jac84lp Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Hello Everyone. I was on 20mg nortriptyline for 6 weeks. I tapered off the drug over a 1 week period due to it's side effects (increased heart rate, muscle spasms and hair loss). It's been 2 weeks since I stopped taking the nortriptyline and I am still having a very rough time dealing with withdrawal symptoms. I constantly have this constant rocking motion that I feel in my head as though I'm on boat that's bobbing up and down, left and right, forward and backwards. Although this seems similar to vertigo, things around me in the environment are not spinning. I just feel like my mind and head is always rocking ever so slightly with the beating of my heart. I should note that I had and am still dealing with constant rapid heartbeats throughout the day since I stopped taking the drug. This constant rocking motion in my head makes me feel dizzy and nauseated. And my head feels like a balloon all the time. Has anyone here experienced movement problems during nortriptyline withdrawal? If so, does it go away and how long does it take for it to go away? It's very bothersome. It greatly hinders my concentration and focus. I'd like to hear from anyone who's had this experience. Thanks. February 10-March 30: 20mg nortriptyline March 31 onward: nortriptyline withdrawal so bad I ended up in emerge 3 times for increased heart rate and muscle spasms. Currently having problems with my balance due to constant feeling of head and body rocking and swaying. Having increased heart rate and difficulty breathing. Always fatigued and have frequent urination. Also having excruciating head, neck, shoulder and back pain Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Petunia Posted April 17, 2015 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted April 17, 2015 Welcome jac84lp, I moved your post from the symptoms section because it was an introduction to your own specific situation. You can use this thread as your ongoing journal to track progress, write about symptoms, ask questions and communicate with the community, add to it whenever you want. I'm sorry you're still having some unpleasant symptoms after you stopped taking 20mg nortriptyline 2 weeks ago. Even though you were only taking the drug for 6 weeks, a one week taper off it was probably too fast and now your nervous system is most likely having a difficult time re-balancing. But you will recover, it may just take a little more time. Some people find that reinstating a small amount of the drug, and then tapering slower, can sometimes alleviate the withdrawal symptoms and prevent them from returning, by tapering slower. But because you were only on the drug 6 weeks, and its already been 2 that you have been drug free, I wouldn't recommend it. I think that with a little more time, you will start to feel better. This topic may be helpful: Dizziness/Vertigo/Lightheaded/etc. Also our Symptoms and self-care section, especially the topics pinned at the top. Please stay in touch and let us know how you are doing, you will find a lot of friendly help and support here. Petunia. 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
Administrator Altostrata Posted April 17, 2015 Administrator Share Posted April 17, 2015 Welcome, jac. Have your withdrawal symptoms changed over the last 2 weeks? 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
jac84lp Posted April 18, 2015 Author Share Posted April 18, 2015 Hi Altostrata. The only withdrawal symptom that has subsided is the feverish temperature and excessive sweating I've been having during my first week of withdrawal. Other than that, I'm still having a hard time dealing with the increased heart rate (which has led me to 3 emergency visits), headaches and muscle spasms. But this loss of balance and my mind and body in constant swaying/rocking motion started in my second week of withdrawal and seems to be getting worse. I'm thinking of trying supplements to see if it will help with the withdrawal symptoms. Started giving myself epsom salt foot baths. Seems to help a bit with the sleep issues. Will look into supplements to see what helps. February 10-March 30: 20mg nortriptyline March 31 onward: nortriptyline withdrawal so bad I ended up in emerge 3 times for increased heart rate and muscle spasms. Currently having problems with my balance due to constant feeling of head and body rocking and swaying. Having increased heart rate and difficulty breathing. Always fatigued and have frequent urination. Also having excruciating head, neck, shoulder and back pain Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted April 24, 2015 Administrator Share Posted April 24, 2015 What you might want to do is reinstate a low dosage of nortriptyline, perhaps 2mg-5mg, stabilize for a while, and then very slowly taper from there. Believe or not, reinstating a very small dose can reduce withdrawal symptoms. See About reinstating and stabilizing to stop withdrawal symptoms Tips for tapering off nortriptyline 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
Strugglingmama Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 @jac84lp crazy old post. But I am also going through nortriptyline withdrawal with similar symptoms. Curious if it resolved for you? Domperidone 50mg Feb to june 2020 (weaned off over 5 weeks) sertraline 25-100mg June 2020-august 2020 (weaned over 4 week) Notriptyline 10mg/sertraline 25-50mg Nov 2020-dec 2020 nortriptyline 10mg Jan 2021-May 2021 escitalopram 5mg may 2021 for 6 days then stopped Sept 1,2021- reinstated sertraline 6.25mg Jan 10, 2022- sertraline 5 mg , feb 9, 2022- sertraline 4.5mg, Feb 22, 2022- Sertraline 4.3mg, March 7, 2022- Sertraline 3.8mg, April 16,2022- Sertraline 3mg , May 6, 2022- Sertraline 2mg, May 31,- off Sertraline Link to comment
stannis Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 This is an old post but I have similar withdrawal from nortriptyline. Heart beating harder, palpitations and tinnitus. I also have the slight head bobbing which you describe. Link to comment
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