drug free life!!