GracieAnn: Akathisia

[GracieAnn]

Hi Everyone. I’m new here and just realized that my severe akathisia has a name and a cause-Prozac. For years I just thought I had severe anxiety and a lot of adrenaline. It is ruining my life. Now that I have connected the dots I’d like to slowly wean and find a med to help my symptoms(clonidine?).

i pray I can heal my brain and am hoping to hear some success stories. I’m very grateful for this group.

[GracieAnn]

After many many years I’ve finally realized that my inner torment and agitation has a name -akathisia. It’s caused by my use of Prozac, which I’m currently on and want to wean off. My akathisia symptoms are severe. Does anyone have any advice on what to do to quiet it? Also, to heal it?

I’ve been on and off Prozac for so long I know I’ve messed up my body. My plan is to go back to my usual dose (60mg) and start a very slow taper. Is it too late Have I done irreparable damage? Thanks.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, GracieAnn.

 

How much Prozac are you taking and at what time of day? Do your symptoms have any daily pattern? Do you take any other drugs?

[GracieAnn]

Hi-I currently take 60mg of Prozac at night. I also take clonidine thru the patch and oxycodone for anxiety. Then I also take hydrocortisone for adrenal insufficiency and T3 for my thyroid.

[Altostrata]

Do your symptoms have any daily pattern? How long have you been taking oxycodone?

 

Please put ALL your drugs in the Drug Interactions Checker https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.php
and copy and paste the results in this topic.

[kesh]

Fellow akathisia sufferer checking in. Also from prozac and then citalopram. I can't give you a complete success story yet, I'm only just starting this journey, but I think I am getting a little better. I have days without it, and I have days when it's lasting less long, or at a lower level.

 

All the best. 

[GracieAnn]

Has anyone with akathisia been helped with IV NAD+? I’ve heard a lot of bad outcomes, but I’ve also heard some great stories. I’d love to learn more. Thanks.

[brassmonkey]

"Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is the coenzyme form of the vitamin niacin."  

 

Niacin is one of the many supplements that we recommend people avoid during ADWD.  The actions of NAD+ on the body are extremely complex and affect just about every cell in the body for one reason or another. There are some indications that it could be classed as a neurotransmitter, which would cause many problems for people in ADWD.  There have been some studies on Alzheimer's but they were inconclusive.  The most promising work has been in the field of antibiotics.   I see too many down sides to this and would not recommend even taking the oral supplements let alone an IV injection.

[GracieAnn]

Can anyone point me to a slow schedule to wean off of gabapentin? I have been on it for a long time and currently take 1200mg. Thank you.

[ChessieCat]

Hi gracieann and welcome to SA from me too,

 

As Alto requested previously, please put ALL the drugs you currently take in the Drug Interactions Checker and copy and paste the results in a post here in your Intro topic.

 

Alto also asked how long you have been taking oxycodone and whether your symptoms have a daily pattern.

 

Please note that it is very important that you answer questions which the moderators/admin ask so that we can assess your situation and make suggestions.

 

 

We ask all members to create a drug signature.  Please update it whenever you make a change.  Please keep it nice and simple.  We only need details for the last 2 years.  Date, drug and dose only, no symptoms or diagnoses.  The other years can just be an overview.  

 

This is the preferred format which is helpful for the mods.  Thank you.

 

A request: Would you summarize your history in a signature - ALL drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 2 years particularly?

• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses.
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 

• Any drugs prior to 2 years ago can just be listed with start and stop years.
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago)
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016.
• Link to Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.Before you begin tapering what you need to know

 

I'm going to give you lots of links to check out.  Please don't feel overwhelmed, just work your way through them one at a time as you feel able.

 

SA recommends tapering by no more than 10% of the previous dose followed by a hold at that dose for about 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.  This is because psychiatric drugs create a physiological dependence, not physical like caffeine or nicotine.

 

Patience is needed to get off these drugs.  We suggest throwing out the calendar and listening to your body and your symptoms.  If after 4 weeks you don't feel stable, are unwell or life circumstances are a bit more stressful than usual (for example the Christmas period, winter time, or job change) it is better to stay at that dose for a bit longer until things settle down.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

 

 

Tips for tapering off Neurontin (gabapentin)

 

Tips for tapering off Prozac (fluoxetine)

 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

 

Brain Remodelling

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

Keep it Simple, Slow and Stable

Keep Notes on Paper

 

Rate Symptoms Daily to Check Patterns and Progress

Tapering Calculator - Online

 

The only supplements which SA recommends are Magnesium and Omega-3 Fish Oil.  Try a small amount one at a time to see how you react.  It is best to make only 1 change at a time.  It is also better not to start taking a complex vitamin because if you experience issues you will not know what exactly is causing it.  B vitamins can be stimulating especially B6.  hypersensitive-to-b-vitamin-or-b-vitamin-complex  If trying anything new, start with a small amount to see how you react and build up to the recommended amount.  

 

Even with a careful and slow taper you will most likely experience times of discomfort.  It is best to learn and use Non-drug techniques to cope

 

There are many existing topics and discussions on this site.  You can use the site search function on the main page of the site at the top right, or use a search engine and include survivingantidepressants.org in your search string.

 

As I said, lots of information, but I really want you to have what you need so you can have a successful taper.

 

This is your own Intro topic where you can ask questions and journal your progress.  We suggest that members visit each others Intro topics so that can support and encourage each other.

 

 

 

[ChessieCat]

Keep notes on paper about your drug dosages and daily symptom pattern

 

A symptom pattern that occurs regularly over several days could mean the symptoms are from withdrawal, other adverse effects of drugs, or something else you do on a daily schedule.

 

In the course of discussion in your Introductions forum topic, you may be asked to keep notes on paper of your daily symptom pattern, including when you take your drugs, their dosages, and any symptoms.

 

What we need to see for every individual day over several days is:

- Time and dosage for drugs taken in morning
- Time and description of any symptoms in the morning
 
- Time and dosage for drugs taken in afternoon
- Time and description of any symptoms in the afternoon
 
- Time and dosage for drugs taken in evening
- Time and description of any symptoms in the evening
 
- Time and dosage for drugs taken in middle of the night
- Time and description of any symptoms in the middle of the night (such as waking)
 
And so forth. A diary, in chronological order, such as:
 
6 a.m. Woke and vomited
8 a.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
10 a.m. Had diarrhea
10:30 a.m. Ate breakfast
11:35 a.m. Got a headache, lasted one hour
12:35 p.m. Ate lunch
4 p.m. Stomachache
5 p.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
6 p.m. Ate dinner
9:20 p.m. Headache
10:00 p.m. Took 50mg Seroquel
10:20 p.m. Headache got worse
10:30 p.m. Fell asleep
2:30 a.m. Woke, took 3mg Ambien (NOT "took 1/2 tablet Ambien")
2:45 a.m. Fell asleep
4:30 a.m. Woke with headache

 

An appointments diary is perfect for this and can be bought at stationery stores. 

They have a page for each day with times for appointments which can be filled in with doses, symptoms etc as shown by Alto.

[GracieAnn]

Thank you for all of that. I don't know how to copy and paste my interactions but I'll try to figure it out. I have been on oxycodone for about four years.

[GracieAnn]

I gave up on clonidine, it wasn’t helping. My symptoms are the worst from 4am-8am. I’m afraid I may have made myself much worse. I did a taper ten days after a prior taper(from 40-35-30). Today is day 8 from the second taper to thirty. By last Saturday I realized it had been a poor, uneducated decision and went back up to 40 to start at where I last felt alright.

Today I am sweaty, scared, nervous about the next few days, and overwhelmed by what I’m learning that I’ve done to myself. 

Im hoping my reinstatement helps because more days like today won’t work in my marriage- it’s been thru too much already.

Thank you for listening and helping.

[GracieAnn]

The past fifteen years I was unaware that Prozac was causing me such turmoil and I’ve been very haphazard in my dosing. Needless to say my days have been more and more difficult as the years have gone by. I’m just wondering, if I get myself on a tight slow taper will my life improve? Or is it going to be daily hell for the next 18 months of my taper since I’ve messed it up for so long? 

 

[GracieAnn]

Thank you for your answers. I just want to be sure I understand how to use this helpful group! Should I post all of my questions (if I can’t find answers to them in a search) here in my intro?

[Altostrata]

19 hours ago, GracieAnn said:

The past fifteen years I was unaware that Prozac was causing me such turmoil and I’ve been very haphazard in my dosing. Needless to say my days have been more and more difficult as the years have gone by. I’m just wondering, if I get myself on a tight slow taper will my life improve? Or is it going to be daily hell for the next 18 months of my taper since I’ve messed it up for so long? 

 

 

Hi, Gracie. We're very conscious of the need to provide stability for your nervous system. Going on and off drugs is destabilizing. We advocate making very slow, careful changes so as not to rock the boat. While we can't tell the future, it's very possible that you'll see a big change if you got stable, even if you're not entirely off drugs.

 

1 hour ago, GracieAnn said:

Thank you for your answers. I just want to be sure I understand how to use this helpful group! Should I post all of my questions (if I can’t find answers to them in a search) here in my intro?

 

Yes, please post them here in your Intro.

[bheb]

Hi GracieAnn, how're you doing?