Roxyrich: adverse reaction to prozac

[AliG]

This might help :

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7144-tapering-beta-blockers-or-alpha-blockers/?hl=%2Balpha+%2Bblocker#entry103359

 

When you feel up to it, you can taper, very slowly.

[Colonial]

If you were having side effects or a reaction to the propranol  that's a different story.  But if not it may be wise to wait.  I just hate to see anyone make the same mistake I made, trying to withdraw off 2 different meds that will both give symptoms.  Because the reaction is always worse than the 2 combined "should"be.  

[crhawk]

It probably is best to only taper one medication at the time...I will say however, that I did have side effects from the Propranolol...one of which was insomnia. 

 

The interesting thing is that I had been given Propranolol in the past, for migraines, and was on it for about a month and had no side effects.

 

However, after my adverse reactions, it goes to show that I obviously was much more sensitive to medications I had even taken with no issues in the past.

 

Just something to think about...would be interesting to see if the Propranolol is involved in some of your sleep issues.  I was not able to take it past 2 pm without it affecting my sleep.

[Colonial]

That's what makes it so vexing, knowing what is a withdrawal symptom and what is a side effect.  Which is why multiple drug concoctions are so difficult.  If someone wasn't having trouble sleeping before the withdrawal while they were taking all the meds, then it's probably withdrawal and not a side effect.

[Roxyrich]

Thanks guy's, I'm gonna reinstate the propranolol. Having adrenaline rushes. I've felt bad all day but this is way worse. am trying to control it with food. Every time I get like this food seems the only thing that calms me.

[AliG]

R.    Could you please update your drug history signature.  This is confusing. I thought you were still on Propranolol.

[Roxyrich]

I am still on propanalol. I was beginning a slow taper, but now I'm gonna hold.

[Roxyrich]

I thought I'd better add that propranolol is the only drug I'm on.I stopped the prozac back in November.

[Roxyrich]

I feel so bad tonight. Waves of anxiety and panic. From nowhere. How do you deal with them, I can't seem to calm down.

[Roxyrich]

Feeling so scared today, just don't know how much more fear , I can take.I'm dizzy, and this feels worse than ever. I just can't see a future, I only took 7 tablets, 3 months ago, and I'm really struggling. Si is really strong , and this just isn't me.can't distract myself. praying for a window.

[shamaan]

Hey Roxyrich,

 

I just read your introduction. I know how hard the struggle is you are fighting at this moment. But it will get better. Try to focus on one day at a time. I read something about you saying being scared it will last years like this. It won't , now you are in a tough spot. But after some time it will become more bearable. Try to not think about the future , i know easily said , because the way you are thinking now is so distorted due to WD. Set your goal as to just get through the day , just one at a time , and when you get a better day , you will get a new perspective.

 

Hang in there

 

edit: Maybe another tip is try to limit your time on the forum , because reading negative things will also affect you. It was for me though , i was easily triggered into fear by reading about other peoples symptoms and suffering.

[Roxyrich]

Thanks again shaman, I find it difficult to occupy myself during the day so I obssess over my symptoms. I have had good days, and my mind is clearer.

But I feel so bad at the moment, I'm struggling to get through it.

[shamaan]

Maybe if you are into it , you could try drawing or just coloring mandalas. It may seem farfetched , but I did this for a while and it really helped me to calm down and stop those awful thoughts.

 

There is a topic about it on SA:
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8666-art-therapy-mandala-circles-adult-coloring-books-etc/

[Roxyrich]

I don't think I could concentrate shaman, I find watching mindless tv is a distraction. Sort of.I'm just finding it difficult to exist at the moment.

[Christian]

Hey Roxyrich,

 

I just read your introduction. I know how hard the struggle is you are fighting at this moment. But it will get better. Try to focus on one day at a time. I read something about you saying being scared it will last years like this. It won't , now you are in a tough spot. But after some time it will become more bearable. Try to not think about the future , i know easily said , because the way you are thinking now is so distorted due to WD. Set your goal as to just get through the day , just one at a time , and when you get a better day , you will get a new perspective.

 

Hang in there

 

edit: Maybe another tip is try to limit your time on the forum , because reading negative things will also affect you. It was for me though , i was easily triggered into fear by reading about other peoples symptoms and suffering.

[Christian]

I completely agree Shamaan! The forums only make it worse. Check in of course when you need help or to provide updates. But reading through stories of the poor victims of this (like I have) only sends more panic into your system.

[Roxyrich]

It seems dizziness is my new symptom. It's just so hard to watch minutes tick by.how has anyone got through this.it doesn't seem possible. This wave is so bad, I'm finding it difficult to distract myself.

Intrusive thoughts and feelings non stop.

[Colonial]

I had one set of symptoms for 3 weeks and then different ones.  It does not mean your getting worse.  In my humble opinion, I think it means that your brain is actually healing.

[Roxyrich]

I'm in a wave of panic I can't see an end to this. How can I get past the fear I'm feeling.

[Roxyrich]

Unlike most people, I can't reinstate, so this is me now.I don't see how I can function. Si is pulling me.I hate myself, how has it come to this.

[crhawk]

Rich -  I relate to you completely and I am in the exact same boat right now.  I have multiple breakdowns each day.

 

Existence is very difficult for me.  If it wasn't for my supportive family, I am not sure where I would be.  But every time I do not think I can take one more moment of this nightmare, I get a very slight relief soon after.  Even though it doesn't last.  It gets me through to the next day. 

 

I also feel as though my life is over.  I definitely want to live, I do not want to die.  But I also do not want to live like this, and it is breaking my heart. 

 

I hate this too...it is not fair, and it is not right.  I'd give anything to have my old life back.

 

I would think the fact that you have had better periods of time, and even were able to help your girlfriend over the weekend, that is a good sign.  You will be there again.  I think that the worst times bring on the best ones.  You will have a "window" around the corner.  Just get through these minutes in whatever way you can.  Do you have family nearby?

[Roxyrich]

Yeah I have no end of friends and family, but I don't tell them about how I feel. It would scare them too much. I've just eaten and have calmed down a little. It seems when I'm in a wave, and my blood sugar gets low I get a horrible panic feeling with adrenaline rushes, and really intrusive thoughts. I want to live I really do but when I feel like that I really struggle. I take a little solace that others on here feel the same but in the moment nothing helps.

[Colonial]

Just starting to come out of a 90 minute wave myself.  I will pray for you.

[Roxyrich]

Thanks colonial, that **** is so scary.I think im getting a little dp dr I look around and things seem strange. Never had it so I'm not sure. Let's hope we can sleep tonight.

[Colonial]

Some times it seems like you are dreaming, but you know you are awake.  It is scary but it does pass.  The more calm you can remain the better.

[Roxyrich]

To be honest, and this is gonna sound strange, but I sometimes wonder if living in a dream, might take me out of myself. My worst symptom by far is my hunger, I literally have to eat every 2 to 3 hours as my blood sugar levels drop and I get an almighty suicidal depression in my head, the worst part is miss timing it.it takes about an hour before I calm down. very scary.

[Colonial]

I am only just now getting my appetite back after 6 weeks.  I am the opposite.  If I eat, my symptoms get worse while my body has to digest. Which is a shame since, I can't NOT eat.

[Roxyrich]

It's all messed up c.

[crhawk]

I'm the same way Colonial...I have no appetite whatsoever...I get hunger pains, but have no desire to eat. Frequent nausea, and many times after eating.  And I'm the same as you where eating then actually makes me worse.  Almost as soon as I start eating and my food begins to digest, my symptoms get worse.  Yet I know my body needs the fuel... :/

 

Rich - I guess the silver lining in that is that your current "medicine" (food) is readily available and not harmful.  Just sucks that it takes an hour before it starts helping.

 

All this crap is so strange.

[Roxyrich]

I've wonderd if a spoon full of honey might help. I just can't cope with the fear in my head.when it happens.

[Roxyrich]

More new symptoms, my arms feel weak and ditached, and head pressure with aching eyes and dizziness. I Seem To Be Getting Worse,In The Afternoon, Is This Normal , when does it even out .or does it get worse to the point I can no longer go on? Sorry, the fear is strong today.

[Colonial]

Yes, eating makes me worse too if I don't limit the amount of carbs-sugar at one time.  Try cutting back on large meals of pasta or cereals. It maybe you're just getting too much sugar to the brain at one time.   And cut out sodas or energy drinks.  If I drank a glass of orange juice within 40 minutes I would have a petit mal seizure.  You need smaller meals, maybe 5 of them.  The "fear" could be neurological as well, it was for me:

 

http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/p/psychic_simple_partial_seizure/intro.htm

 

If it's an inexplicable onset of fear, like the link says, it's probably WD related.  And for me, as soon as I cut out the orange juice and large meals of carbs it was much better.

 

And, NO, You HAVE NOT all of a sudden come down with epilepsy.  While technically it is a type of seizure, it's temporary from the changes in your brain.  There are PLENTY of reasons why those happen.  I would have one, with the onset of ANGER, for NO REASON, within 75 minutes of eating DOMINOES PIZZA.  They call these "artificial colors and flavors" NEURO-TOXINS for a very good reason, and whatever was in the Dominoes "secret recipe" would give me a "psychic seizure", like clock work, within 75 minutes.  So the issue is NOT going on epilepsy meds, it's NOT eating the pizza with the neuro-toxin. 

 

Of course, at the time, I had NO IDEA what it was, I just knew whenever I ate Dominoes pizza I would get REALLY ANGRY and have deja vu.  It wasn't until I started having them during the Wellbutrin withdrawal and read the forums here that I put 2 and 2 together.

[Fresh]

Hi Roxy ,    you  might find it helpful to download Dr Glenmullen's Withdrawal Symptom Checklist.

 

See http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2390-dr-joseph-glenmullens-withdrawal-symptom-checklist/

•  Dr Glenmullens Symptom List for Month to Print.pdf

 

PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS

That Mimic Depression

1. Crying spells

2. Worsened mood

3. Low energy (fatigue,lethargy, malaise)

4. Trouble concentrating

5. Insomnia or trouble sleeping

6. Change in appetite

7. Suicidal thoughts

8. Suicide attempts

 

That Mimic Anxiety Disorders

9. Anxious, nervous, tense

10. Panic attacks (racing heart, breathless)

11. Chest  pain

12. Trembling, jittery, or shaking

 

Irritability and Aggression

13. Irritability

14. Agitation (restlessness, hyperactivity)

15. Impulsive

16. Aggressiveness

17. Self-harm

18. Homicidal thoughts or urges

 

Confusion and Memory Problems

19. Confusion or cognitive difficulties

20. Memory problems or forgetfulness

 

Mood Swings

21. Elevated  mood (feeling high)

22. Mood swings

23. Manic-like reactions

 

Hallucinations

24. Auditory hallucinations

25. Visual hallucinations

 

Dissociation

26. Feeling detached or unreal

 

Other

27. Excessive or intense dreaming

28. Nightmares

 

MEDICAL SYMPTOMS

That Mimic the Flu

29. Flu -like aches and pains

30. Fever

31. Sweats

32. Chills

33. Runny nose

34. Sore eyes

 

That Mimic Gastroenteritis

35. Nausea

36. Vomiting

37. Diarrhea

38. Abdominal pain or cramps

39. Stomach bloating

 

Dizziness

40. Disequilibrium

41. Spinning, swaying, lightheaded

42. Hung over or waterlogged feeling

43. Unsteady gait, poor coordination

44. Motion  sickness

 

Headache

45. Headache

 

Tremor

46. Tremor

 

Sensory Abnormalities

47. Numbness, burning,or tingling

48. Electric zap-like sensations in the brain

49. Electric shock-like sensations in the body

50. Abnormal visual sensations

51. Ringing or other  noises in the ears

52. Abnormal smells or tastes

 

Other

53. Drooling or excessive saliva

54. Slurred speech

55. Blurred vision

56. Muscle cramps, stiffness, twitches

57. Feeling of restless legs

58. Uncontrollable twitching of mouth

 

As you're finding , symptoms come and go , and fluctuate in intensity. 

The more you can keep your conscious mind aware that these are symptoms of withdrawal , the less fear

you need.

Have you seen the threads on Mindfulness yet  in Symptoms and Self Care?

 

bw ,  

[Colonial]

 I Seem To Be Getting Worse,In The Afternoon, Is This Normal ,

 

Yes.  It is my worst time too, from 4 8pm.  It is the time of the day when everyone goes into a "lull", so it makes perfect sense.  I also get the awful head pressure. It doesn't "hurt", per se, it just feels like it's going to explode.

 

When did you start the Propranolol?  

[Roxyrich]

I've just been awoken in q panic and both my biceps hurt like crazy, what is going on. I've looked at the long list and it mentions muscle tension but this just hurts like mad.would magnesium help me.

[Colonial]

Do you have any epsom salts you can take a hot bath with?  It will help with tight muscles.  It helped me get off muscle relaxers.