Ausdad: Hi, advise needed

[Ausdad]

Hi all, I have been on AD’s for approximately 3 years. I have tried a lot of different meds in that time with varied success. Most recently I have switched straight up from 125mg of clomipramine to 100mg of notriptiline as all I wanted to do was sleep on the clompiramine though everything else was fine. After 5 days of the switch I have severe brain zaps, dizziness and horrible dreams which lead me to wake up in a state of panic. These withdrawal symptoms (at least I hope that’s what they are) have been going for 7 days now. Hoping I could get some advice as to how long these symptoms will last as I’m starting to think maybe I should revert back to the previous meds.

 

[Ausdad]

Also, I have never had any bad symptoms when changing meds before. I have tried starting the new meds at a lower dose with a view to try to withdraw completely. Any help much appreciated 👍

[scallywag]

Ausdad -- Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants (SA)

 

Switching a medication -- even to one in the same class -- can cause withdrawal symptoms. Sadly no one can give you an accurate and reliable answer about how long the symptoms will last.  It sounds as if you've been on other neuro-psycho-active medications.  It sometimes happens that a person who has had previous uneventful switches all of a sudden has a strong reaction.  Please take that as a sign that your CNS (central nervous system) is now more sensitive than it was before and be very, very gentle with future dose and medication changes.

 

You *could* revert to the clomipramine. Many but not all people do experience reduction in symptoms after returning to a previous medication or dose.  If it does work for you, you probably won't see an improvement right way. It takes 4-7 days for these medications to reach steady state in your bloodstream. If you are going to switch back to clomipramine, sooner is usually better than later.

 

Depending on how the symptoms are affecting your life, you could also ride them out continuing to take noritriptyline. It's up to you.

 

Whatever you choose, please give yourself time for the symptoms to stabilize before making another change. Stable symptoms doesn't mean no symptoms or mild symptoms, just that they don't change much day-to-day.

 

For more information about why a drug or dose change can affect you, please check out these links:

How your brain responds to psychiatric drugs - aka "Brain remodeling"

Youtube video, 4 minutes: Healing from antidepressants.

 

A request: Would you summarize your history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly?

• Any drugs prior to 24 months 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.
  
• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses.
  
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs.
  
• Link to Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.
  
  

 

This is YOUR introduction topic -- the place for you to ask questions, record symptoms, share your progress, and connect with other members of the SA community. I hope you'll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation. I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but am glad that you found us.

[Ausdad]

Thanks for the reply, I’ll create a sig and keep you posted.

 

i have an appointment with my GP today.

 

[ChessieCat]

I suggest you check out these topics before you speak with your doctor:

 

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

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

[ChessieCat]

There are many symptoms which can arise, some which I don't think we realise are from withdrawal:

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

[Ausdad]

Thanks for the links 👍

 

had as a meeting with my doc, he understands the withdrawal symptoms I’m experiencing. He suggested some Valium in the short term at night to help sleep and is doing a blood test to check my med levels.

 

he also understands I want to come off and I will make another appointment once these symptoms wear off to make a cessation plan. I’ll touch base here and see if it all makes sense. Thanks again for all the help.

[Ausdad]

Quick point, I have used Valium in the past but never heavily so I’m aware of its addictive nature. I’m only going to use it at night for a few days hopefully.

[Ausdad]

Quick update, still really struggling.

 

Brain zaps are pretty much gone but I seem to be really angry all the time and I’m waking like 20 times a night in a state of panic. 

 

I het my bloods back soon hopefully

 

[DMV64]

Hi Ausdad,

Sounds like you are getting some good suggestions here. I am popping by to say welcome and to offer support. I know panic very well. The Claire Weekes book - Hope and Help for yoor Nerves has helped me alot! Especially the FLOATING technique! 

-D

[Ausdad]

Thanks DM.

 

another horrible night of dreams and waking in a panic. Not something I’ve ever experienced so really throwing me into a spin.

 

Not really sure what to do, I wish I had found this site earlier and not switched meds but started a gradual taper😿

 

Anyways I’ll soldier on as most of the other withdrawals are gone except the sleep issues. 

 

 

[ChessieCat]

Some people find Magnesium  helpful.  I have found that it helps to take the edge off my anxiety.  Try a small amount first to see how you react.  Also only make 1 change at a time so that you can make the connection if things worsen:  Keep it Simple, Slow and Stable  Keep Notes on Paper

 

Here are some topics which you might find helpful:

 

Sleep problems - that awful withdrawal insomnia

 

waking-with-panic-or-anxiety-managing-cortisol-spikes

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

Claire Weekes' Method of Recovering from a Sensitized Nervous System