KaneIntent: Nortriptyline anhedonia

[KaneIntent]

    My experience with antidepressants started in June 2017, when I was prescribed Nortriptyline(Older generation antidepressant) to treat my nerve pain. It was almost miraculous in reducing my symptoms, but I found out the hard way about it’s sinister side effects. When I started the drug I was in relatively perfect mental health, but it didn’t stay that way for long. Within two weeks it was like I had been given a chemical lobotomy. I lost all sense of satisfaction and interest in life, had a drastically reduced sex drive, and just felt constantly numb 24/7. I came to realize that this drug was poison to me, and I attempted to get off after two months. Even though I was on a low dose I started to experience fairly significant withdrawal symptoms(although they weren’t even close to the hell that other members of this forum have gone through), with anxiety attacks and a feverish feeling. 

     I ended up tapering off in Thanksgiving after being on Nortriptyline for about have a year. To my dismay, my symptoms did not improve after getting off. In fact, they were even worse. I was filled with a sense of utter despair and anhedonia, struggling to get through every day. I found that magnesium supplementation lifted the sense of hopelessness, but the mind numbing apathy to everything in life remained.

     It’s now been over 6 months since I got off Nortriptyline, and my symptoms have improved very little. I’m still stuck with a moderate depression and anhedonia, which feels like all the color has been drained out of my life. Before going on an antidepressant I used to wake up in a great mood every morning excited for the day, but now I dread it. Life used to feel euphoric for me, but now it’s just completely dull. I also suffer from a drastically reduced sex drive, which is a big deal for a 20 year old male. I’ve been trying to take things day by day, but the fact I’ve now been off for longer than I was taking it in the first place is making me terrified that I’ll never be the same person I used to be ever again. The only thing that gives me hope is that every few weeks my mood brightens, and I feel normal again. Unfortunately I can never pinpoint the cause, and the feeling only lasts a few hours. I guess only time will tell if I’ll recover or if I’ve suffered permanent brain damage from this drug.

Edited May 20, 2018 by Petunia
reduced font size and added tags

[Petunia]

Welcome KaneIntent,

I'm so sorry for what you are going through, but glad you found us, you will find a lot of friendly help and support here.

 

We ask members to put their drug and withdrawal history in the signature section. It appears below each of your posts and helps us to help you. Here are instructions for how to do it:

 

Please put your withdrawal history in your signature

 

Unfortunately, you story is not uncommon, many people are given these drugs for non-psychiatric reasons, but then go on to develop psychiatric issues because of the changes the drugs make to brain function. Firstly I want to assure you that even though it's taking longer than expected, you will get better. The fact you are having some windows of feeling completely normal is a very good sign that full recovery is on the way. A consistent pattern I've seen is that everyone improves over time and the vast majority of people recover and move on with their lives.

 

Over time, these drugs change your nervous system. Their effects on your nervous system change as well.  These changes are temporary, but the CNS does take quite a while to right itself after the drugs are out of the body.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome?

 

I will post links to a few topics which may be helpful, there is a lot here, so take your time, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by information overload.

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

 

Anhedonia, Apathy and Demotivation

 

Brain Remodelling (Rhi's Description of Brain Healing)

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

Videos

 

Patterns of Recovery

 

The Power of Neuroplasicity

 

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.

 

Petunia.

 

[bhasski]

Hi,

Sry for what you are going through.

 

I am also a 28 yr old male suffering all sexual, emotional damage by these drugs.  I was prescribed for some other issues and left for 100 new ones. 

 

Its good you stopped early... and seeing small windows is a good sign. Keep it up.. healthy lifestyle, eating and exercise help you more.

 

Best wishes.