☼ Nsr99: stopped Cipralex / escitalopram 3.25 years ago. Doing much better, hoping to reach the finish line.

[Nsr99]

Hello

 

I live in Saudi Arabia. Male, mid 50s, married.

 

I had taken SSRI (Cipralex 25mg) for 6 years. I tapered it for 5 months, then stopped it completely on March 29, 2016.

 

Just to give you some background, I was living happily, never thought of taking AD drugs ever. However, one day, I was subjected to severe conditions that was beyond my control. This situation has caused me insomnia, because of the tremendous stress, and therefore, I started taking SSRI. The doctor, who prescribed it, was not so professional, because he wanted to give me any drug that would work for me, performing trial and error on me.

 

I know that AD drug is not a treatment, but rather a chemical stuff that would screw up brain chemicals to calm me down so that I can go to sleep, and also to improve my mood. I was very much concerned with the withdrawal symptoms, but the doctor reassured me that it would last only 2 to 3 weeks. I believed him, but I wish I did not. He did not provide me a true honest advice.

 

While taking the AD drugs, I developed some side effects: such as fever and PVC. Six years down the road, I noticed that I always want to go to sleep, even if I had just woken up in the morning and had my coffee. This has annoyed me and scared me, as I was afraid that this drug would cripple my life. At this point, I decided to quit and live my life free of AD drugs. The journey of WD suffering started on October 31, 2015. I tapered it for 5 months, and stopped it completely on March 29, 2016.

 

Here is a time line along with my WD suffering:

1-6 months: things were bad, but tolerable. I experienced difficulties falling asleep, with anxiety.

 

6 mo-1.5 years: Severe symptoms began. It was so severe that I was thinking of going back to AD. I took it for one day, but then regretted that I did, and felt so bad for going back to the drugs. I decided to fight and continue my journey no matter what. I am glad I did.

I do not know how I was able to cope with WD symptoms, but it has to do with my faith. Prayers, reading Quran, and reading positive comments that I used to write to myself.   

 

1.5 – 3.25 years: Incremental improvements. Now, I can enjoy coffee and tea, and do my hobbies. I am not 100% recovered. I still have nasal congestion and tinnitus both of which have improved slightly.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, nsr.

 

Thank you for giving us that background. Do you recall your tapering method? What symptoms did you have in the first 6 months off escilatopram?

 

After that 6 months, how did your symptoms change? How was your sleep?

 

I am glad you found ways to calm your nervous system. Did you do a lot of meditating, in your faith?

[baquejohn]

Other than the nasal congestion and tinnitus would you say you are 100% back to normal? if not what symptoms do you still have? i am guessing if you do have other symptoms they are not bad? You where on the maximum dose for the whole 6 years? What other symptoms did you have over the 3 years in withdrawal? i am very interested to know everything because my situation is very similar. I was on meds for 6 years. Tapered for 8 months. Now med free for 2 years and 7 months. I recovered at least 50%. But i feeling like i will never be 100%. I am hoping to be 100% by the 4 year mark. My main symptoms are a constant hangover feeling that gets worse after exercise, extreme lethagy and exhaustion, anxiety, akathesia, insomnia, and skin senations like itching, burning, tingling, stringing. Did you have any of these syptoms? If so which ones. I was on Prozac for 6 years straight. With the addition of Effexor, Wellbutrin and Geodon for short times. Since i was on additional meds i would expect my recovery to take slightly longer than yours. I just hope not too much longer. Thanks for any information you can share.

[Nsr99]

10 minutes ago, baquejohn said:

Other than the nasal congestion and tinnitus would you say you are 100% back to normal? if not what symptoms do you still have? i am guessing if you do have other symptoms they are not bad? You where on the maximum dose for the whole 6 years? What other symptoms did you have over the 3 years in withdrawal? i am very interested to know everything because my situation is very similar. I was on meds for 6 years. Tapered for 8 months. Now med free for 2 years and 7 months. I recovered at least 50%. But i feeling like i will never be 100%. I am hoping to be 100% by the 4 year mark. My main symptoms are a constant hangover feeling that gets worse after exercise, extreme lethagy and exhaustion, anxiety, akathesia, insomnia, and skin senations like itching, burning, tingling, stringing. Did you have any of these syptoms? If so which ones. I was on Prozac for 6 years straight. With the addition of Effexor, Wellbutrin and Geodon for short times. Since i was on additional meds i would expect my recovery to take slightly longer than yours. I just hope not too much longer. Thanks for any information you can share.

 

baquejohn,

 

Here are my answers to your questions:

As far as giving a percentage for my recovery, I would say I am in the range of 70%-80%. I am not 100% recovered yet. I am now 3.25 years into this awful journey. 

The symptoms I still have: nasal congestion, tinnitus, brain zap, and occasionally some anxiety. They are not too bad; I try to ignore them.  For the sleep, I get, on average, 4-5 sleep per night. Some nights (not that often), my anxiety gets triggered, and this would impact my sleep duration. I have always tried to take a nap in the afternoon, but not always successful. 

 

For Cipralex, I was not on max dose for the whole 6 years. It was only partial. I do not remember how long. 

The symptoms that I experienced throughout the 3 year period, beside the ones I mentioned above, had to do with extreme anxiety, depression, insomnia, feeling tense always, palpitations, electric chock in the head, lack of desire to do anything. My feeling system was screwed up, and strange. No emotions whatsoever. I had some itching on my legs but rarely.

 

I did not have the symptoms you mentioned above. I guess because I was not on additional meds like in your case.

 

Regarding the brain zap: it is electric shock or like an electric current on the lower part of my body, I feel like I am on a roller coaster. It is intermittent though.

 

Since you are 50% better, then it is a matter of time before you reach recovery. I know the pace is so slow, it is like a turtle trying to travel 100km journey.

 

 

[baquejohn]

thank you for the quick reply. i am also only able to sleep for between 3 and 5 hours in a row most nights. then i wake up for a few hours and sometimes go back to sleep for a couple more hours. sleep is def messed up in ssri withdrawal. which is strange because i never had sleep issues or anxiety until i started taking them. everytime i would increase the dose this would happen and then i would level out. and now  in withdrawal i am getting the same sleep issues and anxiety. I never got a brain zap at all but i hear they are very common. I guess everybody is slightly different. also you where taking a different ssri than i was. . keep in touch and let me know how your recovery progresses

[Nsr99]

 

This is to register an episode that happened to me recently that made me uncomfortable. I would appreciate it if anybody has gone through a similar situation and can share his or her experience, or can afford some advice.

 

Around May 10, 2019, I was doing ok, I was in my 3.25-year mark in this awful journey, my sleep was ok, enjoying life and doing brisk walking every day. Nonetheless, there were some rare occasions where I had very short waves. I was happy that I was marching toward the recovery finish line.

 

I was not accustomed to taking my sleep during the day. I always make sure that I go to bed at night time only, specially while going through this WD.

 

However, up until that time (May 10, 2019), I was forced to switch my sleeping time from night to day for about 30 days. This has triggered my WD symptoms, and caused it to surface more and intensify, as I am not used to going to bed in the morning. My anxiety has elevated and this has caused me insomnia for most of the 30 days.

 

When the 30-day period was over, and I wanted to go back to my normal sleeping habit, I faced some difficulties. I struggled for the next 30 days to program myself to accept night as a sleeping time. I tried to relax and do various techniques to do the re-programming, but it was very gradual and tiring process, and I had to go through tough times. I noticed that I became depressed, not interested in doing things I used to do, even my brisk walking exercise I could not do. My thinking was foggy. No concentration. Vivid dreams resurfaced for some time, though not always. Tinnitus has increased. And body zap became more apparent.

 

Now, I am almost 1 month into this thing and I do not know how long it will last. It looks like that it is a wave. My sleep is Ok now has improved a bit, but not like before May 10, it is less.  This is strange. Maybe it needs more time before I can settle and go back to my normal life again as I used to (the big long window).

 

Anyway, this is what I am going through at present. 

 

Has anybody gone through such thing before? Does anybody know what is going on? Any help would be appreciated

[ChessieCat]

Was the thing which made you change your sleep pattern stressful?  It may be the stressful situation and/or a combination of both things which have caused the recent issues.

 

The good thing is that you have noticed improvement.

 

are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take

 

 

[Altostrata]

8 hours ago, Nsr99 said:

Now, I am almost 1 month into this thing and I do not know how long it will last. It looks like that it is a wave. My sleep is Ok now has improved a bit, but not like before May 10, it is less.  This is strange. Maybe it needs more time before I can settle and go back to my normal life again as I used to (the big long window).

 

 

Yes, your body runs on a circadian clock, see What is the sleep cycle?

 

As you've probably experienced, sleep is very fragile after an adverse drug reaction. Your nervous system also got upset by the change in sleep schedule. You might find melatonin helpful to re-establish your sleep, see Melatonin for sleep: Many people find it helpful

 

Also see

 

Tips to help sleep -- so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia

 

Path to Better Sleep FREE online for everyone from the US Veterans Administration

 

Music for self-care: Calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep

 

TV or computer use in evening can disrupt sleep: Bright light signals the brain that it's daytime

 

A lot of people find fish oil and magnesium supplements helpful, see
https://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/
https://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

Try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you.

[Nsr99]

On 7/11/2019 at 1:36 AM, ChessieCat said:

Was the thing which made you change your sleep pattern stressful?  It may be the stressful situation and/or a combination of both things which have caused the recent issues.

 

The good thing is that you have noticed improvement.

 

are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take

 

 

Thank you ChessieCat for your feedback. To answer your question, no, the thing which made me change my sleep pattern was not stressful at all. 

 

Yes, you are right, I have seen lots of improvements, and I actually began enjoying life again. But this thing about changing my sleep pattern somehow agitated whatever is remaining in my system. I am looking at it positively, though. I believe it is squeezing my brain more and re-training it to accept out-of-the-ordinary situation. 

[Nsr99]

On 7/11/2019 at 2:46 AM, Altostrata said:

 

Yes, your body runs on a circadian clock, see What is the sleep cycle?

 

As you've probably experienced, sleep is very fragile after an adverse drug reaction. Your nervous system also got upset by the change in sleep schedule. You might find melatonin helpful to re-establish your sleep, see Melatonin for sleep: Many people find it helpful

 

Altostrata

 

Thank you very much for your support and help.

 

The WD symptom  that stands out most out of this recent problem is anxiety, which is affecting my sleep. Like you said, my nervous system got upset by the change in my sleep schedule. Anyway, I will wait and see.

[Nsr99]

Things have improved for me recently. I am doing much better now than 45 days ago.

[Nsr99]

Hi

 

7 days ago I hit a wave; I hope it will be very short. FYI, now I am at 3.5 year mark into WD journey. 

 

It seems that my nervous system needs more time to rebuild and heel. Main complaint is anxiety which has somehow affected my sleep. Last night, while at bed, I was like in a battle trying to fall asleep. I tried to relax with deep breaths and positive thoughts but not successful. But slept maybe 2 hours in the morning. Anxiety is triggered on stupid things, things that are natural on humans, for example on unconsciously imagining stories while trying to sleep, which is normal thing in humans. How to convince my brain that this is normal!!?

 

Lack of sleep is bothering me because I need some energy to do my daily activities.

 

Somehow I feel like I am not me, I am not like I used to prior to this wave. Emotions and my thinking pattern, and feeling of enjoyments of the surrounding are not there now!! Maybe it will improve. I need to give it time. We learned from this awful WD journey that patience and perseverance payoff tremendously. 

 

Any thoughts (specially from the experienced moderators)?

[shawny]

@nsr99 : is ur tinnitus continuous or it comes and goes  ?

[Nsr99]

Hi shawny

 

my tinnitus is not continuous. If I am not feeling well, it is obvious and loud, but when I am doing fine, it is very low, undistracting. Right now, I am doing fine and enjoying my life, after going through some bad times lately. Good luck to you shawny.

[Armorall]

@Nsr99 what is PVC?
Also, because you can enjoy coffee, tea and hobbies, do you feel like it is because your CNS is now stable when you are in a window? I miss coffee, tea and hobbies. Even in a window, I can't really ingest much media. Either I'm afraid it would make me too anxious, or I'm too sad that it connects with my old life of underground music/arts. 

[Nsr99]

Armorall, here is what PVC means (from Google): 

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are extra heartbeats that begin in one of your heart's two lower pumping chambers (ventricles). These extra beats disrupt your regular heart rhythm, sometimes causing you to feel a fluttering or a skipped beat in your chest.

As for tea and coffee, there were times were I would not take em because of WD and the suffering I was going through. Now, I am enjoying it!!! 

[Altostrata]

Hello, @Nsr99, how are you doing?

[Nsr99]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

Hello, @Nsr99, how are you doing?

 

Hello Altostrata

 

Here is an update of my WD.

 

4.5 years AD free.

 

Overall

WD has been stable fairly, with major improvements. I would say I am in the 80-90% range recovery.

I am doing much better, improving slowly and hanging in there. I am enjoying life again.

I can now take my coffee and tea, and read and do other stuff. My emotions and feelings have improved. 

 

I am an engineer, and enjoy software programming, and this helps me a lot in overcoming WD.

 

A year or so ago, I felt so good I thought I reached the finish line, but it was a long window.

I misinterpreted it. My advice to others is not to rush things.

So, I am being careful not to announce victory unless I make sure I reach the finish line.

 

Insomnia:

Sleep is “very good”, with rare occasional sleep upsets. Throughout WD journey, insomnia symptom went from “bad” to “good” to “very good”.

I am hoping to jump to “Excellent” soon.

 

Brain Zap

I still have brain zaps (electric shock from top to bottom). It is not causing me any hindrances at all.

I am ignoring it completely. It is now less frequent, but still exists.

 

Tinnitus (Ringing in the left ear)

Tinnitus is much better. It is not causing my any issues in my life. I am tolerating it very well.

It intensifies occasionally, together with the brain zap, and stay for a while and subsides later to a lower level.

 

Depression

I suffered depression for a while, but it is over. It paralyzed me. I could not do things I used to do,

specially reading and writing. I am glad it is over.

 

Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA):

My FERRITIN is low. It is now 3.81 (Ref Range: 30-400 ng/mL). This explains my fatigue that I am having at present.

I am planning to see a consultant soon regarding my low iron, and see how it goes. I tried taking iron supplements,

but it was too sensitive to my WD. It aggravated some symptoms. I stopped it. I am looking into taking an IV iron to bring

level back to normal and hopefully get rid of fatigue. I am concerned with its tendency to aggravate my WD symptoms.

However, regardless of the results, I have to tolerate the consequences for the sake of fixing my energy level.

 

Rhinitis (inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane of the nose)

This is one of WD symptoms I am having.

Before AD, I did not have any problems or issues with my nose.

Slight improvement. I use Flixonase nasal spray from time to time to open up my nose, and enjoy my sleep. I stop it for a month or two, and restart again.

 

Numbness in Toes

No change in my toes’ numbness (both feet). At the tip of my toes, some kind of numbness. I do not know why I am having it!! Anybody with such symptom, please give us your advice.

 

That's all. Thank you.

 

[Altostrata]

Unusual you still have brain zaps. Many people find fish oil and magnesium supplements helpful, see
https://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/
https://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

You might try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you.

 

Do you do a lot of sitting? Could explain toe numbness -- get up and stretch more often, get circulation going in legs.

 

Because you're feeling better, I added our cheerful "here comes the sun" symbol ☼ to the title of your Intro topic, to show you're recovering.

 

Please continue to let us know how you're doing. I hope you will add your story to our Recovery Success Stories eventually!

[Amira]

I am very glad you are feeling better @Nsr99 i will never forget your support, Praying you reach full recovery soon inshaa Allah.  

[Nsr99]

6 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Unusual you still have brain zaps. Many people find fish oil and magnesium supplements helpful, see
https://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/
https://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

You might try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you.

 

Do you do a lot of sitting? Could explain toe numbness -- get up and stretch more often, get circulation going in legs.

 

Because you're feeling better, I added our cheerful "here comes the sun" symbol ☼ to the title of your Intro topic, to show you're recovering.

 

Please continue to let us know how you're doing. I hope you will add your story to our Recovery Success Stories eventually!

 

Thank you @Altostrata for your kind words and support.

 

As for the supplements, I have been trying to avoid taking them for two reasons. First, I want my body to be independent of external stuff;

I want it to restore its full manufacturing capabilities, and second, I am afraid it might trigger my WD symptoms.

But, come to think of it, and since I am feeling much better, I should take your advice and try one at a time, and see how it goes.

 

As for the toe numbness, I am most of the time setting in front of my laptop enjoying work. I do stretching and walking on tread mills occasionally.

But, because of the low iron (fatigue), I stopped the walking temporarily.

 

I will one day announce my success story. IN SHA ALLAH.

 

 

 

[Nsr99]

3 hours ago, Amira123 said:

I am very glad you are feeling better @Nsr99 i will never forget your support, Praying you reach full recovery soon inshaa Allah.  

 

@Amira123 

Thank you for your support.

 

Hang in there! Your are a strong woman. It is just a matter of time (patience). 

 

[Nsr99]

 

Update regarding my Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)

 

Yesterday, I saw a consultant regarding my low iron. She immediately recommended iron iv, 1000 units this month,

and another 500 units next month. I took the iron iv and will see how it goes. She said improvements will happen in about a week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cleopatra]

@Nsr99 how are you doing this week? 

[Nsr99]

Hi @cleopatra

 

Regarding the Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), on day 7, after the iron IV (1000 units), I felt a little bit awkward, not much of a bad feeling, as those bad days have gone. But, something is 

happening in my thinking and my mood. Waiting for it to settle down. Not causing my any major problems, though!.

 

As for my fatigue, my energy level has improved slightly, but not much enough to take me to the thread mill. I want to exercise, but still feeling tired and have no interest.

 

The iron intake I took has affected my sleep somehow for 2 nights so far. I used to have deep sleep, but after day 7, I experienced very light sleep, not relaxing enough. 

I guess my body is starting to react with the increased level of iron. It may take a while before things settle down. I was told it may take a month.

 

Anyway, things are not bad. It is tolerable. I was afraid that it would bring back bad WD symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, etc. But, I am glad it didn't.

 

I will have to wait and see how it goes. Patience is the only solution!

 

 

 

[cleopatra]

Salam @Nsr99, 

You are incredibly brave to take this step even when uncertain and I am glad your depression hasn't returned and hope it never does. 

 

I also had an iron deficiency in the past and supplements helped me feel better in many ways. Praying that you see the benefits soon and not be negatively affected insha'Allah.

 

I am sending my love all the way to Saudi and hope it finds you and gives you strength.

[Nsr99]

16 minutes ago, cleopatra said:

Salam @Nsr99, 

You are incredibly brave to take this step even when uncertain and I am glad your depression hasn't returned and hope it never does. 

 

I also had an iron deficiency in the past and supplements helped me feel better in many ways. Praying that you see the benefits soon and not be negatively affected insha'Allah.

 

I am sending my love all the way to Saudi and hope it finds you and gives you strength.

 

Salam to you @cleopatra from Saudi

 

I am touched by your words. You have a sweet way of presenting your thoughts; beautifully attractive style.

 

I am impressed by the way you choose your words to make sound expressions.

 

I read almost all your posts. I feel for what you are going through. Your situation is simpler than others. Do not worry.

 

You will one day reach the end and enjoy your life again. Do not quit. Also, stay safe from Corona!

 

By the way, we received a beautiful wave of love with scent and fragrance coming from UK. It must have come from you. It made us stronger than ever. Thank you.

 

Take care, May Allah bless you.

 

 

 

 

 

[cleopatra]

@Nsr99 I am totally flattered by your words thank you so much ❤️

I never thought my written expressions can speak to someone, but you proved me wrong, and for that I am grateful.

 

I am a believer and I know Allah will protect us and make our small and big problems slowly fade away, so we can resume life normally stronger than ever before. 

 

I pray you stay safe in the land that brought me joy as a child. Saudi deserves all the love ❤️

 

You will be in my prayers.

[Altostrata]

Please do consider fish oil and magnesium. People find fish oil in particular can help brain zaps.

 

Please do let us know how you're doing.

[Nsr99]

18 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Please do consider fish oil and magnesium. People find fish oil in particular can help brain zaps.

 

Please do let us know how you're doing.

 

@Altostrata

 

Thank you for your help and support.

 

I am waiting for things to settle down after taking iron IV on August 16. However, I am glad to say that today and yesterday things are getting much better. Clearer thinking, not foggy like before. Also I am enjoying life.

 

If I decide to take fish oil (liquid), how much should I start with? what do you recommend?

 

The same thing with magnesium? I have 100mg tablets and 50mg tablets. should I start with 50mg first and see how it goes? or should I take 100mg?

 

What do you think?

[Altostrata]

Please read the links I gave you.

[Nsr99]

On 8/28/2020 at 12:40 AM, Altostrata said:

Please read the links I gave you.

@Altostrata

 

Hello

 

Thank you @Altostrata for your support

 

I am now 5 years into WD journey. Recovered some, but not fully recovered. The most apparent symptom is the brain zap.

 

I tried (fish oil + Vitamin E 400mg) for 3 months. It did not help. Somehow it agitated (slightly) some WD symptoms, such as fatigue and brain zap. Most importantly, brain zap has not stopped, instead its frequency has increased. For this reason, I stopped taking the combination on March 10 to see how things work out. Now, it is almost 17 days since I took my last dose and the brain zap is still persistent on and off. 

 

What do you think is happening? Any idea?

 

 

[Altostrata]

@Nsr99, it is unusual for someone to have brain zaps for so long. What do these feel like?

 

Are you better from the iron deficiency? Have you had any tests for vitamin B12 and folate blood plasma levels?

 

Did you try magnesium without the fish oil?

[Nsr99]

On 3/30/2021 at 8:26 AM, Altostrata said:

@Nsr99, it is unusual for someone to have brain zaps for so long. What do these feel like?

 

 

On 3/30/2021 at 8:26 AM, Altostrata said:

 

 

Did you try magnesium without the fish oil?

@Altostrata

Thank you for your reply.

 

On 3/30/2021 at 8:26 AM, Altostrata said:

What do these feel like?

It feels like electric shock traversing through my left body. Its intensity fluctuates from time to time. Sometimes it is less intense than other.

I noticed that brain zap frequency increased after using fish oil and Vit E. So, I decided to stop it to see how it goes. But, it still comes and goes.

 

My overall condition has improved. I am able to function and do things. but brain zap still exists, not all the time. But from time to time.
 

On 3/30/2021 at 8:26 AM, Altostrata said:

Are you better from the iron deficiency?

Yes I am better. Now, I can do brisk walking on treadmill. No fatigue.

 

On 3/30/2021 at 8:26 AM, Altostrata said:

Have you had any tests for vitamin B12 and folate blood plasma levels?

No. I have not. I will check on my B12 and let you know. 

Please elaborate on folate blood plasma.

 

On 3/30/2021 at 8:26 AM, Altostrata said:

Did you try magnesium without the fish oil?

Yes. I have tried magnesium but did not help. It agitated my WD symptoms slightly but could not tolerate. It stopped me from other functions. So, I stopped it.

 

Hope to hear from you. Thank you again for your time and hel.

 

[Nsr99]

Just now, Nsr99 said:

Thank you again for your time and hel.

 

Thank you again for your time and help.

[Altostrata]

You're welcome. Vitamin B12 and folate are 2 B vitamins. Low levels of either or both can lead to neurological symptoms.

 

Do you get brain zaps in your head? Or electrical feelings down your side? You may have a pinched nerve or something. The latter sounds like sciatica. It is not related to withdrawal syndrome.