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

[Lucy1983]

I don't know how to copy and paste so I will rewrite it to post to my page @ChessieCat

[christianjw12]

Hi guys !

 

Have you ever felt having cold hands ? I don't know if it's numbness or cold hands. But for 2 days, I noticed my right hand is very cold, even though the weather is not that cold at the moment in Paris. It's between cold hands and numbness, it's not totally numbness because I can feel my hand. The hand feels very cold though.

 

Christian

[Melissa5000]

21 hours ago, christianjw12 said:

Hi guys !

 

Have you ever felt having cold hands ? I don't know if it's numbness or cold hands. But for 2 days, I noticed my right hand is very cold, even though the weather is not that cold at the moment in Paris. It's between cold hands and numbness, it's not totally numbness because I can feel my hand. The hand feels very cold though.

 

Christian

 

Yes I recognise this! Cold hands, numb hands and feet and other bodyparts are common in withdrawal. 

[almuPA]

Hello,

 

Appart from the numbness in the hands, I realized I am dropping more objects, specially with my left hand. Did that happen to somebody else? I am starting to worry a lot. I've had a pretty stressfull week, and sometimes I feel my left hand/arm very stiff, even though I still can move it.

Thank you in advance.

[Cressida]

On 1/22/2020 at 8:23 PM, jeremy1069 said:

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. 

 

Eight years on I am still getting burning sensations in my lower legs. I have concluded I now have peripheral sensory neuropathy that is not going away. It started early in withdrawal and was more widespread initially but settled in my calves. I think it was caused by high cortisol levels which would explain why it flares during high stress situations such as the ones you describe. It happens at night when cortisol surges and wakes me up. At 8 years out this is my remaining withdrawal symptom along with the head whooshing which started in early withdrawal and has quietened but never gone away. I tried various supplements, Vit D , magnesium but no difference..It is a fact I discover that SSRIs can cause peripheral sensory neuropathy. If you don't have it badly or for long I think it is reversible. I don't think mine is.  Sometimes I don't get it. Sugar aggravates it. I don't drink alcohol. Hope yours clears up.

[TL1802]

Cressida, this is just not true. Neuropathy as a result of SSRIs has been studied to exhaustion. It was Healy’s first big fear mongering failure in the 90s before he shifted to PSSD as his means to terrorize (his medical license should really be taken away, but his groupies would probably cry foul). Healy floated the idea of small fiber neuropathy recently, and this fell flat on its face too. Many of us including myself were able to get punch skin biopsies and it shows our small nerves (peripheral) totally in tact with nice long dendrites and axons. 

 

Alto's response to the comment about Healy:

 

48 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

 

We have a few members, though, who seem to have persistent severe symptoms that show no signs of resolution. I believe Dr. Healy is very alarmed at the generation of those severe iatrogenic conditions.

 

 

Edited November 22, 2020 by ChessieCat
Added Alto's comment

[Callie]

Whew! Thanks, TL1802, for your post! Tactile skin issues, especially on my arms, have been my ever-constant "friend" since day one in WD. Let's see, 3 years, 7 months, and 19 days now.

 

I'll spare the details of my healing ordeal, unless someone wants to hear it all, but I doubt anyone would be interested. What I must say is the burning sensation for me has gone away, hopefully, permanently. It's been quite sometime since I've experienced it. Those few paresthesia-type symptoms I'm left with at this point have significantly diminished over time, and I expect they will all gradually fade away as well. I look forward to making a full recovery and truly believe that everyone else will, too, no matter how long it takes.

 

Be patient. Have hope. Believe.

 

Callie

[Altostrata]

Generally, we see these post-acute symptoms very gradually shift and fade, though it can take years.

 

Speculation about the involvement of neurotransmitters or cortisol is unwarranted. The cause for persistent symptoms can be anything. Hypersensitivity reactions can appear in any body system. It is also possible that you might develop an allergic reaction to something or another condition that is unrelated to withdrawal syndrome.

 

We have a few members, though, who seem to have persistent severe symptoms that show no signs of resolution. I believe Dr. Healy is very alarmed at the generation of those severe iatrogenic conditions.

[TL1802]

On 11/21/2020 at 6:29 PM, Altostrata said:

We have a few members, though, who seem to have persistent severe symptoms that show no signs of resolution. I believe Dr. Healy is very alarmed at the generation of those severe iatrogenic conditions.

 

Alto, can you please provide some reference to the persistent severe symptoms? Are there really people who have symptoms post 2-3 years, and if so, what symptoms are we talking about here?

 

I am doing decently better, though still on propranolol 80mg ER (low dose). The propranolol was never meant for the paresthesia and more for the brain tingling/tickling + feeling of jitteriness/brain tremor + headache. This has become my main symptom now. The stinging and itching skin sensations have come down to 2 to 3 days per month and seem to be resolving, finally after 11 months since onset and 14 months since discontinuation. 

 

Do you know of any other example of people complaining about “brain tingling/tickling + feeling of jitteriness/brain tremor + headache”? I would love to know.

 

I won’t get into detail about my gripes about Healy, but I believe he is an unprofessional practitioner who is destructive to the well-being of hundreds if not thousands of people. He is more destructive than the medications than we speak about. No respect deserving doctor spends most of his time running a blog, using images and videos of zombies, the devil, etc. etc. On top of this, he is so quick to comment in the negative, saying things like “likely permanent”. His life work has been defined by rejection and ostracism in the medical community and I presume this is why he has become more and more extreme. Originally, he was devoted to proving that SSRIs cause axonal damage like MDMA and other serotonin increasing drugs, then he was focused on proving that they increase suicide, and now he has settled on PSSD and other withdrawal symptoms, likely because these will be much harder to prove/disprove.

 

I have tried over and over to add my medication history to my footer. I will try again.

[Altostrata]

I'm not about to put effort into convincing you withdrawal syndrome can be severe and long-lasting. You'll have to browse the Introductions section yourself. You need to read more widely in the Introductions forum and Symptoms and Self-Care forum before expounding on what's wrong with David Healy. You haven't seen anything yet.

 

Yes, there are many people here who have had post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) for 3 years or more. That is quite common. It took me 11 years to recover. Look for the tag "PAWS" in the Introductions forum. See

 

[Magictable]

Hi guys,

 

I have been experiencing for a month or two numbness in my nose and tingling and numbness around my mouth area. It feels like my face is sinking sometimes, it's very odd.

 

Has anyone experienced anything like this? I noticed these symptoms first start when I tried Escitalopram for 5 days and I stopped because the side effects were bad and this was on of the main side effects, it just doesn't seem to want to go away.

 

 

[HopeToHeal]

I took 5mg of escitalopram for six days and have had tingling in the corner of my mouth. It also used to include a feeling of coldness on my chin on that same side, but the chin sensation eventually went away. The tingling in the corner of my mouth feels electrical, but it has also lessened with time. 

[sjd11t]

Its been 6 months and I still get pins almost everyday. I'll have a few days where its better and maybe just slight in my feet. I've gotten hopeful that is passing and then I do something that triggers it. 

 

Like Running! What? Is my CNS really this fragile? Running makes everything fire and it seems to take days to settle down.  Or sometimes i think I eat something or even a multivitamin seems to set me off .

 

 I cannot figure this thing out folks. I'm at a loss and getting frustrated. 

 

I thought acupuncture was helping and now I think it is actually hurting because it stimulates my nerves.  I think right now that I can't do anything too exciting or my system just can't cope. 

 

Does this really sound like its AD withdrawal? I've had blood work and CT and all look good. Awaiting brain, spine MRI. Been told its not ALS but could be MS, I guess, but that doesn't seem to quite fit.

 

I feel like the sertaline messed up my transmitters and I am hoping it isn't permanent and that over time things go back to homeostasis but it sure doesn't feel like it right now.

 

Any feedback, advice would be amazing. Thank you. 

[Gridley]

1 hour ago, sjd11t said:

Its been 6 months and I still get pins almost everyday.

It's not at all unusual to have withdrawal symptoms 6 months out.  

 

1 hour ago, sjd11t said:

Like Running!

 

It's common for strenuous exercise to cause withdrawal symptoms to ramp up.  We recommend mild exercise, like a walk in nature, for those in withdrawal.

 

1 hour ago, sjd11t said:

I thought acupuncture was helping and now I think it is actually hurting because it stimulates my nerves.  I think right now that I can't do anything too exciting or my system just can't cope. 

 

If you get acupuncture, it's important to tell the acupuncturist that you want only calming or sedating points treated, never stimulating points.

 

1 hour ago, sjd11t said:

 

Does this really sound like its AD withdrawal?

It sounds that way to me.

 

1 hour ago, sjd11t said:

it isn't permanent and that over time things go back to homeostasis but it sure doesn't feel like it right now.

It isn't permanent. Time is the great cure.

 

These explain the healing process really well.

 

Brain Remodelling 

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. Get supplements that ae single ingredient (not mixed with other types of supplements).

 

 

[slowlybacktome]

I have pins and needles and skin burning.  It's such a frustrating symptom. 

[sjd11t]

Thank you Gridley. I sure hope this goes away with time. I am starting to think that this may be peripheral neuropathy. I have had  blood, MRIs, physical evaluation - so far they all look fine. Some days I feel a light tingle in my feet. Others it's everywhere and it feels like I have a sunburn. Like today it seems I am burning on my back and neck. Do ADs cause peripheral neuropathy? Seems like it is possible since they tinker with CNS....

 

slowlybacktome, how long have you had your symptoms? any progress? any recommendations for diet/supplements?

 

Hoping for all of us to recover.

[indario55]

How long can paresthesia last after AD discontinuation? Any experiences? 

[Erell]

@sjd11t

 

Merged similar topics.

[tsranga]

On 4/2/2021 at 1:28 AM, indario55 said:

How long can paresthesia last after AD discontinuation? Any experiences? 

It's been two years and 2 months now and I still have them. I find in my case that it can follow season / weather changes.  I rarely had it in winter, but it has returned in spring. It usually peaks in the afternoons between 12-4pm and 12-4am, and flares up when there is a big temperature deviation/change, so usually fall and spring are the worst.

 

I'm hoping they eventually subside.

[Callie]

Oh, GVR91, I can see you’re in a bad place right now and so often wish I could wave a magic wand for everyone to make it all go away, but I can’t. But I will try my best though to offer you the wee bit of comfort that I can.

 

You mention the word “hope.” That means you have it and you won’t give up on it. No way will you! Know that this is certainly and absolutely only a temporary situation that you will someday look back on and be stronger for having gone through it. Believe that, please, with all your heart because it’s the truth. Also, know that I see you’ve been through absolute anguishing, agonizing misery so far. This shows you have great strength and tenacity. You will get through this!

 

This. What exactly is “this” anyway? This is actually the way our neurological systems heal from whatever it was that the drugs did to it. I’m convinced of that. I know that it’s only natural to believe that pain means something is wrong. In this case, however, I believe it’s the opposite. It means something right is going on in our bodies. Yes! This is normal for an abnormal situation. I know that some may not agree, but this is what experience tells me.

 

I look at it like this. Our neurons were dulled from the dosing, and now they’re being revived. They’re coming back gradually. They’re new. They’re extremely sensitive. They’re confused, too, on exactly what they’re supposed to do and how to do it. They’re tenacious, too, and keep on trying over and over. Then they somehow miraculously do it. They get it right little by little and eventually settle down back into normalcy. This takes time though. I believe it is how we heal, and it most definitely and unfortunately is a torturous route to feeling back to our old selves once again.

 

So you see, GVR91, I’m not asking you to be grateful right now for what’s happening to you but rather asking that you not become overwhelmed by the fear it’s most likely causing. Try to understand, accept, and surrender to the healing process and hang on to that hope that you have.

 

Now, how to deal with all those nasty physical symptoms. But before I get to them, I repeat, please know that time is the ultimate healer, and the time it takes to finish is so much different for everyone. So please never, ever compare yourself to anyone else in that regard. 

 

There are ways to cope and try to ease some of the hell you’re going through. You say it’s your entire body. Clothing must be hellacious torture for you, especially those with any texture to them. And seams, oh, my goodness, those dreadful seams!

 

If you look closely at fabrics, even those with very little texture to them, you will see that there are teeny-tiny hairlike structures everywhere. These nasty little buggers are what I believe aggravate the many different kinds of nerve endings, so wearing clothes that protect your skin from such fabrics is most helpful. These fabrics are more skin-friendly:  Modal cotton, tightly woven smooth spandex-nylon blends, satin, and velour. There are, however, caveats for the first three. Modal cotton doesn’t make for very nice clothing, but you can’t beat it for bed sheets! Wrap them as tightly as you can around your skin when you go to sleep. They’re soothing. Sleep nude, too. As for spandex, sometimes they’re coarsely knit, so wear the kind that feels as smooth as glass. Long underwear made from it and wearing it inside out helps keep seams away from your skin and then you can also wear any type of clothes over them, even right side out! It might not even matter if it’s the middle of summer as they can help keep your skin feel warm, if that’s the case! The only drawback from satin is that it’s slippery, and if you move while wearing something made from it, it excites those sensitive, baby nerve endings. It might even start or ramp up a tickling sensation. It’s really good though for those times when you’re not moving and can be wrapped tightly around the skin. The very best fabric, however, is extremely soft, very short, closely knit napped velour worn inside out, of course.

 

You see, GVR91, the goal here is to keep those nerve endings as calm as possible. Sometimes even wrapping your skin in plastic food wrap or aluminum foil might help for a bit. Just don’t leave it on too long. They make skin sweat which can cause pins and needles.

 

Here are some other coping tips for you. Deep breathing—count your inhales and exhales as you go along. Distract yourself with anything that delights you. At times, like when your skin burns, medicated lotions might help. Icing or heating skin with one of those plastic hot/cold packs (and do use the plastic ones because they’re smooth), the kind you can put in the freezer or microwave, and, of course, frozen for burning and heated up for bone-chilling cold sensations. If you have both sensations simultaneously, see which works best for you. Sometimes, neither will help. Aloe vera lotion sometimes soothes, too. Keep the air and temperature around you Goldilocks like—not too hot and not too cold. Stay out of the wind and direct sun. And remember, if or when nothing seems to help you, going into a small dark room, closing the door, and crying as hard as you can is helpful. Maybe even scream! But always, always, always keep in mind that without fail you will most definitely, without a doubt heal from this. Never, ever let that belief slip away from you no matter how horrid you feel. Tuck that belief away in your head, heart, and soul.

If none of these tips help, be resourceful. Research. Try different things that you find might help. As for acupuncture, I tried it. It didn't help. It didn't hurt. Regardless, you’ll make it through this. You will! Hold onto hope and be patient, GVR91!!! Pray, too, and know you are not alone in this.

Callie

[thinkpink]

Im not sure if I'm posting this in the right place but I wanted to share some symptoms to see if anyone has similar. Im now two years off Paxil (Seroxat) but Im still experiencing a number of issues especially around fatigue, pain and tingling sensations. The strange thing is within the last few days I've started experiencing what I can only describe as random waves of heat and burning sensations across my body. They aren't there all the time but when they come its like an intense heat in different parts of my body. This isn't a skin irritation its very much coming from within if that makes sense.

 

Its weird because 17 years ago when I first started Seroxat within a few days of starting treatment I had this bizarre heat sensation and I've experienced this only a couple of times since then. However this seems to have re-emerged after 2 years off and it just feels really strange! I read in Baylissas book that random sensations/symptoms can come and go on this journey but I guess I just wanted to share this as it really is so strange especially after 2 years off.  Im not sweating and my body temperature is normal but I feel these flashes of burning in different places. This doesn't appear to be connected to anxiety. I had a recent bout of very intense anxiety and intrusive thoughts back in May but even then with my anxiety sky high I didn't have these particular sensations, they seem to be present regardless of my mood- i.e. even when relaxing watching tv. 

[Cheeky]

I get the same feeling in withdrawal, then it goes once stabilised 

[Cheeky]

On 7/14/2021 at 2:42 AM, thinkpink said:

Im not sure if I'm posting this in the right place but I wanted to share some symptoms to see if anyone has similar. Im now two years off Paxil (Seroxat) but Im still experiencing a number of issues especially around fatigue, pain and tingling sensations. The strange thing is within the last few days I've started experiencing what I can only describe as random waves of heat and burning sensations across my body. They aren't there all the time but when they come its like an intense heat in different parts of my body. This isn't a skin irritation its very much coming from within if that makes sense.

 

Its weird because 17 years ago when I first started Seroxat within a few days of starting treatment I had this bizarre heat sensation and I've experienced this only a couple of times since then. However this seems to have re-emerged after 2 years off and it just feels really strange! I read in Baylissas book that random sensations/symptoms can come and go on this journey but I guess I just wanted to share this as it really is so strange especially after 2 years off.  Im not sweating and my body temperature is normal but I feel these flashes of burning in different places. This doesn't appear to be connected to anxiety. I had a recent bout of very intense anxiety and intrusive thoughts back in May but even then with my anxiety sky high I didn't have these particular sensations, they seem to be present regardless of my mood- i.e. even when relaxing watching tv. 

Mine can happen anytime as well 

[thinkpink]

Thanks Cheeky, these sensations can feel so peculiar at times. Are you still tapering from Paxil and Seroquel? Hopefully these random sensations will even out in time. 

[Cheeky]

Just now, thinkpink said:

Thanks Cheeky, these sensations can feel so peculiar at times. Are you still tapering from Paxil and Seroquel? Hopefully these random sensations will even out in time. 

Yeah I am but only get these symptoms when I’m in withdrawal, once I stabilise after a drop I’m okay again

[Nsr99]

I am now 5 years and 3 months into my WD.

 

One of my symptoms has been always numbness on my both toes. I have had it since day 1 of WD. When I wakeup it feels worse.

 

No improvements overtime. Will it subside with time? I don't know.

 

Yesterday, I did a Nerve Conduction Study. The consultant yet has to look at the charts and analyze and advise. Unfortunately, he was not available. He will come from vacation by 1st week of September.

 

The person who conducted the study observed something on my 4 nerves on each leg, based on her experience, but said better to hear from the consultant. She also said that this may explain the numbness you have on your toes.

 

Anybody relates to this issue?

[julesb]

Body numbness

 

is there anyone else who is experiencing full body numbness? like your skin is less sensitive all over the place? is this considered nerve damage? Also having numbness of body sensations, i would think this is just depersonalization but i wanted to know if anyone else is going through this 

 

Edited December 19, 2021 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with existing topic

[Shashal]

On 12/20/2021 at 3:05 AM, julesb said:

Body numbness

 

is there anyone else who is experiencing full body numbness? like your skin is less sensitive all over the place? is this considered nerve damage? Also having numbness of body sensations, i would think this is just depersonalization but i wanted to know if anyone else is going through this 

 

I had it when I was on Zoloft, my back was numbness and when I touched my back just like I was touching somebody else. It’s gone after I was off Zoloft.

[Lilmizz21]

Hi

 

Reaching out as I am struggling with severe stinging, burning all over my body and face.

 

Has anyone else had this and it subsided? 💞

[Fosca]

One symptom I've had that has particularly distressed me is what feels like nerve pain in my head and neck -- a searing, burning, almost "pulsing" sensation that comes and goes in waves, can last for hours, and will increase and decrease in intensity.  Sometimes it's centered around both ears.  Often in radiates from shoulder / neck, through the back of my head, and around my right ear.  It's worse on the right side for some reason.  It seems like my occipital nerve is inflamed.  I actually noticed the symptom when I first kindled on 10 mg of fluoxetine (without knowing what kindling was), though it subsided with time.  When I stopped the medication, the pain came back with a vengeance during withdrawal.  I was wondering if anyone else has had this symptom, and if so, did it ever resolve or lessen?

[Pepms]

Hi @Foscahow have you been ? Did the symptoms resolve ? I’m having the tingling and burning now after 2 months off AD

[Fosca]

Hi @Pepms, mine hasn't resolved but it's definitely gotten better.  It is less frequent and less intense.  Comes in windows and waves.  I'm sure you will see improvement with time as well.

[Pepms]

8 minutes ago, Fosca said:

Hi @Pepms, mine hasn't resolved but it's definitely gotten better.  It is less frequent and less intense.  Comes in windows and waves.  I'm sure you will see improvement with time as well.

How much time did it took for you to get better from the sensations??

[Fosca]

@Pepms It's been 3 months since I wrote that post, but everyone's timeline is different.  It's definitely not gone, but it's changed (more aching than burning), and I have it less frequently.  Too much stress and activity makes it way worse, so I've been trying to take it easy.

[Pepms]

Has anyone with this symptoms tried reinstating after 2 or more months of last dose? Did it helped with the paresthesias? From what I’ve been reading in the forum, i did a not so slow at all taper and I’m lost and worried that I lose my time frame for reinstating and maybe it can help with the symptoms and then do a low speed taper maybe 

[TL1802]

Hello all - I wanted to pop back in here and provide an update. I'm hoping that extra information and another viewpoint can be beneficial to some.

 

I think a lot of us are primed to point fingers at antidepressants, think they are poisons, and then connect everything that happens to us back to the antidepressant. I think forums like this where stories are shared and the bias of positive reinforcement (others coming on and saying "yes, this is exactly what happened to me") leads to this. I was definitely a victim of this mentality and narrow sightedness, to the point that I sent angry emails to my psychiatrist and fired her for "ruining my life and my body". We need to remember that correlation is not causation. We also need to realize that tens of millions of people are coming off of antidepressants at any give moment, and that with such a large group of people, there are naturally going to be illnesses that coincidentally pop up at the same time, unrelated to the discontinuation. 

 

I began suffering from paresthesias 3 months after discontinuation (an 8 week taper off of 10mg of Viibryd that I was on for 12 months). I had pinpricking, stinging, and itching sensations all over my body that lasted for over 2 years (they still appear from cold weather and stress). I had unexplained jitteriness and head tremors that lasted for over 1 year (they occasionally appear at night if I am suffering from significant insomnia). I would often wake up in the middle of the night with a swarm unbearable tingling all over the surface of my brain (this resolved after 2 years). I lost most sexual function which has only partially returned. My skin has been severely dry and I do not sweat from my arms or legs. I had frequent bouts of akathisia that were so severe that I wanted to rip my flesh off my body (this resolved after 1.5 years but I still get some restlessness). I also had severe brain fog for the first 6 months. I still have insomnia where I wake up after 4-5 hours and need to stay awake for another 1-2 hours before going back to sleep.

 

Very recently, after 2 years, some new symptoms began to appear: loss of hair on my legs, knee and ankle aches and stiffness, and tachycardia when standing up. All of this undeniably points to small fiber neuropathy, which was supposed to have been ruled out after multiple neuro exams and even a skin biopsy to count nerve fibers. My new neuromuscular specialist said that the biopsies are only 60% sensitive and that I am 100% clinically diagnosable. This lead us to order special antibody tests only available at 4 or 5 labs in the entire world (all common antibody tests had been coming in normal for the past 2 years). We got the results, and I surprise, had very elevated antibodies for TS-HDS and Plexin D1, both known to be most associated with small fiber neuropathy.

 

The kicker to the story is that the doctor and I went back to the start of my symptoms and discussed what was going on in detail. We uncovered that I had gone through a really rough case of the flu (not COVID as it was 2019) about 3 weeks before the start of my symptoms, and it's likely that this was EBV, colloquially know as Mono, which is known to cause immune dysregulation and progressive small fiber neuropathy.

 

Long story short, what I thought was protracted withdrawal this whole time likely had nothing to do with antidepressants.