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WhySSRI: Relearning my body and mind


WhySSRI

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Hibari, 

 

Thank you for your support.  Means a lot in these testing times.  Hope you're doing well.

 

Lex,

 

Thanks Lex.  Your words means a lot.  How are you managing in your wave?

2010 - had my first full blown panic attack started on alprazolam 0.5 mg
2011 - was told by doc to try AD along with benzo to control panic attack and anxiety lexapro 20 mg alprazolam 2.0 mg
2012 - was told by doc to switch out medication paxil 40 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
Mar 2016 - made the jump to cymbalta 60 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
July 2016 - got sick and tired of taking meds finally decided to cold turkey meds
 

- BE HERE NOW -

 

My Intro

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My symptoms have morphed again.  Ever since the late night panic attack, I've been struck with constant anxiety.  By reading past threads I knew that my anxiety would return but I wasn't expecting it to be this intense.  This anxiety accompanied by really loud tinnitus is my cross to bear at the moment.  I find myself pacing around my house like a mad person.  Oh Lord please give me the strength to make it out of this.

2010 - had my first full blown panic attack started on alprazolam 0.5 mg
2011 - was told by doc to try AD along with benzo to control panic attack and anxiety lexapro 20 mg alprazolam 2.0 mg
2012 - was told by doc to switch out medication paxil 40 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
Mar 2016 - made the jump to cymbalta 60 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
July 2016 - got sick and tired of taking meds finally decided to cold turkey meds
 

- BE HERE NOW -

 

My Intro

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How are you WHY?

Drug free Sep. 23 2017

2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks.

2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg

2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain

2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain;

2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain

2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg,

2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on

2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks.

2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR

2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg,8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg, 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg

2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg,

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Hey Lex,

 

Thanks for checking up on me.  Anxiety is at bay now.  These days my symptoms morph around hour by hour.  My tinnitus has been staying really loud.  No major improvements to report.  Still taking things day by day well I guess hour by hour now.  How are you doing Lex?

2010 - had my first full blown panic attack started on alprazolam 0.5 mg
2011 - was told by doc to try AD along with benzo to control panic attack and anxiety lexapro 20 mg alprazolam 2.0 mg
2012 - was told by doc to switch out medication paxil 40 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
Mar 2016 - made the jump to cymbalta 60 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
July 2016 - got sick and tired of taking meds finally decided to cold turkey meds
 

- BE HERE NOW -

 

My Intro

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That's a relief WHY that the anxiety calmed down. It sounded pretty tough. The change can be a good sign for healing and improving.  

 

I am going day by day and some days also hour by hour. Many days I think of you when I need to be reminded for needed endurance and patience. I am in the toughest time since got down to 0.06 mg about 2.5 months ago--paralyzed brain and body and severe needling pain, confused head and total hangover feeling.  I somehow visualize myself in the similar situation to yours from cold turkey. Thought about updose but too scared so most probably will continue holding.

Drug free Sep. 23 2017

2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks.

2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg

2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain

2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain;

2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain

2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg,

2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on

2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks.

2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR

2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg,8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg, 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg

2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg,

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Insatiable hunger is killing me right now.  I've just now realized how much weight I've put on.  I really need to watch how much I eat.  I've been able to put a bit more strength when I walk.  Walking on the treadmill at 1.3 mph speed feels like I'm going to pass out.  But no matter how hard it is I'm pushing myself to walk.  My legs are still very weak and wobbly but the only form of exercise I can do right now is to walk.  I'm afraid to look at myself in the mirror.  I'd make a pretty decent zombie in a walking dead episode.  Diet and exercise is my main focus now.  Need to get my face back to normal.

 

I've given up trying to explain what I'm going through to people around me.  No one around me understands what I'm going through.  I'm done trying to get some sort of human compassion out from others.  I don't have any friends left anymore and I can feel the strain on my family too. This is a lonely form of existence and I have to go at it alone and make it out alone.  But deep down I don't really know how to handle the longing for some sort of human companionship.  

2010 - had my first full blown panic attack started on alprazolam 0.5 mg
2011 - was told by doc to try AD along with benzo to control panic attack and anxiety lexapro 20 mg alprazolam 2.0 mg
2012 - was told by doc to switch out medication paxil 40 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
Mar 2016 - made the jump to cymbalta 60 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
July 2016 - got sick and tired of taking meds finally decided to cold turkey meds
 

- BE HERE NOW -

 

My Intro

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WHY, I know how you feel. We all feel pretty much the same in terms of the lonely war we are fighting! I do have friends understanding and being supportive listening to my agony, but deep down I know I'm the one and only to go through all the suffering minute by minute. I can't look at mirror either especially when the severe akathesia all over me like millions bugs and needling poking into my brain, head and whole body.

 

I hope you find a way to control your diet. Little walking is a good start. I found for long time since I got very sick in this process, I can only walk on the machine. It's very helpful especially I do it together with others in gym, a dark cinema room. I feel it must be the meditating effect.

 

Do you meditate? I never did until recently, but found it very effective in lessening some symptoms.

 

You are in my thought! I know you can do it as long as you believe it yourself. And you are not alone in this war, I always have an ear for your pain.

 

Hugs,

Lex

Drug free Sep. 23 2017

2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks.

2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg

2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain

2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain;

2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain

2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg,

2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on

2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks.

2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR

2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg,8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg, 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg

2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg,

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hey there WhySSRI. How are you doing now that you are 9 months out? What symptoms do you experience? Do you also get insomnia too?

My medication -- Prozac
August 2015: Started on 10mg/day
September 2015 to May 2016: Increased to 20mg/day
May 2016: Abruptly stopped 20mg for 2 weeks (withdrawal symtoms arose but assumed it was worsened depression)
June 2016 to August 2016: increased to 40mg (my body reacted very badly to this dose)
August 2016: decreased back to 20mg
September 2016: tapered off 10mg this month alone
September 30, 2016: last day of Prozac
October 2016: month long window
November 2016-Present: WD symptoms (too many physical sxs and some mental sxs)
February 5-20, 2017: Reinstated at 1-2mg // February 21, 2017: Back to no meds

 

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Hey LexAnger,

 

Thanks for being here for me.  Hope you're doing well.

 

Hey anongrl,

 

These days things are still so very hard.  I get hit with intense anxiety my teeth start chattering.  Intense wave of teeth pain is a new symptom that emerged.  On the other hand I am seeing improvements on quite a few symptoms.  Dp/dr is not as severe as it used to be.  I still absolutely dread getting hit with dp/dr.  Walking has been getting better these days.  I still struggle to get out of bed in the morning as I find this entire experience demoralizing.  But when I do get out of bed I don't spend my days bedridden anymore.  I'm up and about doing a few chores here and there.  I can slowly pace around my driveway at home enjoying the sun on my skin.  I guess I'm on the home/sofa ridden phase now. Walking on my treadmill has been a great help so far even at a very low intensity.  Even my akathisia is showing promising improvements.  

 

I do daily body scan mediations which enables me to notice even a small micro level improvement.  All my symptoms vary in intensity and have shown evidence of improvements except my almighty tinnitus.  It's crazy that I find tinnitus to be worse than dp/dr or even akathisia.  The only time I feel somewhat normal is when I get in the shower.  The sounds of water masks my tinnitus and my mood does get lifted from a nice shower but it doesn't last long.  I'm still dealing with so many symptoms insomnia doesn't even bother me.  It's a miracle I'm even able to sleep with this many symptoms.  My eyes do get red from all the sleep deprivation.

 

How are you doing anongrl?  Hope you're doing ok.

2010 - had my first full blown panic attack started on alprazolam 0.5 mg
2011 - was told by doc to try AD along with benzo to control panic attack and anxiety lexapro 20 mg alprazolam 2.0 mg
2012 - was told by doc to switch out medication paxil 40 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
Mar 2016 - made the jump to cymbalta 60 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
July 2016 - got sick and tired of taking meds finally decided to cold turkey meds
 

- BE HERE NOW -

 

My Intro

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I had severe teeth pain that lasted the past 2 months straight. It was one of my most horrifying symptoms because the nerves right in the center of my teeth would go haywire for hours and leave me riddled with SO much excruciating pain! It was every single day. I had to use an oral analgesic to numb the pain even though it was only temporary relief (you can find it OTC like at the Dollar Tree or anywhere like Walmart really). Thankfully, it miraculously has now gone down to just some slight sensitivity in my mouth if that gives you any peace of mind! 

 

Glad to hear you are seeing some improvements. I also have seen some with myself but I am definitely also very symptomatic still. I also have tinnitus that usually rages at night and the mornings and then it comes and goes throughout the day. It can get super loud to very faint and vice versa. There is no pattern to it. My other symptoms still include akathisia (this one is the worst symptom for me), eye floaters, pins + needles in hands and feet, morning cortisol rushes (this is also my worst one!), racing thoughts, looping songs stuck in head, electrical sensations flowing through my face, buzzing sensations, chest pain, suicidal thoughts ... and more. Showers and baths help me too a little bit. It just sucks when the pain is so overpowering that my showers become daunting. Wow your eyes got red? Insomnia is a HUGE problem for me. I have to take a sleep aid mediation (it's OTC called doxylamine succinate) to help me doze off because my body has lost the ability to feel tired and sleepy. So now I must force myself to sleep. I wish I didn't have to rely on it but I do almost every single night. Otherwise I am going to have no sleep whatsoever! Just wish I could at least have my normal sleep back. I usually sleep around 11pm and wake up in the middle of the night, have broken sleep, and automatically wake up around 6 or 7am with the racing thoughts, looping music, and pain in various parts of my body. Praying to see some windows soon. 

My medication -- Prozac
August 2015: Started on 10mg/day
September 2015 to May 2016: Increased to 20mg/day
May 2016: Abruptly stopped 20mg for 2 weeks (withdrawal symtoms arose but assumed it was worsened depression)
June 2016 to August 2016: increased to 40mg (my body reacted very badly to this dose)
August 2016: decreased back to 20mg
September 2016: tapered off 10mg this month alone
September 30, 2016: last day of Prozac
October 2016: month long window
November 2016-Present: WD symptoms (too many physical sxs and some mental sxs)
February 5-20, 2017: Reinstated at 1-2mg // February 21, 2017: Back to no meds

 

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Hey Why, 

 

This is Rain, just come in and say hello, I am in my darkest time even I am still on 6.5mg of Lexapro... 

 

I got suicidal akathisia very bad, I don't know what will happen next. 

 

Hopefully We will all get better soon! 

 

Regards

 

Rain

2006 October Zoloft 50mg for anxiety.

2013 March Lexapro 10mg for 18 months to 2015 September.

2015 September increased to 20mg for 7 weeks but getting worse. 3rd November dropped back to 10mg

2016 11th November taper to 9mg

2017 3rd March Taper to 8.8mg, then Fast taper start: 10th-8.6mg, 12th-8.2mg, 17th-8.0mg, 22rd-7.7mg, 27th-7.4mg.

April 2nd- 6.9mg (WD start), 19th-6.5mg. Failed one day Cymbalta trial, took back Lexapro, much worse Akathisia torture. Keep holding. 

May 22nd- 6.3mg, June 10th- 5.7mg, Nov- 4.4mg, Dec- 4.3mg,

2018 Jan- 4.1mg 

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Hi WHY,

 

I can imagine how hard going through each day like this for so long, even for me jumping from a relative lower cliff has been very horradius in the past 4 months and still I don't see any light in this dark tunnel. You have been so strong and I look up to you for inspiration and streghth.

 

That is a great improvement now you are sofa/ home bound rather than bed ridden. This tinnitus must be super annoying god I wish it can just stop suddenly. Have you tried to wear a headset with some soothing music on to cover up the noise somehow? I remember another member clearday also had this symptom for long after CT Lexapro. It eventually end away for him I think.

 

Hope you are having a fair day today, you are almost there for the one year anniversary off the meds, wish this milestone brings you with major improvement !

 

Lex

Drug free Sep. 23 2017

2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks.

2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg

2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain

2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain;

2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain

2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg,

2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on

2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks.

2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR

2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg,8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg, 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg

2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg,

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Hi WhySSRI,

Have you considered getting a mouthguard for the teeth chattering? Espescially if you grind your teeth at night. You can get clear ones that you put on the bottom teeth and can wear it during the day

PSSD, Anhedonia, Loss of Imagination and creativity, physical pressure in head all from taking 50mg Sertraline for a month back in February 2015. Not seen much improvement (if any). Time of writing this signature - 01/02/2016 (UK date format)

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stopping by to see how you are doing 

How is your tinnitus?  Mine is getting better.  I hear it constantly when quite but it is not as intense.  Hopefully yours is improving as well 

Healing thoughts your way 

04/10 Luvox 25 mg PM, Nortriptyline 1 mg PM

03/08/19: Buspar 2.5 mg AM, 5 mg PM

01/01/19: Xanax 0.125 AM 5 times a week. Occasionally, 0.125 twice a day AM & noon

12/18 Armour Thyroid 60 mg (for hypothyroidism) 

 

Supplements: B Complex, B12 (adeno), multi-vitamin, D, Adrenal Cortex, iron

  • Lexapro 20 mg 2007 - 2013 with various attempts to stop
  • 2013 found a new Dr and started trying other meds: Prozac, Notryptoline, Effexor, Buspar, Gabapentin, Paxil, Nardil
  • Lexapro 15 mg 2015 - 04/2016
  • Vibryiid 10 - 15mg 05/16-06/16 
  • NO MEDS 07/16 - 10/31/16
  • Reinstated 10/31/16 at 2.5 mg lexapro, increased to 5 mg   
  • 1/13/17 switched to Luvox 50 mg before bed
  • 1/20/17 Luvox 37.5 mg PM
  • 12/18 Luvox 10 mg PM, Nortriptyline 2 mg (started Nortriptyline 06/17 at 10 mg)
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Hi Why and everyone,

I am also going through this teeth pain and sensitivity.

 

It was there 2 months ago and gone.

Now its back with more severity. Its like my jaw is clenching , facial nerves are tight, even at day time.

 

I started keeping lips in between teeth as a temporary solution but will go to buy a mouthguard, which is promising at sleep.

08/13 - 01/14
Olanzapine, petril MD (Clonazepam ), Dicorate ER (divalproex). Soza 10 (Zolpidem)

02/14 - 05/14
Flunil ​20mg , Divaa OD 250 mg(divalproex), Amisulpride 50mg (1-0-2), zolfresh 5 mg , Quetiapine
05/14 - 08/14 Venlafaxine 75 xr ( 1-0-1), zapiz 0.25
10/14 Zaptra 12.5mg , Oxetol xr 150mg (0-0-1)
11/14 - 08/15
Paris CR 25 (paroxetine) , Oxetol xr 600 mg (0-0-1), nitrest 5mg , Quetiapine for a month.
09/15-11 Venlafaxine XR 75 ( 1-0-1), Mirtazipine 15, Respiredal 0.5, Lamitor 25, zillion 10.
12/15-02/16 Off Meds (C.T)

03/16-Mid April Sertraline, Aripropazole, Quetiapine, Etizolam.

After that : CT and on OTC supplements (Roadback), now on Ayurveda
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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hello WhySSRI,

 

I caught up with your thread today and I wanted to let you know that the way you handle this most challenging situation is inspiring and empowering. You focus on imporvements however small and even if you can't notice any, you focus on having made it through one more day or one more hour. This is the way to win this battle. I'm amazed at how you don't panic because of all the panic and other frightening symptoms but keep things in perspective and believe in the heaing process.

 

You have every right to feel down, discouraged or simply say in as many words as you need to that things are hard and horrible. I also post on my better days. On my bad days I'm just focused on surviving and I mostly silently read through other people's threads to be reminded that other people went through the same and still made it to the other side. As somebody said (maybe even you): we are in the sandstorm and only relying on the voices of people who have made it through.

 

You are very right that people who haven't been through this can't really understand us. Even those that care about us a lot. Loneliness is another dreadful dimension of the whole experience. That's why this community is so very precious. Let's stick together.

 

I look forward to hearing from you like your other friends here. Sending healing vibes your way.

 

Bubble

Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2

2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013)

Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 
1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg.
2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg
went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days after
reinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours
28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr  2015 1 mg,  25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64  Xanax     9 month hold

24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26

Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic 

I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hey anongrl,

Thank you for the assurances.  Happy to hear that some of your symptoms have improved.  My teeth pain is just another annoyance that I have to deal with these days.  Hope to hear more of your improvements soon.

 

Hey Rain,

Akathisia was one of the worst symptoms when it hit me.  But it wasn't persistent like the tinnitus that I have.  It came and went but I absolutely dreaded when I got hit. It takes time but it will go away.  Hang in there.  Thanks for stopping by my thread.

 

Hey LexAnger,

My tinnitus is still going strong.  But I believe it will go away in time.  I'm glad that I inspire you to be strong.  We will all make it out of this just stay strong.

 

Hey raven,

Yes, I have tried mouth guards before but sadly they didn't work for me. Thanks for stopping by my thread. 

 

Hey Blondiee,

My tinnitus is still going strong but it will get better in time.  Just have to believe and let things settle down and heal in time.  

 

Hey bhasski,

Hang in there.  Things will heal in time stay strong.  Thanks for stopping by my thread.

 

Hey Bubble,

Thanks for stopping by my thread.  My journey so far has been very challenging and hard at times.  I was and still am ill equipped going through this journey.  But for whatever reason I am determined to see through the end.  I will not stop.  I will not give up.

2010 - had my first full blown panic attack started on alprazolam 0.5 mg
2011 - was told by doc to try AD along with benzo to control panic attack and anxiety lexapro 20 mg alprazolam 2.0 mg
2012 - was told by doc to switch out medication paxil 40 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
Mar 2016 - made the jump to cymbalta 60 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
July 2016 - got sick and tired of taking meds finally decided to cold turkey meds
 

- BE HERE NOW -

 

My Intro

Link to comment

Random episodes of anxiety and panic hits me throughout the day.  Lately I've been trying to find a trigger for my anxiety and panic.  Was it my thoughts?  Was it something I ate?  Was it something I did?  Each time I get hit I find that it's totally random and nothing I did triggers it.  My tinnitus gets much louder, my body gets really heavy, my body temperature gets cold and then a electric sensation goes over my body then my body turns flashing hot with excessive sweating and pulsating heart.  Just absolutely dread it.  Nothing I can do except lying down and letting it pass through my body.  Just floating through this.  Takes hours but it does end with exhaustion.  I'm getting better at managing them in time.  My last panic attack lasted three hours.

 
I'm just now realizing how bad my akathisia really was. The unrelenting restless inner torment has been getting better.  Things are a lot more calmer than usual.  My legs don't wobble any more as I walk.  Tinnitus and head pressure are the two most horrid symptoms that I'm dealing with.  Things are still up and down throughout the day with no pattern at all.  My focus is still spending time out in the sun, light walking, and watching my weight.  It's been a hit and miss with exercise.  Someday I feel good after a walking exercise and someday I feel awful.  But I do believe that my light walking exercise has been beneficial so far.  Just putting my foot in front of the other.

2010 - had my first full blown panic attack started on alprazolam 0.5 mg
2011 - was told by doc to try AD along with benzo to control panic attack and anxiety lexapro 20 mg alprazolam 2.0 mg
2012 - was told by doc to switch out medication paxil 40 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
Mar 2016 - made the jump to cymbalta 60 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
July 2016 - got sick and tired of taking meds finally decided to cold turkey meds
 

- BE HERE NOW -

 

My Intro

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Why

 

It's good to hear that things are improving.

 

I'm wondering if something which my daughter suggested to me (I think it was her counsellor who told her about it) might help you.

 

A year ago my daughter was concerned about how I was going to cope after the death of my 14 year old dog.  She made a suggestion to me about "checking in with myself" throughout the day to see how I was.  Because I knew that I would probably forget and sometimes things creep up slowly and then all of a sudden I am in a bad state, I set a timer for an hour during the morning (and it became easier to do it without the timer in the afternoon) just so I could be reminded and I would stop and think, okay, how am I feeling, what thoughts am I having.  This meant that I could nip it in the bud and do some controlled deep breathing before it became too much of a problem and harder to deal with.

 

It's something that have found very useful in the last year for various things.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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Random episodes of anxiety and panic hits me throughout the day.  Lately I've been trying to find a trigger for my anxiety and panic.  Was it my thoughts?  Was it something I ate?  Was it something I did?  Each time I get hit I find that it's totally random and nothing I did triggers it.  My tinnitus gets much louder, my body gets really heavy, my body temperature gets cold and then a electric sensation goes over my body then my body turns flashing hot with excessive sweating and pulsating heart.  Just absolutely dread it.  Nothing I can do except lying down and letting it pass through my body.  Just floating through this.  Takes hours but it does end with exhaustion.  I'm getting better at managing them in time.  My last panic attack lasted three hours.

 
I'm just now realizing how bad my akathisia really was. The unrelenting restless inner torment has been getting better.  Things are a lot more calmer than usual.  My legs don't wobble any more as I walk.  Tinnitus and head pressure are the two most horrid symptoms that I'm dealing with.  Things are still up and down throughout the day with no pattern at all.  My focus is still spending time out in the sun, light walking, and watching my weight.  It's been a hit and miss with exercise.  Someday I feel good after a walking exercise and someday I feel awful.  But I do believe that my light walking exercise has been beneficial so far.  Just putting my foot in front of the other.

 

 

Hey WhySSRI,

 

I honestly think the WD symptoms just come up randomly with no rhyme or reason and no triggers. This is how it has been for me anyways. I have all the sxs you have and all I can do is let them pass through my body as well. It also lasts hours for me too. I'm trying to learn to accept but I am constantly so anxious about my sxs that it's so difficult to do so especially when the physical pain is so bad. There's just no pattern to this whole thing. 

 

Putting my foot in front of the other as well. Just gotta keep trudging along. 

My medication -- Prozac
August 2015: Started on 10mg/day
September 2015 to May 2016: Increased to 20mg/day
May 2016: Abruptly stopped 20mg for 2 weeks (withdrawal symtoms arose but assumed it was worsened depression)
June 2016 to August 2016: increased to 40mg (my body reacted very badly to this dose)
August 2016: decreased back to 20mg
September 2016: tapered off 10mg this month alone
September 30, 2016: last day of Prozac
October 2016: month long window
November 2016-Present: WD symptoms (too many physical sxs and some mental sxs)
February 5-20, 2017: Reinstated at 1-2mg // February 21, 2017: Back to no meds

 

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  • 1 month later...

Intense wave of panic has finally left me.  Just random spikes in anxiety throughout the day every so often.  Insatiable hunger is completely gone. These days I wait for my appetite before I start to eat.  As time passes it has been getting easier for me to watch my weight.  Noise sensitivity has been getting a lot better lately.  With recovery happening ever so slowly it does get frustrating but whenever I notice improvements it gives me so much hope.  Still getting plenty of sunlight and exercise each day.  Somedays even a really low intensity walk would make me feel awful with nausea, anxiety, and dizzy spell.  I still chose to push forward.  It only FEELS like passing out but I never actually pass out while walking so I no longer concentrate on the symptoms but concentrate on my walking.  It has been getting better as time goes.  Extremely loud spikes in tinnitus no longer triggers anxiety anymore.  

 

Still plagued with so many symptoms here and there but I'm getting used to living with them at this point.  I guess things are slowly becoming tolerable as time passes.  Loud tinnitus, head pressure, strange sensation in the head, brain fog, cog fog, vision fog are still not showing any improvements as of yet.  Maybe head symptoms take much longer to heal.  Only time will heal.  Staying home listening to all the fireworks going off noticed it is fourth of July.  This time last year I couldn't even tolerate the firework sounds.  Things have been definitely getting better.

2010 - had my first full blown panic attack started on alprazolam 0.5 mg
2011 - was told by doc to try AD along with benzo to control panic attack and anxiety lexapro 20 mg alprazolam 2.0 mg
2012 - was told by doc to switch out medication paxil 40 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
Mar 2016 - made the jump to cymbalta 60 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
July 2016 - got sick and tired of taking meds finally decided to cold turkey meds
 

- BE HERE NOW -

 

My Intro

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  • Moderator Emeritus

What an optimistic post about passing through a period of difficult symptoms!  Sorry you went through the muck of withdrawal but "Good on ya" for your persistence. I'm sure that your post will remind anyone in a wave that waves subside and they will be encouraged.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.
1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results

Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to  0.0 mg  Aug. 12; details here


scallywag's Introduction
Online spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet

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  • 3 weeks later...

These days my limbs no longer feel like they are getting pulled apart anymore.  It's funny how whenever I notice an improvement I feel great hope and joy but it never lasts that long a time.  This new state of small improvement quickly becomes the new baseline and suffering continues.  But still it is an improvement towards full recovery.  I wake up in the morning and it takes an awful amount of will power to get myself out of bed.  Probably because I don't have a whole lot of things to look forward to in my day except just muddling through best as possible.  My appetite continues to stabilize and I see that I am eating a lot less.  My weight hasn't been increasing anymore.  Some days I feel really hopeful and some days I feel really doomed.  When I go to bed I no longer obsess about sleep anymore.  I wait until I'm able to calmly fall asleep.  Some days I feel a great spike in libido and get this great urge to release it several times during the day.  I suspect it's a mild case of PGAD.  When I get hit with it there's no escaping it.  That's all I can think about.  Another new symptom I get off and on is this weird chest pain.  I see that my symptoms are still evolving so I still need to take things easy. Walking and being out in the sun has proven to be the most effective activity for me so far.  It definitely keeps my body calm.  Still struggling, still muddling through, still surviving........   The real question with no answer to that keep popping up these days is "How much longer?"  Anyways hope others are doing much better than me.

2010 - had my first full blown panic attack started on alprazolam 0.5 mg
2011 - was told by doc to try AD along with benzo to control panic attack and anxiety lexapro 20 mg alprazolam 2.0 mg
2012 - was told by doc to switch out medication paxil 40 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
Mar 2016 - made the jump to cymbalta 60 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
July 2016 - got sick and tired of taking meds finally decided to cold turkey meds
 

- BE HERE NOW -

 

My Intro

Link to comment

I only want to get you a big bear long hug WHYSSRI! Your positive altitude is so admirable!

 

i remember someone here quoted a saying ' when in hell, keep going'. I'm doing the same and one day we will be out!

 

lex

Drug free Sep. 23 2017

2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks.

2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg

2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain

2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain;

2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain

2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg,

2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on

2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks.

2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR

2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg,8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg, 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg

2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg,

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi WhySSRI,

 

I have been reading your story and I think you are very courageous. I hope your health is improving. I also have stopped my  Antidepressant very quickly after being only for a month and a half on it, this was 2 months ago. Since,  I Ihave been suffering from very high-pitched tinnitus.  I also have a very bad PGAD. I hope your tinnitus is getting better and that you got rid of the PGAD symptoms. I am at the beginning of my Journey and I am also suffering greatly. How are you coping with Tinnitus ?. It drives me mad and i take Xanax and Zopiclone to cope.

You have been on this Journey before me. Please can you reassure me and tell me that things can improve?

 

Thanks a lot for sharing

 

Cathyfrench

 

 

 

- From January 4th 2017 to April 17th 2017:  1 Xanax 0.25 mg in January, replaced by 1 Lyxansia 10 mg in February, replaced by 1 Bromazepam 6 mg a day  in March then back to 1 Xanax 0.25 mg  in April. Every pill was stopped cold turkey.

- April 17th (Easter Monday) started  Sertraline 50.  Xanax 0.25 mg  stopped cold turkey. 

- April 17th to May 4th 1 Sertraline 50, a 25 dose in the morning, a 25 dose at night and half a Zopiclone 7.5 at night

- May 4th  Reduced to 1 Sertraline  25.

-June 1st to June 8th.Tappering off Sertraline every 2 days for a week and put on 1 Risperidone 1 mg a day.June 8th Sertraline 25 replaced by 1 Anafranil 25mg, 1 Risperidone 1 mg a day and 1 zoplicone 7.5 at night, a week later, the Anafranil 25mg and Risperidone 1g was stopped cold turkey and replaced by 1 Xanax 0.25 mg 3 times a day. Since  June 17th : 1 Xanax 0.25 mg 3 times a day and 1 zoplicone 7.5 at night. Other medications  from June 1st to June 15th : Augmentin antibiotics, Chorticoid tablets,  Lanzoprazole, Toviaz. Symptoms : tremors, shaking ,suicidal thoughts, smell and light sensitivity, hyperacusis, floaters, earworms, akathisia, high pitched tinnitus, PGAD.

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi cathyfrench,

 

I'm so sorry you developed tinnitus.  T is the one symptom that hasn't shown any sign of improvement for me.  I wise I could give you some hope but I too am suffering greatly from my tinnitus.  I've been living with it for 13 months now.  How I made it this far I honestly don't know.  One thing I can say is that it gets easier with time.  My PGAD at the moment is a very mild tingling kind of sensation that comes and goes.  My PGAD is actually much better than what I experienced with PSSD.  At my worst state my entire pelvic region was completely numb like nothing was down there.  At least with PGAD I know my juices are flowing again.

 

Hang in there.  Things get much much worse before it starts to get better.  Give it a lot of patience and time.  Hope that you start to see improvements soon.

2010 - had my first full blown panic attack started on alprazolam 0.5 mg
2011 - was told by doc to try AD along with benzo to control panic attack and anxiety lexapro 20 mg alprazolam 2.0 mg
2012 - was told by doc to switch out medication paxil 40 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
Mar 2016 - made the jump to cymbalta 60 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
July 2016 - got sick and tired of taking meds finally decided to cold turkey meds
 

- BE HERE NOW -

 

My Intro

Link to comment

Hi LexAnger,

 

Thanks for the hug.  How are you doing these days?  Hope you start to feel better soon.

2010 - had my first full blown panic attack started on alprazolam 0.5 mg
2011 - was told by doc to try AD along with benzo to control panic attack and anxiety lexapro 20 mg alprazolam 2.0 mg
2012 - was told by doc to switch out medication paxil 40 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
Mar 2016 - made the jump to cymbalta 60 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
July 2016 - got sick and tired of taking meds finally decided to cold turkey meds
 

- BE HERE NOW -

 

My Intro

Link to comment

My intense state of anxiety has finally passed.  My journey so far has been a real testament to the statement that "Only time heals".  These days I'm back to dealing with my on going wd symptoms.  Only after 13 months of tinnitus I'm finally at a state where I can say I can tolerate it better these days.  No improvements but I guess I'm finally dealing with it.  My journey continues...........

2010 - had my first full blown panic attack started on alprazolam 0.5 mg
2011 - was told by doc to try AD along with benzo to control panic attack and anxiety lexapro 20 mg alprazolam 2.0 mg
2012 - was told by doc to switch out medication paxil 40 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
Mar 2016 - made the jump to cymbalta 60 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
July 2016 - got sick and tired of taking meds finally decided to cold turkey meds
 

- BE HERE NOW -

 

My Intro

Link to comment

Hi Why SSRI,

 

I hope you are getting better. How can you bear the tinnitus? I can't bear it. Did you get it from stopping Cymbalta and Clonazepam cold turkey ? Did you try to reinstate Cymbalta or did you prefer to let time heal ? I also went cold turkey from Xanax and stop Sertraline too fast and I got PGAD and tinnitus among other stuff such as agitation, depression, tremors etc. I am also very agitated so I am back on xanax.  

Do you think your PGAD is healing ?  Are you back enjoying life. I can't, I spend my time lying on my bed in the dark. I can't look after my family anymore. 

Mine is geting worse and worse and I don't know what to do. Did you try another AD or something to help you ? 

 

I hope we will all get better soon 

 

Take good care

 

Cathy

- From January 4th 2017 to April 17th 2017:  1 Xanax 0.25 mg in January, replaced by 1 Lyxansia 10 mg in February, replaced by 1 Bromazepam 6 mg a day  in March then back to 1 Xanax 0.25 mg  in April. Every pill was stopped cold turkey.

- April 17th (Easter Monday) started  Sertraline 50.  Xanax 0.25 mg  stopped cold turkey. 

- April 17th to May 4th 1 Sertraline 50, a 25 dose in the morning, a 25 dose at night and half a Zopiclone 7.5 at night

- May 4th  Reduced to 1 Sertraline  25.

-June 1st to June 8th.Tappering off Sertraline every 2 days for a week and put on 1 Risperidone 1 mg a day.June 8th Sertraline 25 replaced by 1 Anafranil 25mg, 1 Risperidone 1 mg a day and 1 zoplicone 7.5 at night, a week later, the Anafranil 25mg and Risperidone 1g was stopped cold turkey and replaced by 1 Xanax 0.25 mg 3 times a day. Since  June 17th : 1 Xanax 0.25 mg 3 times a day and 1 zoplicone 7.5 at night. Other medications  from June 1st to June 15th : Augmentin antibiotics, Chorticoid tablets,  Lanzoprazole, Toviaz. Symptoms : tremors, shaking ,suicidal thoughts, smell and light sensitivity, hyperacusis, floaters, earworms, akathisia, high pitched tinnitus, PGAD.

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Cathy,

 

I understand the agony that you are going through.  Just keep going each day the best you can.  I was mostly bed ridden for a good 10 months.  I still have days where I have to stay in bed.  My PGAD is mild at the moment and it comes and goes not so relentless like my tinnitus.  It doesn't really bother me.  I still have many many symptoms to deal with but it has been getting easier with time.  All my symptoms started with cold turkeying my clonezepam and Cymbalta.  By the time I discovered SA it was too late to reinstate for me so I just decided to let things heal.  I didn't try any new meds or suplements.  Take good care of yourself.

2010 - had my first full blown panic attack started on alprazolam 0.5 mg
2011 - was told by doc to try AD along with benzo to control panic attack and anxiety lexapro 20 mg alprazolam 2.0 mg
2012 - was told by doc to switch out medication paxil 40 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
Mar 2016 - made the jump to cymbalta 60 mg clonazepam 2.0 mg
July 2016 - got sick and tired of taking meds finally decided to cold turkey meds
 

- BE HERE NOW -

 

My Intro

Link to comment

Hi Why SSRI,

 

Thank you so much for your kind words. I am in a vey bad wave at the moment : Earache, head pressure, migraine, awfull tinnitus, sensitivity to light, cold, depression, agitation etc and my PGAD is getting worse. I appreciate your words of confort. I don't know how you are managing without panicking and how you can do it. I am panicking today and feel as if I will never get rid of PGAD and tinnitus. Ho long did it take yu to get rid of PGAD ? Are you still taking some meds ?

 

I wish you get better soon and thank you for your support

 

Cathy

 

- From January 4th 2017 to April 17th 2017:  1 Xanax 0.25 mg in January, replaced by 1 Lyxansia 10 mg in February, replaced by 1 Bromazepam 6 mg a day  in March then back to 1 Xanax 0.25 mg  in April. Every pill was stopped cold turkey.

- April 17th (Easter Monday) started  Sertraline 50.  Xanax 0.25 mg  stopped cold turkey. 

- April 17th to May 4th 1 Sertraline 50, a 25 dose in the morning, a 25 dose at night and half a Zopiclone 7.5 at night

- May 4th  Reduced to 1 Sertraline  25.

-June 1st to June 8th.Tappering off Sertraline every 2 days for a week and put on 1 Risperidone 1 mg a day.June 8th Sertraline 25 replaced by 1 Anafranil 25mg, 1 Risperidone 1 mg a day and 1 zoplicone 7.5 at night, a week later, the Anafranil 25mg and Risperidone 1g was stopped cold turkey and replaced by 1 Xanax 0.25 mg 3 times a day. Since  June 17th : 1 Xanax 0.25 mg 3 times a day and 1 zoplicone 7.5 at night. Other medications  from June 1st to June 15th : Augmentin antibiotics, Chorticoid tablets,  Lanzoprazole, Toviaz. Symptoms : tremors, shaking ,suicidal thoughts, smell and light sensitivity, hyperacusis, floaters, earworms, akathisia, high pitched tinnitus, PGAD.

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

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WhySsri, you're really a hero to me, as are all the people here facing those dark times. I'm after 3 months of CT celexa, and i can't bare the pain anymore and hope that reinstatement will help me. Going to see a psychiatrist on sunday to talk about it. Keep going, keep the faith!

2002: 20mg paroxetine for anxiety and depression - can't remember how long I took it- app. 1 year maybe? CT.

2003-2004: prozac 20 mg, then switched to celexa.

2004-2015: celexa 20 mg. 

2015-2017: celexa 20 mg every other day approximately, until april 2017- one pill every 2-3 days, and then may 2017, 2 pills a week, then 2 half a week. June 2017, took 2 half and then stopped completely with psychiatrist's blessing. Xanax 0.25 sometimes to help me cope with WDs.

4.9.2017: reinstated celexa 5mg
11.9.17: updosed to 10 mg celexa.

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  • 2 months later...

Hi Why,

 

thinking of you!

how are you lately?

 

lex

Drug free Sep. 23 2017

2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks.

2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg

2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain

2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain;

2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain

2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg,

2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on

2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks.

2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR

2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg,8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg, 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg

2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg,

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@WhySSRImy symptoms are remarkably similar to yours, I have the same kind of tinnitus, it doesnt feel like it is the noise only right? I lost the sensitivity of my whole body, I had something that I tought was pgad but it was "just" a nerve being a ******. Let me tell you something, 2 nights a woke up and there was silence! For a few minutes only but the tinnitus was gone!

I spent the last 6 months researching and I think that I know whats to blame, the probability of damage or epigenetic changes are low, our body is just stuck in some bad loop. Im 90% sure that what happened to us is some neurosteroid mess. People always look at the serotonergic action of SSRI, but what few people know is that they alter our neurosteroidogenesis, the main affected neurosteroid is Allopregnanolone(read about it and you will see his power), since its affected by altering 3a-HSD enzyme activity, the others neurosteroids reduced by it could be affected too and it includes 3a-diol and DHT. So image the cascaind crap that this will trigger.

Paroxetine 40mg from 2005 to 2013,
between 2007 - 2009 I stopped cold turkey, no problems, less than a week with brain zaps and thats it
2009 started taking Paroxetine again
2013 easy transition to Lexapro 15mg + Wellbutrin XL 300
2015 dropped Wellbutrin without problems
04/2017 transition to Pristiq taking 7,5mg of Lexapro + 25mg of Pristiq, than dropped Lexapro
bad things starting,
05/2017 stopped Pristiq, being in hell!

05/14/2017 -> Most of the symptoms ceased, constant arousal like sensation and erectyle disfunction appeared. Anxietys on the roof, dread thoughts. Using a little bit of bromazepam.
Reinstated LexaPro + Wellbutrin
08/2017 -> tappered fast both
05/2018 -> SEVERE worsening, keep getting worse

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  • 1 month later...

Hi WHY, haven't heard you for a long time. I hope you are improving a lot more since your last post! 

Please let us know how you are doing.

 

lex

Drug free Sep. 23 2017

2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks.

2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg

2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain

2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain;

2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain

2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg,

2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on

2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks.

2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR

2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg,8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg, 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg

2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg,

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hi whyssri.  i also cold turkeyed off all meds after a lifetime of being on them.  let me tell you...it gets sooo much better!  i am beginning to feel real emotions for the first time in  my life.   

 

best,

gemini

off cold turkey:zoloft, trileptal, stratteracurrently on:<p>latuda .05 milligrams latuda (to stabilize cns) from 20 mgs 4 months ago.

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