Historygal: myofascial Pain syndrome real or WD mimicking any one had/have this?

[historygal]

Hi all,

 

I am new to this website so this is my first post on here. I cam across this website from doing a lot of research and I decided that joining a support group would be best. I was on prozac for a total of 6 months (not very long), however my Doctor tapered me off over a short period of 3 weeks and they were quite drastic reductions from what I have read. I had a terrible time during the acute stage with the strangest things happening to my body and I had severe neck pain. Over the course of 4 months a lot of symptoms did disappear. However, the neck pain turned into head pain at 5 months off and I was diagnosed with having a neck spasm that has not changed. The head pain from doing my research seems to be coming from the neck spasm which is causing referred throbbing and burning pain. The pain changes and is exacerbated by food, stress, anxiety and exercise. Around about this time my sleeping patterns changed. I know sleep for a max of 5- 6 hours per night and don't have deep sleep always waking up around about the same time. I also have restless legs syndrome, high Anxiety with heart palpitations, dry and metallic taste in my mouth, pins and needles, twitches, IBS, sinus secretion the symptoms all get worse around the time of month as well for me. The closest thing I can match my pain too is Myofascial pain syndrome which is like a localised form of Fibromyalgia usually happening to one part of the body, rather than whole. This can explain and account for some of symptoms but not all. I just wondered as I am aware that WD can mimic chronic conditions such as MS, Fibro, CFS and Lupus, is this WD?will this go? or has the chemical imbalance caused a chronic condition?? any thoughts and ideas would be appreciated. I forgot to mention im 8 months into WD.

[mammaP]

Hi Historygal, welcome to SA. I'm sorry that you didn't get any replies to your post. I moved it to

the introductions forum because it is specifically about your symptoms and history,

and more people will see it here and respond. 

 

Your symptoms do sound like withdrawal, there are many strange symptoms that 

seem to appear from nowhere for many people, sometimes months after the inital

withdrawal has settled, as you are experiencing.   

 

When you ask if it could be the chemical imbalance that has caused this, are you 

referring to depression?  The 'chemical imbalance' that causes depression has now

been proven to be untrue and is a myth perpetuated by the drug companies to sell 

their drugs!   You will find topics with links to scientific reports that show this in the 

current events section here http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/forum/27-current-events/

 

There are many members here suffering from withdrawal after quitting meds cold turkey,

every one has their own unique set of symptoms but can relate to each other and support

each other. It is the best place on the 'net ! 

[Petunia]

 I just wondered as I am aware that WD can mimic chronic conditions such as MS, Fibro, CFS and Lupus, is this WD?will this go? or has the chemical imbalance caused a chronic condition?? any thoughts and ideas would be appreciated. I forgot to mention im 8 months into WD.

 

Hi historygal,

Congratulations for getting off prozac and for staying off

 

Like MammaP, I was also confused about what you meant by a 'chemical imbalance'.  Its possible that prozac caused your brain chemistry to be altered from its natural balance, but at 8 months off, after only 6 months use, I would think any imbalance caused by the drug would be mostly reversed again.  This doesn't mean that prozac and your too fast taper from it hasn't caused another problem to develop. If this was withdrawal related, I would expect your symptoms would be decreasing, not increasing. Really, its impossible to know. 

 

While I was on Lexapro, I developed severe nerve pain which radiated from my neck, down into my shoulder, back and arm.  Various tests and scans showed that I had a compressed nerve in my spine.  But since coming off lexapro, the pain has stopped and has never returned.

 

If I were you, I would explore natural treatments for your neck spasm, I'm not sure what they would be, but acupuncture and chiropractic come to mind.  Magnesium can be physically calming and most people are deficient in it. Perhaps trying that may help see:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1300-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

Why did your doctor put you on Prozac to start with?  Are you, or were you on any other medications?

 

Petu.

[Athena]

Hi Historygal,

 

Welcome to the site. I'm very sorry that you developed these pains. Yes, I do believe your symptoms can be related to ADs or AD WD. I don't have any documented information on that, but I myself find muscle pain and joint pain to be part of my symptoms. But I think the fascias (fasciae) are affected too. Fascias are a tiny layer of connective tissue that surrounds our organs, muscles and pretty much everything in our body. I do believe that connective tissue can be affected by ADs. Muscle tendons are also made of connective tissue, and my osteopath friends have noticed that patients who take ADs have more tendinitis that are a lot longer and more difficult to treat. How I see it is that ADs change the fascias structure a little bit, their capacity to adapt, and they become tight. And this can create uncomfortable pains. And yes, pain/muscle tightness in the neck often lead to headaches and migraines. The myofascial pain are those fascias that covers the muscles of the body but I think all fascias could be involved. So a lot of tightness, decreased circulation can bring on all kinds of other symptoms. Like I said, this is only my own hypothesis, but it makes sense!

 

Like Petu mentioned, are your symptoms increasing or decreasing with time?

 

Osteopaths treat fascias really well. If you try osteopathy make sure the therapist you choose have a good scientific background and solid formation. Some massage therapists also have some fascial/myofascial techniques. These both can help a great deal! Let us know what you find and how it evolves!

 

Take care!!

 

Athena

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Historygal.

 

Many people develop body pain when having withdrawal syndrome, which it sounds like you have.

 

Many do better with fish oil and magnesium supplements, see
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1300-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/
 

Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant. I would also look into acupuncture and chiropractic treatment, your body might have gotten into a bad and painful habit that can be corrected. This helped me with the body pain.

[ChessieCat]

1 hour ago, historygal said:

Hi guys. It's been nearly 5.6 years for me and one symptom that has remained and stayed with me throughout is dark circles under the eyes, not just a couple of black bags but serious dark circles that have caused me to have to put makeup and concealer under my eyes. I feel embarrassed by this symptom as it can be noticeable. I have looked online and it can be caused by a number of things like allergies, or iron deficieny or possibly fatigue. I still don't have deep sleep and only able to sleep for 7 hours tops. Any one else with this symptom or does anyone have any suggestions that might help (naturally) will this go when WD ends?

 

Your new topic has been added to an existing topic:  facial-changes

 

[historygal]

Following the getting worse pattern

 

It's been a while since I've posted. I've tried my best to get into normal life with a job etc and accept my symptoms as part of my ongoing living. My symptoms are not letting up. I had one window back this year, outside of this I've had periods where I barely eat and the symptoms are reduced. I ate an organic diet for many years and also practiced fasting. I would say I've oscillates with food and had periods where I've eaten a poor diet but on the whole through most of these years I've fasted and ate salads. I don't see an end to this. I've developed more symptoms as time goes on and not following the pattern of healing and getting better but I would say getting worse. Any others out there with the sme? 

 

Edited January 9, 2022 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with intro topic

[ChessieCat]

Please create your drug signature.  This will allow us to see your drug history at a glance.  Please follow these instructions:

 

Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature

 

 

When things worsen it is a good idea to look back over at least the previous 6 months and think about what things have happened that might have contributed to the worsening.

 

Stress, both good and bad, can have an effect on our nervous system, which may already be overwhelmed by withdrawal.  Things that should be considered:

 

Covid - how has that affected you?  Did it effect your work, finances?  Even if you considered that you were handling it okay, because of the length of time that it has gone on and not knowing what will happen can catch up very gradually.

 

Has the Covid situation meant that you and your spouse have been having to spend more time in the house?  Whatever the cause, the impact is very stressful.

 

Sickness - have you been sick, taken antibiotics, had the Covid vaccination?

 

Alcohol

 

Drugs or supplements

 

Children - have any of your children moved out of home?

 

Death - have you lost any relatives or close friends or even a pet?

 

Holidays - have you been away on a holiday?  Some members of SA have noticed a worsening of symptoms during/after a holiday.

 

These are just some of the major things to consider.  However there could be some minor things that have happened which you don't thing are relevant, but they all add up.  Like the stress of the Covid situation and going back into society after isolation:

 

The Covid situation started early last year and things are becoming more normal but not going back to what they were pre-Covid.  Our world has been changed by what has happened and there is a lot of uncertainty that we didn't have before.

 

Even though we think we have been coping okay, I suspect that there are people for whom the stress builds up very gradually over time and that it can then rear its ugly head and they can't work out what has caused it.

 

I was watching a video yesterday and they had statistics of the increase in the number of people experiencing depression in American.  I think pre-Covid was 17% and post-Covid was 40%.  I cannot remember when the stats were taken.

 

Also see:

 

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

 

immediate-adverse-reactions-to-an-antidepressant-or-within-a-few-doses-how-long-for-recovery

[Altostrata]

Hello, @historygal, how are you doing?