applejuice: Fighting withdrawel-syndrom *without* reinstating

[applejuice]

Hi there,

i came upon this place via googling antidepressants.

 

I took Escitalopram for anxiety, but decided to stop taking it due to heavy und unmanagable headaches.

 

My story, short version:

So, I was taking Escitalopram 15mg for a few months, then went down to 10mg from one day to another, stayed there for about 4 weeks, then reduced to 5mg from one day to another, started having a little diarrhea and other intestinal problems, but other than that i was ok, so then i decided to only wait a week and go from 5mg down to 0mg within four days (taking away about one milligram each day).

 

Well, as you can think, it didn't go to well. (But please consider that i was having very severe headaches and migraine attacks that wouldn't respond to any medical treatments, so i was in a hurry).

This was about two weeks ago. Since then i have been having some rather disturbing symptoms.

 

My symptoms:

I will just copy paste from wiki what exactly i am going through and add a few personal notes and additional symptoms in green too:

 

flu-like symptoms (nausea, diarrhea - daily, sweating - and sort of  heat-attacks where i have to basically take off lots of clothes to feel better), sleep disturbances (very intense dreaming, constant sleepiness)... Sensory and movement disturbances ... including imbalance, dizziness, and perception-problems i can only describe as a feeling of having turned around your own axis too fast and suddenly stopping... a kind of a visual perception where the objects in your visual field are not standing quite still when i move my head/eyes, but rather lag behind... if you know what i mean...

Mood disturbances such as anxiety (though this could be the old anxiety that came back), cognitive disturbances such as confusion ...

 

Ok, i'd say that's about it. Until about yesterday, i was also having sporadic panic attacks due to those weird sensations and symptoms, until i googled and found the socalled "Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome". Which for me is a revelation, as now at least i know i am not going psychotic or dying of some brain tumor or such.

 

So, my question to you experts is simple:

Due to the severe headache-attacks i had and the basic conclusion that Escitalopram has brought nothing but more trouble to my life, i am categorically and immensely reluctant to "re-instate". I know that might not be very logical, but i stand firmly on that point. Something that does all these things with my brain is not something i will ever re-instate, however short or longterm that may apparently be.

So, in respect of this wish of mine, is there anything else you could/would advise me to do?

I'm thinking along the lines of "take three hot baths a day" :-) and stuff like that. Eat two apples a day with hot peppers... Anything! Anything - but reinstating ADs.

 

I can already say, that i am feeling a whole lot better, since i realized yesterday what's going on and that "it" has a name. But maybe there are a few things dietary or physically or whatever i could do to "get over" this a little quicker. Cause i have no intensions of staying this ****** up (excuse my language) for much longer.

Edited May 19, 2016 by Petunia
inappropriate language

[LexAnger]

Hey applejunce,

 

I'm proud of you making it to be free of the poison!

I would think the same I were you, not to touch the crap, even I know reinstate is a common recommendation.

 

I'm not an expert at all, but want to share my own experience with you.

 

If your energy allows, swimming helped a lot with my severe pain, especially the pins needles type. Cold water is actually has a soothing effect on my nerves than hot water.

 

Exercise, like power walk on trade mail helps with various symptoms in general.

 

If possible, sauna is good too for relaxing the nerves and muscle etc.

 

Others obvious include avoiding all triggers of stress, drink lots water and sleep a lot, and be self aware of whatever it flares up as WD and not to freak out.

 

 

Ps your language is still way too nice considering this terrible, horrible situation!

[SkyBlue]

Hi applejuice and welcome to SA. I'm glad you've found us. 

 

"Discontinuation syndrome" is a very benign-sounding word to describe what these medicines cause: addiction and withdrawal. Your nervous system has taken a jolt.

 

An official moderator will be by soon to give you more advice--I don't know anything about your specific medication--but I wanted to welcome you.

[Petunia]

Welcome to SA applejuice,

I moved your post here, to start an introduction/update topic of your own. You can use this thread as your ongoing journal to track progress, write about symptoms, ask questions and communicate with the community, add to it whenever you want. Its a good idea to bookmark it or follow it, so its easy to find again.

 

I'm sorry you had an adverse reaction to Escitalopram, and now have withdrawal symptoms, sadly, we see these kinds of situations here all the time. Is Escitalopram the only medication you have taken? Are you taking any other medications at the moment?

 

Have your headaches stopped now?

 

It would be great if you would put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature. Doing this helps people understand your context, it appears below each of your posts. Here are instructions for how to do it:

 

http://survivinganti...your-signature/

 

In your situation, we usually do suggest reinstatement of a small amount of the drug, then a period of stabilization, followed by a slower taper. Here is some information about how it works and why we recommend it. Its fine if you decide not to try it, but having the information about it doesn't hurt.

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to stop withdrawal symptoms

 

In place of that, the only advice I can offer is to listen to your body and avoid those things that set off symptoms as much as possible. Aside from a high quality fish oil and magnesium, avoid supplements. (See King of Supplements: Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil) and Magnesium, Nature's Calcium Channel Blocker). They've been helpful to many of us. 

 

Here is the link to our symptoms and self care section, you may find some useful ideas to help manage symptoms as you recover.  Especially read the topics pinned at the top.

 

It sounds like learning the cause of your symptoms has brought some relief. Understanding what's happening to us can reduce anxiety. Here is  link to more information.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome?

 

You will recover, but it may take some time.

 

Please feel free to write whenever you want, you will find a lot of friendly help and support here.

 

Petunia.

[nz11]

Welcome Applejuice

 

Well done on coming to your senses so soon and getting off this stuff. 

Although your taper isnt the one recommended here i have seen people on for many years who have done worse tapers.

 

I like Lex's ideas and thoughts but we are opposite in the pool idea unlike Lex i did find sitting in the hot public spa pool at the local pools helpful.

 

Also those omega 3 and magnesium links Petu gave you are great.

 

I can already say, that i am feeling a whole lot better, since i realized yesterday what's going on and that "it" has a name.

"When a subject understood its cause and saw that it was decreasing in intensity, it was less dangerous and easier to tolerate. " Lucire 2016

I also was able to work on acceptance and was able to resolve to stay drug free when i learn't this was not me it was withdrawal  ..funny how the doctors never inform us of this.

 

Here is a  great Petu thread  on Claire weeks you might like to check out. AAFT ...you can read all about it here...

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/10964-the-dr-claire-weekes-method-of-recovering-from-a-sensitized-nervous-system

 

Ann Blake Tracey has a CD packed with recovery ideas.

And a terrific book is 'Recovery and renewal' by Baylissa Frederick.

 

nz11

Apple juice is one of my favourites.

 
 

[applejuice]

Hi there,

 

thank you all very much for all the insights, advice and interesting links!

I took a look at lots of them and have taken your advice to heart.

Oh and those supplements are ordered.

 

Am spending a lot of time (almost every other day atm) in parks, green areas, lakes etc., there are lots of them here in Berlin (Germany). Spending this much time in and around nature is my way of dealing with and trying to re-align the sensory, intestinal and emotional deviations i am experiencing. Kind of a "back to basics"-approach, if you will... You know the game: Slow walks, resting pauses, feeding ducks and the likes... basically doing nothing productive... but that's what's so good about it. Movement and fresh air are so refreshing in general, but especially if you are ill.

Plus I downloaded a good meditation app for my phone, that's proving to suit me (and my short attention span) very well ;-) Seems to work well with my anxiety and for preventing stress.

 

I didn't get panicky anymore this last week, if and when my bloodpressure suddenly fell or I suddenly felt very nauseous and dizzy, or needed to find a restaurant toilet really fast etc. But i am still taking things rather slow, re-establishing the self-confidence, that got lost when i realised my body wasn't listening to me anymore.

 

Petunia: I hear you with the signature, but i am not planning on staying in this forum - and for that matter: being sick! - for much longer than about another two weeks ;-) So God will... If it turns out, that i need more help, i will glady do a signature. And as for the headaches, yes, i haven't had a bad attack since i quit the AD. So at least that's good news. And i am not on any other meds except for the occasional antihistamine for hayfever.

 

Thanks for the heartfelt welcome to all of you, you people are great.

[AliG]

Hi AJ.  It sounds like you taking care of yourself, and getting back to nature and meditation is all part of that.  Unfortunately , the drugs change your brain and sometimes withdrawal symptoms can get worse , before they get better. I hope that is not the case for you , and you see improvement.

Hopefully your positive attitude , will stand you in good stead. I hope it goes well.

Ali