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Paresthesia: pins & needles, numbness, tingling, burning sensations aka neuropathy


angie007

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I have experienced muscle loss and weakness so that at times I have not been able to life the kettle off the stove due to weakness in my ribcage.

Recently I have been experiencing this again in a big way, so that the only way I can explain it is that I feel very fragile, like I might break.

 

I also continue to experience tingling, burning and pain and what I call "prickles" which is like stinging nettles on my skin and nerve pain.

 

I also lost a lot of weight (from 85kg to 55kg) suddenly.  I have been gradually putting it back on again and now at 65kg.

 

I think all these issues are different issues and w/d related.

1995-2007      20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain.  Years of up and down doses

2008                Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!)

2009                20mg Aropax.  Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!)

                        2010                10mg.  10% taper.  Lasted 4 months. Crashed again

2011                5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!)

2012                2.5% taper.  6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable)

2013                5% taper.  Big mistake.  5.5mg – 4.6mg  (even worserer)

2014                2.5% taper.  4.9mg – 4.5mg;    2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg

2016                2.5% taper.  3.9mg  Feb 3.8   Mar 3.7  May 3.6   Jul 3.5

2017                2.5% taper.  Jan 3.4;   Mar 3.35;  Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9;

2018                2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3

2019                Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1;

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  • 4 weeks later...

This is me exactly. It gets worse with each decrease and when it happens, I know that I need to hold for longer. The tingly/numbness/jitteriness is worse at night, when I’m laying still, or when I have just completed a workout. My hands and feet go numb, but when I move my wrists around, the feeing comes back. I do not take any supplements. 

6 years old- 23 years old Effexor XR 75-150mg 

March-May 2017  3-month taper of Effexor XR from 150mg down to 37.5 and then 0.  

After a week reinstated Effexor at 37.5 and quickly worked your way up to 150.

Mid-May increased to 187.5.

End of July to mid-October switched to 50-200mg Zoloft

Nov. to present  switched back to Effexor 75 mg

March 29, 2018 Increased Effexor dose to 150mg (original dose). 

May 12, 2018 Began a 10% AT LEAST monthly taper off of 150mg Effexor XR.

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On 11 January 2018 at 4:13 AM, Spice81 said:

Anyone else get pins and needles in their hands  when they lie down at night and get knumb hands 😥 also get it when I’m on my phone lying down 

 

Yes, I get all of the above.  Have had for a few years now.

 

My health is fine, but I find these symptoms alarming.

Dose History: 19 Feb 2014 - Escitalopram 10mg daily June 2015 - Started taper, 5mg every other day July 2015 - 5mg every 2 days August 2015 - 5mg every 3 days September 2015 - 5mg every 4 days Sept 14th - Completed tapering, but at 7 weeks "drug free" I suffered serious WD symptoms as a consequence of "incorrect" tapering. Nov 25 2015 - Re-instated Cipralex @ 2.5mg daily. WD symptoms faded. Held at this dose and experienced "windows and waves". 12 Oct 2017 Reduced dose to 1.25mg. 13 Mar 2018 Reduced dose to 0.625mg (approx.). 16 April 2018 0mg. Windows and waves triggered by stress (IBS/reflux, headaches, sinus issues) Aug 2019 Mirena coil fitted 6 Jan 2020 MAJOR Wave hit 19 months following last dose (protracted WD).  Symptoms listed below Mar 2020 Mirena coil removal.

Therapy: Nov 15th 2016 Re-started therapy Jan 19th 2017 Started CBT Dec 2017 Started listening to Hypnotherapy CD (self-esteem). Nov 2019 Started couples therapy.

Supplements: "Bioglan" Biotic Balance Ultimate Flora 10 billion CFU, live Bacteria, Probiotic, suitable for Vegetarians, with Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Longum"Pukka" Vitalise a unique blend of 30 energising botanicals.

Diet: 16 April 2018 Detox cleanse / anti-candida for 90 days. Jan 2020 Started "small plate" diet (i.e child size portions).

Exercise: Stretching, Yoga, Pilates, Spinning, Elliptical/upper body workout, walking.

Medical Test Results: 4 Jan 2017 Homeopathic Treatment starts 24 Feb 2017 Started weight loss program 24 Mar 2017 Naturopathic Treatment + anti-Candida diet started due to suspected Candida Related Complex (CRC). DETOXED for 7 weeks to "re-set" gut. April 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Comprehensive Stool Analysis NEGATIVE; Full Blood Count (Normal) / Blood Cholesterol: 5.6 (Borderline) / Blood Sugar (Normal) / 28 Jun 2017 FSH 8.2 / 14 Nov 2017 FSH 17.7 Dec 2017 Blood Cholesterol: 3.9 (Normal) / Kidney Function (Normal) / Blood Sugar (Normal). December 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Food panel allergy (bloodwork) analysis - a few "VERY LOW/VL" allergens; Mar 2018 "Genova Diagnostics" SIBO urine analysis: High Level of Yeast/fungal markers found in small intestine but NO SIBO.  April 2018 Thyroid (Normal) / Full Blood Count (Normal) / FSH (Normal). 16 April 2018 Started anti-Candida diet - 3 month protocol.   25 March 2020 All test results "Normal". CRP" 5 mg/L (normal range to 0-5 mg/L).

Symptoms:  Flu-like symptoms, anxiety, anhedonia, sinus headaches right-side (severe), IBS issues/reflux (severe)**, tinnitus, fatigue, inner tremor, nausea, chills/hot flushes, pounding heart, muscular issues including stiff left hip flexor, intense anger, PSSD (ongoing).  **Histhamine intolerance (suspected).

Major Life Events: 

Re-located to UK from Canada: Jan 2016

My father died: 5:05pm, Monday 5 Feb 2018 Last Lexapro dose: 16 April 2018 (its now been over a year since I quit ADs)  Moved house: Friday 23rd February 2018  "Divorced" toxic Mother: Monday 26 March 2018 Starting working again: 19 November 2018  Diagnosed with: 5th August 2021 PTSD/C-PTSD Diagnosed with: March 2022 Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Painful bladder syndrome

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I'm curious to know anyone here developed the fingertip and toe tingling / buzzing while actually on your normal dose of a SSRI, not tapering / withdrawing, in my case Lexapro?
 

I completed a fairly rapid taper off of a 3+ year Doctor prescribed Xanax prescription in December of last year. Three months later, after the withdrawal symptoms calmed some, and my anxiety returned in big fashion, I was prescribed Lexapro. I went extremely slow taking 2.5mg for a month and now have been on 5mg for the past 3 months. During the 2.5mg dose I began noticing my hands / fingers falling asleep while side sleeping. On the 5mg dose I began noticing a few fingertips on each hand, and a few toes in each feet buzzing / tingling intermittently (often), throughout the day.

 

I'm now not sure if it's a delayed withdrawal symptoms from the benzos 7 months ago, or if it's related to me simply being on Lexapro. My PDoc says that Lexapro couldn't possible cause that a such a low dose. My Family Doc had no clue and referred me to a Neurologist. My Neurologist didn't even care about my medication history and ordered several MRI's, ultrasounds, nerve conduction testing and 15+ blood tests. I'm now trying to possibly isolate it to the Lexapro and save myself thousands of dollars for potentially unnecessary tests.

 

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.....

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18 hours ago, Overwatch said:

I'm curious to know anyone here developed the fingertip and toe tingling / buzzing while actually on your normal dose of a SSRI, not tapering / withdrawing, in my case Lexapro?
...My Neurologist didn't even care about my medication history and ordered several MRI's, ultrasounds, nerve conduction testing and 15+ blood tests. I'm now trying to possibly isolate it to the Lexapro and save myself thousands of dollars for potentially unnecessary tests.

Hi,

 

While taking my normal dose of fluoxetine, I was bothered by symptoms like peripheral neuropathy (PN), such as mild to severe tingling in my fingers and toes, often spreading to the entire hands and feet, with impaired sense of touch. Sleeping on my side often resulted in complete loss of sensation in the underlying arm upon waking. Mine is pretty much completely resolved as I reduced fluoxetine. I can't conclude with certainty that fluoxetine was to blame but my health journal has a lot of evidence suggesting this. The other possibilities were low B12 and high B6. PN-like symptoms can be indicative of so many things so there are a lot of benign options one could try before doing anything drastic, such as stopping certain supplements (some can cause PN-like symptoms, such as B6). I would recommend getting the blood tests if they are not too expensive and ask if they can also test your B12 and B6 levels. 

 

I can review my notes but it would take so long as I've been filling my health journal for years now! I can't say for sure that my PN started in the early years of taking fluoxetine but it did disappear the first time I stopped fluoxetine completely, and was most noticeable during reinstatement and stabilization, with it now being a mild, predominantly non-existent problem at my lower (~7mg) dose of fluoxetine. 

 

As you have been to a few doctors, I am sure they have checked your vitals (blood pressure, breathing, heart rate) so it is unlikely to be anything to worry about. I just recommend the blood tests first as they are potentially the quickest and least expensive option and have a good chance of revealing the problem if it isn't just SSRI-related. It could well be the result of Lexapro though but I would always defer to your neurologist as I only have my experience to draw from. 

2012: 2 weeks of paroxetine, I cannot recall the dose. Strong side effects, stopped cold turkey, had intense, horrible withdrawal thereafter

2012 to 2016: Fluoxetine 40mg daily, sometimes 20mg daily, a couple of bad tapers under doctor's advisement, increasingly bad withdrawal symptoms with each major dose change

Oct 2016 to June 2017: 10-month reinstatement of 20mg fluoxetine daily to stabilize. A very difficult period but withdrawal gradually improved

July 2017: At 20mg (100%), started a linear tapering regimen using water titration (20mg fluoxetine into 300ml of water).

June 2019: Currently at 0.200mg (1.00%). I have many symptoms, most I attribute to fluoxetine, some to withdrawal, and the rest to hypothyroidism. Continuing to reduce anyway.

July 2019: Jumped from 0.066mg (0.33%) to 0.000mg (0.00%); I'm now free of the poison.

 

My introduction thread: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/14226-kittygiggles-generic-prozac-fluoxetine-stabilization/

 

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3 hours ago, Kittygiggles said:

As you have been to a few doctors, I am sure they have checked your vitals (blood pressure, breathing, heart rate) so it is unlikely to be anything to worry about. I just recommend the blood tests first as they are potentially the quickest and least expensive option and have a good chance of revealing the problem if it isn't just SSRI-related. It could well be the result of Lexapro though but I would always defer to your neurologist as I only have my experience to draw from. 

 

Kitty...thank you for the reply and the information. The only testing I've had so far to address this concern is a blood test checking my vitamin levels (D, B-12, folate) and one that checked for inflammation. They all returned normal values expect the vitamin D which was just one point below the normal range. The extensive testing, including the MRI, 2D Cardiac Doppler, carotid ultrasound and extensive blood work is scheduled for next week. Not enough time to safely taper off Lexapro, and I'm told the blood testing has to be done within hours of the MRI for some reason related to the dye.

 

Regardless, I'm reassured that someone else has indeed had similiar symptoms while on a SSRI and that they do seem to resolve through dose adjustment. I'll keep this thread updated as this situation progresses. Thanks again for your time.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I'm wondering how you can distinguish whether tingling/paresthesia is due to withdrawal from medications, or current medications that you are on.

 

I get pins/needles all over my body intermittently, but if I wear leggings I notice it on my thighs pretty much 24/7. So I'm avoiding pants year round instead of taking another big pharma pill in the next few years. I don't know if latuda or supplements like GABA can cause it, but I've also come off a lot of medications including Lexapro (which I was on for over 2 years and came off quickly working with my doctor last May). 

 

I'm too destabilized to make any more medication changes or go down on Latuda right now, so I am just wearing shorts year round. Just wish I knew how to tell whether it is withdrawal because I've already been in severe withdrawal for about a year. But it sounds like it could last several years so I'm at a loss. 

Drug History: 

  • Put on Zoloft at the age of 8 (2004) for several years (first drug ever took) 
  • On and off cocktails of psychiatric drugs from 2011-2018 (too many to remember, too many changes never stabilizing me) 
  • Around summer of 2017,  tapered off Lexapro, Zyprexa, and Depakote working with doctor (on each medication for few years, never tracked) 
  • Also on and off ADHD medications (Adderall, Ritalin, Strattera) and Klonopin in 2017-2018 
  • July 2017-October 2017 (took Trileptal, 900mg)-October 2017 Suffered tingling in legs, first severe withdrawal symptom 
  • November 2017-January 2018 (took Gabapentin, 900mg) (Gabapentin used for withdrawal of tingling. suffered severe withdrawal from Gabapentin) 
  • February 2018- Took minimum dosage of Horizant (300mg) for 4 days (for withdrawal of tingling, suffered severe side effects and withdrawal) 
  • April 2018-June 2018- Reduced Latuda from 60mg to 40mg working with doctor-still suffering significant withdrawal (noise sensitivity has become extreme since Latuda reduction) 

Drugs Currently Taking:   2008 Lithium 900mg (at night), 2014 Intuniv 1mg in the morning 2mg at night, early 2017 Latuda 60mg, but as of June 2018 tapered to 40mg (20mg in morning, 20mg at night) 

Supplements: May 2018 Magnesium (July 2018 stopped due to facial tingling),

May 2018 -250mg Natural GABA Now Brand (half in morning, half at night), June 2018 fish oil (2 capsules), May 2018 CBD oil CBDistillery 1000mg (5 drops in the morning 5 drops at night)

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1 hour ago, alyheartsux3 said:

 

I get pins/needles all over my body intermittently, but if I wear leggings I notice it on my thighs pretty much 24/7. 

 

 

Same here, 24/7 since September 2017. It is more likely withdrawal in my personal opinion. 

November 2014 - September 2015: Zoloft 50 mg, Trilafon 4mg, clonazepam 1mg
October 2015 - September 2016: Effexor 75 mg
September 2016 - January 2017: Effexor 150 mg
Stopped Effexor in March 2017 after tapering under medical supervision
The doctor I've now found is an expert in withdrawal from ADs
Persistent withdrawal syndrome since July 2017: Prozac 10 mg, clonazepam 0.5 mg, to cope with it.
December 2017 -  withdrawing from Prozac, 10 mg every 2 days
Drug free since January (?) 2018
 
Symptoms: pins and needles, burning skin sensations, PSSD, OCD, mood swings (a lot), malaise (a lot), muscle spasms, voice in my conscience. 

Doing not so bad, but I want to be the person I was. 
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On 6/30/2018 at 5:32 PM, Overwatch said:

 

Kitty...thank you for the reply and the information. The only testing I've had so far to address this concern is a blood test checking my vitamin levels (D, B-12, folate) and one that checked for inflammation. They all returned normal values expect the vitamin D which was just one point below the normal range. The extensive testing, including the MRI, 2D Cardiac Doppler, carotid ultrasound and extensive blood work is scheduled for next week. Not enough time to safely taper off Lexapro, and I'm told the blood testing has to be done within hours of the MRI for some reason related to the dye.

 

Regardless, I'm reassured that someone else has indeed had similiar symptoms while on a SSRI and that they do seem to resolve through dose adjustment. I'll keep this thread updated as this situation progresses. Thanks again for your time.

 

I hope the blood tests all came back normal for you and you can attribute it safely to your SSRI. Other supplements that can exacerbate or cause tingling or PN-like symptoms are too much zinc and vitamin D (not via sunlight rather by ingestion). I would keep taking normal amounts of vitamin D and zinc though if your blood tests reveal that you need them. Taking magnesium may also relieve tingling and PN-like symptoms. 

2012: 2 weeks of paroxetine, I cannot recall the dose. Strong side effects, stopped cold turkey, had intense, horrible withdrawal thereafter

2012 to 2016: Fluoxetine 40mg daily, sometimes 20mg daily, a couple of bad tapers under doctor's advisement, increasingly bad withdrawal symptoms with each major dose change

Oct 2016 to June 2017: 10-month reinstatement of 20mg fluoxetine daily to stabilize. A very difficult period but withdrawal gradually improved

July 2017: At 20mg (100%), started a linear tapering regimen using water titration (20mg fluoxetine into 300ml of water).

June 2019: Currently at 0.200mg (1.00%). I have many symptoms, most I attribute to fluoxetine, some to withdrawal, and the rest to hypothyroidism. Continuing to reduce anyway.

July 2019: Jumped from 0.066mg (0.33%) to 0.000mg (0.00%); I'm now free of the poison.

 

My introduction thread: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/14226-kittygiggles-generic-prozac-fluoxetine-stabilization/

 

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On 7/9/2018 at 10:34 AM, alyheartsux3 said:

I'm wondering how you can distinguish whether tingling/paresthesia is due to withdrawal from medications, or current medications that you are on.

 

You can tell if a drug is causing a reaction by keeping notes of your daily symptom pattern. If you take the drug regularly, the reaction will appear regularly, though sometimes hours later.

 

We often request that members keep daily notes for this very reason. Use a simple list format with time of day on the left and notation (symptom, drug and dosage) on the right.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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On 7/17/2018 at 11:02 AM, Kittygiggles said:

 

I hope the blood tests all came back normal for you and you can attribute it safely to your SSRI. Other supplements that can exacerbate or cause tingling or PN-like symptoms are too much zinc and vitamin D (not via sunlight rather by ingestion). I would keep taking normal amounts of vitamin D and zinc though if your blood tests reveal that you need them. Taking magnesium may also relieve tingling and PN-like symptoms. 

Yes, the MRI, countless blood tests and several ultrasound style of tests came back normal and clear of any indication as to why this symptom is occurring. I tapered off of the 5mg Lexapro in a matter of a week prior to the medical tests and doing so and zero effect on the symptoms -- both in frequency and intensity. As a shot in the dark, my Neurologist placed me on Gabapentin to see if it has any effect on it. After reading the issues people have had getting off of that medication, I'm less than excited about taking it.

 

Overall, it's very disappointing and still troubling. I was very confident that the tingling would be related to the SSRI, but unless that stuff is still in my system three weeks after my last dose, it isn't the cause. Back in December I finished a fairly quick taper off of Xanax which I had taken at very low dose (less than .5 to .25mg a day) for several years. I am told by benzo withdrawal sufferers that this could be related to that, but it seems odd that these symptoms would appear suddenly months after my last dose.

 

I return to the Neurologist soon and we'll see what direction he wants to take, if any.

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Hundreds of people on this site have had all kinds of tests, neurological and otherwise, to identify the cause of their withdrawal symptoms. They have found nothing. (Very rarely, someone does find a pre-existing condition that might have caused whatever symptoms initially drove them to take psychiatric drugs.)

 

Unless a neurologist has educated himself or herself about withdrawal syndrome, he or she will not be able to help with it, though they may be willing to prescribe various drugs just to see what happens.

 

Overwatch, please put your update and questions in your own Introductions topic. Discussing your drug schedule and symptom pattern here would take this topic off-track.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 2 months later...
On 7/9/2018 at 10:34 AM, alyheartsux3 said:

I'm wondering how you can distinguish whether tingling/paresthesia is due to withdrawal from medications, or current medications that you are on.

 

I get pins/needles all over my body intermittently, but if I wear leggings I notice it on my thighs pretty much 24/7. So I'm avoiding pants year round instead of taking another big pharma pill in the next few years. I don't know if latuda or supplements like GABA can cause it, but I've also come off a lot of medications including Lexapro (which I was on for over 2 years and came off quickly working with my doctor last May). 

 

I'm too destabilized to make any more medication changes or go down on Latuda right now, so I am just wearing shorts year round. Just wish I knew how to tell whether it is withdrawal because I've already been in severe withdrawal for about a year. But it sounds like it could last several years so I'm at a loss. 

Aly that's crazy cause I thought I was the only one.. I used to get pins and needles feelings around my wrists, so I avoided long sleeves for the longest time.   

29y.o.  Started Lexapro, 15mg in 2013 for anxiety and depression.

9/28/15- Started taper, went down to 10mg, then 5mg by 10/31/15. 

1/2016-  anxiety, nausea, fatigue, crying spells, sadness, by January. Reinstated back to 10mg.  Leveled out.   1/1/2018- Began further taper, down to 0mg by 1/31/2018.  Last dose was 2.5mg. Feelings of dizziness during taper recommended by pdoc.  Slowed down taper, but still had symptoms of stomach upset.

2/12/18 - Dealing with symptoms of dizziness, anxiety, sadness, stomach upset.  2/20/18 - Reinstating medication with .6mg.  2/21/18 - Emotionally feeling better.  Dizziness much improved.  2/24/18 - Went to sleep with extreme feeling of chills.  No fever.  Fatigue.  3/19/18 - Increased anxiety.  5/1/18- Began therapy.  Have trouble with anxiety and GI symptoms.  9/22/18 - Decrease to .5mg.  Anxiety, GI, chills.  9/26/18 - back up to .6mg.  10/31/18 - app Curable, feeling distinct change in outlook and anxiety levels decreased.

2/1/19 - not seeing improvement in anxiety.  started 10mg Prozac  2/7/19 - up to 20mg Prozac, experiencing chills, tiredness  2/21/19 - tapering down to 10mg

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This thread is fantastic and has just cured me of an anxiety I have suffered for WEEKS.  I thought my body was shutting down!

Reading from top to tail, I can relate to so many people.

 

I started experiencing Parethesia in my hands and feet, not from WD, but after taking a medication (Valdoxan) for about 4 weeks.  

Just as others have stated here, I had problems (and still do) walking, holding things without dropping them and thought I was having a stroke, or that I had MS, Diabetes, or Parkinson’s.  At one point I picked up a pen to write something for the first time In a while and I couldn’t form a single letter properly.  I cried.

 

Having been off the medication for weeks, I’m just waiting for it to all go away! 🙁

2019:

Valium 20mg for 2 weeks February

Amitriptyline 100mg Feb-October 25mg taper over 4 week

Valdoxan (again). November to present, 50mg

Ativan 1mg morning and night, Zolpidem 2x 10mg at night

Lyrica 150mg at night, Ritalin 150 morning and midday

 

Past Medications:

Valdoxan June-September 2018, Dexamphetamine (5mg twice daily) 2000 to 2017, Dothep (50mg) — Mid to Late 2017, Amitriptyline.(50mg) — Early to. Mid 2017

 

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On 4/21/2018 at 3:35 AM, Altostrata said:

Dr. David Healy suggests the sensation of burning in withdrawal might be related to sodium channels (one way cells communicate). Potassium counters sodium; for this reason, potassium supplements are used to calm the heart in situations of arrhythmia and sodium should be avoided.

 

If you have symptoms of burning, you might try potassium supplementation (and reduce sodium intake, such as in salt). In the US, potassium supplements are commonly available as 99mg, don't take more than this each day, you can overdose potassium.

 

Please post in this topic to report what effect this has on your symptoms of burning.

 

Well, it is my turn to get back on the paresthesia train. Mine resurfaced in the last few weeks. I have a detailed diary that can link it to three possibilities but I had not considered sodium. I will reduce salt intake and update here, my other options are to reduce vitamin D3, zinc, and have a look at a connection with a levothyroxine increase. I will update again here if I fix this issue again, which I did the first time possibly from reducing vitamin D3 and zinc. 

 

My symptoms are in the hands primarily (the feet too but less noticeable perhaps): tingling, burning, redness, and a sense of pressure, much like an invisible edema that makes closing the hand uncomfortable, as if there's too much fluid in the hands yet with no discernible change in hand volume. It occurs in the evening, before sleeping and persists for almost 16+ hours. Cold air and hand movement may relieve it.

2012: 2 weeks of paroxetine, I cannot recall the dose. Strong side effects, stopped cold turkey, had intense, horrible withdrawal thereafter

2012 to 2016: Fluoxetine 40mg daily, sometimes 20mg daily, a couple of bad tapers under doctor's advisement, increasingly bad withdrawal symptoms with each major dose change

Oct 2016 to June 2017: 10-month reinstatement of 20mg fluoxetine daily to stabilize. A very difficult period but withdrawal gradually improved

July 2017: At 20mg (100%), started a linear tapering regimen using water titration (20mg fluoxetine into 300ml of water).

June 2019: Currently at 0.200mg (1.00%). I have many symptoms, most I attribute to fluoxetine, some to withdrawal, and the rest to hypothyroidism. Continuing to reduce anyway.

July 2019: Jumped from 0.066mg (0.33%) to 0.000mg (0.00%); I'm now free of the poison.

 

My introduction thread: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/14226-kittygiggles-generic-prozac-fluoxetine-stabilization/

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

This post is about erythromelalgia (EM). I am a lay person and what follows may be nothing more than ignorant rambling. I apologise for its size.
Symptoms: A cursory search for "erythromelalgia" will yield plenty of photos and details. The symptoms present in the hands and feet commonly, where one will feel burning, generate heat, and develop pressure (perhaps swelling), redness, and tingling. 
Cause: It seems EM is a problem of extreme vasodilation and it isn't a surprise to me that extreme vasoconstriction is also present in many EM sufferers too (such as in the form of Reynaud's phenomenon).   

 

Serotonin, SSRIs, withdrawal, and EM

A simplification of serotonin's vascular effects is that it can cause vasoconstriction and vasodilation. An aspect of this is sodium channels, discussed in this link:-

 

On 4/21/2018 at 3:35 AM, Altostrata said:

Dr. David Healy suggests the sensation of burning in withdrawal might be related to sodium channels (one way cells communicate).


I've found the circumstances below affect my case of EM, which may support the hypothesis that serotonin dysregulation is the root problem (listed in order of certainty and intensity):

1. It strikes when I'm sleepy (lying down doesn't seem to be a factor) - serotonin has a primary role in sleep regulation
2. It is more intense when I increase my levothyroxine dose - fluoxetine and levothyroxine may have a synergistic effect and of course, thyroid hormones regulate serotonin levels (via reuptake inhibition)
3. It is more intense when I eat more frequently than every 48 hours (I usually eat every 22 to 24 hours) - serotonin generation is influenced by food
Therefore serotonin dysregulation (as a result of taking an SSRI or withdrawing from it) may be the original cause of EM in those genetically predisposed to it. 
This means that for many of us, there may not be much more we can do than to wait for our body to recover from SSRI withdrawal and SSRI side effects, by using all the relevant therapeutic tools discussed across SA:-

 

On 7/20/2018 at 1:11 AM, Altostrata said:

Hundreds of people on this site have had all kinds of tests, neurological and otherwise, to identify the cause of their withdrawal symptoms. They have found nothing. (Very rarely, someone does find a pre-existing condition that might have caused whatever symptoms initially drove them to take psychiatric drugs.)


As demonstrated by some in this thread, their EM or neurological symptoms disappeared as they recovered. In my first encounter with this problem about 1.5 years ago, it resolved, possibly spontaneously, during my stabilization period where perhaps serotonin was at a stable level in my body. Here is my best guess about why I am suffering from this again: now that I am withdrawing, my body has more active serotonin transporters so levels are fluctuating. As a lay person, I wonder as well if there is such a thing as iatrogenic serotonin sensitivity, which may present during withdrawal.

 

Despite the possibility that our fate may be sealed for now due to our history with SSRIs, I think that anything that affects vasoactivity is something worth investigating in order to alleviate symptoms. What follows are perhaps the most pertinent facets we may investigate for relief:-
 

- Sodium channels, potassium, and erythromelalgia

On 4/21/2018 at 3:35 AM, Altostrata said:

Potassium counters sodium; for this reason, potassium supplements are used to calm the heart in situations of arrhythmia and sodium should be avoided.

 

If you have symptoms of burning, you might try potassium supplementation (and reduce sodium intake, such as in salt). In the US, potassium supplements are commonly available as 99mg, don't take more than this each day, you can overdose potassium.

 

Please post in this topic to report what effect this has on your symptoms of burning.

 

I am trying to reduce sodium but I am concerned about the adverse cardiovascular effects of ingesting less than 2400mg daily (see the NHANES I, II, and III studies). Are people with EM-like conditions in a special category where reducing sodium is safe and advantageous, at least in the short term? For example, perhaps we utilize sodium in a different way that means we can be healthy with lower levels.

 

I've not had much luck with potassium yet but it is likely too early to tell. Perhaps the 100mg (rounded from 99mg) mentioned above is insufficient, when considering the recommended daily amount is ~3500mg for an average adult. I am taking 400mg. The risk of overdose as far as I know only applies to those with renal insufficiency. Because having healthy kidneys is a prerequisite of taking many supplements, can anyone shed any light on why potassium requires special consideration? I will try to research this more because those of us in withdrawal can have some strange reactions to apparently safe doses of supplements and medication.

 

- Calcium channels, magnesium, and erythromelalgia
Much like the sodium channels hypothesis above, anecdotal evidence (https://www.neurotalk.org/peripheral-neuropathy/179910-erythromelalgia.html) suggests that some people benefit from magnesium supplementation due to its effect on calcium channels. Some people feel worse with magnesium and others feel no difference. I take magnesium but have done throughout withdrawal so it seems a dose change (up or down) would yield more insight, at least in my case. 

 

What now?
I need to undertake more reading about the safety of modifying potassium and sodium levels, I will then alter my levels accordingly. I will try to increase magnesium because I tolerate it well. I will also look at the myriad other things that may affect all this: zinc, selenium, D3, B3, B6, histamines, temperature, etc. I will update this thread when I find the cause of a massive improvement in my case, if that ever happens!

 

I will in the meantime do my best to pretend EM among many other symptoms isn't happening because this iatrogenic mess we all find ourselves in, when contemplated fully, just causes further misery! Acceptance is essential and this quote encapsulates its value using just my kind of humor:-

 

On 9/3/2011 at 9:59 PM, cinephile said:

God, who the hell knows?...You get the idea: on and on and on it goes...I just hate how nebulous all this stuff is: getting to the bottom of any of these symptoms is like pinning jello to a tree. I guess that's why I often don't partake in a lot of "symptoms" discussions because I've been around the SSRI block for so long and know that eventually people realize that there are no answers, just iffy theories at best. There's a strange sense of serene surrender that you get when you fully accept this and don't bash your head against the wall trying to cure whatever weird symptoms you're having. You just go with it, one day at a time, even though it can be awful and you often wonder what the point of carrying on is.

 

What a life...

2012: 2 weeks of paroxetine, I cannot recall the dose. Strong side effects, stopped cold turkey, had intense, horrible withdrawal thereafter

2012 to 2016: Fluoxetine 40mg daily, sometimes 20mg daily, a couple of bad tapers under doctor's advisement, increasingly bad withdrawal symptoms with each major dose change

Oct 2016 to June 2017: 10-month reinstatement of 20mg fluoxetine daily to stabilize. A very difficult period but withdrawal gradually improved

July 2017: At 20mg (100%), started a linear tapering regimen using water titration (20mg fluoxetine into 300ml of water).

June 2019: Currently at 0.200mg (1.00%). I have many symptoms, most I attribute to fluoxetine, some to withdrawal, and the rest to hypothyroidism. Continuing to reduce anyway.

July 2019: Jumped from 0.066mg (0.33%) to 0.000mg (0.00%); I'm now free of the poison.

 

My introduction thread: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/14226-kittygiggles-generic-prozac-fluoxetine-stabilization/

 

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Taking magnesium supplements is low-risk. You have to be a bit more careful with potassium. One way to get more potassium is to eat more potassium-containing foods such as https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-loaded-with-potassium#section2

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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@Altostrata Thank you. It's a good list of food that I consume and enjoy already but I realize that I've not been meeting my 100% allowance of potassium from diet alone in recent weeks. For example, I used to eat a lot of spinach but for whatever reason, I haven't for a while. I thought about the size of my post and I'd be happy for it to be punted over to my thread, with a link remaining here so as not to clog this thread up. 

2012: 2 weeks of paroxetine, I cannot recall the dose. Strong side effects, stopped cold turkey, had intense, horrible withdrawal thereafter

2012 to 2016: Fluoxetine 40mg daily, sometimes 20mg daily, a couple of bad tapers under doctor's advisement, increasingly bad withdrawal symptoms with each major dose change

Oct 2016 to June 2017: 10-month reinstatement of 20mg fluoxetine daily to stabilize. A very difficult period but withdrawal gradually improved

July 2017: At 20mg (100%), started a linear tapering regimen using water titration (20mg fluoxetine into 300ml of water).

June 2019: Currently at 0.200mg (1.00%). I have many symptoms, most I attribute to fluoxetine, some to withdrawal, and the rest to hypothyroidism. Continuing to reduce anyway.

July 2019: Jumped from 0.066mg (0.33%) to 0.000mg (0.00%); I'm now free of the poison.

 

My introduction thread: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/14226-kittygiggles-generic-prozac-fluoxetine-stabilization/

 

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  • 7 months later...

Hello, everyone! My name is Haley, and I’m new here. But I came to ask, has anyone here taken an SSRI and after quitting had terrible pins and needles/skin crawling/almost zap like sensations in your skin? It’s been the most unsettling symptom I’ve had since I quit, and the most persistent. I get it in my thighs and genital area, but I’m sure others experience it elsewhere. I just want to know if anyone here has recovered from the feeling.

Took Sertraline May 13 and May 14, 2019. Have experienced tingling/burning on thighs/genital area ever since. Also have occasional headaches. Paranoid that the tingling will get worse/cause numbness of areas.

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On 6/25/2019 at 11:54 AM, Haleybeans said:

Hello, everyone! My name is Haley, and I’m new here. But I came to ask, has anyone here taken an SSRI and after quitting had terrible pins and needles/skin crawling/almost zap like sensations in your skin? It’s been the most unsettling symptom I’ve had since I quit, and the most persistent. I get it in my thighs and genital area, but I’m sure others experience it elsewhere. I just want to know if anyone here has recovered from the feeling.

I suffer from exactly that, especially in my legs and when I walk or do any physical activity it'll get worse and keep me up at night...

CIPRALEX 10MG(M) TAB (Escitalopram): 29/01/2014-08/05/2016
VIEPAX 37.5MG TAB (Venlafaxine): 08/05/2016-26/06/2016
PRIZMA TAB (Fluoxetine Hydrochloride): 26/06/2016-18/08/2016
ELATROL 25MG TAB (Amitriptyline Hydrochloride): 18/08/2016-05/01/2017
WELLBUTRIN XR 150MG (M) TAB (Bupropion-Wellbutrin): 05/01/2017-16/01/2017
WELLBUTRIN XR 300MG (M) TAB (Bupropion-Wellbutrin): 16/01/2017-05/2018
SERTRALINE TEVA 50MG TAB (Sertraline): 29/05/2017-
SERENADA 50 MG TAB (Sertraline): 03/07/2017-16/07/2018
ARIPLY 5MG<><>(28) TAB (Aripiprazole): 17/06/2018-24/06/2018
BRINTELLIX (M) 10MG TAB 28 (Vortioxetine): 24/06/2018-16/07/2018
CLONEX 0.5 MG TAB (Clonazepam): 29/05/2017-16/07/2018 when needed not constant

May 2018 cold turkey: SERENADA 50 MG TAB, WELLBUTRIN XR 300MG TAB, SERTRALINE TEVA 100 MG TAB. June 2018 - partial reinstatement: ARIPLY 5 MG TAB, BRINTELLIX 10 MG TAB, SERENADA 50 MG TAB. July 16 2018 - cold turkey again. October 4 2018 - reinstatement: SERTRALINE TEVA ~ 0-25 MG TAB Overall: 29/01/14 - 16/07/18 + 27 days >>>> 4 years, 6 months, 1 week, 6 days, 8 hours, 40 minutes. 

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  • 3 weeks later...

What’s the difference between this and Akathisia? When the tingling/burning/pins and needles was bad enough I found if I kicked my legs around it kind of disrupted the sensation.  It can also keep me up all night.

2003-2011: Paroxetine,Citalopram,Effexor; Aug/Sept 2011: Effexor to Mirtazapine; Oct 2011: C/T Mirtazapine back to Effexor; Nov/Dec 2011: Fast Tapered Effexor - w/d hell; Feb 2012: Reinstated Effexor 37.5mg; June 2012: Dropped to 35.6mg; Jan 2016: Propranolol 2.5mg per day for general anxiety; Feb 2016: Finasteride 0.25mg per week to slow hair loss; 18th May - 8th June 2019: Started Vyvanse 7.5mg and increased by 7.5mg weekly to 30mg (lowest “therapeutic” dose for adults).; 21st June 2019 - 12th July: Cross tapered from venlafaxine brand Rodomel to Efexor (1/4 > 1/2 > 3/4 weekly before ditching Rodomel); 13th July 2019: Cut Vyvanse dose to 15mg; 15th July 2019: Akathisia returned after years of being free; 16th July 2019: Went back up to Vyvanse 30mg

Supplements: Omega-3, Vitamin D, Zinc, Phosphatidylserine 

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From https://www.healthline.com/health/akathisia

 

Akasithisia:

 

Quote

 

 
 

People with akathisia feel an uncontrollable urge to move and a sense of restlessness. To relieve the urge, they engage in repetitive movements like these:

  • rocking back and forth while standing or sitting
  • shifting weight from one leg to the other
  • walking in place
  • pacing
  • shuffling while walking
  • lifting the feet as if marching
  • crossing and uncrossing the legs or swinging one leg while sitting

 

 

  •  

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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  • 6 months later...

What kind of nerve damage does SSRI's cause,  myelin sheath damage or axon or is it both.  Im about 5 year out and im getting worse in some area for example in random places in my arms, body forearms, ect.  In these random place are burning and twitching its very uncomforting that its not going away. What can I expect for the future recovery or disability?  I have a problem with calling it "withdrawal",at least in my case, after I only took taking very little of what I took.  I have the worst pain in my legs with muscle looking generally weaker, but it did not stop me from trying to grow them with exercise, mainly walking.   I have make progress in my legs from walking for 4 months, but when I try to do bodyweight squats I think I pressure my muscles to recover from too much stress, mind you, I have going very easy on myself too.  I thought by walking I was priming my leg to withstand the stress of hard exercise activities, I was right but also did not expect literal muscle failure in  my left glute.  I have experience this before with doing push ups with my triceps it was early in my "withdrawal" or injury.  What can I do that at this point I think I'm getting worse right now my legs are on fire and it very hard to envision myself coming out of clean, I definitely won't.  Has anyone have been like this as long as I have?

Short Term Case: 7 pill of 10 mg of Modafinil in a 3 month span, but last 3 I took back to back causing severe withdrawals, lasting 3 weeks. Than 2 pills lexapro to help withdrawal lead to more withdrawal.  I have most symptoms Pssd, emotional loss, cognitive issues, nerve damage in legs.  Also 2 benzodiazepines.  Not much to damage me long term...

 

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Skin burning when I feel either threatened or under pressure. This fired up when an owner of a business (Nice people) started talking to me. I was so anxious about being rude. When I get angry, this also happens. It literally feels like I’m burning. Going on a year now. 

234FB8B3-EA5F-4864-8529-E94F23BD2D3D.jpeg

Prozac (2007-2008), Zoloft (2009-2017) Paxil (2017-2018), Celexa (2018), Luvox (2018-Current) Average 50-200. Nothing as of January 2019

Lorazepam 2007-Current 2MG 3 times a day

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Jeremy was it hard withdrawing from luvox, I am having some now. 14 days off now, jumped off at 12

1993-2017 Sertraline 50 mgs

2017- 2018   Effexsor 75mgs 6 months 75 mgs   Prozac.  5/18  3 months 20 mgs

                       Pristiq.   8/18. 3 months  50     Paxil   9/18 -  4 months 20 mgs  Klonopin .5 once a day

2019       Amitriptyline  2/19- 8/19  Klonopin .25 once a day

                Luvox  5/2019- 1/2020 withdrawal from 12.5 mgs  on 1/9/2020,

                Sertraline 9/24/19-1/8/2020 50mgs, Rexalti .25 mg 1/2/20-1/17/20

   PRESENT  (Sertraline. 1/9/19 - present 62.5 mg) 7:00 am        
                       (Mirtazipine 9/18- present 7.5mgs). 7:30pm
                       (Klonopin 12/24- 2/23/2020  (.125). 7:00am  Klonopin 2/24/ 2020  (.112mg)

                       (Luvox 12/2019-  6mgs). Luvox 2/1/2020 (3mgs)

1988- present.    Lisinipril 40mgs blood pressure 9:00  Amlodipine besylate. 7:00am 

                               Lipitor cholesterol 40mgsam

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I’m still dealing with it a year after stopping completely. Very hard. I’m not sure if it is worse because I also started and stopped Paxil, Cilexa, and Zoloft in the same year (2018) 

Prozac (2007-2008), Zoloft (2009-2017) Paxil (2017-2018), Celexa (2018), Luvox (2018-Current) Average 50-200. Nothing as of January 2019

Lorazepam 2007-Current 2MG 3 times a day

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi

 

Head tremors and these nervy sensations represent the “physical” symptoms that have crippled me. The tremors are self explanatory, but the nerve sensations.... Mainly both lower legs, from knee to soles of feet. Shooting, stabbing sensations that set you on edge. I also get exactly the same sensations in the head. In a strange way, it’s like the signals between the brain and that extremity of the body are misfiring?

 

Cymbalta 2007

Lyrica 2010

Venlafaxine 2010-2018

Amitriptyline October 2018-2019. (25, 50, 75, 100, 75, 50, 25)

CT 10 Sept 2019

Reinstate amitriptyline 5 mg 29 Oct 2019

Reinstate amitriptyline 2.5mg 19 Nov 2019

CT 24  Nov 2019

Vitamin D 16 Dec and Promethazine 25mg 16 Dec (one month only)

 

 

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  • 3 months later...

Hello everyone just wanted to introduce my self to this section before a complete introduction. I am also in the midst of these neurological symptoms in my legs. I was on Effexor XR 150mg for 18 years started young I'm now 36. I did a six month (CT) crosstaper onto 100mg Zoloft. And so the nitemare continues. This last wave has had me unable to stand for long my legs are weak and calf muscle fasticulations are terrible. Not much to do but keep fighting the good fight. Hopefully this subsides in the next few months/years. Any how this forum has a tremendous amount of beneficial information. I am grateful for this place and knowing I'm not alone in this journey.

 

Feel free to update me on how your recovery in this particular area has been.

 

Are you there yet?

 

 

2001-2019 Effexor XR 150mg Cross to Zoloft 100mg.

2003-2004 CT Effexor XR 150

09/18/2020 Zoloft 100mg CT Switch Paxil 20mg /Valium 10mg

2020 Paxil 20mg /Valium 10mg/Gabapentin 900mg.

2021 Paxil 20mg /Valium 6mg /Gabapentin 600mg.

Currently:

04/14/2022 Paxil 20mg to 15mg 25% reduction/Valium 3mg/Gabapentin 900mg/Fludrocortisone .01mg 

Paxil: Tablet/Liquid Switch 10% Monthly Drops

5/16 Paxil Liquid 7.4ml/ Valium 3mg/ Gabapentin 900mg, 6/1 Paxil Liquid 6.66ml/ Valium 3mg/ Gabapentin 900mg 6/18 "Switch back to tablets" paxil 10mg+1.66ml/Valium 3mg/Gabapentin 900mg

SupplementsFish Oil, Melatonin 1.5mg, Luracidin.

"Slow  Steady Stable" 💚

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  • 2 months later...
  • Administrator

Got this note from a psychiatrist about a patient who had skin tingling and itchiness from withdrawal:

 

"What finally worked for her - and I had no part in this, she figured it out on her own - was rubbing her body with IcyHot pain relieving cream, several times a day, for however many months it took for the withdrawal syndrome to run its course."

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 2 weeks later...

To put some people's mind at ease about "cell damage", "cell death", "breakage of axon", "breakage of dendrites", etc. 

 

I had a punch biopsy done from my upper thigh and can confirm that there are no indications of my C-fibers being compromised in any way. No notable decrease in count or alterations in shape or length despite near constant pricking and/or crawling sensations. This really comes down to incorrect signaling and the brain interpreting that as pain/itch.

 

I am giving aloe vera and menthol based lotions and products a change now to help deal with the severe flare ups, but using these for the rest of my life isn't exactly ideal.

 

We also have to open to the idea that these reactions are part stress/anxiety, which we may be far more susceptible to after having lived in a state with increased serotonin for so long. 

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5 hours ago, TL1802 said:

I am giving aloe vera and menthol based lotions and products a change now to help deal with the severe flare ups, but using these for the rest of my life isn't exactly ideal.


TL1802,

I know you just posted this a few hours ago, but I'm curious if you've already tried those lotions (and how well you felt they work?)

Hope you're getting some relief.

Rx History:

"Early short-term meds" - Diazepam 10mg / day - July 2018 (total of two weeks) / Nortryptyline 10 mg / day  - Oct 2018 (total of one week) / Citalopram - 20mg/day - Oct 2018 (took for one day) / Lorazepam 1mg/day - Oct 2018 (took for one month)

These meds all taken concurrently onward from November 2018: * Gabapentin (initially 400 mg / day, eventually peaked at 1200mg / day) * Lexapro (10 mg / day) * Clonazepam (1 mg / night) * Mirtazipine (15 mg / night)

Tapering history:  (all three of these tapered with no significant WD or other issues)

* Tapered off from Clonazepam (last dose March 4, 2019) * Tapered off from Lexapro (last dose July 8, 2019) * Tapered off from Gabapentin (last dose September 24, 2019)

Mirtazipine CT / Withdrawal / Reinstatement History: * CT'd 15mg/day Mirtazipine October 16, 2019......Withdrawal effects began October 24/25, 2019......Reinstated (3.75mg) November 2, 2019

* Stabilized one month later. Held @3.75mg for four months, then resumed taper. Currently tapered down to 1.0mg/day. Last two drops were almost certainly too big and too fast. (2.0mg-->1.5mg, 1.5mg-->1.0mg)

NEW: RESUMPTION OF GABAPENTIN / Adverse Reaction - July 16, 2020 started at 100mg/day (At Doctor's suggestion for pinched-nerve pain in arm and neck), quickly titrated up to 600mg/day. July 28, 2020 - full-body warm/electrical buzzing sensation and muscle twitches begin. With Dr. support, 12-day taper concluded as of August 9, 2020. Head-to-toe burning skin, muscle burning/cramping/weakness/twitching remain as of August 27, 2020.

CURRENTLY: 1 mg/day Mirtazipine, 450mg/day Valerian Root, 3mg Melatonin

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Not yet. Waiting for Amazon. I suspect they will help temporarily, with the burning especially. I saw a thread where 2 people were talking about my symptoms exactly and had been experiencing them for 1 and 2 years. They never came back and posted about if and when their symptoms remitted. Super frustrating. 

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I am a new member so just now reading this topic.

I started taking Zinc and D3 in March to build my immune system against getting Covid 19. I started my withdrawal of psych meds in April with my final dose mid June. My scalp began tingling/itching sometime in April and has gotten continually worse. I recently started taking benadryl for relief but don't like putting it in my system.

After back reading on this topic I see that taking zinc and D3 may be attributing to my problem.  I will stop taking them and see if my condition improves. If anyone has any other suggestions please reply.

Thanks so much!

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, lamictalseroquelsaphris, 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 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
2 hours ago, Lucy1983 said:

I am a new member so just now reading this topic.

I started taking Zinc and D3 in March to build my immune system against getting Covid 19. I started my withdrawal of psych meds in April with my final dose mid June. My scalp began tingling/itching sometime in April and has gotten continually worse. I recently started taking benadryl for relief but don't like putting it in my system.

After back reading on this topic I see that taking zinc and D3 may be attributing to my problem.  I will stop taking them and see if my condition improves. If anyone has any other suggestions please reply.

Thanks so much!

 

@Lucy1983

 

Please add this information to your Introduction topic.  We need to have all your history available there.  Thank you.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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21 hours ago, Lucy1983 said:

I am a new member so just now reading this topic.

I started taking Zinc and D3 in March to build my immune system against getting Covid 19. I started my withdrawal of psych meds in April with my final dose mid June. My scalp began tingling/itching sometime in April and has gotten continually worse. I recently started taking benadryl for relief but don't like putting it in my system.

After back reading on this topic I see that taking zinc and D3 may be attributing to my problem.  I will stop taking them and see if my condition improves. If anyone has any other suggestions please reply.

Thanks so much!

Without knowing very much about your psychiatric health and history of AD's, a 3 month taper seems a bit drastic and might be the reason that the tingling and itching has become more severe than initially and even though you mentioned it started prior to your taper. 

 

I'm not a medical expert and can only offer my thoughts from my own personal history with Antidepressants and the awareness I've come to know about my body and health through all of this. For people that suffer from any form of hypersensitivity (ie. migraine, hyperthyroidism, anxieties, OCD, depressive disorders etc.) our baseline nervous system is already heightened to begin with which is why AD's work so great to dull those issues. But they work like a bandaid during the course and when we try to go off them our systems go haywire trying to adapt and get back to what our previous baseline was prior to AD. It now is more hypersensitive than before and so any kind of supplement or medication you take will be much more significant in it's impact on your body if it hasn't been something you have taken for a long time. You are right not to put more things into your body especially something that isn't kind to your nervous system. You'll need to read about those recommended supplements on the other area of this website.

Effexor XR 37.5mg (1st time 2003-2004 / 2nd time 2007-2008 / 3rd time 2010-current) Attempted to get off again in July of 2015 and did a year long taper only to reinstate by June 2016 due to failed taper. By July 2017 started to give this another try.

 

7.01.17 - 37.5mg fast forward to 3.25.18 - 26 mg  / 4.27.18 - 23.4 mg  / 5.20.18 - 21 mg  / 6.24.18 - 18.9 mg / 9.7.18 - 17 mg  / 10.13.18 - 15 mg / 11.10.18 - 13.5 mg 12.24.18 - 12 mg / 2.10.19 - 11 mg  / 3.6.19 - Updose to 13 mg and was better only for a month so decided to continue with tapering process. / 5.18.19 - 12 mg / 6.12.19 - 11 mg  / 7.7.19 - 11 mg  / 8.22.19 - 10 mg  / 10.4.19 - 9 mg   / 11.29.19 - 8.5mg / 12.16.19 - 8 mg / 1.24.20 - 7.5mg / 3.15.20 - 6.5mg / 3.29.20 - 6 mgs / 5.9.20  - 5.5 mgs / 5.23.20 - 5 mgs / 6.29.20 - 4.5 mgs / 7.10.20 - 4.25mgs / 7.24.20 - 4 mgs / 8.18.20 - 3.75mg / 9.1.20 - 3.5 mgs / 9.29.20 - 3 mgs but Horrendous insomnia suddenly appear preventing further tapering.

 

10.9.20 - Effexor Updose to 3.5mg

10.18.20 - Effexor Updose to 4 - 4.5 mg but no relief and insomnia got worse so.....

11.04.20 Effexor jump! with direct switch to Prozac 10mg.

12.4 - prozac 7.5mg 

12.20 - prozac 4mg 

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@whatshappening

Thank you for your reply!

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, lamictalseroquelsaphris, 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 

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