karensue: Symptoms lasting for 6 months or more

[karensue]

I tapered off of Cymbalta about 7 months ago, although apparently not slowly enough. I had severe, debilitating nausea for 2 full months, just plain bad nausea for another 2-3 months, and 2 more months later still suffering with nausea, although not quit as bad. Lost 45 lbs so far, still losing.

Drs. have "blown off" my suggestions that I'm suffering from ssri withdrawl, nevermind I had 6 out of 8 symptoms that started exactly 24 hours after stopping cymbalta.

So I have had numerous scans and medical tests, since my symptoms are alarming with no diagnosis.

Now, they want to put me under and scope my stomach. I really am reluctant, as I think my symptoms are due to the ssri d/c, but the Dr said that if that was the case (ssri d/c) my symptoms would not have lasted so long.

Any one have experience with this? Thankful for any thoughts or info...

[compsports]

Hi karensue,

 

I am so sorry you are suffering so much.   Unfortunately, most doctors don't recognize SSRI withdrawal issues as you have sadly found out.

 

Personally, I wouldn't have the scope but that is a decision you have to make for yourself.

 

What have you tried for the nausea?

 

CS

[karensue]

Thanks for your response.

At the beginning, when I was so sick that I was periodically needing IV fluid replacements, they prescribed Zofran, which helped significantly, on an as needed basis. But the Dr would not renew the script, saying it was only to be used short-term.

Interestigly, I read the pkg insert and it seemed to work by something to do with supressing seratonin. Being a layperson I could not understand much more than that.

I have tried pot a few times, but don't like it. I have asthma, so it's not good to smoke it, and the edibles taste nasty. And I really don't like being high.

 

ks

[Jemima]

Hi karensue,

 

Stomach upsets are pretty much par for the course in withdrawal, and many people also develop food sensitivities.  It may be that you've developed a sensitivity to something that you were able to eat before withdrawal, but can't tolerate now. I used to occasionally make a meal out of pretzel nuggets, peanut butter, and fruit after a rough day at work, but now peanuts make me quite sick. I can't tolerate caffeine, either.

 

It's shame your doctor is so ignorant about antidepressant withdrawal, but that's unfortunately common in the medical profession. Withdrawal can last for years, although it gets better with time.

 

If I were you, I'd give some careful thought to diet and try eliminating foods that commonly cause allergic reactions, such as dairy, one at a time, and see if that helps.

 

When you have a chance, please add your psychiatric drug history to your signature like this: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

Welcome to the forum, karensue.  You'll find lots of solid information and friendly support here.

[karensue]

Thanks for your response and ideas

 

I do have, and have had for years, a sensetivity to wheat, white or whole.

For most of this w/d period, I have been nauseated every day, and have not eaten enough of one type of food on a regular basis for that to be causal, although I will be more alert, as thats always a possibility. For a long time all I ate was vegetable soup and broth.

 

You said that withdrawl can last for years, I would love it if you could give me a referral to studies or similar that I could take to my Dr.  Any information I have found regarding long term effects seems to be more focused on pcych symptoms rather than nausea.

 

Thanks again for your comments, it is so helpful to hear from others about this condition.

 

karensue

[Rhiannon]

Unfortunately there are few (if any?) studies on long-term withdrawal from any psych meds, or even short-term withdrawal for that matter. (I haven't heard of any, that is, but one may exist.)

 

The people who fund studies for meds are the same people who make huge profits from them (that is, the people who make them) and it's not in their interests to admit that withdrawal even exists, which is why your doctor doesn't know about it. They manipulate the data they already have about the drugs to make them seem more beneficial and less harmful than they are already. They're not about to search out further data about harm caused by them.

 

What we have learned here about withdrawal, we've learned from the hundreds (well, probably well into the four figures by now) of people that we've listened to and worked with.

 

You aren't alone with the GI symptoms, although having that as your primary or only problem is a more rare presentation.  The GI tract is heavily innervated (see "enteric nervous system") and the body uses the same neurotransmitters everywhere, not just in the brain. It's very common to get GI involvement in withdrawal from neurotransmitter-altering drugs. (I'm dealing with it now while tapering a benzodiazepine.)

 

To begin to understand what's going on with these drugs and our medical system and why you're going to have trouble finding a doctor who can help you, get hold of a copy of Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker. You're going to have to become your own expert and advocate.

 

Welcome. I'm glad you found us. We can relate, and you'll get a lot of support here.

[Petunia]

You said that withdrawl can last for years, I would love it if you could give me a referral to studies or similar that I could take to my Dr.  Any information I have found regarding long term effects seems to be more focused on pcych symptoms rather than nausea.

 

 

Here is a study where a group of investigators analyze online self-reporting from a variety of websites visited by patients who had discontinued SSRI medication.

 

http://www.madinamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/PersistentSSRI.pdf

 

Also, have a look at this page from Beyond Meds, which is where I found this study, it has a lot of other related information:

 

http://beyondmeds.com/2013/03/22/alarming-report/

[karensue]

Thank you so much!!

I will start reading right away..

ks