James233: Suffering severe withdrawal symptoms

[James233]

Hi everyone.

 

I have been dealing with multiple issues since stopping my antidepressants. They have been growing increasingly severe and I am coming to understand I caused permanent irreversible damage. 
 

Overview of the journey:

-Started on Lexapro 10mg mid June 2022. This increased to 20mg around mid August 2022.

-Added Wellbutrin 100mg end of September 2022 —> increased to 150mg after 7 days. Continued lexapro 20mg

-Started trazodone 50mg for sleep by mid October 2022
-Increased Wellbutrin to 300mg around mid November 2022. Continued Lexapro 20mg and trazodone 50mg.

-Discontinued the Wellbutrin 300mg around mid December 2022.  Continued Lexapro 20mg and trazodone 50mg.
-Started ability 2mg around end of December 2022. Continued Lexapro 20mg and trazodone 50mg.

-Discontinued ability 2mg around May 2023. Continued Lexapro 20mg and trazodone 50mg.

-End of September 2023: cross titration from Lexapro 20mg to Effexor. I started on 37.5 Effexor to 75mg over a period of only 10 days. Continued Trazodone 50mg/100mg, took as needed for sleep.

-Early November 2023: increased Effexor from 75mg to 150mg. Continued Trazodone 50mg/100mg, took as needed for sleep.

-I cold turkey got off Effexor 150mg beginning of March 2024. Continued on trazodone 50/100mg taken as needed for sleep.

Ad you can see there was a huge mistake of going cold turkey on the Effexor in addition to probably switching between so many meds. 

 

This is where all of the issues started. I had some of the usual withdrawal symptoms for first 2 weeks. Then those eased up and had lingering bouts of agitation, anxiety etc.

Sexual function seemed to continue in its already sort of reduced state from being on the medications.

Slowly started noticing frequent urination issues around a month or two after. This was a slow growing problem that became more and more apparent about my use of the toilet.

 

Things really took a turn for the worst over the past month and a half. The urination issue became really bad with very frequent urges. Also became aware of premature ejaculation issues that had probably started after withdrawing.
 

The past 2-3 weeks have been horrible. Really bad anxiety and then the urination issue. Made an appointment with a urologist. 
 

Then over the past week things started to feel off by end of last week. Something just didn’t feel right in my body. Noticed some pressure-ish below the waist. Then between what seems like last Friday - Sunday started to seem like some numbing was going on below the waist. Woke up on Sunday with a total loss of all sexual function. No ability to be aroused, ability to get or maintain an errection, orgasam etc. 

This has remained since Sunday. Oddly the frequent urination issue has somewhat subsided a bit during this time of weird of sensations over the weekend. Also some of the weird pressure type feeling.
 

I’m obviously deeply concerned and now think this will be permanent and won’t reverse especially after doing some searching and seeing stories around the web. I have some appointments coming up with new psychiatrists. 
 

I’m really not sure what to do right now. I’m just in a state of high anxiety and sadness that I made so many errors that will now ruin my life. I never really fully understood what could happen coming off these. 

 

Edited August 7 by Emonda
Name to title

[Erimus]

Hello, and welcome to Surviving Antidepressants. We are a peer support forum to assist in tapering off psychiatric drugs safely, or recovering from psychiatric drug withdrawal.

 

This topic is for anything relating to you, and any questions you have. Please do not start another topic.

 

We recommend tapering by no more than 10% of your CURRENT dose each month, to limit withdrawal symptoms. E.g. 10mg --> 9mg --> 8.1mg --> 7.29mg

 

All the answers you are looking for regarding tapering and antidepressant withdrawal are on this site. Please search around and continue to read as much as you can manage. Use the site search function to search for specific words or phrases, such as drugs or symptoms.

 

 

 

Given your rapid trialling of multiple different psychiatric drugs for limited periods of time over the last few years I would not suggest reinstatement of anything. What you are experiencing now is the result of many different artificial chemicals pounding your brain and nervous system. Things will improve with time but it will be a very challenging and often lonely journey back toward health. Most healthcare professionals you come across will not understand what you are describing, and I would suggest steering clear of them unless you are in an emergency.

 

You need to take a consistent dose of the trazodone each night and I suggest you stay on it for the coming months. What your brain needs is consistency and caution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a few of the most useful links:

 

--------Important topics in the Tapering forum and FAQ--------

 

Micro tapering

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

 

How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules

 

Using a scale to weigh and measure doses

 

--------From the Symptoms and Self-Care Forums--------
 
What is withdrawal syndrome?
 
About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms
 
The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Hypersensitivity and Kindling

 

We only recommend two supplements. Omega 3 Fish Oil and Magnesium. Both should be introduced separately and increased slowly.

 

Regards

Erimus

[ElleCarolina]

Hi James, I just wanted to say that I am so incredibly sorry for what you are going through. My heart goes out to you. I am also in Effexor withdrawal and I know it can be an absolutely terrifying and isolating experience. You aren't alone and I do not believe what you are going through will last forever. Please take as much time as you can to allow yourself to rest and heal. Don't feel guilty if you need more rest and care right now than you normally do. 

 

You aren't alone in not knowing the consequences of going off these drugs. Very few people are told the truth about these drugs before they are prescribed to them. This isn't your fault.