Are these symptoms withdrawal?

[Trojan]

Hey everyone, I’ve not posted much on here but I’d just like to see if anybody has had any similar symptoms to this and also get you’re advice to see if these symptoms can be withdrawal or if it’s what I’ve been left with after being on the meds!

 

It’s been 8 month since my last dose of Sertealine. I’d say that I’m definitely through the worst of it but I’m dealing with an identical pattern of anxiety which seems to be happening every 6 days (roughly) and lasts for maybe 4 or 5 days. 

 

It it starts with a headache on the first day and my eyes start straining, the 2nd day my stomach starts going in knots, my breathing becomes tight and my whole chest is tense, a lot of gastric issues start and I get massively fatigued and my head almost goes cloudy ( almost a spaced out feeling). This lasts for 4 or 5 days with no let up. It’s like my body is in a really anxious way but my mind isn’t anxious so have no idea why it’s starting! 

 

I never had had this before the meds but I’m worried that this is what I’ve been permanently left with! Do you think this could clear up in time  or is it something permanent that I should try to do something about? 

 

Thanks

[Junglechicken]

22 minutes ago, Trojan said:

Hey everyone, I’ve not posted much on here but I’d just like to see if anybody has had any similar symptoms to this and also get you’re advice to see if these symptoms can be withdrawal or if it’s what I’ve been left with after being on the meds!

 

It’s been 8 month since my last dose of Sertealine. I’d say that I’m definitely through the worst of it but I’m dealing with an identical pattern of anxiety which seems to be happening every 6 days (roughly) and lasts for maybe 4 or 5 days. 

 

It it starts with a headache on the first day and my eyes start straining, the 2nd day my stomach starts going in knots, my breathing becomes tight and my whole chest is tense, a lot of gastric issues start and I get massively fatigued and my head almost goes cloudy ( almost a spaced out feeling). This lasts for 4 or 5 days with no let up. It’s like my body is in a really anxious way but my mind isn’t anxious so have no idea why it’s starting! 

 

I never had had this before the meds but I’m worried that this is what I’ve been permanently left with! Do you think this could clear up in time  or is it something permanent that I should try to do something about? 

 

Thanks

 

Hi Trojan,

 

I'm dealing with IBS issues too....it sounds like you have IBS anyway.

 

My last dose of Lexapro was 16 April 2018 (7 months ago), so we're pretty close in timing.

 

My chest also gets tense, breathing tight (pretty much everything you've mentioned) happens plus the gastric issues.  Do you know what triggers and breaks the anxiety cycle for you?  You say you get these physical symptoms for 4-5 days?

 

JC

[Trojan]

Hey JC, yes I do get IBS symptoms but this only starts after the anxiety hits me. I have no idea what triggers and breaks it. It seems to disappear as fast as it starts. I really need to pay more attention and maybe start a journal to possibly work out the triggers. Is it possible there are no triggers and it’s the changes the brain is making during withdrawal? 

Maybe when I don’t have these symptoms I am over anxious without knowing and an eventual build up causes this every 5 days? I seriously have no idea 🙄

 

How often are you getting these symptoms, is it constant or in cycles?

[Junglechicken]

8 minutes ago, Trojan said:

Hey JC, yes I do get IBS symptoms but this only starts after the anxiety hits me. I have no idea what triggers and breaks it. It seems to disappear as fast as it starts. I really need to pay more attention and maybe start a journal to possibly work out the triggers. Is it possible there are no triggers and it’s the changes the brain is making during withdrawal? 

Maybe when I don’t have these symptoms I am over anxious without knowing and an eventual build up causes this every 5 days? I seriously have no idea 🙄

 

How often are you getting these symptoms, is it constant or in cycles?

 

It could just be that the serotonin levels in the gut have been compromised due to WD, and therefore for some people its cyclical, and for others, its kind of always there?  Yes, "Is it possible there are no triggers and it’s the changes the brain is making during withdrawal?" that is possible, because your brain is sending signals to your gut.

 

I'm bringing this up with my GP on Thursday, but this IBS episode seems to have been triggered by hormonal changes.....likely not relevant to you, but a nightmare for women in their 40s.  It started in early September of this year, has ebbed and flowed depending on my stress levels, but is still lurking ☹️

 

Am also taking a load of supplements to help with gut acidity levels.

 

I'm trying to learn (through CBT) how my mood affects my physical wellbeing (how my body reacts to moods).

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GirlfromD]

8 hours ago, Trojan said:

It’s been 8 month since my last dose of Sertealine. I’d say that I’m definitely through the worst of it but I’m dealing with an identical pattern of anxiety which seems to be happening every 6 days (roughly) and lasts for maybe 4 or 5 days. 

 

It it starts with a headache on the first day and my eyes start straining, the 2nd day my stomach starts going in knots, my breathing becomes tight and my whole chest is tense, a lot of gastric issues start and I get massively fatigued and my head almost goes cloudy ( almost a spaced out feeling). This lasts for 4 or 5 days with no let up. It’s like my body is in a really anxious way but my mind isn’t anxious so have no idea why it’s starting! 

 

Hello Trojan. 

I've also experienced something similar. The first year I was medicine free (Also from Sertraline) I experienced almost cycles or patterns, where different symptoms hit at certain times, also anxiety with the symtoms that you describe.

 

It was uncomfortable but disappeared over time, and became less and less noticeable as time went by. I certainly think this was caused by withdrawal symptoms and nothing permanent at all, as i never suffered from anxiety prior to the meds and i don't think your's sound like something permanent either.

 

It can be a good idea to write diary as you mentioned, that helped me see when things eased up, and to keep track on everything going on, symtoms etc. I hope things will lessen for you soon.

 

Best wishes 😊
Gfd.

[Trojan]

Thanks for the replies. I’m 100% that there are no triggers involved in this and this has to be withdrawal. My symptoms have now worsened and tonight I’m going to try and reinstate again. 

Folkowing up to the physical symptoms, last week they got really bad and this followed with what I would class as a mini mental breakdown! It felt as if my head blew a fuse, my mind went completely blank almost euphoric and my body went weak and I just wanted to crawl into bed and stay there. I can’t even describe the symptoms, I’m not depressed and it’s not standard anxiety it’s totally mind boggling. Now the physical symptoms are starting again.

 

I have no idea but think reinstatement is my only option. 

 

I meditate every day, go to the gym 5 times a week and do auto suggestion every day and nothing is having any effect on this state mind. 

 

Hi Gfd, I’ve read a lot about symptoms like this disappearing after a year but another 4 month of this will be worse than the acute period of coming off them. I just don’t want to put my body through any more stress than the last 2 weeks has caused.

[Junglechicken]

19 hours ago, Trojan said:

Thanks for the replies. I’m 100% that there are no triggers involved in this and this has to be withdrawal. My symptoms have now worsened and tonight I’m going to try and reinstate again. 

Folkowing up to the physical symptoms, last week they got really bad and this followed with what I would class as a mini mental breakdown! It felt as if my head blew a fuse, my mind went completely blank almost euphoric and my body went weak and I just wanted to crawl into bed and stay there. I can’t even describe the symptoms, I’m not depressed and it’s not standard anxiety it’s totally mind boggling. Now the physical symptoms are starting again.

 

I have no idea but think reinstatement is my only option. 

 

I meditate every day, go to the gym 5 times a week and do auto suggestion every day and nothing is having any effect on this state mind. 

 

Hi Gfd, I’ve read a lot about symptoms like this disappearing after a year but another 4 month of this will be worse than the acute period of coming off them. I just don’t want to put my body through any more stress than the last 2 weeks has caused.

 

Have you tried any supplements for the gut?  Also eating an alkalising diet?

 

TC,

JC

[Trojan]

Hi JC, no I haven't. I'm also suffering from low mood and an immense amount of anxiety. 

After reading up I seriously think that I have GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder). What I have been going through ticks all the boxes. I thought it was withdrawal but after reading about the symptoms I'm pretty certain it's this. 

I had pretty bad anxiety before my taper but not this bad. 

Im going to the doctors today to start a low dose of citalopram and start CBT. I can't keep passing this off as withdrawal, the last 2 month have been the worst I've felt in my life. 

[Trojan]

This time I’ll get my anxiety down to a manageable level before I decide to come off the tablets and also taper correctly, unlike this time. 😁

[Junglechicken]

6 hours ago, Trojan said:

Hi JC, no I haven't. I'm also suffering from low mood and an immense amount of anxiety. 

After reading up I seriously think that I have GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder). What I have been going through ticks all the boxes. I thought it was withdrawal but after reading about the symptoms I'm pretty certain it's this. 

I had pretty bad anxiety before my taper but not this bad. 

Im going to the doctors today to start a low dose of citalopram and start CBT. I can't keep passing this off as withdrawal, the last 2 month have been the worst I've felt in my life. 

 

Hi Trojan,

 

Diet won't solve all your current symptoms, but it will certainly help (esp. mood). 

 

Do you think you can talk to a Naturopath who could assist you with a diet change and advise re: the right supplements for you (everyone is different)?

 

I hope you find the CBT useful, I've been doing it for 5 weeks now and am still at the foundation stage.  Have been reading a book called "The Chimp Paradox" which is about mind management.

 

Hope it all goes well, keep us posted.

 

JC