TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18: trazodone discontinuation syndrome

[TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18]

Hello, I would like to ask you a question. 

 

If I started Trazodone in mid April decided to taper in May 14th, and then finally stopped on June 7th, but still have symptoms on August 14th; how long will I be this way. I will not take another SSRI or SNRI as long as I live. I m sacred and would rather suffer, so long as I can be free of this treadful syndrome sooner. But for how long? I m worried. I like to exercise a lot, eat healthy nearly every day of my life, I started taking this medication for Insomnia related to a change in (work hours) a shift that I work. I have went to work suffering from Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome and it was killing me. I developed Tinnitus in Early July, and I still have occasional palpitations. They are worsen with lack of sleep, after I eat, and stress. 

I never had this issue with before trazodone, in fact, I never had palpitations before, it hit me hard exactly at the peak of my "withdrawal on June 17th. Every symptom that is listed for withdrawal I have had, except sexual dysfunction. Only when I m in capacitated in bed, and can't think about sex does it effect sex drive, but the function has never affected. 

[Go2zero]

Hello,

 

Welcome to this support site. Before we can answer your questions, please give us more information first. Good that you came here. There is a lot of knowledge to be found and shared here. Also the members can support each other here.

 

Can you please give us specific information about your drug history for all drugs you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  It would be especially helpful to have the details of your drugs in a concise list (no symptoms), only drug names, specific dates (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day) and dosages of each medication decrease or increase.  Please read the link below for instructions.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/18343-please-summarize-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

Please be as specific as possible about all dosage changes in dates and mg during use and tapering to zero.

 

Sorry to read that you are suffering withdrawal symptoms after using Trazodone for such a short while. The symptoms you describe are typical withdrawal symptoms. They will go. But it may take time.

 

When you give us the requested information we may be able to advise you further.

 

It is difficult to say how long symptoms last. We all react different.... 

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/82-the-windows-and-waves-pattern-of-stabilization/

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/2883-tips-for-tapering-off-trazodone-desyrel/

 

 

 

[TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18]

I started Celexa 10mg in February 2019, I took this medication off and on from this time until I stopped taking it in November 2020. I took this medication to deal work related stress. I only experienced mild symptoms, no brain zaps, minor sleep disturbances, and elevated BP when I stopped taking it. I started taking Trazodone 25 mg in Mid April 2021, not sure of the exact date and time. I began to Taper, a taper which consisted of half of a 25 mg, then every other day, until I stopped completely on June 7th 2021. That is literally everything I did. 

Update: It is now August 29th, and I am still having , #1 insomnia which has seemed to somewhat improved, but still having difficulty sleeping; #2 random heart palpitations, # 3 Tinnitus,  #4 random muscle twitches (not spasms like a "Charlie horse"), #5 GI disturbances (gas mainly), however bowel movements are great, restless, and irritable, but no real anxiety or depression. I would say I m more concerned about these persistent symptoms. I remember what I was like before I took and then later stopped taking Trazodone, I was a normal person.

My mind is great, sexually motivated, no ED (thank god). I ranked the symptoms from 1 - 5 as in the most persistent and troublesome for me. 

Will these symptoms go away? I don't feel like I'm in the acute phase that I was in from the June 11th to June 25th 2021 which was (PURE HELL, WORST TIME OF MY LIFE). I never got these persistent issues when I stopped taking Celexa. I will again state, I have not taken an SSRI or Trazodone, or any other neuroactive medication since then, except Melatonin, L-Theanine, L-Tryptophan, occasional doxylamine and diphenhydramine to help me sleep which only works so well. I practicing sleep hygiene, eating very healthy, trying exercise ( used to exercise more before in the gym) fires outside, COVID-19 is inside, but managing with calisthenics at my place. 

How much longer and will this eventually end?

[Go2zero]

6 hours ago, TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18 said:

#1 insomnia which has seemed to somewhat improved, but still having difficulty sleeping; #2 random heart palpitations, # 3 Tinnitus,  #4 random muscle twitches (not spasms like a "Charlie horse"), #5 GI disturbances (gas mainly), however bowel movements are great, restless, and irritable, but no real anxiety or depression.

 

These are all common WD symptoms. The fact that your insomnia is slowly improving is a very good sign. The other symptoms will disappear most probably, but no one can say how much time this may take. We all react and heal differently...

 

Here is some very good information about it:

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/23081-are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take/

 

If I were you I would stop using the doxylamine and diphenhydramine. These can make WD symptoms worse....

 

Could you please list all your former and recent use of meds and supplements in your signature as described in my first post? The signature will then show up under each post from you. In that way we can see directly what you have been using or are using. We are limited in time and want to help as much members as possible. Instead of getting through a complete thread every time.

[TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18]

How do you list medication history in the "signature" part. Where is this located at?

[ChessieCat]

Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

[TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18]

I am still struggling from withdrawal symptoms. I can not tolerate chocolate, alcohol, or any kind of caffeine. My sleep is terrible. I too, go through the waves and windows. I try to exercise. I work a lot.  I have never stopped working. I never sleep good. I had no choice but to work on the holidays, and every since Christmas, my symptoms have just gotten out of hand. I literally feel right now like I did when I went through Acute Withdrawal the week after I stopped taking Trazodone back in June 2021. I' am really struggling. I can't sleep. I m nervous. I have not touch any kind of antidepressant since June 7,2021 and I won't. I did't know anything about tapering until after I stopped taking my medications. 

But since this has been so long as in going on 7 months ago, I don't understand why their would be any benefit to restarting a medication I no longer have a prescription for. Also, would it not speed up the process to recovery the longer a person is without the medication? My neuroplastiscity should improve correct? 

[lenavikander]

On 1/3/2022 at 6:43 AM, TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18 said:

I am still struggling from withdrawal symptoms. I can not tolerate chocolate, alcohol, or any kind of caffeine. My sleep is terrible. I too, go through the waves and windows. I try to exercise. I work a lot.  I have never stopped working. I never sleep good. I had no choice but to work on the holidays, and every since Christmas, my symptoms have just gotten out of hand. I literally feel right now like I did when I went through Acute Withdrawal the week after I stopped taking Trazodone back in June 2021. I' am really struggling. I can't sleep. I m nervous. I have not touch any kind of antidepressant since June 7,2021 and I won't. I did't know anything about tapering until after I stopped taking my medications. 

But since this has been so long as in going on 7 months ago, I don't understand why their would be any benefit to restarting a medication I no longer have a prescription for. Also, would it not speed up the process to recovery the longer a person is without the medication? My neuroplastiscity should improve correct? 

@TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18 Hi warrior!! My story with traz is a little different but I am struggling a lot too. Ive tried to wean off of it like twice now and makes me feel on hell, literally, my main symptoms are electricity inside my whole body, like My veins were plugged to the socket, and burning skin which i get evey single day. It has been more or less like this 7 months too, and im on 1 month reinstatementafter the last time I tried to stop. I had to abandon coffe and alcohol for good, I dont even drink a zip of a beer. It has been three days with 1-2 hours of sleep in total. So you should know I am here in the same boat with you and we can fight together, I support you. I advise you to read all of the information from this page there are tons of resources and topics, this is what ive been up to (more slowly than what I would want). Reach out to me whenever you need. Never doubt the ability your body has to heal. I wish you relief ❣️

 

[TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18]

I have had tinnitus every since I stopped a 1.5 month dose of Trazodone 25mg daily on June 7th, 2021, after having stopped celexa 10mg in October 2020,Non stop. I have a sinus infection after a cold and my ear ringing has significantly worse. Does anyone know of or every experienced Tinnitus, and if so did it resolve over time? 

 

Would re-instating Celexa help? After having stopped for this long. I never had Tinnitus when I stopped Celexa 

[Altostrata]

On 3/21/2022 at 11:10 AM, TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18 said:

I have a sinus infection after a cold and my ear ringing has significantly worse.

 

Sinus infections may make ear problems worse. If you have a sinus infection, you should seek medical treatment from a medical specialist. 

 

The increase in symptoms may not be due to withdrawal. Reinstating Celexa for worsening ear symptoms makes no sense in this situation.

[TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18]

If I stopped taking meds a year ago and still have withdrawal symptoms, what can I do to improve my recovery. It is now too late to go back, so moving forward what are the expectations?

[ChessieCat]

post-acute-withdrawal-syndrome-paws-also-occurs-from-psychiatric-drugs

 

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

 

[Altostrata]

We recommend people eat a healthy diet of fresh food, fruit, and vegetables; drink plenty of water; minimize sugar, caffeine, artificial ingredients; get at least 1/2 hour of gentle exercise, such as walking, each day; and keep regular sleep hours.

[TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18]

Today marks 1 year today without Trazodone and nearly 2 1/2 years since I swallowed a pill..a microdust of any kind of SSRI or SSNI.  I m still suffering, small improvements. Tinnitus, Insomnia..however improved sleep, stress sensitive, still with inner shaking which is improved. I feel like my autonomic nervous system is really messed up. I m still hoping I can fully recover. Exercising exacerbates my symptoms to point of having insomnia for up to 2 weeks a time. I love to run and work out hard too; however, I ve had to stop. I m physicially active at work, walk up to 6 to 8 thousand steps a day at work. I eat a strict diet, when I break the healthy trend I get screwed bad. Hanging in there, I have a child on the way. I have anxiety about this too. Wish me luck. 

[Altostrata]

Good luck! Be sure to take good care of yourself.

[Mirtazapain]

Hi there, 

I thought I would pop in and say hi and offer what I can in the way of support. 

 

If you read my introduction you'll see that I am trying to taper off mirtazapine. In March I dropped 10% to 6.75 mg and for some reason developed a toxic interaction with the trazodone I'd been taking (12.5 mg for sleep every couple of nights). I started shaking uncontrollably for 16 hours straight, was nauseated, dizzy, got severe agitation. I thought I was dying. 

 

I had to CT the trazodone and have been struggling ever since. It's been just over 2 months since I CT'd the trazodone. I'm holding at 6.75 mg mirtazapine until I stabilize. If I ever stabilize 😭

 

My main symptoms at this point are headache, anxiety, tinnitus, and ear worm (a song looping endlessly in my head which sometimes makes me feel like I'm going crazy).

 

I meditate for 30 minutes twice a day, sometimes more, avoid all alcohol and caffeine, exercise, and eat a low histamine diet. But nothing seems to budge these persistent symptoms. 

 

I can totally relate to how frustrated you feel. Trazadone was *just* something I took for sleep, and at such a low dose! Because mirtazapine is the AD I am tapering off, I thought I could just stop the trazodone. Ha! Turns out the trazodone was also woven in to my neurobiology and coming off is kicking my ass. 

 

You are not alone. Protracted withdrawal is a thing and it sucks. 

 

Sending care to you. 

 

 

[marie123]

Hello. I too had tapered trazodone and had a rough time. I jumped off too soon (5 mg) and had to reinstate after 6 weeks. I had a bad w/d from it but what I found was the longer I was off the better I would feel. You are one year off and some symptoms have improved. You will notice they improve slowly but after some months pass you can look back again and see how much you healed. Sometimes you could get a lurch forward in healing. I've experienced them and they are great. It will get much better for you. Distractions help a lot and with a baby on the way you will be very occupied, but in a very nice way. Good luck.

Marie.

[TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18]

To Marie 123. Thann you so much for your support. Inappreciated 

Thanks to Altostrata and Mirtazapain as well. Thanks. You do not know much having feedback helps me and anyone like me.

[Ariel]

@TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18

On 6/9/2022 at 5:03 AM, TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18 said:

Today marks 1 year today without Trazodone and nearly 2 1/2 years since I swallowed a pill

Congratulations on these milestones! How far you've come. 

 

On 6/1/2022 at 1:39 PM, TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18 said:

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)

 

SSNI/SSRIs are really rough compared to just a SSRI. When you started this after quitting Escitalopram in 2018, what was the reason? Did this help and why did you CT and stop? They say this could prolong recovery. The people here who state they have recovered, are able to stop and very slowly recovery over many months to years in time.

 

You posted this in my thread. I wrote you an elaborate reply that disappeared and haven't had the energy to rewrite it. 

Short answer to your questions: It was a mistake. At the time I did not know about WD or PAWS. I CTed/stopped because I realized the error. 

 

[TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18]

On about June 6th... I started having an insidious build up of tension, with heightened symptoms..Not sure as to what exactly had caused the change and these symptoms. I am aware of waves and windows. On 06/10/22 my sleep had become noticeably more interrupted, with multiple awakenings at nights, nightmares, confusion, louder tinnitus, random itching at night,bskin crawling like sensation on the skin of forearms and legs, bp elevated more above normal than usual. This has lead to so much frustration, irritability, and more restlessness. I've developed a strict diet in a years time. I eat even more vegetables, lean meat at times with meals, low carb diet,I m taking magnesiusm 200 mg four times a day now, flax seed oil 200 mg 3 times a day. Drinking plenty of water. 

I'm super anxious right now. I'm kind of lost, I thought I would be getting better more than a year out. I have not felt this bad since literally a year to date. I m working too. It's tough, nobody I personally know has been any help; explaining my life to someone I know right now is like explaining Alegbra to a Rock. 

It almost feels like I made a mistake to stop these medications even though they made me sick in the first place. The level of inner tension and anxiety is so intense, that it is no surprise someone would consider suicide. I hate SSRIs and antidepressants so much that I literally would rather die before I put that into my body again, eventhough i suffer this much. 

My ony desire is to overcome this, no matter what it takes except reusing this poison.. I mean nothing that could hurt someone this bad should ever be considered good. I feel like I have made so many mistakes, not even knowing about this website, what I could be in for and for how long. The despair is mountain high right now. Again I hope this is not too negative. But today is a bad one, and I can't not talk about this with people I know.

[Ariel]

Hi @TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18

How are you feeling today?

 

I'm so sorry to read that it's been so bad recently. 

 

On 6/20/2022 at 6:29 PM, TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18 said:

I'm super anxious right now. I'm kind of lost, I thought I would be getting better more than a year out. I have not felt this bad since literally a year to date. I m working too. It's tough, nobody I personally know has been any help; explaining my life to someone I know right now is like explaining Alegbra to a Rock. 

 

I can't imagine how hard it must be to be working at the same time as struggling through this ordeal. I'm bowled over by your courage and tenacity.

I know that my words cannot remove the painful symptoms or alleviate discomfort. I'm just so sorry that you have to go through this. 

 

I can really relate to this: "explaining my life to someone I know right now is like explaining Alegbra to a Rock." 

 

I hear you on the despair. I have nothing wise or helpful to say. Just that I hear you and I can relate to what you describe. My heart goes out to you. 

 

Remember this is temporary and the suffering will pass. It gets better. 

Healing is happening all the time, even when we do not consciously feel it.

 

In solidarity and support,

A.

 

[peaceandlove]

Hey. How’s your acid reflux doing ? I’m going through the same 

[TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18]

The GERD I had is gone. I went from taking a PPI like Omeprazole 20mg, to Famotidine 20mg and then Famotidine 10mg and stopped.....8 months ago. I no longer have GERD anymore!!!!

The SSRIs like Celexa definitely caused my GERD. I only ever took 10mgs too, but for an extended perdid of time. In fact I had GERD the entire time I was on that medication. GERD was the very reason I stopped taking Celexa which got so bad I developed mild esophagitis, and needed a diagnostic EGD which thankfully was completly normal. I had to analyze and restrict my diet and supplement intake which took months to finally pinpoint what was causing it.

Me stopping Celexa was a great decision. The protacted withdrawal is hell. I m still suffering, however, some symptoms have definitely improved. It is worth hell to overcome the damage that this medication caused me. My GERD was out of control; at one point, drinking water would cause bad belching and reflux, almost like a reflex reaction. It caused me great anxiety just by having GERD alone. I can lay flat right after eating (which no one should ever do) and experience no get GERD, and I can sleep and not wake up with GERD. This has been one of the most consistent benefits I have had for the past 8 months. 

[TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18]

@Altostrata

@KeepFighting85

@CobbersMom

@peaceandlove

 

Wanted to give an update and seek opinions about where I m at to this point and other suggestions as to what could help manage symptoms and waves/flair-ups.

 

I'm 21 months post 0 mg's Trazodone. And 30 months post 0mg's Celexa. I stopped Celexa abruptly and suffered through a fast taper of Trazodone based on ill advised tapering by my PC over 1 month back in 2021. You can read about my improper cessation technique in my signature. 

 

Current Status: Still suffering from

 

#1 Insomnia, (Persistent) intensity fluctuates with stress, exercise, and started in December 2020 after stopping Celexa. This is by far the worse symptom and the original symptom that led me to taking Trazodone.😡

 

#2 Tinnitus (Persistent) worsens on stressful days, taking multivitamins, after exercise within 24hrs, and lack of sleep. Started in July 2021 after stopping Trazodone. Hearing studies thankfully demonstrated no hearing loss or Eustachian tube dysfunction. Was told this issue is related to my CNS.

 

#3 Crackling sounds (Persistent) constsant when I swallow, started in March 2022 after suffering from COVID -19, took Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen for Fever reduction. Fluctuates randomly but constant.

 

#4 Inner tremors. Comes and goes with stress and lack of sleep. Has improved but remains.

 

#5 Random Muscle twitching, improved; especially involving the muscles around my right ear. Daily. Constant,but fluctuates in intensity.

 

#6 Perceptional Body Temp changes randomly. This has significantly improved but comes rarely now with stress or exercise.

 

#7 Orthostaric hypotension after execise, seems to have improved. But still occurs.

 

# 8 Exercise intolerance, which leads to hyperinsomnia and symptom exacerbation.

 

#9. Stress induced HTN, taking meds calcium channel blocker for BP support daily.

 

#1O. Waves are shorter, I recover sooner, however they occur. After an intensification of symptoms, my baseline symptoms remain.

 

Things that never happened, or went away.

 

1. Severe GERD, stopped within 2 months of stopping Celexa in early 2021.

 

2. Never had brain zaps, or at least I believe I didnt based upon everyone else's description of brain zaps.

 

3. No visual issues. 

 

4. No sexual dysfunctional, although having an orgasma/ejaculation which is a sympathetic nervous system response causes a wave/symptom exacerbation.

 

Questions: 

 

1. Would it be ill advised to reinstate a small dose of Celexa after almost 3 years? @Altostrata I believe I kindled myself unknowingly with Trazodone for insomnia, and I am terrified to make an all ready miserable situation worse.

 

2. I've been taking Magnesium Glycinate and Magnesium Oxide for almost 2 years daily along with Flax seed oil and sometimes fish oil. I avoid any kind of CNS stimulates and practice sleep hygeine as much as possible. Is there anything else I could do to improve? Or improve faster?

 

3. My symptoms seemed to have plateaued. Will this improve with even more time? Does it appear that I have gotten better, from I have described?

 

4. Are any of the symptoms I described similar to your symptoms or are they significantly different? 

[Altostrata]

@TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18 please add your updates to this Introductions topic.

 

How has your symptom pattern changed in the last 3 months?

[ArthurDaly]

On 3/21/2023 at 10:51 AM, TrazodoneShouldBeIllegal18 said:

 

 4. No sexual dysfunctional, although having an orgasma/ejaculation which is a sympathetic nervous system response causes a wave/symptom exacerbation.

 

Do you get headaches after ejaculation?