Daveguy2015 Posted February 22, 2015 Author Share Posted February 22, 2015 Oh ok. Alto I have a question, after your brain adjusts to its natural state and the worst of withdrawal is behind you, do people feel as good as they did when they were on anti-depressants? Right now with me experiencing withdrawals I can't even imagine what recovery will feel like. Will I overcome this ocd thought about my food being poisoned? Will I stop thinking about my thoughts everyday? What will recovery feel like? Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted February 23, 2015 Administrator Share Posted February 23, 2015 It's a very gradual process, but people do feel better and better as time goes on. See the Intro topics marked with this symbol: ☼ These are people who have turned the corner. 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. Link to comment
btdt Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 I agree with Petu the racing thoughts would be due to ssri wdl. You stopped the adderall 4 yrs ago, so that would now be history imo. An article i really liked and went through with a highlighter trying to get hope was this one by Healy, imo its extremely informative regarding the situation we now find ourselves in. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1454-dr-david-healy-on-prolonged-antidepressant-withdrawal-syndrome-2009/?p=13488&hl=healy&fromsearch=1#entry13488 There was also another article i found helpful it was from 'antidepressantfacts' ..i cant actually find it at the moment but if i come across it i'll give you the link ..that one also i pinned to the wall. Hey that's a good question on the meaning of 'crashed' id like to see an answer to that too. I think this word is rather subjective but for me i have read it as 'an overwhelming swamping of wdl symptoms leaving one pretty well non functioning or at least finding normal functioning very difficult.' This is often triggered at a particular point in a too fast taper. The difference between 'withdrawal syndrome' and 'protracted wdl syndrome' is the word 'protracted' and basically i see that as the same crap, possibly even worse crap imo for a much much longer time. [Apologies Petu if i stole your thunder.] If you want to get up with the play go to the book section thread and in there you will find some great informative book titles. You may well find most of these in a local library and if not a library can take a suggestion to buy it....i talked my local library into buying 'Pharmageddon' (This one is a bit heavy going and a more of a historical journey so i wouldn't read this first mind you) I like reading Healy, Breggin, Scott, Whittaker. You could start with Breggin 'your drug may be your problem'...you are very lucky and live in america so you could pick up a real cheap second hand one on amazon books then scoot down the bottom where it says 'people who bought this book also bought' ...and you'll have a line up of highly informative stuff! My concentration has been compromised so i usually can only read small chunks at a time. Just to let everyone know I am hanging in there today Good for you ..wdl is war ...so fight to not ri ...its the best way to go imo. Good luck Hi I am trying to find the site antidepressantfacts.com too.. I can't seem to find it and was wondering if you have a link for it... there was a lot of information on that site ... today I am getting that the domain is for sale ... I got the same message about effexoractivist after it disappeared... maybe it is gone now too... if so I know wonder more than ever why this site still stands. WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG Had a car accident in 85 Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89 Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above. One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking. As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/ There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 Hey I have a question, lately I've been having these tingling feelings in certain parts of my body but mainly my arms and legs. This tingling numb feeling is slight but it scares me because I start thinking what could it be. I've read on the Internet that these tinglings and numbness could be an early sign of MS. Is tingling and numbness a withdrawal symptom? I've only had this symptom for the last day but it's concerning me. Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted March 9, 2015 Author Share Posted March 9, 2015 The tingling in my body has mellowed out. I'm not feeling it as much as I was when I posted about it. I believe this is a withdrawal symptom and for me this was my first physical symptom which was probably why I was freaking out. I thought since I've been off SSRI for almost 5 months with out any physical symptoms I thought I would be free of physical symptoms altogether. How come withdrawal symptoms change like this? Is 5 months off SSRI an adequate amount of time to start seeing true healing? Will my brain reach normal functioning again? How long could it possibly take? I'm a 30 year old single guy and I feel like my life is on hold while I'm waiting for my brain and emotions to feel normal. Normal for me is to feel happy without mood feeling flat and no free floating anxiety for no reason. Also to feel grounded in my body and feel happy and confident in myself. Withdrawal has stolen my self confidence. Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted March 9, 2015 Author Share Posted March 9, 2015 Does anyone have any insights? Any advice is appreciated. Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
LoveandLight Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 I didn't have much confidence before but wow this takes almost all of the remaining..in fact it feels like my whole self sometimes has gone.. 2000 - sertraline for job anxiety low confidence (17 years old) ..which turned the next 16 years into nightmare! On/off sertraline severe withdrawals every time. 2014 - felt better as reduced dose of sertraline no more inner restlessness. Doctor rushed off again. Hit severe withdrawal. Lost the little I had in life. Couldn't get stable again on 12.5mg. Was switched to prozac. Had severe reaction to prozac..came off in November 2015 at 6mg as felt more confused and damaged on it..Even more withdrawal ..rage, depression, dyphoria, near constant suicidal ideation, self harm impulses, doom, concrete block in head, unable to do much of anything with this feeling in head..went back on 6mg of sertraline to see if would alleviate anything. It didn't..reduced from December to June 2016 came off at 2.5mg sertraline as was hospitalised for the severe rage, suicidal impulses, and put on 50mg lofepramine which in 2nd week reduced all symptoms but gave insomnia which still have..psych stopped lofepramine cold turkey..no increased withdrawal symptoms new symptoms from lofepramine except persistant insomnia which has as side effect. Taking Ativan for 8 months for the severe rage self harm impulses 1-3 times a week (mostly 2 times a week) at .5mg. Two months (I'm unsure exactly when the interdose started to happen) ago interdose withdrawal seemed to happen..2 days I think after the Ativan. Nightmare that could have been avoided! Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus ten0275 Posted March 9, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 9, 2015 daveguy, hey. it is really great to hear the body tingling is mellowing. that is a good sign, and must come as a relief for you. withdrawal is different for everyone. the onset, symptoms, and duration are as unique as the individual who experiences them. why some symptoms present long after discontinuation and others appear immediately is unclear. i understand all the reasons you ask the "time" question. after all, you want to get on with your life and you no longer are taking the chemicals that got you here. the only answer is, and i know it isn't the most palatable, that you will heal when you do. if you continue to take care of yourself, you will continue to heal. 5 months isn't such a vast expanse of time in withdrawal. estimates on the "typical" course of withdrawal are all over the place and i invite you to not put a ton of credence into them. this withdrawal, your withdrawal, is about you. the fact that certain things are progressing should be a comforting indication to you that even though you feel your exterior self-confidence has been robbed, your nervous system hasn't lost its as it continues to repair and regenerate. hang in there. dave 1996 - .5mg Ativan as needed, 7.5mg Remeron daily2008 - .5mg Xanax, Ativan discontinued, Remeron continued2012 - .5mg Xanax, .25mg Ativan 3x daily, Remeron continued2/2012 - Jumped from Remeron, continued .5mg Xanax .25mg Ativan 3x daily4/2012 - Began rapid taper of .5mg Xanax .25mg Ativan 3x daily6/2012 - Jumped from Xanax and Ativan, voluntary hospitalization followed7/2012 - 2nd voluntary hospitalization, reinstated Remeron, bumped to 30mg, also given risperidone.8/2012 - discontinued risperidone, tried gabapentin, dicontinued gabapentin, Remeron 30mg continued10/2012 to current - tapered Remeron 10% every 4 to 6 weeks (sometimes more time) using liquid compound12/2014 - 2mg Remeron 1/16/2015 - 1.9mg Remeron 8/1/2015 -1.6mg Remeron - 03/1/2016 - 1.5mg Remeron - 1/2/2017 1.3mg - 5/7/2017 1.2mg - 5/13/2017 - syringe size change - 6/8/2017 - 1.1mg - 7/10/2017 - 1mg - 9/1/2017 - 0.9mg - 10/22/2017 - 0.8mg - 11/22/2017 - 0.7mg - 2/2/2018 - 0.6mg - 3/13/2018 - new compound pharmacy - 5/20/2018 - 0.5mg - 8/31/2018 - 0.4mg - 11/16/2018 - 0.3mg - 12/24/2018 - 0.2mg - 4/1/2019 - 0.1mg - 5/1/2019 - .05mg - 0mg achieved 2019-06-15. 🤞 Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted March 9, 2015 Author Share Posted March 9, 2015 Thanks a lot Ten for the advice. Is tingling and numbness a normal thing is withdrawal? It was so scary when it first happened. Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted March 9, 2015 Author Share Posted March 9, 2015 Loveandlight are you saying that it seems like withdrawal has taken over your whole being? Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
LoveandLight Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Yep Dave..I've had it and many others.. 2000 - sertraline for job anxiety low confidence (17 years old) ..which turned the next 16 years into nightmare! On/off sertraline severe withdrawals every time. 2014 - felt better as reduced dose of sertraline no more inner restlessness. Doctor rushed off again. Hit severe withdrawal. Lost the little I had in life. Couldn't get stable again on 12.5mg. Was switched to prozac. Had severe reaction to prozac..came off in November 2015 at 6mg as felt more confused and damaged on it..Even more withdrawal ..rage, depression, dyphoria, near constant suicidal ideation, self harm impulses, doom, concrete block in head, unable to do much of anything with this feeling in head..went back on 6mg of sertraline to see if would alleviate anything. It didn't..reduced from December to June 2016 came off at 2.5mg sertraline as was hospitalised for the severe rage, suicidal impulses, and put on 50mg lofepramine which in 2nd week reduced all symptoms but gave insomnia which still have..psych stopped lofepramine cold turkey..no increased withdrawal symptoms new symptoms from lofepramine except persistant insomnia which has as side effect. Taking Ativan for 8 months for the severe rage self harm impulses 1-3 times a week (mostly 2 times a week) at .5mg. Two months (I'm unsure exactly when the interdose started to happen) ago interdose withdrawal seemed to happen..2 days I think after the Ativan. Nightmare that could have been avoided! Link to comment
LoveandLight Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Yes sometimes and because I was on them so young..I've no idea of who I am..and through the yrs of struggling have lost most things on the external life.. But I don't mean to worry you..I didn't know what was happening so went back on huge doses, trying loads of different things, feeling unwell, coming off..etc.. You are healing and maybe we find a different person with a different perspective at the end of it 2000 - sertraline for job anxiety low confidence (17 years old) ..which turned the next 16 years into nightmare! On/off sertraline severe withdrawals every time. 2014 - felt better as reduced dose of sertraline no more inner restlessness. Doctor rushed off again. Hit severe withdrawal. Lost the little I had in life. Couldn't get stable again on 12.5mg. Was switched to prozac. Had severe reaction to prozac..came off in November 2015 at 6mg as felt more confused and damaged on it..Even more withdrawal ..rage, depression, dyphoria, near constant suicidal ideation, self harm impulses, doom, concrete block in head, unable to do much of anything with this feeling in head..went back on 6mg of sertraline to see if would alleviate anything. It didn't..reduced from December to June 2016 came off at 2.5mg sertraline as was hospitalised for the severe rage, suicidal impulses, and put on 50mg lofepramine which in 2nd week reduced all symptoms but gave insomnia which still have..psych stopped lofepramine cold turkey..no increased withdrawal symptoms new symptoms from lofepramine except persistant insomnia which has as side effect. Taking Ativan for 8 months for the severe rage self harm impulses 1-3 times a week (mostly 2 times a week) at .5mg. Two months (I'm unsure exactly when the interdose started to happen) ago interdose withdrawal seemed to happen..2 days I think after the Ativan. Nightmare that could have been avoided! Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted March 9, 2015 Author Share Posted March 9, 2015 I feel like I've made improvements. But then I start feeling bad again. It's like when I start feeling like I'm pulling away from withdrawal, I get sucked back in. Could I have a ball park range of how long could it possibly take for a nervous system to heal after 4 years of SSRI use? Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted March 9, 2015 Author Share Posted March 9, 2015 Something else has been bothering me also. I have this thing where when I eat afterwards I feel tense and nervous. Has anyone experienced this? Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share Posted March 10, 2015 The eating thing is very bothersome because you have to eat. And it's prevents me from enjoying my food. Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Petunia Posted March 12, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted March 12, 2015 Hi Dave, I just caught up with your thread, I'll try and answer some of your recent questions. Could I have a ball park range of how long could it possibly take for a nervous system to heal after 4 years of SSRI use? The easiest way to answer this is to say, how long is a piece of string? There are too many variables to answer this any way that has any meaning. Some people will start to feel better after a couple of weeks, probably most people feel better in short amounts of time, but they don't visit sites like this. I've heard some people say it takes about half the amount of time you were on the drugs to heal from them. But I've seen people recover much faster and much slower. Something else has been bothering me also. I have this thing where when I eat afterwards I feel tense and nervous. Has anyone experienced this? I've had problems with eating and I've seen others with this too. Eating can sometimes increase symptoms for a while. Sometimes it depends on what you eat and sometimes its just the act of eating. It goes away eventually. I found that when I was having this problem, it wasn't so bad if I ate small amounts at a time. We have a topic about this, you may like to add to the discussion: Eating as an activating factor I'm not a doctor. My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one. My Introduction Thread Full Drug and Withdrawal History Brief Summary Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects 2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010 Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal) May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins. Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens. Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days. April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close. VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from? VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made? VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes? VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects? VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted March 12, 2015 Author Share Posted March 12, 2015 Thanks a lot for the info Petu. I never knew there was a thread on eating. Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted March 13, 2015 Author Share Posted March 13, 2015 Hey Fresh, do you still think I'm early in withdrawal at 5 months out? Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 Hello, I just want to give an update. Today I feel good in the sense that my mood was pretty stable and I felt pretty grounded. However I did get hit with the anxiety/nervousness spell after eating. I ate at Chipotle and about 10 minutes later I felt the tense nervousness feeling and the anxiety thoughts started to form in my mind. Then after about 1 hour they diminished and I went about my day. I notice when I feel good and medication withdrawal is not apart of my thoughts, it then springs back into consciousness and I reality check myself. I ask myself,... how am I feeling?.... Am I ok?.... When this happens it reminds me that withdrawal is still hanging around. Today was good for me because I'm starting to see that my mind can feel grounded and confident again. I'm happy with that because it gives me hope that recovery is real! Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
Pugknows Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Happy you're feeling better, Dave. We have been off meds the same amount of time and the fact that you are doing well gives me hope. January 2012 - Prescribed 900mg gabapentin and 30mg Norco for lower lumber spinal stenosis pain. September 2013 - Spinal fusion surgery, 6 levels. Hospital ramped up meds 1500mg gabapentin, 100mg Norco, 80mg Oxycontin, 25mg Fentanyl patch. January 2014 - Sever nausea daily and with back pain every 4 hours. 2 trips to ER. First endoscopy found ulcer. Treated with Sucralfate and PPI. Second endo in May found no ulcers. Doctors said it was the opiates causing the nausea. CT'd Oxycontin, Fentanyl patch. July 2014 - Lost 48 lbs. due to not eating because of severe nausea. GP prescribed Prozac 20mg and Ativan 2mg prn. Tried for 4 days, quit. Two week followup GP said keep taking Prozac. 4 days, quit again. Ativan taken rarely prn for anxiety and appetite. August 2014 - Went to detox. Off opiates. Still nauseous, helmet head, drugged feeling. Doctor CT'd gabapentin. Ended up in ER. Found 2 gallstones. Gabapentin reinstated at 900mg. Tried botched up and down taper to get off Gabapentin. No tapering advice from doctor. Said to just CT again. September 2014 - Coded on table during gallbladder surgery. Developed liver biloma due to CPR by doctor. Had bile bulb inserted for 2 wks to drain. October 2014 - Gallbladder removed. Still nauseous, 3am cortisol surging, drugged helmet head, vertigo, breathlessness, whooshing head, heart palps. November 8th, 2014 - CT'd gabapentin suggested by family and 4 different doctors. Was told no withdrawal is associated with gabapentin. Have been in hell ever since. No windows, just one big tsunami every day with same symptoms for 4 months. December 26, 2014 - Found SA. At least I know I'm not insane. My family thinks I'm doing this to myself. Akathesia has become unbearable. March 10, 2015 - In absolute daily hell with no relief. Currently taking magnesium 200mg before bedtime. Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 I'm glad I could help pug. Withdrawal is such a slow process it's frustrating. It's incrediable what these drugs can do too our brain. SSRI's are harder to get off than heroine. It really surprised me. Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share Posted March 19, 2015 Today was kinda weird for me. I felt connected to myself and grounded but still on slight autopilot. Also I had bouts of anxiety after I ate and slight dizziness. Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share Posted March 28, 2015 These last few days for me have been rough. My baseline anxiety is higher especially after I eat. I'm 5 months off meds and I'm still getting these waves of anxiety. I'm also emotionally hyper sensitive. Is this still happening because of my downed serotonin receptors? Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
Pugknows Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 I am experiencing the same thing at 5 months off too, Dave. I'm in a terrible state right now, praying to God this will get better. Praying for you too. January 2012 - Prescribed 900mg gabapentin and 30mg Norco for lower lumber spinal stenosis pain. September 2013 - Spinal fusion surgery, 6 levels. Hospital ramped up meds 1500mg gabapentin, 100mg Norco, 80mg Oxycontin, 25mg Fentanyl patch. January 2014 - Sever nausea daily and with back pain every 4 hours. 2 trips to ER. First endoscopy found ulcer. Treated with Sucralfate and PPI. Second endo in May found no ulcers. Doctors said it was the opiates causing the nausea. CT'd Oxycontin, Fentanyl patch. July 2014 - Lost 48 lbs. due to not eating because of severe nausea. GP prescribed Prozac 20mg and Ativan 2mg prn. Tried for 4 days, quit. Two week followup GP said keep taking Prozac. 4 days, quit again. Ativan taken rarely prn for anxiety and appetite. August 2014 - Went to detox. Off opiates. Still nauseous, helmet head, drugged feeling. Doctor CT'd gabapentin. Ended up in ER. Found 2 gallstones. Gabapentin reinstated at 900mg. Tried botched up and down taper to get off Gabapentin. No tapering advice from doctor. Said to just CT again. September 2014 - Coded on table during gallbladder surgery. Developed liver biloma due to CPR by doctor. Had bile bulb inserted for 2 wks to drain. October 2014 - Gallbladder removed. Still nauseous, 3am cortisol surging, drugged helmet head, vertigo, breathlessness, whooshing head, heart palps. November 8th, 2014 - CT'd gabapentin suggested by family and 4 different doctors. Was told no withdrawal is associated with gabapentin. Have been in hell ever since. No windows, just one big tsunami every day with same symptoms for 4 months. December 26, 2014 - Found SA. At least I know I'm not insane. My family thinks I'm doing this to myself. Akathesia has become unbearable. March 10, 2015 - In absolute daily hell with no relief. Currently taking magnesium 200mg before bedtime. Link to comment
Pugknows Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 I don't know what's causing this severity in anxiety. Never had anxiety before WD. I just hope it decreases soon. January 2012 - Prescribed 900mg gabapentin and 30mg Norco for lower lumber spinal stenosis pain. September 2013 - Spinal fusion surgery, 6 levels. Hospital ramped up meds 1500mg gabapentin, 100mg Norco, 80mg Oxycontin, 25mg Fentanyl patch. January 2014 - Sever nausea daily and with back pain every 4 hours. 2 trips to ER. First endoscopy found ulcer. Treated with Sucralfate and PPI. Second endo in May found no ulcers. Doctors said it was the opiates causing the nausea. CT'd Oxycontin, Fentanyl patch. July 2014 - Lost 48 lbs. due to not eating because of severe nausea. GP prescribed Prozac 20mg and Ativan 2mg prn. Tried for 4 days, quit. Two week followup GP said keep taking Prozac. 4 days, quit again. Ativan taken rarely prn for anxiety and appetite. August 2014 - Went to detox. Off opiates. Still nauseous, helmet head, drugged feeling. Doctor CT'd gabapentin. Ended up in ER. Found 2 gallstones. Gabapentin reinstated at 900mg. Tried botched up and down taper to get off Gabapentin. No tapering advice from doctor. Said to just CT again. September 2014 - Coded on table during gallbladder surgery. Developed liver biloma due to CPR by doctor. Had bile bulb inserted for 2 wks to drain. October 2014 - Gallbladder removed. Still nauseous, 3am cortisol surging, drugged helmet head, vertigo, breathlessness, whooshing head, heart palps. November 8th, 2014 - CT'd gabapentin suggested by family and 4 different doctors. Was told no withdrawal is associated with gabapentin. Have been in hell ever since. No windows, just one big tsunami every day with same symptoms for 4 months. December 26, 2014 - Found SA. At least I know I'm not insane. My family thinks I'm doing this to myself. Akathesia has become unbearable. March 10, 2015 - In absolute daily hell with no relief. Currently taking magnesium 200mg before bedtime. Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted March 28, 2015 Author Share Posted March 28, 2015 Oh really Pug, this process is so humbling. But does anyone know why we are feeling this way 5 months out? Is it still because of the downed receptors? Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
justwanttobefree Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 Hi Dave, sorry you have been feeling anxious and hypersensitive lately. It is totally normal in withdrawal, especially between 4-6 months. It seems a lot of people struggle for some reason. I'm almost 6 months out and have only suffered with anxiety this past week. Hang in there, your brain is just healing and it takes time! Diagnosed: Pure O Ocd, Severe Anxiety Disorder NOS, PMDD November 2009 - May 2013- CIPRALEX 20mg C/T off 20mg Cipralex Went into dark depression (never experienced before med) September 2013 - March 2014- PROZAC 20mg Weaned down to 10mg and held October 1st 2014 C/T off 10mg Prozac Protracted withdrawal - 8 months of the most horrific suffering imaginable June 1st 2015 - ZOLOFT 25mg June 26th 2015 - Dose increase to 50mg of Zoloft (taken at night after dinner). Slowly improving but still have severe OCD/ruminating, intense DP/DR, and brain fog. Just trying to stabilize at this point. Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted March 29, 2015 Author Share Posted March 29, 2015 Thanks justwanttobefree. Today I'm feeling flat and little energy. When I woke up this morning I was having anxious intrusive thoughts as I laid in bed. After a little while they subsided but my mood began to feel flat. Like when I speak it seems very monotone and my mood is just like blah. It's funny that when I don't feel anxious or nervous about eating, I have these blah moods. Has anyone experienced anything like this before? Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted April 17, 2015 Author Share Posted April 17, 2015 I have a question. For people that are in withdrawal, are they ever able to have coffee and alcohol again? And of course this means in moderation. Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
Pugknows Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 I try not to restrict my diet too much during withdrawal because I think when you restrict your diet to accommodate not ramping up your sensitive nerves, you may not be able to tolerate reintroducing those substances/foods later on without consequences. A member of this forum was put on a 10 food elimination diet during withdrawal and she ended up only being able to eat those 10 foods or her symptoms would ramp up sky high. It's taken her months to introduce five more foods. She said that diet was the biggest mistake she made. This is all just my theory, not scientific fact. I don't drink alcohol anymore. I have about 4 sips of coffee in the morning and it's mostly milk. I eat very little sugar, but I try to have a little bite here and there throughout the day. I eat gluten, dairy, meat, fish, eggs, bread, veggies, fruit, butter. Nothing processed. I need to put weight on desperately. Nothing I eat works. And I eat all day. Literally. Baked potatoes with butter and sour cream. French fries. Rice with butter. You name it. Since I cut out the alcohol, I can't gain an ounce. Hopefully, when this WD is over, I can eat all the same things I eat now without consequences. And have an occasional glass of wine or champagne, which I miss. So far, food doesn't give me issues. But that's just me. January 2012 - Prescribed 900mg gabapentin and 30mg Norco for lower lumber spinal stenosis pain. September 2013 - Spinal fusion surgery, 6 levels. Hospital ramped up meds 1500mg gabapentin, 100mg Norco, 80mg Oxycontin, 25mg Fentanyl patch. January 2014 - Sever nausea daily and with back pain every 4 hours. 2 trips to ER. First endoscopy found ulcer. Treated with Sucralfate and PPI. Second endo in May found no ulcers. Doctors said it was the opiates causing the nausea. CT'd Oxycontin, Fentanyl patch. July 2014 - Lost 48 lbs. due to not eating because of severe nausea. GP prescribed Prozac 20mg and Ativan 2mg prn. Tried for 4 days, quit. Two week followup GP said keep taking Prozac. 4 days, quit again. Ativan taken rarely prn for anxiety and appetite. August 2014 - Went to detox. Off opiates. Still nauseous, helmet head, drugged feeling. Doctor CT'd gabapentin. Ended up in ER. Found 2 gallstones. Gabapentin reinstated at 900mg. Tried botched up and down taper to get off Gabapentin. No tapering advice from doctor. Said to just CT again. September 2014 - Coded on table during gallbladder surgery. Developed liver biloma due to CPR by doctor. Had bile bulb inserted for 2 wks to drain. October 2014 - Gallbladder removed. Still nauseous, 3am cortisol surging, drugged helmet head, vertigo, breathlessness, whooshing head, heart palps. November 8th, 2014 - CT'd gabapentin suggested by family and 4 different doctors. Was told no withdrawal is associated with gabapentin. Have been in hell ever since. No windows, just one big tsunami every day with same symptoms for 4 months. December 26, 2014 - Found SA. At least I know I'm not insane. My family thinks I'm doing this to myself. Akathesia has become unbearable. March 10, 2015 - In absolute daily hell with no relief. Currently taking magnesium 200mg before bedtime. Link to comment
justwanttobefree Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Very good post above from pug ???? Dave I used to LOVE my wine (I'd have a glass or 2 a night) when I was on meds but during WD I gave it up completely. Even a sip or 2 felt like it went straight to my brain and intensified the foggy, drugged, brain dead feeling I already had. Since I have been feeling better I've been able to have one small glass here and there and have had no real effect from it, thank god! I'd be scared to try anymore though and will probably monitor myself closely with alcohol for years to come. Overdoing it could go sideways so fast. Caffeine has always made me more anxious even on the medication so I avoid it like the plague. Once your CNS calms down and your body finds homeostasis again I can't see any reason why you can't enjoy a few beer or a cup of coffee again ???? Diagnosed: Pure O Ocd, Severe Anxiety Disorder NOS, PMDD November 2009 - May 2013- CIPRALEX 20mg C/T off 20mg Cipralex Went into dark depression (never experienced before med) September 2013 - March 2014- PROZAC 20mg Weaned down to 10mg and held October 1st 2014 C/T off 10mg Prozac Protracted withdrawal - 8 months of the most horrific suffering imaginable June 1st 2015 - ZOLOFT 25mg June 26th 2015 - Dose increase to 50mg of Zoloft (taken at night after dinner). Slowly improving but still have severe OCD/ruminating, intense DP/DR, and brain fog. Just trying to stabilize at this point. Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted June 26, 2015 Author Share Posted June 26, 2015 Hello everyone, I'm at my 8 month off of SSRI's, mainly Lexapro. My symptoms lessened for a while but now some have come back and they are hard to describe. The symptoms I'm experiencing now are my mood has dipped (not as low as before) but then it revs up and I feel a surge of energy. Also I have anxious thoughts that come and flood my mind and I feel unusually fatigued in the evenings. Also the other night, after feeling these symptoms all day, I ate dinner and had a panic attack. Like after I finished eating I felt my heart rate go up and then anxiety took over. At this point I feel almost confused. It's like is this really withdrawal that I'm going though???....If it is why does it feel different than the withdrawal symptoms I had 4 months ago? It really feels different. I feel that I have healed some but I thought I would be getting out the woods at this point. Right now I feel like I'm right back in them. It's been 8 months for crying out loud. Is this normal for one to be feeling like this 8 months off of SSRI's? When does it possibly get better? Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
Horns85 Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 Hey Dave,I can relate. Months 1-3 were fine for me. Month 4 is when my symptoms started and I thought they were bad then. They waxed and waned till about month 8. I thought I was doing pretty good and since the end of my 7th month/beginning of 8th has been the worst of it. I will be 9 months off at the end of June. I have since developed seriously low mood, akathisia, CONSTANT derealization, which is by far my worst symptom, severe anxiety and panic. Nothing like before Lexapro.I can also relate to the low mood and then surge of energy.This has begun happening to me recently as well. I don't know if it's related to the waves/windows but it's strange.This seems to be a common story with those who either CT/or taper to fast. I have read where many folks have said that month 6-10 is when the symptoms started to rev up.In no way am I trying to discourage you, but let you know you are not alone and this is common for WD. We will heal, we will get better but it takes time. Longer than 8-10 months for sure. We will heal, that is for certain. Lexapro from October 2012-October 2014 10mg from Oct 2012-Feb 2013, 20mg from Feb 2013-June 2013, 10mg from July 2013-April 2014Began taper via liquid Lexapro from April 2014-September 2014(Roughly 6 month taper)---0.00 on Oct 1 2014--WD began in December 2014 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reinstated to 10mg - 10mg Tablet October 15, 2015 - Stable by Mid-January, 2016 2016 - 9mg 3/26/16....8mg 5/11/16....7mg 7/05/16....6mg 8/26/16....5mg 10/31/16 2017 - 4mg 3/06/17....3mg 6/24/17....2mg 9/07/17...1.25mg 10/21/17....1mg 11/04/2017 2018 - 0.75mg 1/21/18....0.5mg 2/18/18....0.25mg 3/13/18....0.125mg 3/27/18....0.000 4/9/18 Supplements - 15B probiotic on and off. Usually helps w/ mood but sometimes is too activating. Link to comment
luv2knit Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 Yes, I did a much too rapid taper (6 weeks) off Zoloft 11 months ago. Things got worse for me at about 4 months, worse yet at 6 months, and even worse at about 8-9 months. I am just (hopefully) coming out of the roughest period yet that has lasted about 5 weeks with no real break at all. Zoloft 100 mg. daily for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since Oct. 1994 / Synthroid 88 mcg. daily / Supplements: Neptune Krill Oil-1,000 mg. twice daily/Astaxanthin 10 mg. twice daily/Ubiquinol 100 mg. twice daily (These 3 have allowed me to discontinue (approved by doctor) bp meds I was on. Calcium Citrate 500 mg. daily/Vitamin D3 2,400 iu daily/K2 (MK7) 100 mcg daily (osteopenia and fam. hist. of severe osteoporosis). Stress B Complex (1/2 dose)/Quercetin (for allergies/asthma)/Magnesium (400 mg. oral glycinate and about 50 mg. magnesium chloride spray oil a day, divided throughout day). Tapered Zoloft about 6 wks. Totally off since the end of July (25-29, 2014). 3 wks. vertigo at end of taper, then 3-4 wks. OK, followed by withdrawal symptoms increasing in severity (nausea, gastric disturbances, loss of appetite, insomnia, restlessness, jitters, anxiety, agitation--jumping out of my skin--possible akathisia?) Seem to have paradoxical reactions to everything new, even Vitamin C. Severity of akathisia comes and goes, but is constant to some degree. Hard to leave house, and cannot be home alone. (Retired) Link to comment
Daveguy2015 Posted June 26, 2015 Author Share Posted June 26, 2015 Oh wow thanks for the information guys. It's tough to think we are still in the throes of withdrawal when it's been quite some time since we've stopped the meds. Horns my situation does seem similar to yours except I had depersonalization at the beginning of my withdrawal like at month 3. It was accompanied by the low mood, anxiety, and panic. I know we will heal but it just takes so long. Does anyone know what month 10 and beyond feels like? Do people start to feel any better by then? When do the waves become shorter and less intense? Whenever I have a wave my confidence gets smacked back down just when I feel like it was building back up. Ritalin (forgot the dosages), 95'-00'Adderall 10mg for ADD, 00'- Jan 10'Lexapro 10mg, August 10' - March 14'Lexapro 15mg, March 14' - Sept 14'Prozac 10mg, Sept 14' - October, 24th 14'No meds since October 24th, 14' Link to comment
Iamfine Posted June 26, 2015 Share Posted June 26, 2015 Has anyone heard of someone only having psychological symptoms but no physical symptoms? This is me with the exception of bruxism. As requested. In the last 3 years to the best of my recollection I first dropped the max dose of Lamictal. Yes I just stopped it was doing absolutely nothing. Then I dropped Lexapro, that was even easier I had been on and off that a dozen times before. There were at least 2 odd off label attempts at anxiety that I won’t be able to remember. Then there was sweet/evil Seroquel. That was the last to go it’s been around 16 months. Lithium, Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Celexa, Lamictal, Lexapro, Luvox, Viibryd, Brintellix, Pristiq, Zoloft, Seroquel, Zyprexa, Geodon, Abilify, Latuda, Ritalin, Adderall, Valium, Clonazepam, Alprazolam, Propanalol, Spravato Link to comment
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