Emerson: withdrawal from being on multiple SSRIs for 13 years

[Emerson]

I have been on numerous SSRIs over the last decade. While I’ve had some relief from time to time, I never have had sustained relief. I’ve been in therapy for the same amount of time I’ve been on meds. I exercise (ride my bike 100 plus miles a week) have tried mindfulness and Read up on ACT. I even got tested for sleep apnea which came back that I have mild sleep apnea so I was started on a CPAP. I’ve been on all of the following:

Celexa, lexapro, Zoloft, cymbalta, Effexor, Paxil, Prozac, Wellbutrin, buspar. I was even prescribed some ADHD meds at one point. Over the last two years I have been trying to make changes in meds and nothing has helped. The time when I felt my best was when I was started on lamictal for a diagnosis of type 2 BPD but I’ve had multiple docs tell me they don’t believe that to be true. I tried Prozac about 4 weeks ago, the side effects were awful and my doc told me to stop. I asked him if we could go up on my lamictal so we are doing so now but now I’m left with no SSRI. I feel awful and want so badly to just get off of these. The main reason I started was because of panic attacks and the one thing that I struggled with and still struggle with is depersonalization and I just don’t feel present or in tune with my body and it’s very distressing to me. The hard part is that I’m an ICU nurse and that’s when my depersonalization gets pretty bad. Has anyone else had the issue of trying multiple meds that just don’t work? And what about genetic testing? My psych said he would be willing to write an order for it but he said he doesn’t see it to be that effective And since insurance doesn’t cover it. I’m losing hope and I’m 28 and want kids and to start a family but I know at this rate I will never be able to care for a child with my anxiety and depression and I don’t want to expose them to that. I want to be able to be a good parent but I know I wouldn’t be with where I am now mentally. 

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, Emerson.

 

To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

We're a site for going off drugs and helping members cope with psychiatric drug withdrawal.  If you ever want help tapering off Lamictal, we would be happy to help you.  We recommend tapering no more than 10% of your current dose every four weeks.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

This link contains some members' experiences and advice regarding genetic testing.

Genetic testing: "Personalized medicine," liver enzymes ...

Since you've started and stopped many drugs, it's likely you're experiencing withdrawal.  One month's exposure to a psychiatric drug puts one at risk of withdrawal, and depersonalization, anxiety and depression are common withdrawal symptoms.  

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

When we take psychiatric medications, the central nervous system responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  

 

These explain the healing process really well:

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

Brain Remodelling 

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

Instead of drugs, we recommend non-drug techniques to cope with life and withdrawal.  Take a look at the links in the following link to see which techniques you think might be helpful to you.

 

Non-drug techniques to cope

 

Here are some links to help with anxiety.

 

Audio:  How to Recover from Anxiety - Dr Claire Weekes
 

VIDEO:  Peace from Nervous Suffering - Claire Weekes (1 hour) (http://sendvid.com/vgquc1dg)
 

Anxiety Stuff - all kinds of stuff about anxiety attacks and things that help …

 

10 minute Restorative Yoga for Relaxation | Up the wall

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.