Mona: 1+ year from Paxil CT

[mona]

Some of you may know me from pp and iawp.  I've never posted on this site but I did put up my history.  It's just overwhelming and I shake so much that typing is difficult and am just exhausted with telling my story but really need advice.

 

I've been off all ssris  for over 14 months (after 17 years use at 10mg) and am in terrible shape: akathisia, inability to focus, constant shaking, fatigue, terrible insomnia, anhedonia,  but the worst is my digestive system.  My stomach aches all the time and I have no desire to eat.  Have to force myself to eat daily.  I rarely leave the house any more except to take a half hour walk.    

 

Lost 30 lbs in the first few months but have managed to stabalize my weight at 120 pounds.  My diet is as good as possible considering it is very difficult for me to cook and there are few things I can bare to eat.  I eat little sugar or meat, no caffine, alcohol or processed foods.  Lots of yogurt, cheese nuts fruit rice quinoa veggies whole grain bread.

 

This has been going on the entire time since I quit and never improves.  Nothing ever improves and I am 63 years old and very afraid.  I have no health insurance and little money for medical tests and little faith in the meds anyway.  I did have a general physical this year including thyroid test and everything looked fine.  

 

What I need to know is if anyone on this site has had such bad digestive issues and recovered.  I don't know if the akathisia is causing the gut problems or if they are just happening simultaniously.  I don't know where the shaking fits in as it seems to get worse every month.  

 

Thank you for reading.

[Petunia]

Hi Mona,

 

Welcome and thank you for posting an introduction.  I remember you from iawp, I'm sorry you are still struggling.

 

I have some of the same symptoms as you - anhedonia, shaking and an inability to focus at times.  I also have some symptoms you didn't mention. 

 

I had severe digestive issues for about 4 months and lost a lot of weight, then it settled down a bit, but I had no appetite and had to force myself to eat.  Over the course of about 22 months, my digestive symptoms have improved, I have an appetite and can eat in the afternoon and evenings now, not all the time, it comes in waves, I'm going through a bad patch again now.  I get very little pleasure from food now and don't have the energy or enthusiasm a lot of the time to prepare it like I used to.

 

When it gets bad, especially in the mornings, all I can do is sip on water.  I have put some weight back on now. 

 

There are other members here who are having similar problems.

 

Like you, I prefer not leaving my house, especially not during the day.

 

I know you are having a difficult time typing and writing out your history, but it would be very helpful to members if you could put a few details of your drug and withdrawal history in your signature.  Instructions here:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

You might be able to copy and paste the details from your profile page.

 

Others should be along soon with more support.

 

Petu.

[Janie]

Hi Mona, I'm so sorry you are suffering with so many symptoms. I have many of the same ones. It sounds like you have actually made progress to stabilize the weight and you are eating quite healthy so that is great.

 

I lost 14 pounds when the anxiety kicked in 5 months after withdrawal. I gradually got some appetite back and weight stabilized.  I think it is the trembling and muscle tension that creates the tight stomach and lack of appetite. Of course depression and anehedonia ruin one's appetite. I too must sometimes force myself to eat and I only sometimes feel well enough to prepare food. I bought protein drinks to get extra calories in me. I bought EAS drinks.  Since we are not eating much, a multi vitamin is probably important. Yogurt and cheese help, but I also take a pro-biotic to help maintain or restore gut flora. It should probably be the 10-20 billion strong variety.  I never have constipation or bad diarrhea I guess since what I do eat includes  fruits and vegetables, whole grains.  I also read berries and walnuts help heal brain cells so I try to eat those.

 

Massaging my stomach area sometimes relaxes the musles and brings me a bit of relief. All-body massages are also a BIG help and relax me include the stomach tension. Deep breathing can help on a small scale or momentarily. I did let myself eat some baddish things - a cookie or icecream since it gave me some pleasure and maybe did stimulate my interest in food again. Maybe that is when I did start to be able to eat more. I can't recall for sure.

 

Just some suggestions that might help.  I think you are doing what you can.

[Nikki]

Mona I was on pp many years back....what is iwap?  After pp I went to seroxatmad....lovely site but it was discontinued.

 

A ct from paxil is very rough.  Have you or your physician considered taking something to get you out of the protracted wd?

[mona]

I had written a long post which my husband accidently errased when I wnet to the bathroom (have to pee every half hour).  Will give it another try.

 

Thank you Petu.  I've followed your story on many sites and know how difficult the past two years have been for you. Thankfully, my family no longer expects much from me, not that I could give it.  I too have many more symptoms than I mentioned but the gut issues are particularly frightening as they have gone on for 16 months unrelenting.  The painful bloating and daily diarrhea are just miserable.  I have to keep my pants unfastening most of the time as anything pressing on my abdomen is uncomfortable.  I have tried every type of probiotic, digestive enzyme, tea etc.  I don't actually expect a cure, I just want reasurance that someone had this type of thing and recovered.  

 

Janie, thank you for your suggestions. Perhaps if you are right about the trembling causing he stomach issues they will resolve when the akathisia passes, if it ever does.   I haven't tried massage but at this point couldn't stand for anyone else to touch me.  Am just too sensitive.  Do occasionally break down and have a sweet because it is the only thing that is appetizing but usually regret it later.

 

Nikki, I've tried mds, pdocs, naturopaths, and accupuncture over the past year and a half and really don't think the medical profession can help me.  I had an adverse reaction when I tried to RI on paxil, zoloft and then celexa 14 months ago but suppose if i get to a certain point of desperation I will try a tricylic before i end it.  Just don't know.

[Nikki]

Mona I did take a tricyclic at the end of my Lexapro taper, and it did help.  Is this for everyone?  I don't know.  I just knew I couldn't go on with the anxiety.

 

Alot of the sites did begin as a result of paxil and effexor.  Was there anyone on pp who was in the same boat as you and what did they do.

 

Something like 75 - 90% of serotonin is in the intestinal tract.  I suppose that is why there is so much trouble with the digestive tract.

Aloe Vera Gel is soothing on the intestines.  I had a bad stomach during the lexapro taper.

[ruby]

Hi Mona,

 

I would try not eating dairy foods (yogurt and cheese) and gluten (any bread) for a few weeks and see if you feel a difference. These types of foods are known to cause G.I. distress.

 

 

[Altostrata]

Hi, Mona, how are you?