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AnxietySucks: Going through nightmare and need some hope


AnxietySucks

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I'm shaking as I write this.

 

Long story short, went on antidepressants about 9 years ago for disthymia, GAD, and Panic Disorder. Started on Lexapro. It worked fairly well and had no startup side effects. PDoc added Welbutrin. It worked well too. Switched from Lexapro to another SSRI briefly without problems. Switched to Zoloft and stayed on it for about 8 years.

 

Smooth sailing aside from the sexual side effects, which caused me (stupidly) to quit cold turkey in November of 2016. From then to January 2017 I felt fine except for brain zaps. Those eventually went away and haven't returned.

 

February 2017 I started getting weird chest tightness and heaviness, accompanied by a stinging in the mouth and tongue. Had EKG, echo, chest xray, all fine.

 

Saw a new PDoc on March 3rd who said chest symptoms were anxiety and put me on Trintellix and Klonopin. Was hesitant to start these drugs so I waited awhile. Took a friend's 0.25 Xanax on occasion during March to combat relatively mild anxiety from chest symptoms. Anxiety was getting worse so I decided to try the Klons. Was prescribed 0.5 to 1 every night before bed. Started doing that about March 16 with varied results. One day it seemed to work like a charm while the next day not at all, or even seemed to make anxiety worse.

 

March 24 decided to try the Trintellix. March 25, 26 went by without side effects then BAM on March 27 I began what I can only describe as an unending and unrelenting panic attack that has only ceased briefly a few times since. I kept taking it anyway until March 29 when I called PDoc who told me to stop taking it and take something else. I told him F that, I want to go back to Zoloft and Welbutrin, at least I know that works. Been taking the Zoloft and Welbutrin since then.

 

 

Saturday April 1st, 10:00pm I took 0.5 Clonazepam and fell asleep for 4 hours.

 

Sunday April 2 2:00am awoke in a state of severe anxiety, about a 9.5/10, worse than I had ever felt. 5:00am went to the ER. 9:00am given Ativan at ER. Did not help. Voluntarily admitted to psych ER. In holding area until 11:00pm then transported by ambulance to a psych ward an hour away.

 

Psych ward was a nightmare and drove my anxiety even higher which I didn't think was even possible.

 

Monday April 3 evening, anxiety at 9.5. Blood pressure 177 systolic. Nurse gives 0.5 Xanax. Blood pressure drops to normal. Anxiety drops to 7.5. An hour later, anxiety up to 10!!! Nerves feel like they're on fire, heart pounding fast, muscles very weak, brain feels like it's being electrocuted. Given Hydroxyzine. An hour later, still 10. Given 2mg Xanax and wheelchaired back to room, or rather empty jail cell. Passed out.

 

Tuesday April 4 awoke feeling drugged and anxiety at 5. Discharged at 1pm. Anxiety drops to 3. Arrive home, anxiety drops to 2. I was hopeful that the nightmare was over.

 

Nope. Yesterday Wednesday April 5 morning, anxiety at 3. By noon anxiety climbed to 7. Is fluctuating between 5 and 7. Called PDoc in a panic. PDoc says keep taking Zoloft and Welbutrin and also prescribes Neurontin and Valium to be taken 3x per day, 2x dosage at bedtime. Picked up scripts that evening and took the bedtime dose. About a half hour later started feeling weird but good. Didn't last long though. Had a rough night.

 

Today April 6 morning I felt very weird, but not in a good way. Tremors in my facial muscles, derealization, slow thinking. Looked up Neurontin on the Internet and learned how bad it is. Decided not to take morning dose and called PDoc and left message.

 

I did take the morning Valium though, and that helped for a few hours. Took the afternoon Valium and it seemed to increase my anxiety and make me dizzy. PDoc hasn't called back.

 

 

 

This is HELL. There's no end to my anxiety attack. I cannot function. I'm going to lose my job, my health insurance.

 

 

Please tell me there's an end to this suffering. Please give me some hope. Some advice. What is happening to me? Is my life over?

2008: Lexapro, Welbutrin 100mg | 2009 to Late November 2016: Zoloft 25mg/50mg/100mg/50mg, Welbutrin 100mg/200mg

Late November 2016: Quit Zoloft and Welbutrin cold turkey | Early December 2016: Initial withdrawal, brain zaps, eventually went away

Early February 2017: New symptom appears: chest tightness, breathlessness (anxiety?) | March 2017: Anxiety increasing, experimented with Klonopin with mixed results

March 15 2017: Klonopin 0.5mg before bed.  Mixed results. | March 24 2017: Started Trintellix 10mg.  Took for 5 days, had adverse reaction + severe persistent anxiety

March 29 2017: Trying to reinstate Zoloft 50mg + Welbutrin 100mg | April 5 2017: Valium 2.5mg morning, 2.5mg afternoon, 5mg bedtime.  Seems to be helping a little

April 22 2017: Zoloft increased to 75mg. Started feeling a little better. | May 26 2017: Zoloft increased to 100mg. Tanked and haven't recovered.

Currently: Zoloft 100mg, Welbutrin 100mg, Valium 2.5/2.5/5

 

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Anxiety I think you have come to the right place! I am not an admin or anything on here but you seem to be having typical withdrawal symptoms. Many others and myself have and are going through what you are after stopping meds. It will all pass with time! A moderator should be by soon with some info for you! You are not alone!

Paxil 20mg started around 2013 dropped to 10 mg at some point dropped to 5mg for 1 week then C/T August 2016.

 

Buspar 10 mg 2x daily started 2013 fluctuating amounts.

 

Tried cylexa 1 week at beginning of August 2016.

Tried wellbutrin 1 week after cylexa stopped both.

 

I have been off all meds for around 4- 5 years.

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Thank you Dwell

2008: Lexapro, Welbutrin 100mg | 2009 to Late November 2016: Zoloft 25mg/50mg/100mg/50mg, Welbutrin 100mg/200mg

Late November 2016: Quit Zoloft and Welbutrin cold turkey | Early December 2016: Initial withdrawal, brain zaps, eventually went away

Early February 2017: New symptom appears: chest tightness, breathlessness (anxiety?) | March 2017: Anxiety increasing, experimented with Klonopin with mixed results

March 15 2017: Klonopin 0.5mg before bed.  Mixed results. | March 24 2017: Started Trintellix 10mg.  Took for 5 days, had adverse reaction + severe persistent anxiety

March 29 2017: Trying to reinstate Zoloft 50mg + Welbutrin 100mg | April 5 2017: Valium 2.5mg morning, 2.5mg afternoon, 5mg bedtime.  Seems to be helping a little

April 22 2017: Zoloft increased to 75mg. Started feeling a little better. | May 26 2017: Zoloft increased to 100mg. Tanked and haven't recovered.

Currently: Zoloft 100mg, Welbutrin 100mg, Valium 2.5/2.5/5

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

AnxietySucks -- Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants (SA)

 

Medical "professionals," oy! Your doctor AND your pharmacist each should have told you NOT to taper off an SSRI every single time time you were a client of their services. The vast majority of people will have a strong negative reaction to cold-turkey stops of SSRIs like Lexapro, Paxil and Zoloft. Wellbutrin cold-turkey ain't a picnic either. To understand how these drugs affect us all while we're taking them -- and then for weeks and months after we've stopped -- please have a look at

How your brain responds to psychiatric drugs - aka "Brain remodeling"

Youtube video, 4 minutes: Healing from antidepressants

 

How would you compare your symptoms, particularly the anxiety and panic, now compared to when you started medication: better, worse, or about the same?

 

Although you've written a detailed account of medications you've taken in the last six months in your first post of this topic, we ask that you summarize that in a posting signature that will appear below each of your posts. This gives us a quick summary of your pertinent medication and withdrawal history at a glance which can save a LOT of time. So A request: Would you summarize your history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly?

  • Any drugs prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years.
  • Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago)
  • Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016.
  • Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses.
  • A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs.
  • You can find instructions in this topic: Please put your withdrawal history in signature
  • If you are using a phone or mobile device, you need to switch to the "full" or desktop version of the site. Instructions are in Post 9 and Post 10
A practical job-related matter -- do you have disability insurance coverage that would allow you to take time off? Would your doc, pDoc, or any doctor you've seen recently support a claim for this and complete the paperwork? You would not be the first to make use of a disability benefit because of SSRI withdrawal problems.

 

This is YOUR introduction topic -- the place for you to ask questions, record symptoms, share your progress, and connect with other members of the SA community.

 

I hope you'll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation. I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but am glad that you found us.

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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Hi scallywag.  Thank you for the warm welcome!

 

Is my signature okay?

 

 

To answer your questions:

 

  • My anxiety and panic are now much worse than they were before I started taking SSRIs.  Before, I was bad but still able to function.  Now I am barely able to function.
  • I currently have a PDoc appointment for Monday.  Hoping I can get him to sign something for FMLA.  But he's not happy that I refuse to take the Neurontin right now so I don't know how that will go.  Even if I get FMLA that will only carry me so far.

 

The information I've found on this site so far makes me more distrustful of my doctor and has lessened my hope that reinstatement will work.  I'm very confused and scared and don't know who to trust.

2008: Lexapro, Welbutrin 100mg | 2009 to Late November 2016: Zoloft 25mg/50mg/100mg/50mg, Welbutrin 100mg/200mg

Late November 2016: Quit Zoloft and Welbutrin cold turkey | Early December 2016: Initial withdrawal, brain zaps, eventually went away

Early February 2017: New symptom appears: chest tightness, breathlessness (anxiety?) | March 2017: Anxiety increasing, experimented with Klonopin with mixed results

March 15 2017: Klonopin 0.5mg before bed.  Mixed results. | March 24 2017: Started Trintellix 10mg.  Took for 5 days, had adverse reaction + severe persistent anxiety

March 29 2017: Trying to reinstate Zoloft 50mg + Welbutrin 100mg | April 5 2017: Valium 2.5mg morning, 2.5mg afternoon, 5mg bedtime.  Seems to be helping a little

April 22 2017: Zoloft increased to 75mg. Started feeling a little better. | May 26 2017: Zoloft increased to 100mg. Tanked and haven't recovered.

Currently: Zoloft 100mg, Welbutrin 100mg, Valium 2.5/2.5/5

 

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Saw my PDOC today. I asked him what's wrong with me and he shrugged. I told him even before I ever started taking SSRIs I wasn't this bad. He said thats just the nature of Anxiety Disorder. I asked him if s this could be withdrawal from quitting cold turkey and he said no, not this far out. He told me to stay the course and that I'm impatient and need to give it time. He said he would sign FMLA docs which is good.

 

Still anxious all the time, between 5 and 7. Still depressed and having suicidal ideations (not depressed enough to do anything about it). Still have chest tightness and stiff muscles that stiffen up naturally if I'm not paying attention. Valium seems to be keeping panic attacks at bay which is good I guess. But now I'm freaking out about getting addicted.

2008: Lexapro, Welbutrin 100mg | 2009 to Late November 2016: Zoloft 25mg/50mg/100mg/50mg, Welbutrin 100mg/200mg

Late November 2016: Quit Zoloft and Welbutrin cold turkey | Early December 2016: Initial withdrawal, brain zaps, eventually went away

Early February 2017: New symptom appears: chest tightness, breathlessness (anxiety?) | March 2017: Anxiety increasing, experimented with Klonopin with mixed results

March 15 2017: Klonopin 0.5mg before bed.  Mixed results. | March 24 2017: Started Trintellix 10mg.  Took for 5 days, had adverse reaction + severe persistent anxiety

March 29 2017: Trying to reinstate Zoloft 50mg + Welbutrin 100mg | April 5 2017: Valium 2.5mg morning, 2.5mg afternoon, 5mg bedtime.  Seems to be helping a little

April 22 2017: Zoloft increased to 75mg. Started feeling a little better. | May 26 2017: Zoloft increased to 100mg. Tanked and haven't recovered.

Currently: Zoloft 100mg, Welbutrin 100mg, Valium 2.5/2.5/5

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

* 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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Mindfulness meditation is helpful for anxiety. There are free videos on YouTube.

 

Meditation has greatly helped me with my anxiety and depression.

 

Good luck my friend. ????????????????

Early 2000s: 4 years Paxil (CT).    Mid 2000s: 4 years Lexapro (CT).  6 years on Wellbutrin XL 150. 2012-2017.

Mar 26 2017. Began Wellbutrin XL 150 taper : Mar 31 2017. Wellbutrin IR 75mg : Apr 7 2017. Wellbutrin IR 65mg

Apr 25 2017. Wellbutrin IR 56mg : May 30 2017. Wellbutrin IR 37.5mg : Aug 14 2017. Wellbutrin IR 28.125mg : Sep 9 2017. Wellbutrin IR 26.5mg  Sep 13 2017. Wellbutrin IR 25.4mg : Sep 17 2017. Wellbutrin IR 24mg : Sep 20 2017. Wellbutrin IR 23.2mg : Sep 25 2017. Wellbutrin IR 22.4mg 

Oct 3 2017. Wellbutrin IR 21.6mg : Oct 9 2017. Wellbutrin IR 20.8mg : Oct 17 2017. Wellbutrin IR 20mg : Oct 25 2017. Wellbutrin IR 19.2mg

Oct 27 2017. Wellbutrin IR 18.4mg : Nov 2 2017. Wellbutrin IR 17.6mg : Nov 11 2017. Wellbutrin IR 15mg : Nov 16 2017. Wellbutrin IR 12mg

Nov 19 2017. Wellbutrin IR 9mg : Nov 23 2017. Wellbutrin IR 6mg : Nov 24 2017. Wellbutrin IR 4mg 

Nov 27 2017. 0mg.  Stopped Wellbutrin 

 

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Yes, anxiety does indeed suck, AS. I am pretty much exactly where you are right now. Super-high anxiety, little relief at all. And I too will probably lose my temp job over it - which will make my wife very angry/unhappy (which of course has me even more anxious).

 

Let's hang in there, you and me together AS. We're going to beat this!

 

SJ

 

PS: I wanted to add that the psych consult I saw pretty much said the same thing yours did, i.e. "discontinuation syndrome doesn't exist, and even if it did, it would happen immediately, so you must have been in remission those couple of months and now your disease is back." He admitted to not knowing me from Adam, yet was ready to try a whole slew of med combos on me! I left without a prescription because it just sounded like a bad deal. But now I sort of wish I did just get some meds; this anxiety is the worse! I even contemplated going to the ER last night, but didn't want to stress my wife and daughter so I just rode it out with a hydroxyzine - which for me last only a few hours tops, if it helps at all, which it doesn't sometimes.

Main thread: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/14472-shakeyjerr-say-hello/

History: Prozac & Lithium from 1999 to 2003. Ended up back on after 4 months because taking a beta-blocker caused immediate depression (just 2 doses - turned out I didn't even need it; I had no other withdrawal symptoms - I might have ended up med and withdrawal-free otherwise :(). - Switched to Effexor (75mg 3/day) and Seroquel (50mg 3/day) in 2010. - Did a self-taper during 2016. - Developed Discontinuation Syndrome 02/17.

Supplements: Magnesium-Glycinate 400mg split into 4 100mg doses throughout the day. Vitamin C 500mg - once per day. Fish Oil 1360 mg (950 mg Active Omega-3) - twice per day.

I'm not a doctor. I use the internet, experience, and trial & error. Seek medical advice if necessary.

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ChessieCat, divegrl, ShakeyJerr, thanks for the support guys.

 

 

Thankfully for now the Valium seems to be keeping the anxiety down.  I'm having a better day today where I can work from home a bit.  I really really don't want to be on Valium because I've heard benzo withdrawal is pure hell but I don't feel like I have a choice at the moment.

 

I seem to be having a better depression day as well.  The past two days I spent a lot of time thinking very very dark despairing thoughts, but today I'm not feeling like that.  I'm hopeful but I know "waves and windows" I will probably regress to being a nervous and depressed mess very soon.

 

SJ I wish you the best and will be following your story closely.

2008: Lexapro, Welbutrin 100mg | 2009 to Late November 2016: Zoloft 25mg/50mg/100mg/50mg, Welbutrin 100mg/200mg

Late November 2016: Quit Zoloft and Welbutrin cold turkey | Early December 2016: Initial withdrawal, brain zaps, eventually went away

Early February 2017: New symptom appears: chest tightness, breathlessness (anxiety?) | March 2017: Anxiety increasing, experimented with Klonopin with mixed results

March 15 2017: Klonopin 0.5mg before bed.  Mixed results. | March 24 2017: Started Trintellix 10mg.  Took for 5 days, had adverse reaction + severe persistent anxiety

March 29 2017: Trying to reinstate Zoloft 50mg + Welbutrin 100mg | April 5 2017: Valium 2.5mg morning, 2.5mg afternoon, 5mg bedtime.  Seems to be helping a little

April 22 2017: Zoloft increased to 75mg. Started feeling a little better. | May 26 2017: Zoloft increased to 100mg. Tanked and haven't recovered.

Currently: Zoloft 100mg, Welbutrin 100mg, Valium 2.5/2.5/5

 

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Well a better depression day is a triumph! Every window is to be celebrated, and every wave is to be taken as a step in the healing process. I know it is counter-intuitive. But if I have learned one thing from this forum, it's that the waves are part of our system taking time to focus on an area that is in need of rewiring. And sometimes that means a seeming undoing of a problem we thought we were past. It's the Rubik's Cube analogy that you will see on here. Even after a "side" is "solved" it sometimes has to be seemingly messed back up so another "side" can get solved. But in the end we have a whole cube!

 

For some more input on anxiety, search for Claire Weekes here on the forums. She's an author on anxiety. There is a lot of good stuff excerpted from her books and further advice on managing this very sucky symptom.

 

I'm praying for you!

 

SJ

Main thread: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/14472-shakeyjerr-say-hello/

History: Prozac & Lithium from 1999 to 2003. Ended up back on after 4 months because taking a beta-blocker caused immediate depression (just 2 doses - turned out I didn't even need it; I had no other withdrawal symptoms - I might have ended up med and withdrawal-free otherwise :(). - Switched to Effexor (75mg 3/day) and Seroquel (50mg 3/day) in 2010. - Did a self-taper during 2016. - Developed Discontinuation Syndrome 02/17.

Supplements: Magnesium-Glycinate 400mg split into 4 100mg doses throughout the day. Vitamin C 500mg - once per day. Fish Oil 1360 mg (950 mg Active Omega-3) - twice per day.

I'm not a doctor. I use the internet, experience, and trial & error. Seek medical advice if necessary.

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Happy Easter everyone!

 

 

Well so far I've been feeling okay-ish.  The nightmare anxiety has not returned.  And my depression has lifted somewhat.  I see my psychiatrist for a followup on Friday 4/21.

 

I have a few fears/concerns that keep me thinking in circles:

  • Am I feeling better because of the Valium?  Or is the Zoloft/Welbutrin kicking in?  How can I tell?
  • I really hope it's the Zoloft/Welbutrin because I do not want to become dependent on Valium (hell I might already be!)
  • What is my pdoc going to do if I tell him I'm feeling better?  Wean me off the Valium?  Should I trust his weaning strategy?

 

I wish I had answers :(

2008: Lexapro, Welbutrin 100mg | 2009 to Late November 2016: Zoloft 25mg/50mg/100mg/50mg, Welbutrin 100mg/200mg

Late November 2016: Quit Zoloft and Welbutrin cold turkey | Early December 2016: Initial withdrawal, brain zaps, eventually went away

Early February 2017: New symptom appears: chest tightness, breathlessness (anxiety?) | March 2017: Anxiety increasing, experimented with Klonopin with mixed results

March 15 2017: Klonopin 0.5mg before bed.  Mixed results. | March 24 2017: Started Trintellix 10mg.  Took for 5 days, had adverse reaction + severe persistent anxiety

March 29 2017: Trying to reinstate Zoloft 50mg + Welbutrin 100mg | April 5 2017: Valium 2.5mg morning, 2.5mg afternoon, 5mg bedtime.  Seems to be helping a little

April 22 2017: Zoloft increased to 75mg. Started feeling a little better. | May 26 2017: Zoloft increased to 100mg. Tanked and haven't recovered.

Currently: Zoloft 100mg, Welbutrin 100mg, Valium 2.5/2.5/5

 

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Happy Easter, AS! Glad you are feeling better. I will be very interested to know what your doctor says. I am in the midst of trying to make some decisions concerning strategies to take also.

 

SJ

Main thread: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/14472-shakeyjerr-say-hello/

History: Prozac & Lithium from 1999 to 2003. Ended up back on after 4 months because taking a beta-blocker caused immediate depression (just 2 doses - turned out I didn't even need it; I had no other withdrawal symptoms - I might have ended up med and withdrawal-free otherwise :(). - Switched to Effexor (75mg 3/day) and Seroquel (50mg 3/day) in 2010. - Did a self-taper during 2016. - Developed Discontinuation Syndrome 02/17.

Supplements: Magnesium-Glycinate 400mg split into 4 100mg doses throughout the day. Vitamin C 500mg - once per day. Fish Oil 1360 mg (950 mg Active Omega-3) - twice per day.

I'm not a doctor. I use the internet, experience, and trial & error. Seek medical advice if necessary.

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Haven't heard from you in a few days, AS. How did your week go?

 

SJ

Main thread: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/14472-shakeyjerr-say-hello/

History: Prozac & Lithium from 1999 to 2003. Ended up back on after 4 months because taking a beta-blocker caused immediate depression (just 2 doses - turned out I didn't even need it; I had no other withdrawal symptoms - I might have ended up med and withdrawal-free otherwise :(). - Switched to Effexor (75mg 3/day) and Seroquel (50mg 3/day) in 2010. - Did a self-taper during 2016. - Developed Discontinuation Syndrome 02/17.

Supplements: Magnesium-Glycinate 400mg split into 4 100mg doses throughout the day. Vitamin C 500mg - once per day. Fish Oil 1360 mg (950 mg Active Omega-3) - twice per day.

I'm not a doctor. I use the internet, experience, and trial & error. Seek medical advice if necessary.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hey ShakeyJerr and everyone.  Sorry I haven't been making updates as often as I should.  Had the followup with PDoc on 4/21, and I told him that the Valium seemed to be keeping the anxiety at bay and I was feeling marginally better.  I told him that it's not consistent.  Some days I'm really anxious/depressed and some days I'm not.   He said he thinks I'm on the right track and upped my Zoloft dose to 75mg (Need to update signature now!) and I've been on that since then.

 

Since that time it feels like I've been getting worse.  Almost worked a full week and was feeling hopeful last week until Friday 4:00 when my anxiety amped up.  Then Saturday, Sunday, Monday were filled with crazy depression and I slept all day.  I'm a smidge better today though.  I don't know what the hell is going on with me.  I read somewhere that the increase and dosage could be responsible for it?   I don't know.

 

I gain hope, then I lose it.  Today I don't know what to feel.

2008: Lexapro, Welbutrin 100mg | 2009 to Late November 2016: Zoloft 25mg/50mg/100mg/50mg, Welbutrin 100mg/200mg

Late November 2016: Quit Zoloft and Welbutrin cold turkey | Early December 2016: Initial withdrawal, brain zaps, eventually went away

Early February 2017: New symptom appears: chest tightness, breathlessness (anxiety?) | March 2017: Anxiety increasing, experimented with Klonopin with mixed results

March 15 2017: Klonopin 0.5mg before bed.  Mixed results. | March 24 2017: Started Trintellix 10mg.  Took for 5 days, had adverse reaction + severe persistent anxiety

March 29 2017: Trying to reinstate Zoloft 50mg + Welbutrin 100mg | April 5 2017: Valium 2.5mg morning, 2.5mg afternoon, 5mg bedtime.  Seems to be helping a little

April 22 2017: Zoloft increased to 75mg. Started feeling a little better. | May 26 2017: Zoloft increased to 100mg. Tanked and haven't recovered.

Currently: Zoloft 100mg, Welbutrin 100mg, Valium 2.5/2.5/5

 

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On 5/3/2017 at 4:01 AM, AnxietySucks said:

I gain hope, then I lose it.  Today I don't know what to feel.

 

"I gain hope, then lose it" - this is common, I think, in the early days of withdrawal. I know it happens to me. It's part of the Windows and Waves Pattern. Have you read that thread?

 

"Today I don't know what to feel" - Trying to put "know" (which in our case really means "think") and "feel" together can lead to a spiral. A wise veteran of these boards, BrassMonkey, posted about those here. Reading his essays on the subject is very helpful.

 

My advice on "know" and "feel" is to breath and float. That is - do your deep breathing when your mind tried to impose rationality to the chemically-induced emotions. Don't fight the emotions, or try to rationalize them. Accept them then gently move through them. H2H sent me a very cool, 3-1/2 minute audio meditation. You can listen to it here.

 

We are going to get through this!

 

SJ

 

Edited by ChessieCat
changed member name

Main thread: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/14472-shakeyjerr-say-hello/

History: Prozac & Lithium from 1999 to 2003. Ended up back on after 4 months because taking a beta-blocker caused immediate depression (just 2 doses - turned out I didn't even need it; I had no other withdrawal symptoms - I might have ended up med and withdrawal-free otherwise :(). - Switched to Effexor (75mg 3/day) and Seroquel (50mg 3/day) in 2010. - Did a self-taper during 2016. - Developed Discontinuation Syndrome 02/17.

Supplements: Magnesium-Glycinate 400mg split into 4 100mg doses throughout the day. Vitamin C 500mg - once per day. Fish Oil 1360 mg (950 mg Active Omega-3) - twice per day.

I'm not a doctor. I use the internet, experience, and trial & error. Seek medical advice if necessary.

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  • 1 month later...

Sorry again for not checking in as often as I should.  Went up to 100mg Sertraline about 4 weeks ago.  Prior to that I had a week and a half where I felt okay on the 75mg.  Four days after upping the Sertraline to 100mg I tanked and haven't recovered since.  Every day is a struggle.

 

Is it possible that 100mg is too much?  Years ago I was on 100mg and was fine.  Or maybe the Valium is making me feel terrible?  The tremors, itchiness, weakness, dizziness, etc. didn't start until I started taking that Valium.  Pdoc thinks those are anxiety symptoms, not the Valium.  But I didn't have those symptoms (at least not in the same consistent way) before the Valium.

 

I'm at work right now.  My hands are shaking as I type, so bad that it's taking me way too long to write this.

 

I hope everyone else is doing well.  Take care.

2008: Lexapro, Welbutrin 100mg | 2009 to Late November 2016: Zoloft 25mg/50mg/100mg/50mg, Welbutrin 100mg/200mg

Late November 2016: Quit Zoloft and Welbutrin cold turkey | Early December 2016: Initial withdrawal, brain zaps, eventually went away

Early February 2017: New symptom appears: chest tightness, breathlessness (anxiety?) | March 2017: Anxiety increasing, experimented with Klonopin with mixed results

March 15 2017: Klonopin 0.5mg before bed.  Mixed results. | March 24 2017: Started Trintellix 10mg.  Took for 5 days, had adverse reaction + severe persistent anxiety

March 29 2017: Trying to reinstate Zoloft 50mg + Welbutrin 100mg | April 5 2017: Valium 2.5mg morning, 2.5mg afternoon, 5mg bedtime.  Seems to be helping a little

April 22 2017: Zoloft increased to 75mg. Started feeling a little better. | May 26 2017: Zoloft increased to 100mg. Tanked and haven't recovered.

Currently: Zoloft 100mg, Welbutrin 100mg, Valium 2.5/2.5/5

 

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32 minutes ago, AnxietySucks said:

Sorry again for not checking in as often as I should.  Went up to 100mg Sertraline about 4 weeks ago.  Prior to that I had a week and a half where I felt okay on the 75mg.  Four days after upping the Sertraline to 100mg I tanked and haven't recovered since.  Every day is a struggle.

 

Is it possible that 100mg is too much?  Years ago I was on 100mg and was fine.  Or maybe the Valium is making me feel terrible?  The tremors, itchiness, weakness, dizziness, etc. didn't start until I started taking that Valium.  Pdoc thinks those are anxiety symptoms, not the Valium.  But I didn't have those symptoms (at least not in the same consistent way) before the Valium.

 

I'm at work right now.  My hands are shaking as I type, so bad that it's taking me way too long to write this.

 

I hope everyone else is doing well.  Take care.

 

Wow, you need to read my introduction on this site..we are almost in exactly the same boat. 8 years on Zoloft, I quit in October cause I didn't think I needed it anymore. Felt fine until January, then started getting some anxiety. Tried to reinstate and have been in a crazy anxiety state ever since. Why did your doc bump you up to 100 if you were feeling better? I have felt worse every-time I have upped a dose of an SSRI since trying to reinstate in Januray, I am hoping the Paxil I am taking will kick in soon as I just upped it from 10mgs to 20mgs and feel terrible. 

2008 - October 28th, 2016: Zoloft 50 - 150 mgs, settled on 50mgs from 2011 - 2016.
January 23rd - March 1st 2017: Zoloft 50mgs, direct switch to Lexapro.
March 1st - May 1st 2017: Lexapro 10 mgs, down to 5mgs for a week, then off.
June 1st - July 31st 2017: Paxil 20mgs, Lyrica 600mgs
August 1st - September 30th 2017: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
October 1st  - November 12th 2017: Paxil 60mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
November 12th, 2017 - September 4th 2018: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs 

September 4th - September 27th: Paxil 30mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

September 28th - November 7th: Paxil 20mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs (Also Testosterone Therapy started in June 2018 and ended in November 2018)

November 7th 2018 - February 22nd 2019: Paxil 10mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

February 22nd 2019 - April 17th: Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin 1mgs

April 17th - Now: Zoloft 25mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin .5mgs

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Utah raises an interesting question - why did your doc raise the sert. when you were doing okay? 

 

It does seem likely that it is way too much for you.  Here's what I get when I put your three drugs into the Drug Interactions Checker:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Interactions between your selected drugs

Major

bupropion sertraline

Applies to: Wellbutrin (bupropion), Zoloft (sertraline)

Talk to your doctor before using buPROPion together with sertraline. Combining these medications may increase the risk of seizures, which may occur rarely with either medication. In addition, buPROPion can increase the blood levels of sertraline, which may increase other side effects. You may be more likely to experience seizures with these medications if you are elderly, undergoing alcohol or drug withdrawal, have a history of seizures, or have a condition affecting the central nervous system such as a brain tumor or head trauma. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol during treatment. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

 

Moderate

diazepam bupropion

Applies to: Valium (diazepam), Wellbutrin (bupropion)

Excessive use of diazePAM, or abrupt discontinuation following long-term use, may occasionally trigger seizures in patients taking buPROPion. Talk to your doctor before using these medications together if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

 

Minor

diazepam sertraline

Applies to: Valium (diazepam), Zoloft (sertraline)

Consumer information for this minor interaction is not currently available. Some minor drug interactions may not be clinically relevant in all patients. Minor drug interactions do not usually cause harm or require a change in therapy. However, your healthcare provider can determine if adjustments to your medications are needed.

2010  Fluoxetine 20mg.  2011  Escitalopram 20mg.  2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS.  Effexor 150mg. 

2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants.  Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. 

Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms).

8 month hold.

2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent).

2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well.
Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea.

2023 Now on 7 micro-beads of Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops.

 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.'  Dr Gabor Mate.

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7 hours ago, AnxietySucks said:

I'm at work right now.  My hands are shaking as I type, so bad that it's taking me way too long to write this.

I have this symptom as well, it is really annoying! 34YO Father of 3 and I feel like I have Parkinson's!

2008 - October 28th, 2016: Zoloft 50 - 150 mgs, settled on 50mgs from 2011 - 2016.
January 23rd - March 1st 2017: Zoloft 50mgs, direct switch to Lexapro.
March 1st - May 1st 2017: Lexapro 10 mgs, down to 5mgs for a week, then off.
June 1st - July 31st 2017: Paxil 20mgs, Lyrica 600mgs
August 1st - September 30th 2017: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
October 1st  - November 12th 2017: Paxil 60mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
November 12th, 2017 - September 4th 2018: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs 

September 4th - September 27th: Paxil 30mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

September 28th - November 7th: Paxil 20mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs (Also Testosterone Therapy started in June 2018 and ended in November 2018)

November 7th 2018 - February 22nd 2019: Paxil 10mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

February 22nd 2019 - April 17th: Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin 1mgs

April 17th - Now: Zoloft 25mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin .5mgs

Link to comment

KarenB, to answer your question, he upped me to 100mg because that's what I used to take and was doing okay on it back then.

He offered to give me another medication to control the tremors and I was like "No f***ing way, I'm on too many drugs as it is."

 

I'm scared/curious to start tapering off the Valium.  I feel like it's contributing to some of these side-effects.  I see doc again on July 7th.

 

Thanks all for reading.

2008: Lexapro, Welbutrin 100mg | 2009 to Late November 2016: Zoloft 25mg/50mg/100mg/50mg, Welbutrin 100mg/200mg

Late November 2016: Quit Zoloft and Welbutrin cold turkey | Early December 2016: Initial withdrawal, brain zaps, eventually went away

Early February 2017: New symptom appears: chest tightness, breathlessness (anxiety?) | March 2017: Anxiety increasing, experimented with Klonopin with mixed results

March 15 2017: Klonopin 0.5mg before bed.  Mixed results. | March 24 2017: Started Trintellix 10mg.  Took for 5 days, had adverse reaction + severe persistent anxiety

March 29 2017: Trying to reinstate Zoloft 50mg + Welbutrin 100mg | April 5 2017: Valium 2.5mg morning, 2.5mg afternoon, 5mg bedtime.  Seems to be helping a little

April 22 2017: Zoloft increased to 75mg. Started feeling a little better. | May 26 2017: Zoloft increased to 100mg. Tanked and haven't recovered.

Currently: Zoloft 100mg, Welbutrin 100mg, Valium 2.5/2.5/5

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

As always, it's a bit of a guessing game.  You might try reducing the valium by a small amount, while keeping clear notes on what happens.  Keep everything else at the same dose, so you know what is causing what. 

2010  Fluoxetine 20mg.  2011  Escitalopram 20mg.  2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS.  Effexor 150mg. 

2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants.  Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. 

Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms).

8 month hold.

2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent).

2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well.
Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea.

2023 Now on 7 micro-beads of Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops.

 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.'  Dr Gabor Mate.

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  • 1 month later...

How are you doing now Anxiety? Did your symptoms calm down?

2008 - October 28th, 2016: Zoloft 50 - 150 mgs, settled on 50mgs from 2011 - 2016.
January 23rd - March 1st 2017: Zoloft 50mgs, direct switch to Lexapro.
March 1st - May 1st 2017: Lexapro 10 mgs, down to 5mgs for a week, then off.
June 1st - July 31st 2017: Paxil 20mgs, Lyrica 600mgs
August 1st - September 30th 2017: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
October 1st  - November 12th 2017: Paxil 60mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
November 12th, 2017 - September 4th 2018: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs 

September 4th - September 27th: Paxil 30mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

September 28th - November 7th: Paxil 20mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs (Also Testosterone Therapy started in June 2018 and ended in November 2018)

November 7th 2018 - February 22nd 2019: Paxil 10mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

February 22nd 2019 - April 17th: Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin 1mgs

April 17th - Now: Zoloft 25mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin .5mgs

Link to comment

Hey Utah49er,

 

Thanks for your concern!

 

I went from taking Valium 2.5 / 2.5 / 5.0 (morning/midday/evening) to taking 2.5 / 2.5 / 2.5 on odd numbered days, and staying with the 5.0 at night on even numbered days.  So far I haven't noticed any difference.

 

I'm on my way right now to see a 2nd pdoc for a 2nd opinion.  I hope this one does more than shrug when I ask him what went wrong.

 

2008: Lexapro, Welbutrin 100mg | 2009 to Late November 2016: Zoloft 25mg/50mg/100mg/50mg, Welbutrin 100mg/200mg

Late November 2016: Quit Zoloft and Welbutrin cold turkey | Early December 2016: Initial withdrawal, brain zaps, eventually went away

Early February 2017: New symptom appears: chest tightness, breathlessness (anxiety?) | March 2017: Anxiety increasing, experimented with Klonopin with mixed results

March 15 2017: Klonopin 0.5mg before bed.  Mixed results. | March 24 2017: Started Trintellix 10mg.  Took for 5 days, had adverse reaction + severe persistent anxiety

March 29 2017: Trying to reinstate Zoloft 50mg + Welbutrin 100mg | April 5 2017: Valium 2.5mg morning, 2.5mg afternoon, 5mg bedtime.  Seems to be helping a little

April 22 2017: Zoloft increased to 75mg. Started feeling a little better. | May 26 2017: Zoloft increased to 100mg. Tanked and haven't recovered.

Currently: Zoloft 100mg, Welbutrin 100mg, Valium 2.5/2.5/5

 

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1 hour ago, AnxietySucks said:

Hey Utah49er,

 

Thanks for your concern!

 

I went from taking Valium 2.5 / 2.5 / 5.0 (morning/midday/evening) to taking 2.5 / 2.5 / 2.5 on odd numbered days, and staying with the 5.0 at night on even numbered days.  So far I haven't noticed any difference.

 

I'm on my way right now to see a 2nd pdoc for a 2nd opinion.  I hope this one does more than shrug when I ask him what went wrong.

 

 

So no better on the anxiety front? No stabilizing? I will be interested to hear what your new doctor has to say, let us know.

2008 - October 28th, 2016: Zoloft 50 - 150 mgs, settled on 50mgs from 2011 - 2016.
January 23rd - March 1st 2017: Zoloft 50mgs, direct switch to Lexapro.
March 1st - May 1st 2017: Lexapro 10 mgs, down to 5mgs for a week, then off.
June 1st - July 31st 2017: Paxil 20mgs, Lyrica 600mgs
August 1st - September 30th 2017: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
October 1st  - November 12th 2017: Paxil 60mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
November 12th, 2017 - September 4th 2018: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs 

September 4th - September 27th: Paxil 30mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

September 28th - November 7th: Paxil 20mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs (Also Testosterone Therapy started in June 2018 and ended in November 2018)

November 7th 2018 - February 22nd 2019: Paxil 10mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

February 22nd 2019 - April 17th: Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin 1mgs

April 17th - Now: Zoloft 25mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin .5mgs

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to AnxietySucks: Going through nightmare and need some hope
  • 6 months later...
On 7/27/2017 at 8:07 AM, AnxietySucks said:

Hey Utah49er,

 

Thanks for your concern!

 

I went from taking Valium 2.5 / 2.5 / 5.0 (morning/midday/evening) to taking 2.5 / 2.5 / 2.5 on odd numbered days, and staying with the 5.0 at night on even numbered days.  So far I haven't noticed any difference.

 

I'm on my way right now to see a 2nd pdoc for a 2nd opinion.  I hope this one does more than shrug when I ask him what went wrong.

 

 

Haven't heard from you in a while, how goes the battle? Hopefully you are stable again and enjoying life!

2008 - October 28th, 2016: Zoloft 50 - 150 mgs, settled on 50mgs from 2011 - 2016.
January 23rd - March 1st 2017: Zoloft 50mgs, direct switch to Lexapro.
March 1st - May 1st 2017: Lexapro 10 mgs, down to 5mgs for a week, then off.
June 1st - July 31st 2017: Paxil 20mgs, Lyrica 600mgs
August 1st - September 30th 2017: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
October 1st  - November 12th 2017: Paxil 60mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs
November 12th, 2017 - September 4th 2018: Paxil 40mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs 

September 4th - September 27th: Paxil 30mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

September 28th - November 7th: Paxil 20mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs (Also Testosterone Therapy started in June 2018 and ended in November 2018)

November 7th 2018 - February 22nd 2019: Paxil 10mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs

February 22nd 2019 - April 17th: Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin 1mgs

April 17th - Now: Zoloft 25mgs, Zyprexa 2.5mgs, Klonopin .5mgs

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