JBuk2015 - Lorazapam mirtazapine chlopromozine hell

[Jbuk2015]

Lorazapam withdrawal hell.put on 3mg of lorazapam by a pysch doc along with 75mg chlorpromozine. Was already on 45mg mirtazapine. Hell on earth time on all of em. Still suffering now 12 months off lorazapam. I was on it 4 months but came down from 3mg to zero in those 4 months. Last 0.5mg just stopped on advice from pysch doc. Got aggressive on the drugs and what not. Cost me everything. Did I rapid taper and get dependant or tolerant. Off all the other drugs now but got a bucket load of symptoms

[dalsaan]

Hi JBuk,

 

Welcome to SA.   Sorry it is under such circumstances.   Given you have come off a range of medications fairly quickly its not surprising you are feeling the way you are.   In order for us to best understand your circumstances and offer you support, could you please fill out your signature.  Instructions on how to do this are here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

Can I also ask you to tell us a little more about your bucket load of symptoms?  When did they start?   Do they coincide with particular changes to drugs?  Are they getting better, staying the same or getting worse.

 

Dalsaan

[Jbuk2015]

Hi there trying to do my signature can't find settings menu

[Jbuk2015]

My symptoms are plenty full each day when I get up. I am struggling to walk properly, stiff neck, concentration problems, anxiety and agitation, blurred vision, head throbbing, weakness aches and pains. Throbbing pain in lower base of skull. Twisting sensations in body and kinda waking side ways and think I have akathisia.depersonalisation and derealisation. Nausea, difficulty swallowing. Feel brain dead brain fog.

 

Lorazapam stopped approx 12 months ago and chlopromozine. Mirtazapine stopped in march 2014. Not on any meds at all. Was on citalopram 8 years and seroxat 5 years before that. Fe

[Jbuk2015]

Also coping with losing my family on these drugs as I couldn't walk became aggressive and horrible coming off being on lorazapam. So not with the people i love dearly.

[dalsaan]

I'm sorry for all your struggles. There are people here who have experienced similar things including difficulties with loved ones. I'm not diminishing your experienced just saying we understand

 

Did you have any symptoms after stopping the Lorazapam? Or did they start in March after dropping the other meds?

[Jbuk2015]

Hi there I had loads from stopping lorazapam. Not sure if I stopped it too quickly. Is it common for lorazapam to cause agression and that as I felt it coming of it was horrendous. Mirtazapine I stopped march 2014. Also could I still be having symptoms now. My vision is shocking as in blurred and have like burning and cracking in my head and neck. Could I have permanent damage from the meds as I was on Chlopromize at the same time. It's The clarity of thought and vision that's killing me as well as the restlessness and that. Also how do I post my signature ?

[Jbuk2015]

How do I do my signature again as I don't appear to have an arrow at the top of my page

[mammaP]

Hi Jbuk, can you see your name at the top right hand side of the screen? It is on the black strip right at the very top.

Click on your name and a box will drop down, choose settings, then in settings, choose signature. Fill out the details

and click the save button. 

 

I'm sorry that you are feeling so bad but it is not surprising with the drugs that you have stopped. Doctors just don't

have a clue!  Many people experience rage and anger with psych drugs, they have a lot to answer for! 

[ten0275]

Jbuk2015, with the exception of the chlorpromazine, you and I had a similar ride. I dropped off the lorazepam pretty fast, but after long term use. Although I didn't experience it, aggression is definitely a lorazepam withdrawal symptom. I had aggressive thoughts, just never acted on them. Felt like I was surging all the time. 45mg of mirtazapine is an activating dose - prescribed for depression I assume? It's about as high as they prescribe. There is little surprise in what you are feeling based on what you are taking/took. Though that knowledge doesn't necessarily "fix" anything, I hope it serves to somewhat "normalize" your experience. And know that healing from this does happen, but it sometimes takes a long while. I am in my 3rd year of withdrawal. Leagues better, but I still have a little to go. Hang in there. Glad you found this community.

 

Dave

[Jbuk2015]

Thanks mamma p. can't see my name at corner of page then I am doing it on an iPhone so maybe I should do it on a laptop.

 

Do you think all my symtoms will go?

[Jbuk2015]

Thanks ten0275. Yes I had the rage on lorazapam. I also was on the 45mg of mirtazapine for depression. I got a lot of anxiety and agitation from it which is why I think they loaded in the other two drugs. They they left me to wean which I think I had it happen too fast. Do you think there is any permanent damage from those drugs together ?

[ten0275]

Jbuk2015, I am not a believer in "permanent damage," but I was sure convinced I was when I was at where you are at. How fast did you fly off the 45mg of mirtazapine? Are you currently completely med-free?

[Jbuk2015]

Came of mirtazapine over 3 weeks and need free yes. Was on citalooram for 8 years previous before the poly drugging cocktail I was on. Med free now. Feel like I have nerve damage as skin feels like on fire and vision and balance all over the place. Ringing in my ears too and neck pain. Have I got nerve damage ?

[ten0275]

Wow, your nervous system got hammered, my friend. 3 week dive off 45mg? That is HUGE when coupled with the other meds. Zero surprise, zero surprise that you feel so horrid. I don't think you're damaged forever, but the big question is what to do now? I think a moderator will speak to this at some point. Hang in there. I was where you were, it gets better.

[Jbuk2015]

Mirtazapine was the last one I came off. They also put me on setraline at the same time as a cross over. Yeah I think I have come off lorazapam too quickly and also mirtazapine plus took setraline for a month.

 

Do you think I should go back on anything ? Or just see. I really am struggling to concentrate it's like my brain isn't functioning without meds as been on em for so long

[ten0275]

Reinstatement is an option. I am hoping Alto and others will weigh in here. Even if you can't figure your sig line right now, why don't you post a timeline here of what you took, when, how long, and when you came off. Also, a full rundown of your symptoms would be useful. You can paste it all into your signature line later. Again, no surprise you feel as you do. You've got guts to muscle through it. Hang in there.

[Jbuk2015]

Thanks urgent help will be appreciated. Ok I am 39 now.

 

22 thru 28 took seroxat

28 thru 38 took citalopram 20mg

Increased to 30mg April 2013 due to stress.

Had side effects of insomnia agitation akathisia and suicidal thoughts. Had a mental breakdown in June 2013.

 

Switched to mirtazapine based on recommendation 15mg titrated from citalopram so Increased one as dropped other. Increased to 45mg thru June July August 2013. Had agitation anxiety suicidal thoughts and restlessness or akathisia maybe etc.

 

August 2013 seen by a crisis team put on 3mg lorazapam and 75mg chlopromozine. Told by crisis team they over medicate then get people off stuff. Was left weaning off lorazapam over next 4 months and Chlopromize over 3 months. Lorazapsm was hell and got down to 0.5mg in end if December 2013. Got Aggressive and everything cost me all i loved.

 

Got off mirtazapine over 3 weeks in 2014 over 3 weeks. Started setraline 50mg but then stopped over a month or so as didn't like it.

 

Took the odd diazapams during this period but now on no meds at all.

 

Current symtoms.

Burning sensations

Blurred vision

Aches and pains

Balance problems

Head pain

Spiking under scalp

Very poor concentration

Agitation

Anxiety

Restlessness

Crying

Sexual problems

Depression and low mood

Feel brain dead

Stabbing pain at base of skull

Twisting sensations

Feel like I am side waking and weak on legs

Many more

 

I get told it's stress which I do have but I know and believe it's from the meds messing everything up.

 

Is it my brain is trying to heal itself but failing each day as that's how it feels. Losing my family ie partner daughter and house has hurt me badly because of withdrawing from lorazapam.

 

Please help me to funxtion and feel human again

[dalsaan]

Hi Jbuk,

 

Reinstatement this far out is very tricky. Sometimes it makes things better, sometimes it makes things worse and there is no way to tell in advance what will happen. We usually suggest if you are going to try reinstatement that you do it very conservatively because your system might have become highly sensitive through withdrawal. By conservatively, I mean a very low dose.

 

Here is a thread on reinstatement that you should read - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3079-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-stop-withdrawal-symptoms/

 

We also find people do well on fish oil and magnesium. If you are going to add any supplements, again go slowly take a low dose and do them one at a time to gauge how your body reacts to them

 

Dalsaan

[Altostrata]

Welcome, jbuk.

 

It looks to me like you had an adverse reaction to 30mg citalopram, this shook your nervous system, and your doctors have been trying to medicate you out of this ever since.

 

The going on and off drugs and coming off them too fast further destabilized your nervous system.

 

There are many people here in similar situations. We have seen people recover from drug-induced nervous system destabilization in a very gradual fashion that can be very frustrating. Sometimes you will feel a bit better, then you will feel worse. But the trend over time is healing.

 

You need to take care of your health, your body and nervous system heal together. If you drink caffeine, you may wish to reduce it, it has an activating effect. Same with sugar and artificial flavorings. Keeping regular hours and getting regular sleep is very important.

 

Many people 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/
 

and other topics in the Symptoms and Self-Care forum.

[Jbuk2015]

Thanks Altostrata, do you think I have nerve damage as I have burning pains in my neck, ringing in my ears, balance problems, blurred vision feeling like I am going in and out of consciousness, cracking behind eyes, popping. Memory is shocking to the point I forget something straight away. Insomnia is shocking and nausea.

 

Also I had a stiff neck on mirtazapine.

 

Also cus I have been on something for so long then is it my brain isn't functioning without stuff.

 

When I was all of them I coukdnt walk properly

[dalsaan]

Hi Jbuk

 

I think all of what you describe is WD. I often have a stiff neck and tension headaches. I also have a very bad memory that is a combination of long term mirtazapine use and sleep deprivation.

 

Here is a long that explains withdrawal as best we know - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1008-intro-to-antidepressant-withdrawal-syndrome/

 

D

[Jbuk2015]

Thanks so much. Keep biting my jaw and almost grimacing too

[dalsaan]

Like bruxism, grinding your teeth, clenching your jaw? I've get that off and on. Some magnesium might help with this and the stiff neck because it's a muscle relaxant. We have a thread on magnesium in the symptoms forum

[Jbuk2015]

Ok cool thanks my neck feels floppy too like a dead chicken.

[Jbuk2015]

Does chlopromozine cause permanent brain damage like the equivalent of a lobotomy

[dalsaan]

I don't believe the damage is permanent

[Jbuk2015]

Guys I came off mirtazapine over 3 weeks from 45mg this is 8 months ago. Also I came of lorazapam 12 months ago from 3mg down to zero over 4 months which is the full use.

 

I was also on chlopromozine 75mg 3 months At the same time as lorazapam.

 

Was previously on citalopram only 8 years 20mg

 

I have been overmedicated I believe as mirtazapine only I was on.

 

I am struggling daily and have burning across scalp confusion and really feel on another planet with waking problems blurrred vision and cracking like sensations in my head. Feel like I have brain cancer or something.

 

My neck is all floppy like a chicken and it aches like crazy like a lot of my body.

 

The insomnia has crazy

 

Am I still suffering withdrawals from all these or am I genuinely seriously damaged

 

I feel like i am gonna die as my head keeps zapping and check muscles trapping like I am having a stroke

 

Lorazapam withdrawal also made me so angry and agressive so did I rapid taper too much from too high a starting dose

 

I am really struggling in life at the moment so please someone help

[Altostrata]

jbuk, I moved your post here. This is your topic for posting questions and updates, to track your progress.

 

I believe your questions are answered above.

 

Have you tried fish oil and magnesium?

[Jbuk2015]

Thanks I will try some magnesium. Someone said about taking gaba too and herring roe oil is this true

[Altostrata]

Please see our topics in Symptoms and self-care regarding GABA. Herring roe oil may contain the same ingredients as fish oil, please read http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/
 

[Jbuk2015]

Thanks guys. I am 20 months off and very symtomatic still. Mostly pain vision and cognative

[Jbuk2015]

Hi there I tapered off mirtazapine approx 20 months ago. 45mg to zero in 3 weeks as that's what the doctor told me. Before that I rapid tapered a benzo lorazapam over 4 months from 3mg to zero and Also Chlopromize over 3 months. Suffering in many way all this time off. Cognatively I

Am very bad and feel like I have dementia. Will this all

Go and also I read mirtazapine is a strong antihistamine so I sneeze a lot and have pain etc. What can I do now to help healing. Someone has mentioned taking antihistamine like loratadine and also magnesium and vitamin B. My vision seems weids still too like depersonalisation. Help wanted big time x

[Altostrata]

Hello, Jbuk. I moved your post here, this is the place for those "what should I do?" questions. You won't have to repeat your history here.

 

Also, you might find the responses above answer some of your questions.

 

The antihistamine aspect of mirtazapine is not likely responsible for your withdrawal symptoms. It sounds like you might have allergies as well.

 

When it comes to withdrawal symptoms, any people 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 can relax tight muscles. Acupuncture can also be helpful for pain. What kind of pain do you have?

[Jbuk2015]

Thanks I will get some magnesium. Pain in my head and neck like burning clicking and popping and literally just had the most awful head jolt. Is that a mini seizure.

 

It's like crunching and tearing in my head too.

 

My liver enzymes are up

Too which indicates some damage

[Altostrata]

Try magnesium. Chiropractic and acupuncture might help, too -- or osteopathic manual manipulation, if you can find a practitioner.

 

Liver enzymes up -- are you taking any drugs now? If so, put ALL the drugs you take in the Drug Interactions Checker http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html and copy and paste the results in this topic.