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Neuromuscular symptoms: muscle tics, twitches, fasciculations, spasms, cramps, restless legs


Hopeful

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It still applies to me I am still in pain. 

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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  • 4 weeks later...

Ive been having muscle pain and feel like my knees get locked is this a wd symptom?

Started Effexor August 2012 Sept'12-150mg=extreme anxiety Oct'12 cut half-75mg severe wds

Feb 2013 68.5mg. Mar'13- 65mg. Apr'13-59mg. May'13-57mg. June '13-52mg Aug'13 49.75mg.

Sep'13-48.75. Nov'13-47mg Dec'13-45..5mg

May 2014 42mg. Jun'14 40mg (depressive mood started). Aug'14 -40mg/ started brintellix 2.5mg

Oct '14 -39 Nov'14 36.89 Dec'14 34.45

Jan 2015- 31 Feb'15 29mg. Mar'15 26.72. Apr'15 24.48. May'15 22.31mg. Jun'15 20.30mg

Aug'15-18.89. Oct'15 16.96. Nov/16- 16.10. Dec/15- 15mg

Jan 2016-14.22. May'16 11.45. Aug'16-9.60. Sep/16- 8.88mg. Oct/16- 8.39mg. Nov/16- 8.13. Dec/16- 7.89

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I've had severe muscle tension develop in my shoulders and neck area about 9 months ago. I am 21 months off since I took my last pill.

I think it might be withdrawal related. I went to the doctor got x-rays, went to physio, chiro, accu, massage, changed my mattress, pillows, sleeping positions,

tried daily stretching, exercise, then rest for extended periods of time. Tried tiger balm, A535. Heating pad. Also tried changing my posture when sitting down and not keeping my head extended forward

Nothing really helps.

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  • 3 weeks later...

I've developed neck muscle tightness which is sending chronic pain up my head.I know this is due to WD but actually it appeared 5 months into my WD. I am only 8 months so far so its very early days in WD. However, it is either mimicing myofascia pain syndrome or is as anxiety, excercise and food all excacerbate it. I too went to a physio and after 5 sessions he couldn't do anything for me. Any one else affected by anxiety and food as well as not being able to excercise.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I've also noticed neck and shoulder tightness, resulting in head pain/headaches.  I've had this to some degree for the last week or so.  Physical activity does seem to make it worse, which is annoying because I've started to feel a little bit better in general, but I still can't do much. I found that light stretching for a few minutes under a warm shower helps a little.

I'm not a doctor.  My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one.

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal

DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms

Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal)

May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins.

Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D

June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens.

Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered

Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days.

April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close.

VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from?



VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made?



VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes?



VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects?

VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes

 

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I'm confident the tightness is part of withdrawal as much as it is a side effect of some of the meds.

 

Jaw clenching has always been an issue for me while on Prozac. I think might me Akathisia. It subsided for a bit during withdrawal but would reappear when I hit a wave. Intense exercise would bring it out in my shoulders and neck and I would have to remind my self to relax my shoulders, otherwise I would just hold them in a shrugging position. The muscle tightness and tensing would actually make me tired, and definitely would result in a headache.

 

Something else: Bruxism (involuntary clenching of the jaw) has been linked to SSRI use. Bruxism is essentially muscle tension and I believe there has been some discussion about a possible relationship with the dopamine system. I also remember reading about a potential relationship between inhibition of the dopaminergic system and Akathisia.

 

My understanding is that SSRIs interfere with the dopamine system, so I guess experiencing tightness and tension in our muscles (or Akathisia) either while taking or withdrawing from our meds might be something we should almost expect.

1988-2012: Prozac @ 60mg (with a few stops and starts)

Fall 2012: Returned to 40mg after discontinuing and horrid withdrawal 

Fall 2013: 40mg Fluoxetine, added 150mg Wellbutrin to treat fatigue 

Winter 2014: Attempting to taper both (too fast)

April 2014: 9mg Fluoxetine + 37.5 Wellbutrin 

Summer 2014: 8 mg Fluoxetine + 0 Wellbutrin (way too fast a drop)

Late summer/Early Fall 2014: Debilitating Withdrawal symptoms 

Fall 2014 - Wellbutrin successfully kicked to the curb but…

Oct- Dec 2014: Panicked reinstatement of Fluoxetine ->30mg - held for 5yrs

Jan 2021: taper to 20mg Fluoxetine  then tapering by 1mg every 2-3 months

Fall 2022 - held at 10mg->December 2022: 9mg->Feb 2023: 8mg ->March 2023: brassmonkey slide begins: 7.8mg -> 7.6 -> 7.4->2 week hold (April)->7.2->7mg->6.8->2 week hold->6.6-> 1-month hold ->(June)-6.5->4-week hold-> (July)-6.4 (discontinued brassmonkey slide and slowed taper)-> (Aug)-6.2->(Sept)-6.0->(Oct)-5.9->(Nov)-5.8->(Dec)-5.7->wave!->(Jan)-5.8->(Feb)-6mg and holding.

 

My 2014 withdrawal experience: https://rxisk.org/antidepressant-withdrawal-a-prozac-story/

 

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I have read lots about muscle tightness and other people having various muscles that have been affected either when off the meds or when they have been off the meds. I am in an excruciating amount of pain though as the muscle tightens and refers pain to my head. I am just concerned because  I know I shouldnt really self diagnose myself but I feel it is copying the condition of myofascia pain syndrome as it doesn't just hurt when exercising. if I am anxious the pain increases and if I eat any form of sugary foods the pain also increases. Does muscle tightness go in time? or is it permanent. has anyone heard anything or does anyone know anything. any help as its really this symptom for me thats causing me most distress, sorry if I sound worried its because im in early stages of WD 

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  • 3 months later...

I had tingling pain in my arms, hands, and back from withdrawal for about 1.5 years. It finally went away with acupuncture.

 

Many, many people here have had pain of various kinds as a withdrawal symptom.

 

In the withdrawal literature (see http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/325-papers-on-diagnosis-of-antidepressant-withdrawal-syndrome/), you will find this kind of pain under "paresthesia" or "myalgia." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myalgia

 

 

Myalgia, or muscle pain, is a symptom of many diseases and disorders. The most common causes are the overuse or over-stretching of a muscle or group of muscles.

....

Withdrawal syndrome from certain drugs

Sudden cessation of high-dose corticosteroids, opioids, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, caffeine or alcohol can induce myalgia in many respects.

 

 

Have you tried magnesium glycinate? That can help muscle pain.

 

It is possible your pain is due to something else. If it started while you were taking a psychiatric drug, it could be a lingering adverse effect of the drug. If it started after discontinuation, that's an indicator it's a withdrawal symptom.

 

Even if it's fibromyalgia, another poorly understood syndrome, you can recover from it.

Hi, I am looking for the symptom I have had for some time now. It has been more pronounced today (i am on 4th day of my decrease from escitalopram). I have had paresthesia in both hands. It is a strange symptom and I don't really know how to judge its intensity?

It has started after increasing escitaploram, then stopped after decreasing, and restarted again after further decrease, but not straight away...

Is this a normal withdrawal symptom and I just need to be more patient and gentle with myself?

- 12.03.2021- doxepin- 50mg

- 6.11.2020- 75mg

- 16.10.2020- 100mg

- 30.09.2020- doxepin- 125mg

- May 2020, omeprazole 40mg switched to esomeprazole 20mg

- 2012 re-started Doxepin 75mg, evening. Increased to 150mg

- 2012, Atenolol 25mg, twice a day

- 2016, Low dose of HRT in evening, Sandrena and Utrogestan 

- Long term of Nasal spray Otrivine

- 2012, PPI Omeprazole 40mg-evening

24.10.2014- Started ESCITALOPRAM-first 5mg and then 10mg; due to the adverse symptoms reduced on 5.01.2015- Escitalopram- 2.5mg 22.07.2016- re-started reduction by 1% at a time. Completed tappering on  19.03.2020 😇

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I've definitely had muscle pain from w/d. The earliest onset was in my lower back about 5 months after my last dose. Luckily that was short lived, only a week.

 

Since then I get achy after most physical activity, like mowing and weed eating. I had a second round of lower back pain another time, also lasted about a week.

 

My latest muscle pain has been in my shoulder/neck/arm. It's definitely in part because I work on computers all day, and I'm probably on my smart phone too much. This achiness has been on-going for the last 6 months (which would be from 23 months off until 29 months off the meds). The doctor diagnosed it as tendonitis.

---

Started in June 2004 - Lexapro 10MG

Off and on from 2004 to 2008 - Lexapro 10MG

October 2008 - Lexapro 10MG

Late April 2012 - Lexapro 5MG

Late August 2012 - Cold Turkey

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Yes, definitely have had the aches and pains. Lately have had intermittent muscle spasms in one small area of my lower back. Had knee problems for two years that were caused by a steroid inhaler I was put on temporarily for asthma. These issues had finally almost completely gone, and have now come back--in one knee. Everything is one-sided with me! One knee, one arm, and one side of my back--strange!

Zoloft 100 mg. daily for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since Oct. 1994 / Synthroid 88 mcg. daily / Supplements: Neptune Krill Oil-1,000 mg. twice daily/Astaxanthin 10 mg. twice daily/Ubiquinol 100 mg. twice daily (These 3 have allowed me to discontinue (approved by doctor) bp meds I was on. Calcium Citrate 500 mg. daily/Vitamin D3 2,400 iu daily/K2 (MK7) 100 mcg daily (osteopenia and fam. hist. of severe osteoporosis). Stress B Complex (1/2 dose)/Quercetin (for allergies/asthma)/Magnesium (400 mg. oral glycinate and about 50 mg. magnesium chloride spray oil a day, divided throughout day).

Tapered Zoloft about 6 wks. Totally off since the end of July (25-29, 2014). 3 wks. vertigo at end of taper, then 3-4 wks. OK, followed by withdrawal symptoms increasing in severity (nausea, gastric disturbances, loss of appetite, insomnia, restlessness, jitters, anxiety, agitation--jumping out of my skin--possible akathisia?) Seem to have paradoxical reactions to everything new, even Vitamin C. Severity of akathisia comes and goes, but is constant to some degree. Hard to leave house, and cannot be home alone. (Retired)

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Yeah, strange...doctors were never able to find any underlying problems...i had this strange throbbing pain in my left knee for around half a year during the night. I had mri and other investigations...

I was put on lots of painkillers...

 

For me my phisical pain was always my way back to meds, including tricyclic antidepressants, that is why I want so much to figure out some way of dealing with these misterious pains...

- 12.03.2021- doxepin- 50mg

- 6.11.2020- 75mg

- 16.10.2020- 100mg

- 30.09.2020- doxepin- 125mg

- May 2020, omeprazole 40mg switched to esomeprazole 20mg

- 2012 re-started Doxepin 75mg, evening. Increased to 150mg

- 2012, Atenolol 25mg, twice a day

- 2016, Low dose of HRT in evening, Sandrena and Utrogestan 

- Long term of Nasal spray Otrivine

- 2012, PPI Omeprazole 40mg-evening

24.10.2014- Started ESCITALOPRAM-first 5mg and then 10mg; due to the adverse symptoms reduced on 5.01.2015- Escitalopram- 2.5mg 22.07.2016- re-started reduction by 1% at a time. Completed tappering on  19.03.2020 😇

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  • Member

In early protracted wd, I had a tight band around my chest and a weird pain in both of my calves whenever I went for a walk (as well as miscellaneous paresthesias). Chalked them up to wd after careful observation did not reveal anything needing a doctor's attention was going on.

 

I kept walking. They went away.

What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878

 

July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site.

 

Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey.

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CW, I had that tight band a time or two as well. For me, it was reminiscent of a condition I have that at one time left me paralyzed in all four limbs, so it scared the daylights out of me. I soon realized it was withdrawal, though. Still scary!

Zoloft 100 mg. daily for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since Oct. 1994 / Synthroid 88 mcg. daily / Supplements: Neptune Krill Oil-1,000 mg. twice daily/Astaxanthin 10 mg. twice daily/Ubiquinol 100 mg. twice daily (These 3 have allowed me to discontinue (approved by doctor) bp meds I was on. Calcium Citrate 500 mg. daily/Vitamin D3 2,400 iu daily/K2 (MK7) 100 mcg daily (osteopenia and fam. hist. of severe osteoporosis). Stress B Complex (1/2 dose)/Quercetin (for allergies/asthma)/Magnesium (400 mg. oral glycinate and about 50 mg. magnesium chloride spray oil a day, divided throughout day).

Tapered Zoloft about 6 wks. Totally off since the end of July (25-29, 2014). 3 wks. vertigo at end of taper, then 3-4 wks. OK, followed by withdrawal symptoms increasing in severity (nausea, gastric disturbances, loss of appetite, insomnia, restlessness, jitters, anxiety, agitation--jumping out of my skin--possible akathisia?) Seem to have paradoxical reactions to everything new, even Vitamin C. Severity of akathisia comes and goes, but is constant to some degree. Hard to leave house, and cannot be home alone. (Retired)

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What was/is the condition? If it is in your thread you can just link to it so we don't pull this thread off course.

What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878

 

July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site.

 

Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey.

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CW, it's Transverse Myelitis. Almost 16 years ago. Totally unrelated to WD.

Zoloft 100 mg. daily for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since Oct. 1994 / Synthroid 88 mcg. daily / Supplements: Neptune Krill Oil-1,000 mg. twice daily/Astaxanthin 10 mg. twice daily/Ubiquinol 100 mg. twice daily (These 3 have allowed me to discontinue (approved by doctor) bp meds I was on. Calcium Citrate 500 mg. daily/Vitamin D3 2,400 iu daily/K2 (MK7) 100 mcg daily (osteopenia and fam. hist. of severe osteoporosis). Stress B Complex (1/2 dose)/Quercetin (for allergies/asthma)/Magnesium (400 mg. oral glycinate and about 50 mg. magnesium chloride spray oil a day, divided throughout day).

Tapered Zoloft about 6 wks. Totally off since the end of July (25-29, 2014). 3 wks. vertigo at end of taper, then 3-4 wks. OK, followed by withdrawal symptoms increasing in severity (nausea, gastric disturbances, loss of appetite, insomnia, restlessness, jitters, anxiety, agitation--jumping out of my skin--possible akathisia?) Seem to have paradoxical reactions to everything new, even Vitamin C. Severity of akathisia comes and goes, but is constant to some degree. Hard to leave house, and cannot be home alone. (Retired)

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I have no idea if this is related to withdrawal but seeing as though withdrawal seems to come with endless, um, perks, I am wondering if this is one of them.  I started a herb recently which so far seems to have helped me with some issues but maybe it's responsible for this...

 

The past few days I am finding that if I sit with my leg bent for a while when later I go to stand up or stretch it out it's excruciatingly painful.  The first time it happened it was so bad I almost screamed.

 

I am tired of doctors and don't want to go see one for this as for all I know it may clear up.

 

Is this related to withdrawal?

I feel like I am elderly before my time...

I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions.

 

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Ok, I get this EXACT thing whenever I started OR withdrew to fast and now it is happening this past three weeks at the end of this LONG permanent taper off paxil. Every time I reinstated my knees got better so I know it is a withdrawal problem. I have never been off this crap long enough to see if it goes away but im sure it will. When was your last dose???

Paxil start September 2003 due to Fluoroquinolone adverse reaction that I wish doc. knew what it was. 10mg. most of the time with a few short runs of 20mg. FAST tapered 3 times and finally hit poop out or a reaction to nsaid's in Nov.2013. Started a 10% taper Jan. 2014 and have been ok until Sept 14 and went through a short hell. Now plodding through and looking for the light with unrelenting insomnia and pain, fog, loss of interests....<p>12/20/14 - .8mg.

1/01/15 - .75 mg.

1/15/15 - .42 mg. better sleep now, hope it continues...

2/11-15 - .25 mg. doing really good!! 2 weeks feel 85% of old me!

3/17/15 .14 mg. Knee pain bad!

4/07/15 .05 mg. this is so small now that I am estimating and just licking it off palm small as a "." 

4/13/15 NOTHING !!!! Took my last little micro dose on 4/12/15. 

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Oh, I forgot to ask, is the pain at the top of the knee? not the sides or below the kneecap? This is where I get it.

Paxil start September 2003 due to Fluoroquinolone adverse reaction that I wish doc. knew what it was. 10mg. most of the time with a few short runs of 20mg. FAST tapered 3 times and finally hit poop out or a reaction to nsaid's in Nov.2013. Started a 10% taper Jan. 2014 and have been ok until Sept 14 and went through a short hell. Now plodding through and looking for the light with unrelenting insomnia and pain, fog, loss of interests....<p>12/20/14 - .8mg.

1/01/15 - .75 mg.

1/15/15 - .42 mg. better sleep now, hope it continues...

2/11-15 - .25 mg. doing really good!! 2 weeks feel 85% of old me!

3/17/15 .14 mg. Knee pain bad!

4/07/15 .05 mg. this is so small now that I am estimating and just licking it off palm small as a "." 

4/13/15 NOTHING !!!! Took my last little micro dose on 4/12/15. 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

My knee probs started as soon as I went on meds. Now I know it was a side effect, but I am too early in wd to see improvement.

 

If it can be a side effect, it can prob be a wd symptom

*I'm not a doctor and don't give medical advice, just personal experience
**Off all meds since Nov. 2014. Mentally & emotionally recovered; physically not
-Dual cold turkeys off TCA & Ativan in Oct 2014. Prescribed from 2011-2014

-All meds were Rxed off-label for an autoimmune illness.  It was a MISDIAGNOSIS, but I did not find out until AFTER meds caused damage.  All med tapers/cold turkeys directed by doctors 

-Nortriptyline May 2012 - Dec 2013. Cold turkey off nortrip & cold switched to desipramine

-Desipramine Jan 2014 - Oct. 29, 2014 (rapid taper/cold turkey)

-Lorazepam 1 mg per night during 2011
-Lorazepam 1 mg per month in 2012 (or less)

-Lorazepam on & off, Dec 2013 through Aug 2014. Didn't exceed 3x a week

-Lorazepam again in Oct. 2014 to help get off of desipramine. Last dose lzpam was 1 mg, Nov. 2, 2014. Immediate paradoxical reactions to benzos after stopping TCAs 

-First muscle/dystonia side effects started on nortriptyline, but docs too stupid to figure it out. On desipramine, muscle tremors & rigidity worsened

-Two weeks after I got off all meds, I developed full-blown TD.  Tardive dystonia, dyskinesia, myoclonic jerks ALL over body, ribcage wiggles, facial tics, twitching tongue & fingers, tremors/twitches of arms, legs, cognitive impairment, throat muscles semi-paralyzed & unable to swallow solid food, brain zaps, ears ring, dizzy, everything looks too far away, insomnia, numbness & electric shocks everywhere when I try to fall asleep, jerk awake from sleep with big, gasping breaths, wake with terrors & tremors, severely depressed.  NO HISTORY OF DEPRESSION, EVER. Meds CREATED it.

-Month 7: hair falling out; no vision improvement; still tardive dystonia; facial & tongue tics returned
-Month 8: back to acute, incl. Grand Mal seizure-like episodes. New mental torment, PGAD, worse insomnia
-Month 9: tardive dystonia worse, dyskinesia returned. Unable to breathe well due to dystonia in stomach, chest, throat
-Month 13: Back to acute, brain zaps back, developed eczema & stomach problems. Left leg no longer works right due to dystonia, meaning both legs now damaged
-7 years off: Huge improvements, incl. improved dystonia

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I had many occasions after I went cold turkey where I had joint issues and muscles issues. With time and some supplements (good fish oil and turmeric) I saw good improvements. Joint issues are common in my experience. 

Various SSRIs/SNRIs 7- 1/2 years

Went Cold Turkey from Celexa 2011, Stayed Off

Psych Drug Free and Loving Life (over 6 years and counting)

 

How I Stay Well: Diet, exercise, meditation, supplements, etc

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Ok, I get this EXACT thing whenever I started OR withdrew to fast and now it is happening this past three weeks at the end of this LONG permanent taper off paxil. Every time I reinstated my knees got better so I know it is a withdrawal problem. I have never been off this crap long enough to see if it goes away but im sure it will. When was your last dose???

 

 

My last dose of an AD was years ago.  HOWEVER, this problem is new, I don't want this to sound like it's been going on since then as it only started very recently.  It may well be unrelated or only partly related to what drugs did to me, as we do have a health condition in my family which I suppose could account for it.

I haven't been diagnosed with it though. 

 

I realized that just before this cropped up I was doing a bit of exercise and did a few knee bends...If this is what's caused it it's pretty ridiculous.  I am badly out of shape because of fatigue which definitely connects to the drugs, but I woudn't think doing something so minimal would all of a sudden make my joints so painful.

I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions.

 

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Oh, I forgot to ask, is the pain at the top of the knee? not the sides or below the kneecap? This is where I get it.

 

It feels it's more towards the top of my kneecap.

I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions.

 

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My knee probs started as soon as I went on meds. Now I know it was a side effect, but I am too early in wd to see improvement.

 

If it can be a side effect, it can prob be a wd symptom

 

I am sorry this started for you right off the bat.  Forgive me, my memory is bad today as I'm running on no sleep but did you have pain too with the knee issues? 

I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions.

 

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I had many occasions after I went cold turkey where I had joint issues and muscles issues. With time and some supplements (good fish oil and turmeric) I saw good improvements. Joint issues are common in my experience. 

 

Hi Zepplin, thanks for responding, I am glad to hear you improved and glad this can improve too.  I can't tolerate fish oil (I think anyway, haven't tried it in years) but will up my salmon intake, which I was meaning to do anyway.  How do you take the turmeric, are you cooking with it? 

I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions.

 

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My knee probs started as soon as I went on meds. Now I know it was a side effect, but I am too early in wd to see improvement.

 

If it can be a side effect, it can prob be a wd symptom

 

I am sorry this started for you right off the bat.  Forgive me, my memory is bad today as I'm running on no sleep but did you have pain too with the knee issues? 

 

 

Hey USky,

 

Yes, definite pain with knee issues.  Feels like it surrounds the whole knee cap.  I just can't believe hindsight and how 20/20 it is.  SO many years of knee pain that SUDDENLY started on meds and I can't believe that none of the doctors or physical therapists at Kaiser figured it out, not even after I didn't improve with physical therapy.  

 

I wish I knew more about this so I could elucidate on your pain, but I truly am such a newbie that I don't know if I can say for sure whether your pain is a wd symptom, or unrelated. All I can do is give you solidarity and let you know that I feel your pain, literally.  

 

Have you tried ice or heat to see if either helps?  Or resting with your legs elevated?  

 

My mom has knee trouble (unrelated to meds; she just works too much around the house) and she feels better when she rests and stays off it for a while...

*I'm not a doctor and don't give medical advice, just personal experience
**Off all meds since Nov. 2014. Mentally & emotionally recovered; physically not
-Dual cold turkeys off TCA & Ativan in Oct 2014. Prescribed from 2011-2014

-All meds were Rxed off-label for an autoimmune illness.  It was a MISDIAGNOSIS, but I did not find out until AFTER meds caused damage.  All med tapers/cold turkeys directed by doctors 

-Nortriptyline May 2012 - Dec 2013. Cold turkey off nortrip & cold switched to desipramine

-Desipramine Jan 2014 - Oct. 29, 2014 (rapid taper/cold turkey)

-Lorazepam 1 mg per night during 2011
-Lorazepam 1 mg per month in 2012 (or less)

-Lorazepam on & off, Dec 2013 through Aug 2014. Didn't exceed 3x a week

-Lorazepam again in Oct. 2014 to help get off of desipramine. Last dose lzpam was 1 mg, Nov. 2, 2014. Immediate paradoxical reactions to benzos after stopping TCAs 

-First muscle/dystonia side effects started on nortriptyline, but docs too stupid to figure it out. On desipramine, muscle tremors & rigidity worsened

-Two weeks after I got off all meds, I developed full-blown TD.  Tardive dystonia, dyskinesia, myoclonic jerks ALL over body, ribcage wiggles, facial tics, twitching tongue & fingers, tremors/twitches of arms, legs, cognitive impairment, throat muscles semi-paralyzed & unable to swallow solid food, brain zaps, ears ring, dizzy, everything looks too far away, insomnia, numbness & electric shocks everywhere when I try to fall asleep, jerk awake from sleep with big, gasping breaths, wake with terrors & tremors, severely depressed.  NO HISTORY OF DEPRESSION, EVER. Meds CREATED it.

-Month 7: hair falling out; no vision improvement; still tardive dystonia; facial & tongue tics returned
-Month 8: back to acute, incl. Grand Mal seizure-like episodes. New mental torment, PGAD, worse insomnia
-Month 9: tardive dystonia worse, dyskinesia returned. Unable to breathe well due to dystonia in stomach, chest, throat
-Month 13: Back to acute, brain zaps back, developed eczema & stomach problems. Left leg no longer works right due to dystonia, meaning both legs now damaged
-7 years off: Huge improvements, incl. improved dystonia

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Thanks for the solidarity WI, it's so appreciated.  Right back at you. :)

 

I haven't tried putting anything on it as of yet as it does come and go on its own and strangely I don't feel like it would respond to ice or heat.  Maybe I am wrong.  It happens mostly if I just sit with my knee bent for a while.  When I straighten it it can be agonizing, and almost nonfunctional.  Rest can also be a problem, sometimes in bed when it's been straight for a while it won't work well either.

 

This came on all of a sudden and I can't quite fathom why.

 

I am starting to wonder if maybe my vit. D hasn't gone low (it was once in the past) and maybe that's got something to do with it.  Yesterday? I had deep bone pain in my legs which was the tip-off last time I had low D (got it verified by a test).  I didn't get much sun this past summer and stopped taking vitamin D a long time ago as I was taking a lot to compensate for the loss and eventually felt it was not needed. 

 

I really don't want to go to the doctor to have this tested and since I am not sensitive to D anymore (that I know of) I thought maybe I'd resume a tiny amount and see if that doesn't clear the problem up. So this is my plan for the time being...Just need to get a low dose vit. D.

 

I have a skin problem, also reasonably new, that I just read might be helped by vit. D...crossing my fingers this all ties together to some easy to treat problem...I'm tired of having to figure out my health problems myself. 

I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions.

 

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I think that WD can retrigger some previous conditions, as it increases fight flight response in the body, contributing to inflamation...

As on emotional level (neuro emotions), same on body level...i think...

At least I have pain in places that were injuired before, but also strange pains that wander through the body...some of them mimic phisical conditions...the doctors respond with further medication, stronger and stronger...but with my pelvic pain it was phisio, exercice regime and walking that helped...unfortunatelly, because of pain I took some meds...

So, I have decided to see phisiotherapist today...

- 12.03.2021- doxepin- 50mg

- 6.11.2020- 75mg

- 16.10.2020- 100mg

- 30.09.2020- doxepin- 125mg

- May 2020, omeprazole 40mg switched to esomeprazole 20mg

- 2012 re-started Doxepin 75mg, evening. Increased to 150mg

- 2012, Atenolol 25mg, twice a day

- 2016, Low dose of HRT in evening, Sandrena and Utrogestan 

- Long term of Nasal spray Otrivine

- 2012, PPI Omeprazole 40mg-evening

24.10.2014- Started ESCITALOPRAM-first 5mg and then 10mg; due to the adverse symptoms reduced on 5.01.2015- Escitalopram- 2.5mg 22.07.2016- re-started reduction by 1% at a time. Completed tappering on  19.03.2020 😇

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My update--it's still here.

 

Vitamin D seems to be helping with energy a little bit but not this problem.  It seems to vary a bit, it's worse on some days than others and I can't figure out why.

I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions.

 

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Sky, I am so bummed that you are having this problem, but I also really have faith that it will resolve for you. You have overcome so many things that I just have to believe these pains will resolve themselves.

 

If my mom or I figure out anything that helps us with our knee pain, I promise I will let you know immediately. I just can't believe that I am only 35 years old and I can barely walk up or down the stairs! It amazes me that I used to run for 3 miles at a time! And that I used to lift weights and do squats at the gym!

 

But you have overcome so much, Sky, already that I have to believe your body will allow itself to let go of this pain, too.

*I'm not a doctor and don't give medical advice, just personal experience
**Off all meds since Nov. 2014. Mentally & emotionally recovered; physically not
-Dual cold turkeys off TCA & Ativan in Oct 2014. Prescribed from 2011-2014

-All meds were Rxed off-label for an autoimmune illness.  It was a MISDIAGNOSIS, but I did not find out until AFTER meds caused damage.  All med tapers/cold turkeys directed by doctors 

-Nortriptyline May 2012 - Dec 2013. Cold turkey off nortrip & cold switched to desipramine

-Desipramine Jan 2014 - Oct. 29, 2014 (rapid taper/cold turkey)

-Lorazepam 1 mg per night during 2011
-Lorazepam 1 mg per month in 2012 (or less)

-Lorazepam on & off, Dec 2013 through Aug 2014. Didn't exceed 3x a week

-Lorazepam again in Oct. 2014 to help get off of desipramine. Last dose lzpam was 1 mg, Nov. 2, 2014. Immediate paradoxical reactions to benzos after stopping TCAs 

-First muscle/dystonia side effects started on nortriptyline, but docs too stupid to figure it out. On desipramine, muscle tremors & rigidity worsened

-Two weeks after I got off all meds, I developed full-blown TD.  Tardive dystonia, dyskinesia, myoclonic jerks ALL over body, ribcage wiggles, facial tics, twitching tongue & fingers, tremors/twitches of arms, legs, cognitive impairment, throat muscles semi-paralyzed & unable to swallow solid food, brain zaps, ears ring, dizzy, everything looks too far away, insomnia, numbness & electric shocks everywhere when I try to fall asleep, jerk awake from sleep with big, gasping breaths, wake with terrors & tremors, severely depressed.  NO HISTORY OF DEPRESSION, EVER. Meds CREATED it.

-Month 7: hair falling out; no vision improvement; still tardive dystonia; facial & tongue tics returned
-Month 8: back to acute, incl. Grand Mal seizure-like episodes. New mental torment, PGAD, worse insomnia
-Month 9: tardive dystonia worse, dyskinesia returned. Unable to breathe well due to dystonia in stomach, chest, throat
-Month 13: Back to acute, brain zaps back, developed eczema & stomach problems. Left leg no longer works right due to dystonia, meaning both legs now damaged
-7 years off: Huge improvements, incl. improved dystonia

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I wonder how to distinguish any phisical pain if it is WD or some underlying problem? Apart from muscle pain I have had some intense joint pain in my hands. How do I know if it is arthritis or WD?

It feels real! Painful...

- 12.03.2021- doxepin- 50mg

- 6.11.2020- 75mg

- 16.10.2020- 100mg

- 30.09.2020- doxepin- 125mg

- May 2020, omeprazole 40mg switched to esomeprazole 20mg

- 2012 re-started Doxepin 75mg, evening. Increased to 150mg

- 2012, Atenolol 25mg, twice a day

- 2016, Low dose of HRT in evening, Sandrena and Utrogestan 

- Long term of Nasal spray Otrivine

- 2012, PPI Omeprazole 40mg-evening

24.10.2014- Started ESCITALOPRAM-first 5mg and then 10mg; due to the adverse symptoms reduced on 5.01.2015- Escitalopram- 2.5mg 22.07.2016- re-started reduction by 1% at a time. Completed tappering on  19.03.2020 😇

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Symptoms are all magnified in withdrawal. What would you do differently if it was diagnosed as arthritis? Arthritis is inflammation of the joints and only your doctor can say for sure. Unfortunately we cannot make that diagnosis here. In my case, I am sure 8 years of meds did me no good. At my age I suspect I have arthritis too. I cannot bend down to pick up anything off the floor anymore, my spine has become so stiff, but I could sure do much more before I got off the meds. Arthritis meds come with their own set of problems and I'll pass on them.

What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878

 

July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site.

 

Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey.

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I don't want any meds for this. I was just wondering, as I get so many unexplained pains. My hands is a new area and I connect this to paresthesia I had there.

Phisotherapy helps me the most...

- 12.03.2021- doxepin- 50mg

- 6.11.2020- 75mg

- 16.10.2020- 100mg

- 30.09.2020- doxepin- 125mg

- May 2020, omeprazole 40mg switched to esomeprazole 20mg

- 2012 re-started Doxepin 75mg, evening. Increased to 150mg

- 2012, Atenolol 25mg, twice a day

- 2016, Low dose of HRT in evening, Sandrena and Utrogestan 

- Long term of Nasal spray Otrivine

- 2012, PPI Omeprazole 40mg-evening

24.10.2014- Started ESCITALOPRAM-first 5mg and then 10mg; due to the adverse symptoms reduced on 5.01.2015- Escitalopram- 2.5mg 22.07.2016- re-started reduction by 1% at a time. Completed tappering on  19.03.2020 😇

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I did not mean to imply you were wanting meds. In fact, the helpfulness of physiotherapy gives you a hint of sorts. My mother, who is 90+, knits or crochets every day and has for years, has arthritis pains in her hands but has very little of the joint deformation usually seen with arthritis. A lot of the stuff in wd, all you can do is wonder because it is not readily diagnosable.

What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878

 

July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site.

 

Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey.

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Yeah, I am aware of this now, but in the past I always responded to any pain as to illness and took lots of meds...

 

My mother has arthritis, but she has also been on coctail of meds...

I don't want to end up like this...

- 12.03.2021- doxepin- 50mg

- 6.11.2020- 75mg

- 16.10.2020- 100mg

- 30.09.2020- doxepin- 125mg

- May 2020, omeprazole 40mg switched to esomeprazole 20mg

- 2012 re-started Doxepin 75mg, evening. Increased to 150mg

- 2012, Atenolol 25mg, twice a day

- 2016, Low dose of HRT in evening, Sandrena and Utrogestan 

- Long term of Nasal spray Otrivine

- 2012, PPI Omeprazole 40mg-evening

24.10.2014- Started ESCITALOPRAM-first 5mg and then 10mg; due to the adverse symptoms reduced on 5.01.2015- Escitalopram- 2.5mg 22.07.2016- re-started reduction by 1% at a time. Completed tappering on  19.03.2020 😇

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So I'm reading this and wondering if during withdrawal is it normal for muscles/ tendons to get real sore easily from straining that would never cause it previously??

Paxil start September 2003 due to Fluoroquinolone adverse reaction that I wish doc. knew what it was. 10mg. most of the time with a few short runs of 20mg. FAST tapered 3 times and finally hit poop out or a reaction to nsaid's in Nov.2013. Started a 10% taper Jan. 2014 and have been ok until Sept 14 and went through a short hell. Now plodding through and looking for the light with unrelenting insomnia and pain, fog, loss of interests....<p>12/20/14 - .8mg.

1/01/15 - .75 mg.

1/15/15 - .42 mg. better sleep now, hope it continues...

2/11-15 - .25 mg. doing really good!! 2 weeks feel 85% of old me!

3/17/15 .14 mg. Knee pain bad!

4/07/15 .05 mg. this is so small now that I am estimating and just licking it off palm small as a "." 

4/13/15 NOTHING !!!! Took my last little micro dose on 4/12/15. 

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That has been normal for me DLB.

---

Started in June 2004 - Lexapro 10MG

Off and on from 2004 to 2008 - Lexapro 10MG

October 2008 - Lexapro 10MG

Late April 2012 - Lexapro 5MG

Late August 2012 - Cold Turkey

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