Femme47: Lexapro withdrawal, now wanting to taper Gabapentin

[ChessieCat]

The information I provided was in answer to your question about the jump off dose for Lexapro.  It has nothing to do with gabapentin.

 

However, when tapering any psychiatric drug it is important to listen to your symptoms/body and taper according to them.

 

tips-for-tapering-off-neurontin-gabapentin

 

From the above topic:

 

On 7/9/2012 at 1:39 PM, Altostrata said:

 

Reduce by 10% per month to start

 

The 10% rule holds for gabapentin, just like other psychiatric drugs: Reduce by 10% per month, calculated on the last dosage. (The amount of the reduction gets progressively smaller.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Altostrata]

7 hours ago, Femme47 said:

Gabapentin has got a wide Therapeutic Dose Range 300mg - 3.600mg, relatively less than Paxil or Celexa, 

While by no means not being an expert in the pharmacology, I can only have a very rough uneducated guess that 900mg - 1.200mg might be equivalent to 10-20mg of Paxil.

 

Hello, the therapeutic dose range is not related to anything pertaining to tapering, or the dosage equivalency you've estimated.

 

Gabapentin has a very short half-life, perhaps 7 hours. You would have to see how you do with dosage reductions to make a guess about your tolerance for withdrawal. You cannot predict in advance how you'll do at low doses, they can be metabolized even faster.

 

 

[Femme47]

21 hours ago, Altostrata said:

 

Hello, the therapeutic dose range is not related to anything pertaining to tapering, or the dosage equivalency you've estimated.

 

Gabapentin has a very short half-life, perhaps 7 hours. You would have to see how you do with dosage reductions to make a guess about your tolerance for withdrawal. You cannot predict in advance how you'll do at low doses, they can be metabolized even faster.

 

 

Thank you @Altostrata! When I was referring to the dosage etc I was thinking about its potency.🙃

As I would like to know when can I jump off dose. I have been taking this drug for too long no reason as it didn't help my nerve pain! 🤢

I have been holding 200-300 mg for the last 6 months and 135 - 150mg for the last 4-6 weeks.  No major withdrawal problems. But I take the amytriptilin and do not tolerate them both at the same time. So, need to get of the gaba as soon as I can!🤪 And I do want this out of my sistem...😔

[Altostrata]

We can't tell you where to stop gabapentin. We have to see how you do with dosage reductions. What has been your reduction schedule over the last 6 months? It sounds like your dosing is irregular.

[Femme47]

Hi @Altostrata Sorry for have not replied earlier; I am preparing for some exams so have been rather stressed out (on top). My reduction for the past 6 months:

 

30 oct 21 270mg;

5 days later 4 nov 250mg (15% drop);

10 days later 14 nov 200mg (20% drop);

8 days later 22 nov 170mg (15% drop)

5 weeks later 8 dec 200mg (increase the dosage due to the increased pain)

4 weeks later 2 jan 22 300mg (increase the dosage due the increased pain) - held it for about 2 months

24 feb 200mg  held it for 4 weeks without any problems that I have noticed

23 mar 180mg (10% drop) for 12 days

4 avr 168mg (10% drop) for 8 days

12 avr 150mg (ab 10% drop) for 11 days

        didn't really notice any problems apart from the increased anxiety but put it down to the            exam preparations

23 avr  135 mg (10% drop) for 6 days

29 avr 80mg (40% drop) for 2 days (not too clever, I should have known better😌)

1 mai 100 mg: a few days later increased anxiety, strange sensations in my head - headacky, heaviness, increased heart rate that have improved somewhat

9 mai 90mg (10% drop)

For the about 10 days: anxiety (can get quite strong); strange sensations in my head - headacky, heaviness; feeling speedy, hyper... , increased heart rate..Head spinning if I stand up quickly (that actually maybe a side effect of amitriptyline);  I am functioning.

 

Looking at this shedule now I can see that it was rather quick....but I wanted my doctor to be right 🙉 and the reduction from 900mg to 300mg was easy...Besides, I need to stop it as soon as safely possible..

 

Now, planning to stabilise on 90mg but wondering if I should go up a notch, as I have been on 90mg for a week? Not sure what would be the best thing to do..?? What do you think, Altostrata?

 

The other thing is that certain symptoms that I was attributing to the Gaba are, more likely,  the side effects of the amitriptyline.

 

Trying not to beat myself (too much) up for trusting the doctors and ending up with these meds again..🤬

 

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

F47

 

[Femme47]

Hypo-mania and amitriptylina

which med to taper: Gabapentin or amitryptilin

@Altostrata

 

I  have just realised that I have been somewhat hypo-manic for the past how many months. I spoke to my doctor a few months back and he thought that it could have been to the thyroid problems.

The thyroid test came normal.

In the past, I did experience feeling euphoria, hypo-mania on the SSRIs, almost was diagnosed as a bi-polar.

So, I think, feeling hypo-manic may be down to the amitriptyline- 7mg- that I have been taking for the past 12months. The psychiatrist I have recently consulted told me that gabapantin and amytriptyline is not a good combo for anyone and especially for me as it increases the side effects (mania for me among others). The hypo-mania has led me to some embarrassing behaviour 🙈and the spending sprees🙉 and driving frivolously🤠  and the pathological lying 👺 (that's a new one). It so unlike me!! 

So really need/must to get off this stuff! I do not even know who I am now any longer.

In addition, the amytriptiline should not be take with a thyroid medication I am on.

The doctors agree that I should stop all the meds and have given me very optimistic (and dangerous ☠️) tapering time-schedule that has landed me straight here!

 

I now am wondering if I should halt the gabapentine 90mg reduction and start the amitriptyline before I mess up my life completely? 

 

Really need your help and the input and advise PLEASE.

 

Looking forward to hearing from you, hopefully 🙏, very soon!

 

Thank you in advance...

F47

 

 

[Altostrata]

@Femme47 it appears you have had withdrawal symptoms from reducing gabapentin since early April. You've been taking 90mg consistently for how long? How have your symptoms changed in the period you've been taking 90mg?

 

What times o'clock do you take each of your drugs, with their dosages? Have been been taking your drugs on this schedule consistently, or has there been variation?

 

@Meow94 please start your own Intro topic; discussion of your situation would take Femme's topic off-topic. 

Mod Note:  Meow94 had already started a topic which Alto had not seen (awaiting a response and approval) and the post/s have been moved there.

 

Edited May 17, 2022 by ChessieCat
added mod note

[Femme47]

@Altostrata First of all thank you very much for your reply!!!😊 I really appreciate it! Here are the answers to your questions:

 

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

it appears you have had symptoms from reducing

e since early April.

 

Very probably but I was mainly monitoring my sleep( which was not too bad) and have missed some irritability, agitation and anxiety. It's only on the 4 or 5 may I have noticed that strange and annoying sensations in my head that it has donned on me that I am experiencing a withdrawal.

 

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

You've been taking 90mg consistently for how long? How have your symptoms changed in the period you've been taking 90mg?

I have been taking 90mg of Gaba from 9 may so it will be the 9th day today. I think I am just slightly less anxious and less hyper-active because I am trying consciously not to be, having realised that I am not acting "normal" for myself.

In addition, my heart rate has come down a little. 

What is still remaining  in full swing constant (except when I sleep) bizarre sensations in my head :

hung over or waterlogged feeling or congested feeling, heaviness

borderline headache that moves around my head, some times gets better in the late evening..This has been going on for the past 12 days or so.

In addition: Spinning, lightheaded but I have had it since I have started taking amytriptyline so don't know if this due to gaba or not.

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

What times o'clock do you take each of your drugs, with their dosages?

Gabapentine:

 

+/- 09:00             90mg 

+/- 15:00             90mg

+/- 22:30            90mg

 

Amitriptyline

 19:00               6.5mg

 

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

Have been been taking your drugs on this schedule consistently, or has there been variation?

I took gabapentine 2 times in the morning and afternoon (per doctors instructions) for about 6-8 weeks between 24 feb and 12 avril. Not sure really the exact date.  At one point I may have also miscalculated the dose dropping from 180 to 168 mg in the beginning as I was still mastering the water titration.

 

In addition, when I realised that I have been somewhat hypo-manic and that spinning, lightheaded feeling might be due to the amitriptyline ( I do get hypo-manic (!) on the anti-depressants) I reduced the amitriptyline from 7mg to 6.5mg at the rate of

3 may:      6.8mg=2.5% drop for 6 days

9 may:      6.5mg = 4% drop the dose I am still taking

 

Not the best thing to do, I am aware but I am taking both drugs that I should not be taking in the first place for the reasons I have outlined before, so I have got very panicky😱..

 

So, what would you suggest the best way of action here. 🙄

 

Thank you in advance for your help💓

[Femme47]

@Altostrata i have to add that I was taking the capsules until I had to drop from 200 to 180mg, then I would take 100mg capsule am and 80mg in water titration. That went until about 150mg when I was taking all three doses as a water titration...

 

PS My head feels very uncomfortable how long will it last??😨

[Altostrata]

On 5/17/2022 at 4:53 PM, Femme47 said:

I have been taking 90mg of Gaba from 9 may so it will be the 9th day today.

 

If you've gradually been feeling better since this last drug change, it's likely that will continue. 

 

If I were you, I'd expect to stay at 90mg for at least a month until all withdrawal symptoms settle down. Since you've already triggered withdrawal symptoms, when you start tapering again, I strongly recommend you do it more gradually and systematically to avoid these symptoms. See Tips for tapering off gabapentin (Neurontin)

[Femme47]

Thank you @Altostrata!

 

My symptoms had resolved after 15 days but I stayed as long as you suggested. 

[Altostrata]

Good to hear. What is your current drug schedule? What do you want to do now?

[Femme47]

21 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Good to hear. What is your current drug schedule? What do you want to do now?

Thank you @Altostrata;

I had also reduced the amitriptyline during this time- to get rid of some side effects - from 7mg to 5.8mg over 3 weeks  and have been at that dose for the last 2.5 weeks

A couple of days ago I did a drop from 90mg to 80mg of gabapentine.

My anxiety is relatively high, the mood is very changeable but this has also been fueled by some health problems. Otherwise, do not have any other major symptoms.

 

My plan was to hold 80 for 3 weeks and if I didn't have any problems to do another 10mg drop to 70mg.

 

I had also spoken to a pharmacist who told me that the dose less than 50mg gets metabolized to the inactive metabolites.

So I was thinking of maybe jumping off at that dose or may be 40mg just in case.

 

I would have also liked to reduce a little bit of amitriptyline following 10% every 4 weeks protocol given that I am taking relatively small amounts of both meds.

 

Unfortunately, my neuropathic pain has increased in the past 7-10 days. 😔

I have been trying to manage it via meditation and some other mind-body exercises..

but it did not help much.

 

So for the time being won't be touching any of the meds to see whether it resolves. However, if the pain stays the same I might have to increase one of the meds. 

 

A question, which is the medication more toxic on the body amitriptyline or the gaba bearing in the mind that the dosages are relatively small? 

 

Also, other any resources on how to deal with the neuropathic pains due to the traumatism?

 

So, this is how it is for now. Thank you for your help!

 

[Altostrata]

I am very confused about what you're up to. Please update your signature. Amitriptyline doesn't appear in it.

 

On 12/4/2019 at 7:18 AM, Femme47 said:

When I have told him that I did have some reaction to it, he has prescribed Amitriptyline in the liquid form (3 drops) saying it was a micro-dose..

 

How did you feel after you reduced amitriptyline 2.5 weeks ago, prior to reducing gabapentin a few days ago? 

 

7 hours ago, Femme47 said:

I had also spoken to a pharmacist who told me that the dose less than 50mg gets metabolized to the inactive metabolites.

 

That seems highly unlikely.

 

https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00996

Quote

in humans, metabolites account for less than 1% of an administered dose, with the remainder being excreted as unchanged parent drug in the urine.

 

Strongly advise you not to quit gabapentin at 50mg or 40mg or whatever.

 

7 hours ago, Femme47 said:

Unfortunately, my neuropathic pain has increased in the past 7-10 days. 😔

I have been trying to manage it via meditation and some other mind-body exercises..

but it did not help much.

 

Do you think this might have been because you reduced 2 drugs almost simultaneously?

 

Why did you say your symptoms had resolved when you had this result after your drug decreases?

 

7 hours ago, Femme47 said:

A question, which is the medication more toxic on the body amitriptyline or the gaba bearing in the mind that the dosages are relatively small? 

 

Neither is particularly toxic at those dosages.

 

If I were you, I'd stop changing my drugs for a good long while.

 

We do not treat pain here, I am sorry I cannot tell you how to manage it with non-drug means. It probably would be better for you to reduce your drugs more systematically, to avoid rebound pain symptoms.

[Femme47]

15 hours ago, Altostrata said:

I am very confused about what you're up to. Please update your signature. Amitriptyline doesn't appear in it.

 

On 12/4/2019 at 4:18 PM, Femme47 said:

When I have told him that I did have some reaction to it, he has prescribed Amitriptyline in the liquid form (3 drops) saying it was a micro-dose..

 

@Altostrata I have updated the signature.

At the end I never took the Amitriptyline in 2019 but 2 years later that was  prescribed to manage the traumatic neuropathy.

 

15 hours ago, Altostrata said:

in humans, metabolites account for less than 1% of an administered dose, with the remainder being excreted as unchanged parent drug in the urine.

Thank you for the info and the link! It appears that this Doctor in Pharmacy together with my psychiatrist and the Pain Management doctor do not know the drugs. How annoying! 🤪

 

15 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Why did you say your symptoms had resolved when you had this result after your drug decreases?

I was referring to the disturbing sensations in my head 24/7, the increased heart rate and agitation and morning anxiety. As to the anxiety in general, I have always the tendency to get anxious and since I have a really good reason to be anxious. So I put it down to my personality trait. The pain has increased only recently.

15 hours ago, Altostrata said:

22 hours ago, Femme47 said:

Unfortunately, my neuropathic pain has increased in the past 7-10 days. 😔

I have been trying to manage it via meditation and some other mind-body exercises..

but it did not help much.

 

Do you think this might have been because you reduced 2 drugs almost simultaneously?

 

 I must admit that it was not very clever to reduce 2 drugs simultaneously😞. As I now can only be guessing. The gabapentine and the amitriptyline are often prescribed for the resistant/chronic pain as they supposed to work in the synergy, enhancing the antalgique effect, that's what the doctors told me😉.

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6481651/ :

"Pharmacotherapy remains an important modality for the treatment of neuropathic pain. However, as monotherapy current drugs are associated with limited efficacy and dose‐related side effects. Combining two or more different drugs may improve analgesic efficacy and, in some situations, reduce overall side effects (e.g. if synergistic interactions allow for dose reductions of combined drugs).  

 

Perhaps, the combo of 90mg of Gaba and 7mg of Amitriptyline was still providing me with some pain relieve. Yet, 5.8mg amytriptyline is not enough. It seems I have started experiencing the increased pain before the last drop of Gaba to 80mg.

15 hours ago, Altostrata said:

If I were you, I'd stop changing my drugs for a good long while.

I will stop the taper. I will, however, updose the Amitriptyline to 6mg (from 5.8mg) for easier med management.  

 

15 hours ago, Altostrata said:

It probably would be better for you to reduce your drugs more systematically, to avoid rebound pain symptoms.

Totally agree, I am here to tell the tale.

Though, I am not sure if the pain is due to the rebound symptoms or the low dose of meds. How would one know? As in my condition, the pain is to be expected. And it can get too debilitating to wait it out a few months..in a hope it will pass. The doctor had warned me to increase the meds if the pain gets worse. So something to think about. 

Thank you for all your input. I really appreciate it.🙂

 

[Altostrata]

If the symptoms fade while you're maintaining consistent dosing, you'll know they're rebound from reducing too much. Observe for a week and let us know how you're doing.

[Femme47]

Finished the taperring off Amytriptilin and Gabapantin. Advice needed.

 

Hello,

 

Unfortunately, I had to pause my previous thread due to some physical health problems that took priority.

 

I have realised that the pain specialists/sport/rehab doctors can be as detrimental and unaware as psychiatrists in relation the psychotropic meds!

 

I have just recently stopped the gabapantin 28 Dec and amytriptilin 7 Jan. The meds I have been taking for the pain due the accident.

 

Without the support of groups as this, I got influenced (again) by my pain specialist who was repeating me that I was taking very small doses and I could safely stop it relatively quick. I still followed much slower protocol but not probably slow enough.🤔..

 

Unless, I have some distinct physical symtoms it is not easy for me to see clear if my slow cognitive functioning, lack of motivation, mood and memory problems due to my age (54), reaction to my physical condition and some difficult life predicament or are the withdrawal symtoms.

 

Furthermore,  my main focus has been my rehab programme and managing my physical pain, I think I might have missed some withdrawal symptoms in the process.

 

Initial dose of Gabapentin of 900mg tapered relatively safely(while starting the Amytriptilin at the same time) from June 2021 to jan 22 with some hold.

Once stabilised, I have tapered 300mg of gabapentin from Jan last year to 28 Dec, the last dose 20mg. It was more or less conservative 10-15% every 2-6 weeks till I reached 100mg and then followed by 10 mg every two weeks 

until I reached the dose of 20mg that I took only a few days and jumped off. I had increased the dose, once or twice due the increased pain, mainly.

 

When I reached the dose of 100mg of gaba in June, I have also started tapperring 6mg of Amytriptilin until 7 Jan; the jump off dose 0.25mg. At the rate of 5-15% every 4-6 weeks

but from 4mg started tapering 1 mg every 2 weeks after reassurance of the doctor (who said that the doses that I have been taking are "homeopathic" ) still being on the conservative side:

 

 

4mg -2 weeks; 3mg -2 weeks; 2mg- 2 weeks; 1.5mg- 2 weeks; 1mg - 2 weeks; 0.75mg - 2 weeks; 0.5mg - 2 weeks

Stopped Amytriptilin for 9 days than restarted

0.3mg -2 weeks; 0.25 mg - 4 days.. and have stopped, 7 January.

 

I was too concerned of having my physical pain increased that I have not realised until now that I have been emotionally more unstable for at least 2.5 - 3 weeks: having these constant "emotinal spirals", uncontrollable anger, irritability, being on the offece all the time, ruminating about the past, loss of interest in certain activities, headacke, health anxiety and the digestive issues, excitation. I feel better in the evenings.

 

Wondering if I need to re-instate it or let it stabilise it on its own, given that my tappering process was relatively conservative?

 

Can you please let me know?

 

Many thanks for your help!!!!🙂 

 

PS How can I amend my tags please.

 

[Altostrata]

Please update your signature by following  these instructions 

 

As I understand it, you have been continuously changing the dosing of one drug or another since June 2021. Apparently you think you now have withdrawal symptoms and you are asking here what to do about them? Is that correct?

[Femme47]

@Altostrata 

 

11 hours ago, Altostrata said:

As I understand it, you have been continuously changing the dosing of one drug or another since June 2021. Apparently you think you now have withdrawal symptoms and you are asking here what to do about them? Is that correct?

Hi, many thanks for getting back to me! I have updated my signature, hopefully it reflects, more or less closely, my med journey for the past 2.5 years. 

 

Yes, in the nutshell it was like that. And, indeed I am inclined to think that my current state is due to the arret of the meds. And what is the best of course of action, knowing that one has to be VERY careful with these drugs. Feeling rather cut up about all this😰 

Need some guidance, please.

 

Following the prescription of the docs, the 28 June' 21 I have started tappering off gabapantine and starting/titrating up the amytriptiline (a few days later). Then at some point I was tappering off two meds (while "holding" the other one). In hindsight, encouraged by the well-meaning docs, my taper was somewhat speedy, perhaps chaotic but not much of the yo-yoing, though.

Regards

[Femme47]

1 hour ago, Femme47 said:

And, indeed I am inclined to think that my current state is due to the arret of the meds.

Saying that my life continues to be a great challenge: still trying to accept the aftermath of my accident, trying to rebuild my life after 2.5 years of disabling injury, rehab and physical pain (still dealing with that one), being mistreated by the medical profession etc; etc. A lot of valid reasons to "lose sleep over", "get anxious", angry or discouraged.  However, since I don't really know who I am any longer (because of taking these meds over the years) it's not always easy to see if it's me that find difficult to cope with life or these are genuine  withdrawal symptoms....Last time, when I had some strange physical sensations and an unusual heart palpitation it was clear that it was due to the big cut, that was resolved with your help🙂

[Femme47]

I have not felt this lack of motivation - last three weeks or so - for a while. Last time it was probably during my withdrawal from Lexapro about 3.5 years ago. Certain house chores are of limit. Some activities lost its meaning. Good health habits that I have cultivated over the years: healthy eating, physical activity are a struggle. I just hope that it won't last too long 🙏 

[Altostrata]

What drugs are you taking now, at what times o'clock and dosages?

 

It appears you were reducing gabapentin and amitriptyline at the same time April-December 2022?

 

What new symptoms appeared when you quit amitriptyline January 8?

[Femme47]

Hi @Altostrata, thank you for getting back to me.

 

10 hours ago, Altostrata said:

What drugs are you taking now, at what times o'clock and dosages?

Levothyrox 44.6mcg in the morning 

(Vit D 400-3.000IU morning 

Vit C 500mg long-acted lunch time every 2-4 days

Magnesium occasionally)

10 hours ago, Altostrata said:

It appears you were reducing gabapentin and amitriptyline at the same time April-December 2022?

Yes (had to reduce the amytriptilin due to the side effect and did kind of inconsistent "micro-tappering")

 

10 hours ago, Altostrata said:

What new symptoms appeared when you quit amitriptyline January 8?

NB: when I reduced the amitriptilin to 0.25mg 3 Jan, it was very inconsistent. Missed a couple of days and probably took only for 5-6 days in total. So the symptoms related to the amitriptylin may have started early:

 

Headachy/heavy feeling 

Dizzy feeling (mild)

Tightness in the chest (mild)

Morning anxiety (mild-moderate)

Feeling hypo,  jitterish (mild) kind of "adrenaline surges" first half of the day 

Defensive/Suspicious

 

The symptoms that have been amplified/increased: 

 

Interrupted sleep (mild increase)

Irritable/

Anger

Memory problems (quite worrying)

Obsessive/intrusive thinking (significant increase)

Get more easily influenced, like a sponge (get the symptoms or adopt the beliefs of what I read or heard last ). Lack of critical thinking 🤔 

 

That is roughly it as I have not been keeping the strict record. 

 

Many thanks for your help!

 

 

[Femme47]

Being influenced I meant I have "cyberchondria" / "computerchondria" . It's worse now since my heightened arousal state affects my "critical thinking ". This also means that being here can be a "double-edged sword ". On one hand,  a wealth of good quality excellent information, suggestions and support. On the other hand, when I come accross to some horrendous and anxiety triggering personal experiences. I can worry myself sick 😫 

[Femme47]

Hi @Altostrata,

I can imagine that you maybe busy but would you be able to get back to me? As to unsure what steps to take?

Regards 

Anna 

[Altostrata]

If your withdrawal symptoms started while you were tapering amitriptyline and got worse after you quit amitriptyline, they may be from amitriptyline. If you were tapering gabapentin at the same time and quit it at the same time, they may be from gabapentin. Or they could be from both drugs.. 

 

What do you mean when you say you "reinstated" 0.3mg amitriptyline December 19? Did you feel better when you were taking 0.3mg?

[Femme47]

Thank you for getting back to me, @Altostrata!

 

4 hours ago, Altostrata said:

What do you mean when you say you "reinstated" 0.3mg amitriptyline December 19? Did you feel better when you were taking 0.3mg?

 

29 Nov - 09 Dec 0.5mg

10 Dec- stopped as per my doctor order 

Didn't particularly notice any changes in my state (which wasn't particularly bad) but reinstated as retrospectively had  thought it would be better to go slower. 

So, I reinstated ( though not for long): 

19 Dec - 2 Jan 0.3mg 

I didn't notice much change for the better -  I didn't particularly feel bad in the first place - however, I noticed lack of motivation from 2 Jan ( I put it down to the interpersonal problems )

3 Jan - 8 Jan 0.25mg but have missed a couple of days so I then decided just stop it..

🙃

[Altostrata]

If you didn't feel any different after you went off amitriptyline and gabapentin in December, what are we talking about here?

[Femme47]

On 1/19/2023 at 7:54 PM, Femme47 said:

I have been emotionally more unstable for at least 2.5 - 3 weeks: having these constant "emotinal spirals", uncontrollable anger, irritability, being on the offece all the time, ruminating about the past, loss of interest in certain activities, headacke, health anxiety and the digestive issues, excitation. I feel better in the evenings.

@AltostrataHi Alto, 

Yes, it's a bit confusing due to my , somewhat,  chaotic drug reduction..

The symptoms above are my symptoms for the past month. Since, I have gone off 2 drugs at almost the same time. I guess its not easy to say what causes what..

And then trying to reinstate 0.3mg the amytriptilin on the 19 Dec didn't produce any noticeable effects as I have started having the "symptoms " in January..

The most annoying symptom is lack of motivation.

The rest of the symptoms are "moderate". I have some moderate to severe digestive issues but I am wondering if its due to some real digestive problems..

I have a flu st the moment that makes the symptoms worse 🤧 

Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it 🙏 

[Altostrata]

11 hours ago, Femme47 said:

The most annoying symptom is lack of motivation.

The rest of the symptoms are "moderate". I have some moderate to severe digestive issues but I am wondering if its due to some real digestive problems..

I have a flu st the moment that makes the symptoms worse 🤧 

 

You have been on psychiatric drugs almost continuously for 8 years, with many drug changes and potential episodes of withdrawal. Quite frequently, lack of motivation after discontinuation is consequence of longterm psychiatric drugs. Or, it could be withdrawal syndrome. Either way, we expect it will very slowly resolve (if not due to something else, such as new illness or hypothyroidism).

 

Many people find fish oil and magnesium supplements helpful, see

 

https://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/

 

https://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

You might try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you. Please let us know how you’re doing.

 

We're not going to be able to separate withdrawal symptoms from flu symptoms.

[Femme47]

8 hours ago, Altostrata said:

You have been on psychiatric drugs almost continuously for 8 years, with many drug changes and potential episodes of withdrawal.

That is a sobering thought! Though, I knew that myself (10 years precisely - I had to delete a couple of years as there were not enough space in my signature) when someone else tells me and puts it like that in black and white it has a striking impact!

 

8 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Quite frequently, lack of motivation after discontinuation is consequence of longterm psychiatric drugs.

 

Hallelujah! Just as I am about to come out of the tunnel to start rebuilding my life after the accident, not an easy task under normal circumstances, my inner resources have been impaired to do so. Very frustrating and infuriating.

8 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Either way, we expect it will very slowly resolve

Hopefully, not too slowly though as the time isn't on my side, any longer.

Anyway, thank you very much Altostrata for all the information and your input!

[Femme47]

A month since I have stopped gabapantin and amytriptiline

 

After a months of what seemed to be the withdrawals symptoms, the headaches, headachy feelings have gone have gone, the increased heartbit is almost normal, the andrenaline "rush" superexcitment/anxiety has lessened as well. Still dealing with the irritability, anger and short temper and lack of motivation.Though, it's a better day (window) today and I have done a chore I have been putting off for a while.

Today went for a light jogging for about 40mins including Tabata HIIT. This definitely helped. 

[Femme47]

Check in

 

While it's difficult for me to differentiate the withdrawal symptoms from my real self, that I now find it difficult to remember, I think the feeling of being "hypo", oversensitive, overreactive, and having the intrusive thoughts that I can't to stop is, very probably, an exaggerated version of what is supposed to be my real self.

 

Well, one day at a time, I guess.

[Altostrata]

Seem like you are recovering from withdrawal syndrome in a pattern that we recognize as normal.

 

No one knows what their "true self" is after 10 years on psychiatric drugs. 

 

You can learn to manage what you think of as flaws, or reconsider them as strengths.

[Femme47]

14 hours ago, Altostrata said:

No one knows what their "true self" is after 10 years on psychiatric drugs. 

😏 I have found this thought rather distressing. I have been cheated out of my "real, perhaps rather troubled, self " by the doctors. I have also delayed the process of getting to the bottom of my difficulties and finding a constructive way of dealing with them. 

[Femme47]

Check in

 

Highly irritable at people (what they do and say 🙄)

Bizarre desire to have a debate with others if I don't agree with what I hear or my experience doesn't match theirs 

Very disruptive sleep last night 

Some on-going digestive issues and I am beginning to wonder if this might be also due to the withdrawal 

 

Yesterday, tiredness and difficulties to do some house chores (cooking, sorting out the flat)