Mandyb Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 Hi, I am after some advice please as I am really struggling! So I am 51 and in 2009 I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I was given fluoxetine 20mg and amitriptyline to take. I quit amitriptyline around 2 years ago now due to side effects, the fact they were no longer working and due to weight gain. I switched from fluoxetine to sertraline 50mg in April this year and in June I decided enough was enough because I felt awful on them and they were not helping my fibro at all. So at first I had the brain zaps which lasted for 4 weeks, I couldn't stop crying at the slightest thing, I felt angry and i was being very mean to my husband, I started hating particular smells, became restless, agitated and other than a few weeks last month where it seemed to ease off nothing is changing. I am in constant pain too and feeling low from that and I have been tempted a few times to take fluoxetine again however it's been over 5 months now and I dont want to give up. I feel depressed but is it depression or withdrawal? It's starting to affect my marriage as I am not easy to live with at all. I just wish I knew it will get better. 1995 - 1996 20mg Citalopram 2000 - 2001 20mg Citalopram 2009 - 2018 75mg Amitriptyline 2009 - Feb 2020 40mg Fluoxetine (prozac) reduced to 20mg April 2020 - June 12th 2020 Sertraline 50mg 2015 - dihydrocodeine x 2 per day for fibro pain 12mg Candesartan for high blood pressure Currently - Magnesium citrate, D3, omega 3 fish oils, Vitamin B12, hemp seed oil 4 weeks off Naproxen (250mg x 2) and 20mg Omeprazole Proton pump inhibitor Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted November 17, 2020 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 17, 2020 Hi Mandy and welcome to SA, The only known way to reduce withdrawal symptoms is to take a small amount of the drug to which your brain has adapted. Generally it seems that the sooner reinstatement is made the more chance there is of it being successful, however some members have successfully reinstated after many months off their drug. Q: Are you taking any other drugs/supplements? We need to know about those too. Please create your drug signature following these instructions. Thank you. Instructions: Withdrawal History Signature Please read Post #1 of this topic and let us know if you are interested in trying a reinstatement. In your case I think it would be better reinstate fluoxetine. We can suggest a dose for you to try. Please note that it would be a very small dose possibly as low as 1mg. It is better to start with a small amount and increase if needed than to risk taking too much. Suddenly going off a psychiatric drug can cause the nervous system to become sensitised. Also during the time that you have been off the drug your brain will have also made adaptations to not getting the drug. About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms Dr Joseph Glenmullen's Withdrawal Symptoms This is your own Introduction topic which is the best place for you to ask questions about your own situation and to journal your progress. And a message from SA's founder (there is a link to a recent interview with her in my signature): On 11/7/2020 at 8:23 AM, Altostrata said: One of the things that's very important to each person here is knowing that healing is possible. Please don't just go away when you feel better! "Pay it forward" by updating your Intro topic with your progress * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg Post 0 updates start here My tapering program My Intro (goes to tapering graph) VIDEO: Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management Link to comment
Mandyb Posted November 17, 2020 Author Share Posted November 17, 2020 (edited) I am very uncertain about putting this drug back into my body again after 5 months. I have been through so much and it feels like a backwards step to me. Edited November 17, 2020 by ChessieCat removed quote 1995 - 1996 20mg Citalopram 2000 - 2001 20mg Citalopram 2009 - 2018 75mg Amitriptyline 2009 - Feb 2020 40mg Fluoxetine (prozac) reduced to 20mg April 2020 - June 12th 2020 Sertraline 50mg 2015 - dihydrocodeine x 2 per day for fibro pain 12mg Candesartan for high blood pressure Currently - Magnesium citrate, D3, omega 3 fish oils, Vitamin B12, hemp seed oil 4 weeks off Naproxen (250mg x 2) and 20mg Omeprazole Proton pump inhibitor Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted November 17, 2020 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 17, 2020 That's fine. SA just provides the information so you can make an informed decision. * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg Post 0 updates start here My tapering program My Intro (goes to tapering graph) VIDEO: Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ChessieCat Posted November 17, 2020 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 17, 2020 The only supplements which SA recommends are: Magnesium Omega-3 Fish Oil Try a small amount, one at a time, to see how your react. SA strongly encourages members to learn and use: Non-drug techniques to cope Some other things which you might find helpful: are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take Video: Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization * NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA * MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: (6 year taper) 0mg Pristiq on 13th November 2021 ADs since ~1992: 25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq: 50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity) Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021 LAST DOSE 0.0025mg Post 0 updates start here My tapering program My Intro (goes to tapering graph) VIDEO: Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management Link to comment
Sleepless Posted November 17, 2020 Share Posted November 17, 2020 Hello @Mandyb I also CT 6 months ago from sertraline after taking many medications for pain and fatigue. I’ve had all of the symptoms you’ve mentioned except for the crying. I just wanted to let you know that you’re not alone. Paxil 2001- 2016. Came off of it on a slow taper. After 9-12 months, I was put back on Paxil because I was unable to function. Paxil reinstatement triggered a rash. I was then placed on 20 mg of Cymbalta on 2018. I chose to take 10 mg. I then had to be taken off of Cymbalta due to it causing cardiac issues in 2019. I was placed on Seroquel and it caused a rash. I was then moved to 12.5 mg of sertraline where I did a fast taper which ended April/May of 2020. I had to fast taper because of joint pain and joint redness. August 2020, I was considered presumptive positive. Since then, I’ve been prescribed Atenolol and Diazepam for withdrawal symptoms of tachycardia and massive anxiety. I take these very sporadically and less than 1/4 of a tablet at a time. I was given metformin in September 2020 for diabetes and it triggered massive anxiety after 1/4 of a pill. I attempted to reinstate 1 mg of sertraline on 9/20/20. I am supposed to be taking B12 injections and prescribed vitamin D. I will stop these for now. On 9/29/20 I was moved from 75 mcg generic levothyroxine to 88 mcg Synthroid. This triggered anxiety approximately 2.5 hours later. 10/5/20 less than 1/8 teaspoon of Benadryl 10/7/20 & 10/8/20 .10ml Benadryl (stopped 10/2020) 10/9/20 3mg Atenolol (stopped 11/2020) 10/16/20 started taking magnesium citrate during the day (stopped 10/2020 due to it triggering more anxiety) 11/9/20 grain of diazepam @ 2:30 am for muscle spasm pain (stopped 11/2020) 11/10/20 .50mg of metoprolol tartrate (stopped 11/10/20 due to nausea, weakness in arms & legs, anxiety) 11/11/20 using lidocaine patch on neck and chest for pain due to muscle spasms 1/1/21 1 drop of liquid b12 (stopped 1/4/21) Link to comment
Mandyb Posted November 17, 2020 Author Share Posted November 17, 2020 8 hours ago, Sleepless said: Hello @Mandyb I also CT 6 months ago from sertraline after taking many medications for pain and fatigue. I’ve had all of the symptoms you’ve mentioned except for the crying. I just wanted to let you know that you’re not alone. Thank you for replying. It's nice to know I am not alone. I really thought I would have started to feel better by now but reading some posts it seems it can take a long time to heal. Have you any days where it has gotten better? 1995 - 1996 20mg Citalopram 2000 - 2001 20mg Citalopram 2009 - 2018 75mg Amitriptyline 2009 - Feb 2020 40mg Fluoxetine (prozac) reduced to 20mg April 2020 - June 12th 2020 Sertraline 50mg 2015 - dihydrocodeine x 2 per day for fibro pain 12mg Candesartan for high blood pressure Currently - Magnesium citrate, D3, omega 3 fish oils, Vitamin B12, hemp seed oil 4 weeks off Naproxen (250mg x 2) and 20mg Omeprazole Proton pump inhibitor Link to comment
Sleepless Posted November 17, 2020 Share Posted November 17, 2020 I was slowly getting better and then my thyroid levels became messed up. So now I feel like I’ve been set back about 2 months. Paxil 2001- 2016. Came off of it on a slow taper. After 9-12 months, I was put back on Paxil because I was unable to function. Paxil reinstatement triggered a rash. I was then placed on 20 mg of Cymbalta on 2018. I chose to take 10 mg. I then had to be taken off of Cymbalta due to it causing cardiac issues in 2019. I was placed on Seroquel and it caused a rash. I was then moved to 12.5 mg of sertraline where I did a fast taper which ended April/May of 2020. I had to fast taper because of joint pain and joint redness. August 2020, I was considered presumptive positive. Since then, I’ve been prescribed Atenolol and Diazepam for withdrawal symptoms of tachycardia and massive anxiety. I take these very sporadically and less than 1/4 of a tablet at a time. I was given metformin in September 2020 for diabetes and it triggered massive anxiety after 1/4 of a pill. I attempted to reinstate 1 mg of sertraline on 9/20/20. I am supposed to be taking B12 injections and prescribed vitamin D. I will stop these for now. On 9/29/20 I was moved from 75 mcg generic levothyroxine to 88 mcg Synthroid. This triggered anxiety approximately 2.5 hours later. 10/5/20 less than 1/8 teaspoon of Benadryl 10/7/20 & 10/8/20 .10ml Benadryl (stopped 10/2020) 10/9/20 3mg Atenolol (stopped 11/2020) 10/16/20 started taking magnesium citrate during the day (stopped 10/2020 due to it triggering more anxiety) 11/9/20 grain of diazepam @ 2:30 am for muscle spasm pain (stopped 11/2020) 11/10/20 .50mg of metoprolol tartrate (stopped 11/10/20 due to nausea, weakness in arms & legs, anxiety) 11/11/20 using lidocaine patch on neck and chest for pain due to muscle spasms 1/1/21 1 drop of liquid b12 (stopped 1/4/21) Link to comment
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