sophiaaa2 Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 (edited) So.. if you could name your top 5 strongest most prevalent symptoms that have ruled or are ruling your life during withdrawal what would they be? I thought this was just an interesting idea to see what is most common for people and how we can approach them in such different ways. It’s been 8 months since my last dose after fast taper and it’s just a constant change, when you’ve learned how to cope with symptoms, they transform and morph into different things, so for that reason you can never quite get your Bearings, even though you have been making progress all the while. but more to the point we all have those few symptoms that have towered above the rest, for me personally: DP/DR Brain Zaps OCD Thoughts / Rituals Anhedonia Mood Swings This period in my life has been hell on earth, and a chapter I am SO READY to close, as many of you will relate, but I know now that it will come to an end, I can now see the crazy overall improvement and I want to thank everyone here for keeping me sane with your stories of struggle and success, you are all amazing! I probably won’t return now until I’m ready to write my pretty lengthy success story, I know it’s coming and it will for you too! Hang in there and be kind to yourself, also some tips for managing the above residual symptoms would be great if you’ve overcome those specific things yourself! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE, 2021, A year for Healing❤️ Edited February 3 by sophiaaa2 6.5 Years on Antidepressants 50mg Sertraline (Zoloft) | November 2013 - March 2019 20mg Fluoxetine (Prozac) | March 2019 - April 2020 Fast Taper, skipping days | over 3-4 weeks, Final Dose April 14th Link to post Share on other sites
rachie Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Severe Anxiety Constant feeling of Panic/Avoidance of everything (not wanting to leave house for fear of panic attacks) Constant Crying Depression/Hopelessness Suicidal ideation I can handle the physical stuff. The mental is the hardest for me. I feel so trapped and blame myself for a lot of the above because anxiety was there before I got on AD but this is intense. I've been off of my last dose for almost 4 months. I actually had my first window yesterday for about a half hour. I promised myself when it went away I would not panic. I have not succeeded at that so much. Paxil 2000 - 2002 Tried unsuccessfully to discontinue 2002 - 2010 A series of trial and error, Wellbutrin, Effexor and unsuccessful attempts to discontinue. 2010 - 2017 Lexapro With several unsuccessful attempts to withdraw 2012 - 2017 Lamictal Successfully withdrew Lamictal no problem 2017 - 2020 Switched to 40mg. Prozac to prepare try another Withdrawal. 2020 - On 15mg Remeron for a few months during withdrawal Completely off of Antidepressants since Sept. 2020 Klonipin as needed throughout the process. .25 mostly, some .5, some .125, 2 to 12 times per mo. Link to post Share on other sites
sophiaaa2 Posted December 28, 2020 Author Share Posted December 28, 2020 4 months is still super early and great to hear you getting windows, things will improve! I know I needed someone tell me that when I was at my absolute worst, it’s just frightening what these medications can do. you are very right tho, throw any physical symptom my way and I’ll deal with it, but nothing physical compares to the mental torment experienced in withdrawal! find yourself some good distractions, something creative maybe, it’s hard to accept you won’t function or get much done for a while, I guess it just has to happen though, and trying to prepare for another wave is almost impossible, it takes you deep time and time again. soon the windows will become so much longer, sending a hug out into the universe for you, I hope you get it and know you’re gonna be ok❤️ 6.5 Years on Antidepressants 50mg Sertraline (Zoloft) | November 2013 - March 2019 20mg Fluoxetine (Prozac) | March 2019 - April 2020 Fast Taper, skipping days | over 3-4 weeks, Final Dose April 14th Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 Severe Anxiety (much worse than before meds) insomnia Nausea intrusive Thoughts Muscle Aches Med History March 2014 - June 2014: Zoloft 100mg? August 2014: Effexor for 3 days August 2014 - October 2017: Lexapro 20mg, three month taper (jumped at 5mg) January 2018 - August 2020: Reinstate Lexapro 20 mg, six month taper (jumped at 1mg) August 2014 - December 2019: Klonopin from 1mg to 1.5mg, year long taper (jumped at .125mg) Supplement: Magnesium Link to post Share on other sites
sophiaaa2 Posted December 28, 2020 Author Share Posted December 28, 2020 1 minute ago, Jennings said: Severe Anxiety (much worse than before meds) insomnia Nausea intrusive Thoughts Muscle Aches I feel that proves the point of withdrawal! Like your intensified anxiety, I never had OCD symptoms on or before being on medication! look at it like a temporary mental illness because essentially that is what it is, what have you done to help those symptoms, lord knows intrusive thoughts are one of most exhausting and upsetting thing a person can experience, I hope you’re able to see general improvement and more to come 6.5 Years on Antidepressants 50mg Sertraline (Zoloft) | November 2013 - March 2019 20mg Fluoxetine (Prozac) | March 2019 - April 2020 Fast Taper, skipping days | over 3-4 weeks, Final Dose April 14th Link to post Share on other sites
rachie Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 Thank you Sophiaaa, I needed some encouragement today. 💛 Paxil 2000 - 2002 Tried unsuccessfully to discontinue 2002 - 2010 A series of trial and error, Wellbutrin, Effexor and unsuccessful attempts to discontinue. 2010 - 2017 Lexapro With several unsuccessful attempts to withdraw 2012 - 2017 Lamictal Successfully withdrew Lamictal no problem 2017 - 2020 Switched to 40mg. Prozac to prepare try another Withdrawal. 2020 - On 15mg Remeron for a few months during withdrawal Completely off of Antidepressants since Sept. 2020 Klonipin as needed throughout the process. .25 mostly, some .5, some .125, 2 to 12 times per mo. Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted December 29, 2020 Share Posted December 29, 2020 Oh man, I try CBT but the intrusive thoughts are too much to bear. Sometimes I cry, sometimes I get mad, sometimes I meditate. I practiced CBT for years even before meds so I got pretty good. Now it feels like I’m intrusive thoughts on steroids. CBT is no match. Med History March 2014 - June 2014: Zoloft 100mg? August 2014: Effexor for 3 days August 2014 - October 2017: Lexapro 20mg, three month taper (jumped at 5mg) January 2018 - August 2020: Reinstate Lexapro 20 mg, six month taper (jumped at 1mg) August 2014 - December 2019: Klonopin from 1mg to 1.5mg, year long taper (jumped at .125mg) Supplement: Magnesium Link to post Share on other sites
rachie Posted December 29, 2020 Share Posted December 29, 2020 I feel that way too about the anxiety. I could go about my day and function well enough before the withdrawal and use coping mechanisms including cbt. Now in the middle of this there is a wall of fear that is so huge and My coping skills are no match. It's like I'm frozen and have given up. I feel like I'm waiting for it to get easier and maybe it will. The success stories say it will. I hope it's true!!!! Paxil 2000 - 2002 Tried unsuccessfully to discontinue 2002 - 2010 A series of trial and error, Wellbutrin, Effexor and unsuccessful attempts to discontinue. 2010 - 2017 Lexapro With several unsuccessful attempts to withdraw 2012 - 2017 Lamictal Successfully withdrew Lamictal no problem 2017 - 2020 Switched to 40mg. Prozac to prepare try another Withdrawal. 2020 - On 15mg Remeron for a few months during withdrawal Completely off of Antidepressants since Sept. 2020 Klonipin as needed throughout the process. .25 mostly, some .5, some .125, 2 to 12 times per mo. Link to post Share on other sites
rachie Posted December 29, 2020 Share Posted December 29, 2020 Now that I think about it during my taper down and soonafter I had constant intrusive memories of all sorts of moments in my life and they would repeat themselves all day long. Sort of dejavou. That has actually stopped for the most part. So hopefully yours will subside in time. It's the first thing I have had to offer in terms of encouragement since joining this site. Paxil 2000 - 2002 Tried unsuccessfully to discontinue 2002 - 2010 A series of trial and error, Wellbutrin, Effexor and unsuccessful attempts to discontinue. 2010 - 2017 Lexapro With several unsuccessful attempts to withdraw 2012 - 2017 Lamictal Successfully withdrew Lamictal no problem 2017 - 2020 Switched to 40mg. Prozac to prepare try another Withdrawal. 2020 - On 15mg Remeron for a few months during withdrawal Completely off of Antidepressants since Sept. 2020 Klonipin as needed throughout the process. .25 mostly, some .5, some .125, 2 to 12 times per mo. Link to post Share on other sites
sophiaaa2 Posted December 29, 2020 Author Share Posted December 29, 2020 Rumination and Obsessive thoughts especially over memories, isn’t fun! I’m so glad that has subsided for you😊 6.5 Years on Antidepressants 50mg Sertraline (Zoloft) | November 2013 - March 2019 20mg Fluoxetine (Prozac) | March 2019 - April 2020 Fast Taper, skipping days | over 3-4 weeks, Final Dose April 14th Link to post Share on other sites
Surfchick Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 ONE and only symptom---extreme IBS like GI issues, explosive diarrhea last 4 months. I have never had GI symptoms. Always so healthy. I feel this will never end. Im stuck at 5mg zoloft. Slow taper last 2+ years from 50mg. 💮Zoloft 50mg September 2015 💮September 2018 begin micro-taper--> 💮April 2019 25mg 💮April 2020 12.5mg 💮August 8mg 💮October 6mg 💮December 5mg Link to post Share on other sites
Onmyway Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 Physical: 1. Nausea 2. Extreme insomnia (3-4 hrs/day) 3. Brain fog/ forgetting words 4. Brain zaps for a short period of time (1 month) 5. Paresthesias 6. Dizziness (occasional) Psychological: 1. Wake up terrors 2. Extreme OCD 3. Personality changes 4. Constant feelings of disgust 5. Derealization (mild form) 6. Anger spirals 7. Constant mood changes 8. Strange feeling of nostalgia and sadness (hard to explain outside of WD, someone here had coined the term distalgia... Very descriptive) Most got better on a one year hold but I need to start cutting again and am terrified. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg , xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months (don't remember dates), trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up), occasionally did this in difficult times September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax/day, then 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week, April 14 , 2019 - citalopram 1.8 mg (liquid), May 8, 2019 - citalopram 1.6 mg (liquid), July 27, 2019 - citalopram 1.5 mg (liquid), August 15, 2019 - citalopram 1.35 (liquid) supplements: melatonin 1 mg Link to post Share on other sites
Lucy1983 Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 My worst WD symptom started in 2013 when my dr told me to stop taking an SSRI due to intense body/muscle pain and switched me to a different one. I had no WD side effects until 3 mo later. That's when the "horribles" began and they lasted for 2 solid years and then just disappeared. I had intense self guilt about every thing and every thought I had had ever experienced. I was consumed with doom and dread. I couldn't get away from the thoughts. That time period still haunts me. This go around of WD my worst long term symptom is anger. Over 9 mo and going. Especially toward my husband. There is nothing he can do that doesn't completely irritate me. He must be going through hell. I am trying though. Trying to be polite when I really just want to scream. The first few months I screamed. I am getting better. Paxil 07/1997 - 10/1998 Quit CT Neurontin, topamax, trazadone, ssri AD (don't remember which one) 12/1998 - 06/1999 CT everything Eflexor , Xanax 04/2000 -08/2000 CT ***01/2008-05/2013 on/off lexapro, lamictal, seroquel, saphris, pristiq Start/Stop CT at intervals Zoloft 200 mg 07/2013 WD 04/3/20 - 04/8/20 Quit Seroquel 800 mg 07/2013 2013 *400 mg 07/2019 *** WD 04/15/2020 - 06/19/20 Quit Ambien 10 mg 07/2013 WD 5 mg 04/29/2020, 2.5 mg 12/24/20, 1.66 mg 01/21/2021, 1.25 mg 02/16/2021 *** 02/22/2021 Quit Xanax 2 mg prn 07/2013 - 04/23/20 Quit CT Lamictal 150 mg 07/2013 WD 05/06/20 -06/11/2020 Quit Propranolol 03/21/2020 - 04/20/2020 Quit CT Hydroxyzine 12/14/2020 - 12/27/20 Quit Allegra 24 hr 01/11/21 Flonase Nasal Spray 01/11/21 Magnesium Glycinate 100mg x3 daily D3 5000iu daily Link to post Share on other sites
Kimono58 Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 My strongest symptom is dizziness. I’ve had it for 14 months everyday. I also have sensitivity to sound, especially low sounds like a car engine. I also have stomach problems, heartburn and nausea. I have severe constipation. And suicidal ideation. 1. dizziness (worst) 2. Heartburn & nausea 3. Sensitivity to sound 4. Constipation 5. Suicidal ideation (not so often) Prozac 1992 20 mg Dec. 2018 Prozac tapered at 10% every 4 weeks November 15 2019 I was at 10 mg Prozac withdrawls started. Extreme dizziness, sensitivity to noise, nausea, heartburn. Holding at 10 mg. Feb. 2021 still holding at 10 mg. Dizziness, sensitivity to noise, nausea, heartburn. Link to post Share on other sites
hennie86 Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 Physical: 1. Internal akathisia, feeling too agitated 2. Internal vibrations/tremor 3. Dizziness 4. Feeling like body stuck in flight or fight 5. Muscle tension 6. Uncomfortable RLS type of inner itching sensations inside my legs Psychological: 1. Night terrors 2. Derealization 3. Fear of these symptoms not ever stopping and healing 4. I also feel those strange feelings of nostalgia and sadness and I go through every day same thoughts : Has this really happened, I cant believe my life is like this. Missing the old times when things werent like this and constantly thinking about old times. 5. Mood swings. Get hopeful again when symptoms a bit better and then they come back full force, I have difficulties to deal with it. 6. Racing thoughts 2005-2009 Lexapro 10-20mg & Remeron 7,5mg: cold turkey 2010 tried Venlafaxine (month), 2011-2012 Seroquel 25mg (8 months) & 2011-2015 Lexapro 10-20mg (tapered off during 4 months) 2014 6 days Cipro(antibiotics) adverse reaction 2015-2016 (all these drugs during 9 months,did not tolerate most of them ) : tried Remeron. Reinstatement of Lexapro 3 months after stopping it: fail. Akathisia, insomnia. Zyprexa10mg, Sodium Valproate, Temazepam(20mg), Oxazepam 30-45 mgs. switching meds: Seroquel 50-100mg, Oxazepam 30-45mg , Temazepam 20mg. Then back to Zyprexa 10mg, Temazepam20mg, doctor took me off Oxazepam fast. Then Zyprexa 20mg, Temazepam 20mg, melatonin10mg ( sometimes very rarely Valium 10 mg.) Zyprexa: cold turkey because Zyprexa made akathisia intolerable after every dose. After it insomnia, 24/7 akathisia. Bad reactions to supplements 2016 spring daily Valium 15mg>0mg (used for 4,5 months and during that time slowly tapered off), Temazepam 40 mg > 25 mg (tapered in 3 months) 2016 summer Temazepam 25 mg > 20 mg, melatonin 2,5 mg 2016 november Melatonin 0,5 mg, Temazepam 20 mg. Started tapering again. 2021 march (microtapering) Temazepam 4,0 mg Supplements: probiotics, magnesium oil occasionally, melatonin 0,5 mg Link to post Share on other sites
Hellbutrin Posted March 4 Share Posted March 4 Physical- Dizziness Fatigue Constipation Muscle pain Eustachian tube dysfunction Insomnia (sometimes days at time, and then it will go away for a couple of weeks) Psychological- Extreme memory impairment anhedonia suicidal ideation depression anxiety (particularly health anxiety) DP/DR 44 months out Started Wellbutrin 75 mg IR the end of 2015. Tried quitting cold turkey in June 30th- July 3rd 2017. Had severe withdrawals. Was placed on Wellbutrin 100mg SR so I could taper without withdrawal. Stabilized on 100mg SR for most of the month of July. Started tapering on July 17th, 2017. Completed taper on August 8th, 2017. Currently experiencing severe withdrawal. Symptoms- Currently experiencing anhedonia, depersonalization/derealization, concentration/memory issues, chronic congestion, chronic dry eyes, dry skin, dislocated TMJ joint from teeth grinding during C/T withdrawal, waves of depression, anxiety, nausea, morning cortisol spikes, insomnia, agitation, food sensitivities, no tolerance for caffeine and chronic fatigue, burning muscle pain in upper and lower back and occasional tinninitus. Supplements- Omega-3 fish oil supplement twice daily, 100 mg of magnesium once daily. Link to post Share on other sites
Rapini Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 Dizziness Temperature Deregulation Insomnia Burning Feet Brain Fog Supplements: Omega 3 Fatty Acid 750mg, Vitamin C 1000mg (Timed Release), Magnesium 200mg, Vitamin D3 1000 IU Mirtazapine 15mg - Start: June 2018 - Began Tapering by Skipping Pills March 2019 - CT April 29th 2019 - Restart May 8th 2019 14.5 - November 27th 2019, 14.1 - December 8th 2019, 13.8 December 20 2019, 13.5 February 22 2020, 13.2 March 1 2020, 12.9 March 7 2020, 12.7 March 24 2020, 12.4 April 11 2020, 12.1 April 22 2020, 11.8 May 4 2020, 11.5 May 10 2020, 11.2 June 14 2020, 10.9 June 21 2020, 10.6 July 5 2020, 10.3 July 11 2020, 10 August 10 2020, 9.8 August 16 2020, 9.5 August 30 2020, 9.3 September 5 2020, 9 September 12 2020, 8.8 October 3rd 2020, 8.6 October 11th 2020, 8.3 October 17th 2020, 8.1 December 5th 2020, 7.9 December 19th 2020, 7.7 January 10th 2021, 7.5 January 23rd 2021, 7.3 January 30th 2021, 7.1 February 20 2021, 6.9 February 28 2021 Link to post Share on other sites
Mutfael Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Please understand what you mean by this (WD) 2005-2006 Efexor 75mg 2006-2007 Tryptizole 25mg 2008-2019 Seroxat 20 mg 2020-2021 Cipralex 15 mg Since March 2021, it has started decreasing from 15 mg to 10 mg Link to post Share on other sites
catmama Posted March 30 Share Posted March 30 For me it’s been: - nausea (which is real torture bc I have emetophobia) - dizziness/lightheadedness - fatigue - intrusive thoughts - not a symptom necessarily, but just having to cancel things or rest when I’d rather to go for a bike ride or have to try explaining to others why I feel like sh*t all the time I just feel robbed of my life because of the process. It’s so disheartening. I appreciate this community because we all understand each other’s pains. 1 • 2013-2015 paroxetine, with brief switch to sertraline, and brief combo with bupropion • 2015 got off all antidepressant meds for approx 9-12 months, felt great • 2015 fluoxetine, bad side effects, quit after two weeks • 2015 escitalopram 15mg/day • Summer 2019 attempted fast taper off escitalopram, reinstated to 15mg/day dose after six weeks • October 16, 2020 begin taper off escitalopram at rate of 1mg per 1 week (sometimes per 2 weeks) using 1mg/ml liquid from pharmacy • January 22, 2021 down to 3mg and holding due to worsening of WD symptoms • February 4, 2021 reinstate 4mg dose and holding, with plans to begin 10% standard taper in two-ish weeks Link to post Share on other sites
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