loswhit: Feeling like single pin is poking me all over body.

[loswhit]

Hello friends! I call you friends becasue I'm new here but after reading for a few hours, we are all in this together. I've searched the forums high and low and only find 1 or 2 other people who have written on this so I thought I would ask.

I have been off Paxil for about 2 months. And have within the last 2 weeks gone back on. Nothing mentally forced me back on only these random pin prick type feelings all over my body. They started about 6 weeks ago and stayed for 7 days then disappeared. Then a month later came back for 5 days. Not they are back again for 7 days. 7 days ago I read that this could be a withdrawal effect from paxil. So I resumed Paxil becasue it is exhausting. Again. Not the skin crawling feeling like your foot is asleep. This is more single pricks at different places on my body. All. Day. Long. It doesn't necessarily even hurt. It's just annoying and exhausting to feel all day. 

Has anyone ever felt this before and did they eventually leave? 

Thanks for whatever input you guys have!

Carlos

[scallywag]

Hi Carlos -- -- Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants (SA)
 
Thanks for posting and for creating a signature
 
The sensations you describe are often called "body zaps."  I did a quick search on that term and found several posts mentioning them. People who have had them are posting that they do come and go and eventually resolve. I have had them but it was a reaction during a period of grief.

 

You can find what others have said about that symptom by using the internal search tool at the top of every page with "body zaps" or by using google with the search terms "survivingantidepressants" and "body zaps"  Be sure to keep the two words "body zaps" together inside quotation marks.

Something that has been an effective supplement to ease brain zaps and may help body zaps is fish oil. You can read about it here:
 
Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)
 
What dose of Paxil are you taking now?  Would you add that and the date you started taking it to your signature? When you ask a question your sig is the first place moderators and other members look for background information.

Some topics/threads that are relevant to your current situation:

What is withdrawal syndrome

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

The Windows and Waves pattern of stabilization

It may take a while, at least a month, for your CNS (central nervous system) to stabilize after your fast taper off Paxil. I call it a fast taper because we recommend at most 10% reductions per month.

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

Tips for tapering off Paxil (paroxetine)

2 tips

You can get notifications when someone posts in your thread if you follow. To do that:  Click the gray "Follow this topic" button at the top right of this page. A dialog box appears: select one of the notify options, then click follow this topic in the dialog box.

Setting this web page as a bookmark or favorite in your browser will help you navigate back to it.

 

Again, welcome to SA. Read the topics I've linked and come back to this thread, your introduction topic, to post your questions.

[loswhit]

Thank you so much Scallywag. Your response alone made me feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I'll search the forums and come back here if I need some more guidance. I also updated my signature.

Carlos

[LexAnger]

Hi Carlos,

 

I'm sorry you got hit by this symptom too.

It has been my all time worst physical symptom for many years tapering. I call it pins and needles or needling pain as it's very painful in my case.

After years analyzing, i can only say it can be caused by both WD and drug side effects. Fortunately, it lessened quite a lot just recently since my dose lowered around 2mg of lexapro.

 

So eventually it will go away just like all other symptoms once the brain heals to its original status.

[divalee]

Hello Carlos

 

I am off Zoloft 3 years and 2 months - and still have many side effects including pins and needles mostly in my face, lips and head.  So yes it is definitely withdrawal.  Lots to do with severe anxiety due to withdrawals only makes it worse.  Hang in there - this too will pass -  many people here have long been as long as I have - but we are all different - many people heal faster xxx

[loswhit]

Thanks guys. I think I will try the Fish Oil. It's not debilitating. Mostly ANNOYING. I do get random relief a few hours a day. Mostly after dinner. But after days upon end I wonder if there is any end in sight to this. It's the day after day that is the most debilitating.

[KarenB]

Very gradually things will change.  It's a very relieving feeling when you notice a symptom has decreased or gone away.  So at least you have that to look forward to. 

 

It can really help if you actively put some good things into your days.  There are heaps of ideas here:  Non Trug Techniques to Cope with Emotional Symptoms. 

 

Welcome to SA,

Karen

[Africa]

Hi Carlos,

 

I also get the needling/pins and needles too. I am still tapering but at the end of last year they were very strong and all over my body (they literally appeared over night). It took about 6 weeks for them to settle quite a bit. I still get them especially in my feet, toes and forehead but they don't seem to bother me too much anymore.

 

It will settle like everyone has said.

[SkyBlue]

Hi, I had this symptom for the first time at a very low level of Paxil, going from 1.1 to 1.008. It's very weird. It's like I'm being 

stung by a bee. idk, I had it for a few days, and now haven't had it for a couple of weeks. I'm doing micro-micro-nano cuts, about 2% at a time, so maybe that accounts for the symptom going away.

 

To reiterate what others have said: I'm sure it will settle for you. I wish you the best! 

[loswhit]

Hi Carlos,

 

I'm sorry you got hit by this symptom too.

It has been my all time worst physical symptom for many years tapering. I call it pins and needles or needling pain as it's very painful in my case.

After years analyzing, i can only say it can be caused by both WD and drug side effects. Fortunately, it lessened quite a lot just recently since my dose lowered around 2mg of lexapro.

 

So eventually it will go away just like all other symptoms once the brain heals to its original status.

Thanks so much Lex. I'm looking forward to the symptoms dissapating. They are so relentless.

[loswhit]

Karen B. Thank you so much for that link. I went running today for about an hour and I didn't feel any pins for at least an hour after. Too bad I can't just run all day! Thanks for the link. I shall check it out.

[LexAnger]

Hhat reminds me of some self care which actually helps with those pain.

All types of exercise like power walk, but in particular, Swimming.

I swim every evening, always feel so much better not only the pain but overall like a different person.

[loswhit]

On 14 days of this pin pricking. It's exhausting waking up and then waiting for it to start. I'm in that stage where I fear it's never gonna go away. Tomorrow I will start the fish oil to see if I can get some relief. Thanks for all your encouragement friends. 

[JanCarol]

Hey Carlos - I'm glad you found us - and hope that you settle on the 10 mg.

 

If it were me, I would stay on the same dose for at least another 3 - 6 months, depending on how you feel.    When you've had a good month, wait another month, and then you can consider tapering.

 

You were on the Paxil for 12 years.  Some experts would say that it is reasonable to take 6 years to come off, and you did so in just over 6 months!  

 

You went slower than most people, but Paxil is a tough nut to crack sometimes.

 

Your symptoms, as annoying as they are, will pass.  They are symptoms of withdrawal. 

 

The brain and nervous system are very good at healing themselves.  The hardest part is waiting - waiting for the symptoms to pass, and waiting for the healing to be done.

 

In the meantime, if you are removing a thing - the drug - what are you going to replace it with?  Look for non-drug techniques - daily walks, forest bathing, chi gung, sunlight, darkness, sleep, diet, relationships,  meditation - all of these are excellent things to examine and consider - adopting your own healing regimen that is designed by you, for you, and will be far superior to any pill.

[loswhit]

Hey guys. So I spent 21 days at a 10mg reinstatement and the needling never left. Somedays it was pure torture. So I cut it down to 5mg and will let you guys know how I'm feeling at the end of the week. This is such a trial and error thing. Yesterday was my first day to 5mg and I can honestly say that it was a WAY better day with the needling than I've had in a while. This morning they are back a bit worse but I'm hoping the rest of the day they slow down some. Thanks for checking in!

[loswhit]

Today sucked. Worst body zaps in a while. I'll stay at 5mg for a few days and see? Ugh.

[scallywag]

loswhit - cutting to 5 mg from 10 mg, even if you reinstated only 10 days ago, is a big jump.

 

The needling may have reduced without the cut; it's hard to know. Can you cut your Paxil tablet to 7.5 mg? That would be less of a jolt for your CNS (central nervous system).
 

[loswhit]

I think you are right Scallywag. I'm going back to 10mg tomorrow and maybe I'll hold out for another week or so. I may need to go back to my initial 20mg at some point?

[scallywag]

You probably won't have to go back to your previous maximum dose.

[loswhit]

Thanks Scallywag. I hope your right. It's always in the middle of the battle when you feel it's never gonna end. Ugh. But I believe healing is coming

[loswhit]

Just checking in. I have a question. I've stayed at 10mg trying to lessen these needling poking symptoms to no resolve. It's been about a month after reintroduction of 10mg. Should I stay par the course or maybe try and alter my attempts by raising my dose back up to my original 20mg or maybe cutting back and tapering off again and hope it just goes away after this awful Paxil is back out of my system. Or maybe hold here and add fish oil? Ugh. 30 days I know isn't a long time but it has seemed like an eternity to cope with this. Thanks guys.

[ChessieCat]

My question is:  Are you able to live with the symptoms?  If you are I strongly suggest you don't increase your dose.

 

I've included a graph of your doses of drug for 2016.  A picture is worth a thousand words.  I've just realised that you posted that you were on 10 mg so I assume you went from 5 to 10 so last bit of the graph isn't totally accurate.  But it still gives an idea of the erratic dosages throughout the year.

 

Edit:  I've fixed it up and attached the accurate one.

 

You could try fish oil.  Remember to start low and increase it slowly.  And keep daily notes on paper.  Magnesium can be helpful for anxiety.

 

Omega-3 Fish Oil

 

Magnesium

 

Edited December 7, 2018 by ChessieCat

[nz11]

Great graph cc.!!

 

loswhit are you experiencing any other symptoms? or is pin prick zaps sensations the only ones?

[loswhit]

Nz11. Pin prick zaps are the only one. so honestly, I know o have it better than many others. But my own tiny pain is still pain enough for me. Thanks for asking!

[loswhit]

Chessiecat. Thanks so much for making that graph. It does show how my dosage has affected me. I appreciate it. I am able to live and work with these symptoms. Barely but I can. So I guess my answer is yes. For now I'm able to work and live. Not very happy with it all but I have a great support system around me that loves me. Would you suggest maintaining at this dosage a few more months to see if reintroduction of it has helped?

[ChessieCat]

You are welcome.  The idea came from JC & her hubby who did one for a poly-drugged member.

 

Would you please update your signature with the 10 mg increase you did (I think?) Aug 10.  That way your history will remain current and we will be able to see it at a glance.  Thank you.

 

So you didn't have the pin pricks whilst you were on Paxil?

 

It may be good to stay on 10 mg for another 2 weeks and review then.  Thinking in shorter time periods helps us to relax.  It's very hard to predict what might happen so "settling in" for 2 weeks, in other words accepting that it will be another 2 weeks and not worrying about it.  I believe that worrying and being anxious about our symptoms diverts the brain's attention which means that it isn't able to focus on adapting.  I think it may be possible to improve faster if we can wait with acceptance and not feel like we should be doing something.

[loswhit]

Hey friends. I thought I'd check back in with you guys. The pin prick sensations have not left and so reinstatement for me was a failure. So since it didn't remove these unwanted feelings I decided to ween back off. I've been back to taking no paxil for the past 3 weeks and honestly, I have had a few days with zero pin pricks followed by many days with. Almost makes me believe that I should have stuck through the initial wave of pin pricks without trying to reinstate. Maybe they would have just passed? So for now I'm making it day by day. The strange thing is that this feeling, the feeling of the pin pricks, it isn't overwhelming in the moment. Like they are a 2 on a scale of 1-10 as far as pain. Pain would be an overstatment. But it is more the day after day after day onslaught that is wearing on me. Wondering if they will ever leave. Or bracing for what if they don't. 

I just started 2,000-3,000 mg EPA of Fish Oil for the first time yesterday. Gonna try this for a few weeks and see. 

One day at a time. One step at a time. 

We got this...

[SkyBlue]

Hey friends. I thought I'd check back in with you guys. The pin prick sensations have not left and so reinstatement for me was a failure. So since it didn't remove these unwanted feelings I decided to ween back off. I've been back to taking no paxil for the past 3 weeks and honestly, I have had a few days with zero pin pricks followed by many days with. Almost makes me believe that I should have stuck through the initial wave of pin pricks without trying to reinstate. Maybe they would have just passed? So for now I'm making it day by day. The strange thing is that this feeling, the feeling of the pin pricks, it isn't overwhelming in the moment. Like they are a 2 on a scale of 1-10 as far as pain. Pain would be an overstatment. But it is more the day after day after day onslaught that is wearing on me. Wondering if they will ever leave. Or bracing for what if they don't. 

I just started 2,000-3,000 mg EPA of Fish Oil for the first time yesterday. Gonna try this for a few weeks and see. 

One day at a time. One step at a time. 

We got this...

 

We definitely have this! ! ! !

[scallywag]

loswhit: you might want to cut back to ½ or ¼ of the fish oil dose to start. Same as tapering medications, it's best to make small changes and gradually increase or decrease over time.

[LexAnger]

I found my needling pain is much less frequent and severe as my dose going down. So hope it goes away for you soon being Paxil free.

[loswhit]

I found my needling pain is much less frequent and severe as my dose going down. So hope it goes away for you soon being Paxil free.

I sure hope so Lex! I'm in that week 6 of straight daily needling where I almost believe it won't ever end. But I have to remember 6 weeks vs 13 years on this drug is nothing...

[loswhit]

loswhit: you might want to cut back to ½ or ¼ of the fish oil dose to start. Same as tapering medications, it's best to make small changes and gradually increase or decrease over time.

I did just that/ Thanks friend.

[LexAnger]

How are you doing, loswhit?

[loswhit]

How are you doing, loswhit?

Hey Lex! Thanks for asking. 

The last few weeks have been WAY better. 

I went fly fishing in Montana for 4 days and I had ABSOLUTELY no needling. 

The on the flight home it came back. 

It's starting to make me wonder if it is stress AS WELL as withdrawal. 

So for me it is becoming that the space BETWEEN the pins and needling are growing wider. But when it comes back, it comes back with a vengeance. 

I'm currently in a 3 day run where it's all day long and exhausting... But trying to remind myself that just as it has gone away before... it will again... and for longer the next time. 

And hopefully one day it will be gone FOREVER.

Thanks for checking in and of course ONLY WHEN IT IS BAD do I even think of coming here to check in. 

When it is good I will come back by!

But for now encouragement is appreciated!

[LexAnger]

You are doing quite well giving the cold turkey and the rather few symptoms you got from CT, which is a great sign that you may be one of the lucky ones not like most others here. Then the pins and needling a will be gone soon too.

 

Fingers crossed for an easy and smooth withdrawal!

[LexAnger]

Hi loswhit,

 

How are you doing?

 

Lex