☼ Leo1983: SSRI withdrawal

[shawny]

@Leo1983 : bein a parent is always bein a 3 rd or 7th doesn’t matter !!!  

 

 

how long u had tinnitus ? 

And what u mean by low ! 

[Leo1983]

My 3rd and last Son. No more! lol.

 

I have had T for about 4 years. When i first got it it caused me massive fear, anxiety, calls to drs etc etc. I cud not cope it was hell. 

 

I dont know it just dsnt botha me now..Its there in the background but thats it. Bit like a ticking clock its stops making you ill.

 

Just a time thing.

 

Edited August 2, 2019 by ChessieCat
removed blasphemy

[Tweet]

Hey, Leo. So glad you are doing so well!

 I am about 14 months off of Prozac which I was on for over 20 years.

I am in a cycle of high anxiety for several days and then an emotional breakdown(exhaustion) and then a couple of days where I feel totally normal.

Does this sound familiar to you?

I am interested in knowing just how the anxiety left you. 

Same intensity, but fewer days in a row?

Or same number of days, but a lowering of the intensity.

Or how?

I feel so close to the finish line here, but the only obstacle is this anxiety.

Thanks for any help you can give me. 

It has been a long run kicking the poison, and I am ready to cross that finish line just like you did. (Awesome, Leo 🏆🥇)

 

 

[Leo1983]

Tweet i will get back to you soon

[Leo1983]

@Tweet

 

Hi.

 

Wow 20 years is along time. Your doing well to stay the course and hang in. Just keep going!

 

The anxiety in wd is on another level to normal anxiety. My CT lead me to anxiety that i can not explain. I was left housebound, scared of my own family visiting, god i was even scared of myself. I could not walk in my street or visit shops nothing. Well i could but it was panic panic panic.

 

I feel i followed the constant misery for 7-8 month pattern, were i never felt much changed. Then i guess from there i have had the windows and waves pattern. 

 

The anxiety has never returned to baseline! Not yet! However, it has reduced 50%. I go out places, i shop, i go for meals, i see family, i go to events. HOWEVER i still feel that anxiety! Its just more manageable. I still wake with anxiety however, i dont wake feeling like i have been plugged into a socket. 

 

The answer is i have bad days, goodish days and some very good days were i feel myself. The waves hit but dont cripple me now. I spend alot of time in WD normal. Sort of still feel rubbish but i manage. 

 

There will be some chemical anxiety, some normal anxiety and possibly some trauma based anxiety i would think in recovery from the horrific ordeal. 

 

some things that help me.

 

1. I accept the way i feel daily.

2. i challenge myself daily.

3. i trust the success stories and information i have gathered. 

4. I try to focus away from wd as much as possible.

5. I try not to look for reassurance, as it is a temporary relief however, shortly after the anxiety returns stronger. I refer to this as pouring water through a net.

 

I think its also important not to blame EVERYTHING on wd. 

 

Keep surfing those waves!

 

Lee

[Tweet]

Thanks, Leo.

That was a quick reply, and I appreciate it.

I am basically a CT too, so I guess this super-anxiety  is just part of the deal. 

My big goal is not to blame anyone or anything for it.

I am so used to having anxiety BECAUSE of something. 

This is high anxiety looking for a cause!

I will surely try your 5 tips..

Thanks again

[Leo1983]

Your welcome. 

 

Also write down all the symptoms you have. Then put a tick next to the ones you have always had and then put a cross next to the ones you got when you CT the drug. 

 

Make a list of all the symptoms you got from withdrawal and then you can tell yourself these are wd symptoms and because everyone recovers ' I WILL TOO EVENTUALLY"and all these symptoms will leave when there ready. 

 

💪👍

 

 

[Leo1983]

Just wanted to ask some opinions.

 

Alcohol in withdrawal??????

 

It appears to make me IF i drink feel alot like my old self. Then for a few days afterwards i feel more normal.... However after 2-3 days i feel like crap again....... 

 

Any views? Also views of alcohol in general?

 

Thanks

 

Lee.

[eymen23]

How often are you drinking Leo? How much at a time? 

 

It’s well established here that it can trigger waves, especially when consumed in excess or frequently. I have the very occasional evening of 2-3 drinks and I find a similar pattern to you. Overall, I find it somewhat harmful in regards to withdrawal symptoms, but at events like my best friend’s wedding or my sister’s graduation, I will drink 2-3 beers and bear the minor set back. 

 

As with most things, your mileage may vary and it would be best to avoid alcohol if it triggers waves. 

[ChessieCat]

On 4/25/2016 at 3:29 AM, Shep said:

alcohol also acts on GABA receptors just like benzos. 

 

[Leo1983]

I have drank for 12 years sometimes lightly, sometimes moderate, sometimes heavy!

 

However until tablets i never had anything near this level of discomfort..However i did question at times is drink making me bad before tablets.

 

I know hell started when i stopped meds however the pattern i have just explained sometimes i question "why is the drink making me feel better for a few days"? Then back to hell?

 

"Is it all AD withdrawal?

[Leo1983]

I also have friends and family who have drank for years and dont feel the way i do.

 

so is it withdrawal and im looking for answers.

[eymen23]

23 minutes ago, Leo1983 said:

I also have friends and family who have drank for years and dont feel the way i do.

 

so is it withdrawal and im looking for answers.

 

Leo,

 

Given your cold turkey from Escitalopram and subsequent struggles with withdrawal syndrome, I think it’s very reasonable to presume the issues you now find with alcohol are due to nervous system sensitivity. I would seriously consider cutting back the alcohol until things ease up. 

Edited August 7, 2019 by eymen23

[hayduke]

Aye, I was raised to drink and have done a lot of work to moderate that.  While working through my trauma issues has substantially eased my drive to drink to excess I still knock back a fair bit.  More to do there.

 

I have definitely noticed that the sensitised nervous system from withdrawals will sometimes amplify the after-effects of the grog quite a lot.  The other night I had just one scotch after yoga and felt nausea from it the next morning.  It would usually take several.

 

I'll still have a few beers here and there, unfortunately it's difficult to socialise in Australia without having alcohol in the picture.  Best to try and minimise it, alternate drinks with glasses of water, know when to stop.  I'm a big believer in getting at the root causes, makes changing habits a lot easier.

 

All the best.

[Leo1983]

This is the 1 i wanted oops

[Sadboy]

On 8/7/2019 at 10:12 PM, Leo1983 said:

Just wanted to ask some opinions.

 

Alcohol in withdrawal??????

 

It appears to make me IF i drink feel alot like my old self. Then for a few days afterwards i feel more normal.... However after 2-3 days i feel like crap again....... 

 

Any views? Also views of alcohol in general?

 

Thanks

 

Lee.

 

 

Bro this has to do with neurosteroids. Alcohol activates hormones in the brain etc. Lots of people on the PSSD forum encounter this too. Alcohol causing windows etc. There can be a lot of reasons why. Raising glutamate, raising allopregnalone etc etc. Alcohol even inhibits the methylation cycle, which means it decreases silencing of genes for a short period (which is know to happen during withdrawal)

[Leo1983]

Much respect to everyone going through this. 

 

Im seeing big changes.....

 

 

Im still not well..... BUT im on holiday like i used to be chatting away and been ME. 

 

I remember lying in a bedroom heart pounding, head damaged, scared stiff for nothing, burning arms omg i have just filled up!!

 

Keep going! at 9 month out i got worse???? worse? we get better?? Nope! its strange recovery. 

 

Im guna help change this mess in the world!

 

[Gridley]

9 minutes ago, Leo1983 said:

BUT im on holiday like i used to be chatting away and been ME.

 

That is great news, Leo1983.

 

10 minutes ago, Leo1983 said:

at 9 month out i got worse????

 

This is very common 9 to 10 months out.

[Leo1983]

Hi

 

Does anyone know about withdrawal and sun? Does sun make you feel worse? 

 

Thanks

 

Lee

 

[ChessieCat]

Anything is possible in withdrawal because of how sensitive we might be.  And it might not be just the sun but the brightness, temperature and the sun in any combination.  Also if you being active that would be another thing to throw into the mix.  And loud noises if any.

[Kronos18]

On 9/1/2019 at 8:29 PM, Leo1983 said:

Much respect to everyone going through this. 

 

Im seeing big changes.....

 

 

Im still not well..... BUT im on holiday like i used to be chatting away and been ME. 

 

I remember lying in a bedroom heart pounding, head damaged, scared stiff for nothing, burning arms omg i have just filled up!!

 

Keep going! at 9 month out i got worse???? worse? we get better?? Nope! its strange recovery. 

 

Im guna help change this mess in the world!

 

Friend, you made my day with this post.Even when it feels like it will never end, I believe it will someday, somehow.I’m glad that you’re seeing a big lot of changes, the best is yet to come.Overcoming this will be the hardest thing ever done in my opinion, but it will come to an end.

 

Enjoy your good days brother, you deserve them.

Adrian.

[Giulietta]

On 9/15/2019 at 4:06 PM, Leo1983 said:

I had all that..... BUT i just cant write a success story. 

 

I have gone from Si housebound to doing all sorts BUT i still dont feel me. Therefore i refuse to write success. 

 

Hello Leo1983

 

Saw your note and wanted to say I understand. So many of the WD symptoms are debilitating for many of us and I am one. I wish I had never put one of these damned pills in my mouth.

 

I see you stopped in June 2018. I stopped about then (duloxetine 20 mg) - per MD advise - then started with symptoms I never had. Back on the drug in  September - and started what I thought was a taper (on a damned liquid!) - but seems likely CT.  I have had miserable WD since then - essentially since June 2018....

 

Guilietta

 

 

 

[Leo1983]

2 hours ago, Guilietta said:

Hello Leo1983

 

Saw your note and wanted to say I understand. So many of the WD symptoms are debilitating for many of us and I am one. I wish I had never put one of these damned pills in my mouth.

 

I see you stopped in June 2018. I stopped about then (duloxetine 20 mg) - per MD advise - then started with symptoms I never had. Back on the drug in  September - and started what I thought was a taper (on a damned liquid!) - but seems likely CT.  I have had miserable WD since then - essentially since June 2018....

 

Guilietta

 

 

Hi.

 

Yes - I was soo unwell back then. Now i am alot better. However still not the old me. I still feel Anhedonia, anxiety at times and some head pressure. 

 

I have little acute symptoms now. I go about my day, i travel, visit people and even socialise with people again ( Im still careful were i go ). 

 

So im improving! Just not were i would call success. You may call it

[Leo1983]

a partial success story.

[Giulietta]

11 hours ago, Leo1983 said:

a partial success story.

 

Hi Leo

 

This is an excellent way to look at your situation - the progress you have made and the healing that has taken place.

 

We can all support each other - and remembering to love ourselves and what we are accomplishing is amazing.

 

I am also apprehensive where I travel (and I do not travel many places because of this). Vacations are out of the question for now. Rosetta - a fellow recoverer - has traveled to Spain. She is quite brave.

 

Guilietta

[Leo1983]

Hi 

 

@Altostrata i was just wondering, did you have head pressure, high anxiety, Anhedonia, social issues, insomnia etc etc you understand the symptoms that everyone talks about....

 

My question is everyones question.... Did this all go away and are you now living a full life again. 

 

What better than a success from the site founder. 

 

Hope your well. 

 

[Altostrata]

I had every withdrawal symptom in the book, and then some, except nausea. It took me 11 years to recover. I am recovered, but 11 years older.

[Leo1983]

Thankyou for your reply. 

 

could i ask did your mental symptoms take 11 year ? or was it physical? or both. 

 

 

[Altostrata]

All symptoms. They changed and mutated, as usual.

[Leo1983]

Thats a long time! 

 

BUT you got there. Well done.

 

I think those posts will help people. 

 

Take Care.

[Leo1983]

Hey 

 

Well i think im in a wave. I have been doing fairly well however this past week or so i have dipped. Im familiar with the symptoms.

 

Is this possible to be smacked with a wave 17 month out..  

 

I know the drill but im actually quite sick of this whole thing tbh. If i didnt know what it was i would be saying " Im Bi Polar ". 

 

biggest symptom is anxiety mainly mornings.. i am also back to thinking i will loose my job, will i get better etc etc. 

 

 

[clarknova]

10 minutes ago, Leo1983 said:

Hey 

 

Well i think im in a wave. I have been doing fairly well however this past week or so i have dipped. Im familiar with the symptoms.

 

Is this possible to be smacked with a wave 17 month out..  

 

I know the drill but im actually quite sick of this whole thing tbh. If i didnt know what it was i would be saying " Im Bi Polar ". 

 

biggest symptom is anxiety mainly mornings.. i am also back to thinking i will loose my job, will i get better etc etc. 

 

 

 

Leo, you are describing my exact thoughts these past few weeks. I am 14 months out. My wave started about three months ago, triggered by stress at work. It's had all these smaller waves within it. Wild mood swings, morning anxiety, and all the thoughts you are describing; I will lose my job, I will have to go back on meds for the rest of my life, I am probably bi-polar...

 

It's horrible I know, but there have been good days in between, days of relief, days when I actually feel more like myself and more alive than I did while medicated, and it reminds me why I'm doing this. I want to feel like myself, good or bad.

 

I had two good days last week and I reminded myself to enjoy them and be thankful. I know some fresh hell is in the mail, so I don't take them for granted. 

 

So I'm right there with you Leo. 

 

 

 

[Bonesy44]

Hey Leo

I know how you feel. I am almost 17 months since my CT as well and I just slammed with a level of anxiety and panic that I havent seen since the very beginning days. Its very discouraging to say the least. It surely feels like this is never going to end and this is basically how I will be for the rest of my days. I was doing very well just last week. All because I got sick I have sunk to the beginning.

I hope your feeling better since you last posted!

[Leo1983]

Well i want to share.

I have been unwell with Iatrogenic illness for 16 months now following a CT from my GP and local MH Trust.......

 

I work as a Psychiatric nurse and have needed restricted duties at work in order for me to go to work and function. I know you all are thinking how the hell do you function.

 

They have supported me for 12 month of the 16 in some respect. However they have never really understood my situation and the agony of this syndrome. 

 

They are now taking me through the sickness ranks and having formal HR meetings etc. They remain supportive however they still have a pull yourself together attitude. 

 

Thats a mental health employer and the UK government. 

 

What chance do we have? hmmmmm

[Leo1983]

Merry Xmas Everyone. 

 

Good luck for healing in 2020.

[sunnysideup69]

1 hour ago, Leo1983 said:

Merry Xmas Everyone. 

 

Good luck for healing in 2020.

Merry Christmas Leo, the same to you. We will get there 😊