Dizziness, vertigo, light-headedness, rocking or swaying sensations

[AmitV]

15 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Dizziness is a common withdrawal symptom. We do not know the cause. 

 

However, dizziness and vertigo can also be caused by inner ear conditions and other medical conditions.

 

That is all I can say about it.

I understand that, I’ve completed a brain MRI, a neck MRI, a vascular MRA. BPPV assessment, VNG assessment, neurological assessment, cardiologist assessment . Holter exam, which helped for HR. Dizziness is better some days and it’s not on other days. I’ve pretty much exhausted the entire list of tests. Only because my doctor didn’t believe I was having withdrawals and he urgently booked me to get all these done through public healthcare system in Canada. 
 

I’m curious to know if someone has tried any natural remedy or supplement to help the VNC dizziness. To date, I’ve tried the medications that the doctors gave to me including Serc, antihistamines, prednisone, and they all failed.

[AmitV]

On 7/6/2022 at 6:10 PM, Conner said:

This is me right now. Did you heal? @TortugaHealing

This sounds exactly like BPPV. Did you get help to resolve it?

[AmitV]

On 12/23/2020 at 7:49 PM, Nosummer said:

Does anyone else get constant (never ceasing) dizziness that gets worse when you move your eyes to the left or right side (without moving your head)? I’m totally freaking out. I am being seen by an ENT and we’re looking into things but I just wonder if maybe it’s WD because it started six weeks after my last dose of Prozac...? I know a lot of WD sufferers have dizziness but is it constant and what about the eye movement thing? Thanks.

Yes I do indeed! Constantly! And I’m looking for some answers as well. Did it ever go away for you? Was there anything that helped?

[AmitV]

On 2/8/2022 at 3:14 PM, Warriormaden said:

Hello, I’m just reading thru some of the dizzy posts and I’m just wondering if anyone has found relief or been able to ascertain if it is withdrawal/tolerance or an actual conditon.  I suffer horrific non stop boatiness , swaying, pulling sensations every time I get down to a super low point and can’t get past it. @apace41
 

1.  It can’t be a return of symptoms because I never had this sensation before starting meds in 1993.  

2.  I first noticed it some time after I tapered a year long course of Zoloft/Klonopin in 1994.  
3.  It has been present pretty much in some degree of severity even while on the meds for many many years.  
4.  The only description I’ve found that sounds exactly like what I’m feeling and I mean EXACTLY and I’ve never heard anyone with basically only this symptom is with a syndrome called “MdDs”.  I don’t even really have the old anxiety anymore except from this destabilizing symptom which is also causing depression and hopelessness.  

5.  I never thought it could be “MdDs” because I didn’t go on any journey but now I’ve read it can be triggered by quitting meds.  
6.  Unfortunately, the treatment for it is benzos and anti depressants so I don’t know if it is the syndrome caused by the very first taper and getting worse because I’m tapering the treatment. What a catch 22.  
7.   I did feel like a had some windows this week after holding my taper for the last several weeks per everyone’s advice but I tried to go out to breakfast with my sister and was just rocking in the booth and it was so miserable, so I think I only felt the window  because I was literally doing nothing but being in my house basically accepting and giving up. 

8.   I know you’re all not doctors but I’m suffering horrifically and any input, support is appreciated.

9.  I did one cut this week 1/31 so 7 days ago from 16.5 to 16 mg liquid taper….it’s literally 1/5 of 1 mil in my syringe so I don’t see how it’s possible it could cause this much increase in symptoms and if it does this each .5 mg, I will never get off. 

it’s been over a month since this post, how are you doing now? Did you figure out what’s been going on? 
 

I’m a bit in the same boat. I don’t have the rocking on the boat sensation but I have the other sensations.

[Altostrata]

On 3/20/2023 at 6:16 PM, AmitV said:

I’m curious to know if someone has tried any natural remedy or supplement to help the VNC dizziness. To date, I’ve tried the medications that the doctors gave to me including Serc, antihistamines, prednisone, and they all failed.

 

Many people find fish oil and magnesium supplements helpful, see

 

https://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/

 

https://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

You might try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you. Please put updates in your Introductions topic.

[Caesar65]

On 3/21/2023 at 2:16 AM, AmitV said:

I understand that, I’ve completed a brain MRI, a neck MRI, a vascular MRA. BPPV assessment, VNG assessment, neurological assessment, cardiologist assessment . Holter exam, which helped for HR. Dizziness is better some days and it’s not on other days. I’ve pretty much exhausted the entire list of tests. Only because my doctor didn’t believe I was having withdrawals and he urgently booked me to get all these done through public healthcare system in Canada. 
 

I’m curious to know if someone has tried any natural remedy or supplement to help the VNC dizziness. To date, I’ve tried the medications that the doctors gave to me including Serc, antihistamines, prednisone, and they all failed.

Hi Amit, we both know we sit in the same boat. I have to say, you say you are blessed that you have passed to many assessments. I always have to beg for it, I had a few, but much more could be investigated. And like I told you last week I went to another doctor and he also doesn’t care about withdrawal symptoms. He just said, I recommend you to take Pregabalin against my anxiety,,and didn’t listen to me, when I wanted to tell him about the many people who are talking about those problems here in SA. It is so frustrating! And I refused the prescription of Pregabalin. 
I think maybe 5 HPT could help, but without other vitamines or minerals including Calcium and Magnesium. There exist so many different products. 

[AmitV]

1 minute ago, Caesar65 said:

Hi Amit, we both know we sit in the same boat. I have to say, you say you are blessed that you have passed to many assessments. I always have to beg for it, I had a few, but much more could be investigated. And like I told you last week I went to another doctor and he also doesn’t care about withdrawal symptoms. He just said, I recommend you to take Pregabalin against my anxiety,,and didn’t listen to me, when I wanted to tell him about the many people who are talking about those problems here in SA. It is so frustrating! And I refused the prescription of Pregabalin. 
I think maybe 5 HPT could help, but without other vitamines or minerals including Calcium and Magnesium. There exist so many different products. 

Hi Ceasar,

 

I’m trying to ride the WD’s because I took it for 6 weeks and today is 4 weeks of withdrawals. Lot of things have gotten better, even dizziness has gotten a little better. 
 

I think you’re thinking that you have to reinstate to move to full dose? I think the recommendation from alto is to reinstate with a very tiny dose and stay on a small dose enough to take your withdrawals away and then very very slowly taper down. 
 

Trying another drug/medication in replacement is not a good idea I think. Your nervous system does not recognize it. You will get side effects from new medications and may not get any relief from withdrawls.

 

believe me I’ve tried these supplements, the only thing that helped me was the black tea, and I got that idea from you. In fact, I’m feeling better after removing all supplements except magnesium. Low dose magnesium 50mg. 
 

I have ordered l-Theanine from Amazon to test a very small dose. It will arrive tomorrow and I will let you know my results. Black tea is abundant in l-Theanine which is a nervous system relaxer and brings down anxiety!

[Caesar65]

7 minutes ago, AmitV said:

have ordered l-Theanine from Amazon to test a very small dose. It will arrive tomorrow and I will let you know my results. Black tea is abundant in l-Theanine which is a nervous system relaxer and brings down anxiety!

Good news! Let me know your experience, because I really can’t bear it anymore. 😢

And concerning the different supplements, the reason for taking them was first to overcome my symptoms and second because I don’t eat enough good food.
So I think that also a lack of nutrients could develop and shall be prevented. But I also stopped taking a lot of this supplements except the Omega 3 acids and a little magnesium. I can’t sleep, so I still take a mixture of valerian and passion flower, but doesn’t help. But there is much more to discuss. Maybe there is also a lack of amino acids with me, because of my terrible weakness in my arms. 
 

[Onmyway]

@SteCitalopram dizziness and vertigo are quite common as withdrawal symptoms. There is a thread already on it where people share their experiences and what worked.  I will merge this thread with the already existing one. We like to keep the site tidy so people can find the right information easily and ask people not to start new thread. Please look for an existing thread before you start one in the future. Many of them have wisdom collected since the beginning of the site in 2011. 

[Sonia009]

I haven't found anything to help with my dizziness. Antihistamines makes it worse. I tried magnesium but that seems to make it worse too. I saw my doctor last week and he gave me Betahistine, a drug used to treat Menieres disease. I took one without any adverse effects, I was so hopeful. I took another and my dizziness was worse and it caused me to be unbalanced too. I stopped the drug but am still getting dizziness and balance issues. He did some neurological tests with me but everything was ok. 😕

[AmitV]

4 hours ago, Sonia001 said:

I haven't found anything to help with my dizziness. Antihistamines makes it worse. I tried magnesium but that seems to make it worse too. I saw my doctor last week and he gave me Betahistine, a drug used to treat Menieres disease. I took one without any adverse effects, I was so hopeful. I took another and my dizziness was worse and it caused me to be unbalanced too. I stopped the drug but am still getting dizziness and balance issues. He did some neurological tests with me but everything was ok. 😕

unfortunately, there isn’t much out there that would work. I’m actually hospitalized right now for it. Neuro thinks it’s vestibular migraines. I’ll let you know as soon as they are able to give me something that works. 
 

however, after 5 weeks of stopping SSRI. I’m just now starting to notice that it gets dramatically better in the evenings without any meds.

[AmitV]

On 12/24/2020 at 5:52 PM, Nosummer said:

I don’t know how to edit a post (UPDATE: I do now sorry it’s so simple I don’t know how I missed it) so I just thought I’d add this question I forgot to ask (I’ve been forgetting a lot lately).

 

I know everyone is different, but for how long have people’s dizziness symptoms lasted? I’m going on a month with constant dizziness that has left me almost an invalid. Is that normal? Does it ever stop? (I am seeing an ENT to see if other reasons are possible but the timing really seems like it’s the Fluoxetine withdrawal. It started exactly six weeks after I took my last Fluoxetine dose.)

It’s been a couple of years since your last post. Did it eventually go away or get better for you?

[AmitV]

13 hours ago, Onmyway said:

@SteCitalopram dizziness and vertigo are quite common as withdrawal symptoms. There is a thread already on it where people share their experiences and what worked.  I will merge this thread with the already existing one. We like to keep the site tidy so people can find the right information easily and ask people not to start new thread. Please look for an existing thread before you start one in the future. Many of them have wisdom collected since the beginning of the site in 2011. 

Thank you for putting all of this in one place. I recognize that it’s a common symptom, but I suppose what we’re all trying to figure out is how to deal with it. 
 

In my case I had dizziness while I was on SSRI and off. I took it for 6 weeks, I was dizzy since day 10. I was told it would go away and it never did, so I stopped after 6 weeks. Then it went away for 4-5 days, then dizziness went back up (assuming from withdrawal this time). It’s been 5 weeks of withdrawals, it’s gotten a bit better, but still no sign of it going away. 
 

im actually admitted to the hospital right now and have had a ton of tests and diagnostics done. Including MRI, ENT, neuro etc. doctors are perplexed by it. So it’s not like I haven’t tried other avenues.

[Sonia009]

2 hours ago, AmitV said:

unfortunately, there isn’t much out there that would work. I’m actually hospitalized right now for it. Neuro thinks it’s vestibular migraines. I’ll let you know as soon as they are able to give me something that works. 
 

however, after 5 weeks of stopping SSRI. I’m just now starting to notice that it gets dramatically better in the evenings without any meds.

So sorry to hear about your situation. I too get migraines, I never used to get dizzy with them though. Maybe they have started to take a different form. I'm on 5.2 mg citalopram. I reduced to 5 mg early January but felt the dizziness then. I went back up to 5.2 mg after a few days, thought it would stop the dizziness but it hasn't. I would be interested to know what treatment your medics come up with. Wishing you the best.

[AmitV]

1 hour ago, Sonia001 said:

So sorry to hear about your situation. I too get migraines, I never used to get dizzy with them though. Maybe they have started to take a different form. I'm on 5.2 mg citalopram. I reduced to 5 mg early January but felt the dizziness then. I went back up to 5.2 mg after a few days, thought it would stop the dizziness but it hasn't. I would be interested to know what treatment your medics come up with. Wishing you the best.

Are you able to mostly function through your dizziness?

[Sonia009]

Mostly, I try to carry on the best I can but there are times when I give up and lie down. I'm unable to drive when it's at its worse but there are occasional days when I can drive. I don't get room spinning sensation, it's almost like a migraine aura that doesn't completely go away.

[AmitV]

3 minutes ago, Sonia001 said:

Mostly, I try to carry on the best I can but there are times when I give up and lie down. I'm unable to drive when it's at its worse but there are occasional days when I can drive. I don't get room spinning sensation, it's almost like a migraine aura that doesn't completely go away.

interesting you mention it as a migraine aura. Do you take any migraine preventative meds such as nortryptaline or Divalproate or any supplements related to it?

 

Neuro said vestibular migraines are not painful. But I read up on it, the dizziness symptoms are the same as the ones I have including brain fog.

 

I was actually quite surprised, this particular neuro was able to describe my dizziness for me! Which no other doctor has been able to understand when I try and explain it.

[Sonia009]

53 minutes ago, AmitV said:

interesting you mention it as a migraine aura. Do you take any migraine preventative meds such as nortryptaline or Divalproate or any supplements related to it?

 

Neuro said vestibular migraines are not painful. But I read up on it, the dizziness symptoms are the same as the ones I have including brain fog.

 

I was actually quite surprised, this particular neuro was able to describe my dizziness for me! Which no other doctor has been able to understand when I try and explain it.

I don't take any migraine meds, tried them years ago but had too many side effects. I use otc meds. I tried magnesium because that supposed to help prevent migraines but I seem to get side effects from that too. I avoid certain food triggers, strong perfumes etc. My migraines have improved over the years until I had my covid vaxes.

Did you have any problems following the covid vax? I ask because when I had mine I was in the process of withdrawing from Citalopram and I had and still have symptoms since then, headaches, brain fog, dizziness, neck stiffness, ear fullness and others. These symptoms are common with migraines too which makes it all so confusing. My symptoms have been more persistent since I reduced my dose in January and increased it again.

I'm glad your Neuro seems to be on the same page as you, hopefully you can get the answers you need.

[AmitV]

4 minutes ago, Sonia001 said:

I don't take any migraine meds, tried them years ago but had too many side effects. I use otc meds. I tried magnesium because that supposed to help prevent migraines but I seem to get side effects from that too. I avoid certain food triggers, strong perfumes etc. My migraines have improved over the years until I had my covid vaxes.

Did you have any problems following the covid vax? I ask because when I had mine I was in the process of withdrawing from Citalopram and I had and still have symptoms since then, headaches, brain fog, dizziness, neck stiffness, ear fullness and others. These symptoms are common with migraines too which makes it all so confusing. My symptoms have been more persistent since I reduced my dose in January and increased it again.

I'm glad your Neuro seems to be on the same page as you, hopefully you can get the answers you need.

I had 3 covid Vaxxes and none caused me trouble. 
 

unfortunately, anyone else on this forum who had similar/same symptoms haven’t been writing back. So I’m assuming these symptoms faded or they had another issue that got resolved and they moved on and turned off the notifications to this website.

 

But the symptoms of vestibular migraine match the most closely with my symptoms. 

[Sonia009]

19 minutes ago, AmitV said:

I had 3 covid Vaxxes and none caused me trouble. 
 

unfortunately, anyone else on this forum who had similar/same symptoms haven’t been writing back. So I’m assuming these symptoms faded or they had another issue that got resolved and they moved on and turned off the notifications to this website.

 

But the symptoms of vestibular migraine match the most closely with my symptoms. 

Sounds like you're close to getting a diagnosis and the appropriate treatment, fingers crossed for you.

[AmitV]

37 minutes ago, Sonia001 said:

Sounds like you're close to getting a diagnosis and the appropriate treatment, fingers crossed for you.

the only problem being that they just believe SSRI could’ve caused this. So there’s a knowledge gap there. So I’m not sure how appropriate this diagnosis is.

[Sonia009]

28 minutes ago, AmitV said:

the only problem being that they just believe SSRI could’ve caused this. So there’s a knowledge gap there. So I’m not sure how appropriate this diagnosis is.

I have three doctors at my surgery and none of them understand ssri withdrawal. One told me just to stop taking them because 5.2 mg was a non therapeutic dose and I wouldn't have any problems. I'm so glad I didn't listen to him. The others have not offered me any advice on withdrawal. From what I've read here and other sites, all of the symptoms you and I have are symptoms of withdrawal. Did you quit cold turkey?

[AmitV]

23 minutes ago, Sonia001 said:

I have three doctors at my surgery and none of them understand ssri withdrawal. One told me just to stop taking them because 5.2 mg was a non therapeutic dose and I wouldn't have any problems. I'm so glad I didn't listen to him. The others have not offered me any advice on withdrawal. From what I've read here and other sites, all of the symptoms you and I have are symptoms of withdrawal. Did you quit cold turkey?

My story: I took it for a grand total of 6 weeks for anxiety. Started at 5mg, went up to 10mg. Dizziness started. Reduced dosage, dizziness didn’t go away. Eventually stopped at the 6week mark.

 

Today is 5 weeks of withdrawals. Now I have anxiety, dizziness and depression (from dizziness).

 

Do you feel your symptoms come and go in cycles/waves? One day is worse, next day is better, next day is even better and then it’s worse again.

[Sonia009]

4 minutes ago, AmitV said:

My story: I took it for a grand total of 6 weeks for anxiety. Started at 5mg, went up to 10mg. Dizziness started. Reduced dosage, dizziness didn’t go away. Eventually stopped at the 6week mark.

 

Today is 5 weeks of withdrawals. Now I have anxiety, dizziness and depression (from dizziness).

I know five weeks of withdrawal symptoms seem like a long time but actually symptoms can go on for much longer than that, months and years even for some people depending on their dose and years of usage. When I first started taking Citalopram 20 mg I realised after one week the dose was too high for me so I went down to 10 mg. I had start up effects, dizziness, anxiety increase, headaches etc. It took a while to settle but when it did it was great for 10 years. I stupidly came off cold turkey and my withdrawal symptoms were hell, all of the above and more, brain zaps, nightmares, night sweats increased anxiety, intrusive thoughts etc. I went back on 7.5 mg (from memory) and then reduced to 5 mg, eventually settling on 5.2 mg about 2-3 years ago.  All of this messing around messed my head up. I went down to 5 mg in January this year but had to go back to 5.2 mg because of the dizziness, brain zaps too. 

All of these symptoms cause anxiety for me too, I tend to over think things. The extra stress this brings makes my symptoms worse for sure.

I'm telling you all of this because you messed around with your dose too and quit cold turkey (my understanding) and this is going to mess with your head too. 

My husband took an Ssri after he had a mini stroke one year ago, he was on it for one week but couldn't stand the side effects so he quit cold turkey. He went through withdrawal symptoms after only one week and I swear he's still getting them.

You're in the best place, having tests, if your diagnosis is vestibular migraine as has been suggested then I would accept that for now because you will have follow up appointments to see how you are progressing. Eventually your withdrawal symptoms will ease but it takes time. Try not to stress about it because it makes things worse.

 

[AmitV]

On 3/30/2023 at 4:23 PM, Sonia001 said:

I know five weeks of withdrawal symptoms seem like a long time but actually symptoms can go on for much longer than that, months and years even for some people depending on their dose and years of usage. When I first started taking Citalopram 20 mg I realised after one week the dose was too high for me so I went down to 10 mg. I had start up effects, dizziness, anxiety increase, headaches etc. It took a while to settle but when it did it was great for 10 years. I stupidly came off cold turkey and my withdrawal symptoms were hell, all of the above and more, brain zaps, nightmares, night sweats increased anxiety, intrusive thoughts etc. I went back on 7.5 mg (from memory) and then reduced to 5 mg, eventually settling on 5.2 mg about 2-3 years ago.  All of this messing around messed my head up. I went down to 5 mg in January this year but had to go back to 5.2 mg because of the dizziness, brain zaps too. 

All of these symptoms cause anxiety for me too, I tend to over think things. The extra stress this brings makes my symptoms worse for sure.

I'm telling you all of this because you messed around with your dose too and quit cold turkey (my understanding) and this is going to mess with your head too. 

My husband took an Ssri after he had a mini stroke one year ago, he was on it for one week but couldn't stand the side effects so he quit cold turkey. He went through withdrawal symptoms after only one week and I swear he's still getting them.

You're in the best place, having tests, if your diagnosis is vestibular migraine as has been suggested then I would accept that for now because you will have follow up appointments to see how you are progressing. Eventually your withdrawal symptoms will ease but it takes time. Try not to stress about it because it makes things worse.

 

Vestibular migraine is not a confirmed diagnosis of it yet. But the doc suggested to take coenzyme q10 supplement, magnesium and vitamin b2. I’ll start tomorrow.

 

incidentally coenzyme q10 is also a supplement for reducing glutamate receptor excitatory action in vestibular nuclear center. Which is presumed to be the cause of dizziness that comes on with abrupt stopping of anti depressants. 
 

Restarting your last dose of AD is helpful, but once the excitatory action has begun, it can take its time to settle down. As you said, changing doses up and down messes with my head.

 

Are you also getting ringing in the ears?

[LostInCanada]

@AmitV please be careful adding so many supplements at once. Your CNS is sensitized and you could make things worse. I know you are so hopeful you will take something and everything will be fixed but the fact is you are in withdrawal and there is no easy fix. Reinstating at a small dose, stabilizing and slowly tapering may still be your best option. 

[Sonia009]

4 hours ago, AmitV said:

Vestibular migraine is not a confirmed diagnosis of it yet. But the doc suggested to take coenzyme q10 supplement, magnesium and vitamin b2. I’ll start tomorrow.

 

incidentally coenzyme q10 is also a supplement for reducing glutamate receptor excitatory action in vestibular nuclear center. Which is presumed to be the cause of dizziness that comes on with abrupt stopping of anti depressants. 
 

Restarting your last dose of AD is helpful, but once the excitatory action has begun, it can take its time to settle down. As you said, changing doses up and down messes with my head.

 

Are you also getting ringing in the ears?

Sounds like a good plan. I've heard that about CoQ10, from what I've read it's helped many people after they stopped antidepressants. I purchased some but later found out I cannot take it whilst I'm still on Citalopram, something to do with increased levels of serotonin I believe. it's something to consider when I'm finally off it though. 

I have had tinnitus for several years, not ringing but more of a constant whooshing noise. I went to ENT about it back then but my hearing was normal, epley normal, no definite explanation, possibly arthritis in my neck and med side effects. I know that Citalopram can cause it too as can other drugs, aspirin particularly. Aspirin based meds are the only ones I can tolerate unfortunately.

Hope you start to improve with your new regime.

[AmitV]

9 hours ago, LostInCanada said:

@AmitV please be careful adding so many supplements at once. Your CNS is sensitized and you could make things worse. I know you are so hopeful you will take something and everything will be fixed but the fact is you are in withdrawal and there is no easy fix. Reinstating at a small dose, stabilizing and slowly tapering may still be your best option. 

Hello, yes you are correct. Whatever I’m adding, I’m adding very slowly with quarter and half pills. One at a time. 
 

I would’ve reinstated a long time ago, unfortunately eacitalopram is what started my dizziness on day 10 of taking it. My doc kept chalking it as side effects and we got upto week 6 before I stopped. 
 

so reinstating isn’t a choice either. I’m dizzy either ways!

[LostInCanada]

5 hours ago, AmitV said:

Hello, yes you are correct. Whatever I’m adding, I’m adding very slowly with quarter and half pills. One at a time. 
 

I would’ve reinstated a long time ago, unfortunately eacitalopram is what started my dizziness on day 10 of taking it. My doc kept chalking it as side effects and we got upto week 6 before I stopped. 
 

so reinstating isn’t a choice either. I’m dizzy either ways!

I hope you find some relief soon. 👍

[nofriendsphoebe]

Just wanted to plug magnesium + B2 to help with dizziness. I struggled with this during tapering for over 6 months. I had to re-instate and then took 400mg magnesium gycenate + 400mg B2 daily and my symptoms have resolved. 

[AmitV]

2 hours ago, nofriendsphoebe said:

Just wanted to plug magnesium + B2 to help with dizziness. I struggled with this during tapering for over 6 months. I had to re-instate and then took 400mg magnesium gycenate + 400mg B2 daily and my symptoms have resolved. 

How long before your symptoms resolved after taking magnesium and B2?

 

Did anything else help with your dizziness to get a break from it?

 

 Sometimes I scratch my head, how did you folks survive with it for so long. I have so much brain fog.

[AmitV]

On 1/27/2019 at 4:21 PM, Nubl said:

I’m still dealing with the same issues. Light-headedness, gait instability, blurred vision. This started three years ago when I was introduced to ssri meds. I off all SSRIs for almost a year. Hell on earth. Hell on earth. All my issues started when I took Zoloft, then Paxil. The SSRIs have changed my life. Again, hell on earth. Please share your experiences with me. 

Nubl

same here! exactly the same! How are you doing now. It’s been a few years since you posted this.

[Thorin]

Following this topic as getting significant dizziness more and more frequently. I feel that it’s related to stress and anxiety as it stops when I have CBD. It’s getting worse though. The only other time I had this was when I moved overseas and was in a time of great stress but also had a change in ssri brand at the same time and now believe that caused me to become quite destabilised. It all resolved when they changed me from Paxil to Effexor. I refuse to go back on meds to deal with this but am getting worried as it’s getting worse.

[Altostrata]

@Thorin let's discuss in your Intro topic, your symptoms may be particular to your own situation: 

 

[Dee12h]

I haven’t had any dizziness until a few months ago. It started with brief episodes & is now most of the time. I haven’t dropped in months! It’s more of a spaciness than vertigo or light headedness. I feel like I’m in a tunnel or fog, almost drunk. I’m also having shakiness & muscles weakness & spasms. I have a trip coming up in 2 days, and I’m trying to stay calm!
 

Has anyone had abnormal electrolytes with this? I want to get mine checked but know it’ll prob be normal. 🙄 

 

Do I hold until it’s better? I’m seeing some people’s lasts for years. 🙁

 

 

[AmitV]

53 minutes ago, Dee12h said:

I haven’t had any dizziness until a few months ago. It started with brief episodes & is now most of the time. I haven’t dropped in months! It’s more of a spaciness than vertigo or light headedness. I feel like I’m in a tunnel or fog, almost drunk. I’m also having shakiness & muscles weakness & spasms. I have a trip coming up in 2 days, and I’m trying to stay calm!
 

Has anyone had abnormal electrolytes with this? I want to get mine checked but know it’ll prob be normal. 🙄 

 

Do I hold until it’s better? I’m seeing some people’s lasts for years. 🙁

 

 

These are very likely visual changes you’re experiencing as a result of withdrawals. Unfortunately, visual changes can take time to settle. One way to see if you feel better is to try yellow sunglasses and see if that helps. It cuts out the blue light and sends less info to the eyes, that’s one way of telling if it’s visual. Ask the eye doctor to check for vertical misalignment. That gives the foggy feeling around objects, specifically text. 

 

If it’s vertigo, inner ear stuff then that’ll show up on a neuro vestibular assessment which takes time.

 

but definitely start with blood works and rule out the underlying stuff. 
 

The biggest issue with vertigo and visual issues with withdrawals with people struggling for years is that they begin to not do a lot of things and modify their day to day activities. As such the adaptation mechanism of the brain never begins to adapt and rather adapts to the wrong condition of modification.

 

At the same time they never get to the underlying condition that has been triggered. CNS readaptation generally triggers a condition. Once you’ve found what that really is, you can speed up recovery with the right rehabilitation (exercise) protocol. Medicines are not required for this.