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Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD)


spidey

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Your 23, how exactly is it too late for you?

 

Make an appointment with a pelvic floor physio and find out if your're suffering with a similar problem, you'll never know until you make the enquiry.

December 2008 Prescribed 20mg citalopram (celexa) for depression and OCD.July 2013 stopped taking citalopram (celexa). November 2013 reinstated citalopram (celexa) following replapse at 20mg for 4 weeks, 40mg for 4 weeks and tapered off over 4 weeks as my condition had deteriorated. February 2014 started 20mg of fluoxetine (prozac). Didn't tolerate it and stopped 4 weeks later, experienced no withdrawal. May 2014 started 25mg of sertraline (zoloft), increased to 50mg after 1 week. Remained at 50mg for 4 weeks before increasing to 100mg at the request of my psychiatrist despite advising of suicidal ideation for an additional week before stopping. Advised to drop to 50mg for 3 days before withdrawing altogether. I did as advised and horrendous withdrawal ensued. 11th August 2014 commenced escitalopram (lexapro), weaned off end of October 2014. Commenced Clonazepam December 2014 0.5mg twice daily, switched to Diazepam 10mg twice daily with a view to tapering of the benzodiazepine altogether. Tapering schedule presently at a reduction of 1mg of Diazepam every 1-2 weeks depending upon side effects. So far experienced no severe physical side effects except worsening of PGAD symptoms upon reduction which does seem to improve within a few days of doing so. Presently taking no antidepressants however still experiencing mild agitation, severe depression and PGAD which is currently being treated by a physiotherapist.

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I get that your tired really I do but isn't it worth looking into? I think it most certainly is.

December 2008 Prescribed 20mg citalopram (celexa) for depression and OCD.July 2013 stopped taking citalopram (celexa). November 2013 reinstated citalopram (celexa) following replapse at 20mg for 4 weeks, 40mg for 4 weeks and tapered off over 4 weeks as my condition had deteriorated. February 2014 started 20mg of fluoxetine (prozac). Didn't tolerate it and stopped 4 weeks later, experienced no withdrawal. May 2014 started 25mg of sertraline (zoloft), increased to 50mg after 1 week. Remained at 50mg for 4 weeks before increasing to 100mg at the request of my psychiatrist despite advising of suicidal ideation for an additional week before stopping. Advised to drop to 50mg for 3 days before withdrawing altogether. I did as advised and horrendous withdrawal ensued. 11th August 2014 commenced escitalopram (lexapro), weaned off end of October 2014. Commenced Clonazepam December 2014 0.5mg twice daily, switched to Diazepam 10mg twice daily with a view to tapering of the benzodiazepine altogether. Tapering schedule presently at a reduction of 1mg of Diazepam every 1-2 weeks depending upon side effects. So far experienced no severe physical side effects except worsening of PGAD symptoms upon reduction which does seem to improve within a few days of doing so. Presently taking no antidepressants however still experiencing mild agitation, severe depression and PGAD which is currently being treated by a physiotherapist.

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Have any of the women on this forum tried taking birth control pills to help with PGAD symptoms? Thank you in advance.

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Hi, Ashbash! Just my opinion, but I would think messing with the hormones artificially during withdrawal would be a very bad idea. I am (well) past menopause, but as it is, most seem to experience greatly increased symptoms at the time of their monthly cycle. Also, a great number of us are very sensitive to medications and supplements (and some even foods) during withdrawal. Like I said--just my opinion. Perhaps someone has a different viewpoint(?)

Zoloft 100 mg. daily for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since Oct. 1994 / Synthroid 88 mcg. daily / Supplements: Neptune Krill Oil-1,000 mg. twice daily/Astaxanthin 10 mg. twice daily/Ubiquinol 100 mg. twice daily (These 3 have allowed me to discontinue (approved by doctor) bp meds I was on. Calcium Citrate 500 mg. daily/Vitamin D3 2,400 iu daily/K2 (MK7) 100 mcg daily (osteopenia and fam. hist. of severe osteoporosis). Stress B Complex (1/2 dose)/Quercetin (for allergies/asthma)/Magnesium (400 mg. oral glycinate and about 50 mg. magnesium chloride spray oil a day, divided throughout day).

Tapered Zoloft about 6 wks. Totally off since the end of July (25-29, 2014). 3 wks. vertigo at end of taper, then 3-4 wks. OK, followed by withdrawal symptoms increasing in severity (nausea, gastric disturbances, loss of appetite, insomnia, restlessness, jitters, anxiety, agitation--jumping out of my skin--possible akathisia?) Seem to have paradoxical reactions to everything new, even Vitamin C. Severity of akathisia comes and goes, but is constant to some degree. Hard to leave house, and cannot be home alone. (Retired)

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Hi everyone :) This is the third time I'm posting this, bc I kept putting it in the wrong section.. :/ But has any of the women on this forum taken birth control pills to help with PGAD symptoms? Thank you :)

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  • 5 weeks later...

Yes I did find this helpful but had to stop on the account that I was starting to develop tiny man breasts.

 

It was a little alarming to say the least, however it was helpful when I found myself without milk for my tea.

December 2008 Prescribed 20mg citalopram (celexa) for depression and OCD.July 2013 stopped taking citalopram (celexa). November 2013 reinstated citalopram (celexa) following replapse at 20mg for 4 weeks, 40mg for 4 weeks and tapered off over 4 weeks as my condition had deteriorated. February 2014 started 20mg of fluoxetine (prozac). Didn't tolerate it and stopped 4 weeks later, experienced no withdrawal. May 2014 started 25mg of sertraline (zoloft), increased to 50mg after 1 week. Remained at 50mg for 4 weeks before increasing to 100mg at the request of my psychiatrist despite advising of suicidal ideation for an additional week before stopping. Advised to drop to 50mg for 3 days before withdrawing altogether. I did as advised and horrendous withdrawal ensued. 11th August 2014 commenced escitalopram (lexapro), weaned off end of October 2014. Commenced Clonazepam December 2014 0.5mg twice daily, switched to Diazepam 10mg twice daily with a view to tapering of the benzodiazepine altogether. Tapering schedule presently at a reduction of 1mg of Diazepam every 1-2 weeks depending upon side effects. So far experienced no severe physical side effects except worsening of PGAD symptoms upon reduction which does seem to improve within a few days of doing so. Presently taking no antidepressants however still experiencing mild agitation, severe depression and PGAD which is currently being treated by a physiotherapist.

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Hi everyone :) This is the third time I'm posting this, bc I kept putting it in the wrong section.. :/ But has any of the women on this forum taken birth control pills to help with PGAD symptoms? Thank you :)

 

No I did not take birth control pills to try and fix it. I was really sick off and starting about 2 years before I seen a neurologist with the head drops and foot dragging I kept getting sick with increasing frequency.  By the time I got to the foot dragging head drops stage I had been making the rounds to different clinics and hosp some of the best in my province so I am told.

 During these trips I had my hormones checked 6 times in 6 months all but 2 of those hormone tests came back with a different meaning... stage .. one I was pre menopausal one I was per pubescent one I was post menopausal one I was pregnant two of the others were repeats of one of the above I just don't recall what ones were repeated.

 

There was certainly something going on with my hormones and we see different things reported by other many on effexor for instance have very early menopause for some reason, that one stick in my memory. 

I was taken off effexor by the neurologist cymbalta was tried I couldn't take it mirapex was tried I could not take it lyrica was tried I could not take it.. about all drugs from then on were a problem for me I tried to go back on effexor and it came right back up my body simply rejected it. 

I had extreme periods on effexor to the point I had an ovary with cysts removed... (listed side effect of Effexor btw) after the surgery no change... my gyno then added a hemophiliac drug along with iron to keep me going.  I was not a fan of the new drug and took it very rarely. The ovary was removed in 2004 I stopped Effexor in 2007... so for years before and after the surgery I had extreme periods.  My last period was a month long in Aug 2007 I quit effexor Nov 2007.  I could not take any hormone replacement then or ever because of a drug reaction to birth control when I was 18 that caused a stroke. A small one called a TIA I heard since that term is used where there are no effects after but I had effects that lasted a couple of years. 

 

How effexor affects hormones I can't say but it does something. 

 

One more thing along these lines when I was on paxil a short time my doc tried to talk me into taking progesterone I may even have tried it... cause something was off in my blood work .. as I recall a short try of progesterone did not work whatever she was trying to fix my body was having no part of it .. I think may estrogen went up.. what we did not want given my history. 

 

Sorry broken for adding woman things to you thread but it may be important to some other woman out there. 

peace all

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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  • 4 weeks later...

I found two case studies of unexpected relief from pgad, though both employed risky, even objectionable treatments. One case is a woman who apparently had PGAD all her life, unrelated to psych drugs. While on Chantix her PGAD went away until 2 weeks after she DC'd. A second time on Chantix gave the same result. Here's full text:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2008.01210.x/full

 

ABSTRACT

 

Introduction.  Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) in women is associated with feelings of persistent, spontaneous, intrusive, unrelenting, and unwanted physical arousal in the absence of conscious thoughts of sexual desire or sexual interest.

 

Aim.   To report the case of a 49-year-old woman with lifelong PGAD who was recently prescribed varenicline for smoking cessation and who subsequently experienced amelioration of PGAD symptoms.

 

Methods.  Patient self-report and literature review. Written consent was obtained from the patient.

 

Results.   Abatement of lifelong PGAD symptoms occurred within approximately two weeks each time varenicline treatment was initiated. PGAD symptoms returned in approximately 2 weeks each time treatment was suspended.

 

Conclusions.   Varenicline is a partial agonist of the α2β4 subtype of nicotinic cholinergic receptor. Its unique pharmacological action stimulates a small amount of brain dopamine release while antagonizing the ability of nicotine to stimulate much larger dopamine release. Genital sexual arousal is controlled in part by the action of hypothalamic and limbic dopamine systems. Based on the mechanism of action of varenicline and the observation of its effectiveness in this case, we hypothesize that: (i) central hyperactive dopamine release is an important component in the pathophysiology of PGAD in this patient; and (ii) use of varenicline resulted in lowering of this hyperstimulated central dopamine release. Objective testing of varenicline's safety and efficacy in the treatment of other women with PGAD is suggested. Korda JB, Pfaus JG, and Goldstein I. Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD): A case report in a woman with lifelong PGAD where serendipitous administration of varenicline tartrate resulted in symptomatic improvement. J Sex Med 2009;6:1479–1486.

 

 

In this case the PGAD was a withdrawal effect and ECT got rid of it, but not forever. (abstract only; contains Dr. Korda's email addy.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/enhanced/doi/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01421.x/
 

 

oanna Beate Korda, MD, Department of Men's Health and Clinic of Urology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. Tel: 001-40-428 03 5056; Fax: 001-40-42803 4734; E-mail: korda@gmx.net

ABSTRACT

Introduction.  This is the second case report of a woman with bipolar disorder type I who noted the onset of persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) symptoms after abrupt cessation of paroxetine. With the worsening of PGAD symptoms, she developed severe depression and suicidal thoughts, resulting in her undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as management.

Aim.  To describe a case of PGAD and develop hypotheses to explain the beneficial actions of ECT on PGAD based on 4 years of ECT administration.

Methods.  Patient self-report after obtaining consent, as well as literature review.

Results.  After the fourth ECT, the patient's PGAD symptoms abated serendipitously. She was placed on ECT on demand for the treatment of her PGAD. With each ECT treatment, PGAD symptoms immediately disappeared, relapsing slowly over time until the next ECT was administered. The patient has, thus far, received a total of 30 treatments of ECT. Side effects continue to be minimal and include brief short-term memory loss, headache, and muscle aches.

Conclusion.  ECT is known to induce cerebral excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter changes after acute and chronic administration. Sexual arousal is stimulated by the action of hypothalamic and limbic dopamine, noradrenaline, melanocortin, and oxytocin, and inhibited by serotonin, cerebral opioids, and endocannabinoids. Based on the patient's bipolar disorder, the mechanism of action of ECT and the observation of ECT effectiveness on her PGAD, we hypothesize the following: (i) bipolar disorder led to central hyperactive dopamine release, an important component in the pathophysiology of her PGAD; (ii) central serotonin deficiency after selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) withdrawal resulted in a lack of inhibition of sexual excitement; (iii) ECT resulted in lowering of the hyperstimulated central dopamine release; and (iv) ECT led to an increase in sexual inhibition by stimulating serotonin activity. Further research in the central control of sexual arousal is needed. Korda JB, Pfaus JG, Kellner CH, and Goldstein I. Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD): Case report of long-term symptomatic management with electroconvulsive therapy. J Sex Med 2009;6:2901–2909.

2009: Cancer hospital said I had adjustment disorder because I thought they were doing it wrong. Their headshrinker prescribed Effexor, and my life set on a new course. I didn't know what was ahead, like a passenger on Disneyland's Matterhorn, smiling and waving as it climbs...clink, clink, clink.

2010: Post surgical accidental Effexor discontinuation by nurses, masked by intravenous Dilaudid. (The car is balanced at the top of the track.) I get home, pop a Vicodin, and ...

Whooosh...down, down, down, down, down...goes the trajectory of my life, up goes my mood and tendency to think everything is a good idea.
2012: After the bipolar jig was up, now a walking bag of unrelated symptoms, I went crazy on Daytrana (the Ritalin skin patch by Noven), because ADHD was a perfect fit for a bag of unrelated symptoms. I was prescribed Effexor for the nervousness of it, and things got neurological. An EEG showed enough activity to warrant an epilepsy diagnosis rather than non-epileptic ("psychogenic") seizures.

:o 2013-2014: Quit everything and got worse. I probably went through DAWS: dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome. I drank to not feel, but I felt a lot: dread, fear, regret, grief: an utter sense of total loss of everything worth breathing about, for almost two years.

I was not suicidal but I wanted to be dead, at least dead to the experience of my own brain and body.

2015: I  began to recover after adding virgin coconut oil and organic grass-fed fed butter to a cup of instant coffee in the morning.

I did it hoping for mental acuity and better memory. After ten days of that, I was much better, mood-wise. Approximately neutral.

And, I experienced drowsiness. I could sleep. Not exactly happy, I did 30 days on Wellbutrin, because it had done me no harm in the past. 

I don't have the DAWS mood or state of mind. It never feel like doing anything if it means standing up.

In fact, I don't especially like moving. I'm a brain with a beanbag body.   :unsure:

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  • Moderator

These, however, are one off cases that are self reported, so I would not give them much credence.  Also considering that Chantix comes with a lot of baggage of its own, including side effects and WD to rival anything we are already trying to get off of I don't think it is a good idea to recommend either of these procedures.

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

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I feel a glimpse of what you're going through. I went cold turkey about a month ago and have noticed that I've been "excited" more than usual.  I get that intense build up and just need to attend to it.  It feels like a blessing to me but I can imagine how distracting it would be.  I know you posted this a couple years ago but I just wanted to respond and I'm hoping your body has adjusted and that you're ok now. 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

JY, It sounds like what you are experiencing is a return of your libido after stopping your medication, rather than PGAD. There is nothing good about a constant unpleasant, unwanted, overwhelming sensation which can't be relieved.

I'm not a doctor.  My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one.

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal

DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms

Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal)

May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins.

Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D

June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens.

Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered

Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days.

April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close.

VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from?



VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made?



VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes?



VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects?

VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes

 

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Update! Kegel exercises, including reverse kegels are not appropriate for the treatment of PGAD and hypertonic pelvic pain. You need to find a good physiotherapist with a sound understanding of the condition and knows how to treat it appropriately.

 

If you're unfortunate enough to experience PGAD or chronic pelvic floor pain chances are this is a result of a hypertonic pelvic floor wether triggered by an antidepressant or not. I'll post a link below to a clinic in the states who helped me find an experienced physiotherapist in my area.

 

http://www.pelvicpainrehab.com

December 2008 Prescribed 20mg citalopram (celexa) for depression and OCD.July 2013 stopped taking citalopram (celexa). November 2013 reinstated citalopram (celexa) following replapse at 20mg for 4 weeks, 40mg for 4 weeks and tapered off over 4 weeks as my condition had deteriorated. February 2014 started 20mg of fluoxetine (prozac). Didn't tolerate it and stopped 4 weeks later, experienced no withdrawal. May 2014 started 25mg of sertraline (zoloft), increased to 50mg after 1 week. Remained at 50mg for 4 weeks before increasing to 100mg at the request of my psychiatrist despite advising of suicidal ideation for an additional week before stopping. Advised to drop to 50mg for 3 days before withdrawing altogether. I did as advised and horrendous withdrawal ensued. 11th August 2014 commenced escitalopram (lexapro), weaned off end of October 2014. Commenced Clonazepam December 2014 0.5mg twice daily, switched to Diazepam 10mg twice daily with a view to tapering of the benzodiazepine altogether. Tapering schedule presently at a reduction of 1mg of Diazepam every 1-2 weeks depending upon side effects. So far experienced no severe physical side effects except worsening of PGAD symptoms upon reduction which does seem to improve within a few days of doing so. Presently taking no antidepressants however still experiencing mild agitation, severe depression and PGAD which is currently being treated by a physiotherapist.

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These, however, are one off cases that are self reported, so I would not give them much credence. Also considering that Chantix comes with a lot of baggage of its own, including side effects and WD to rival anything we are already trying to get off of I don't think it is a good idea to recommend either of these procedures.

I would echo this.

December 2008 Prescribed 20mg citalopram (celexa) for depression and OCD.July 2013 stopped taking citalopram (celexa). November 2013 reinstated citalopram (celexa) following replapse at 20mg for 4 weeks, 40mg for 4 weeks and tapered off over 4 weeks as my condition had deteriorated. February 2014 started 20mg of fluoxetine (prozac). Didn't tolerate it and stopped 4 weeks later, experienced no withdrawal. May 2014 started 25mg of sertraline (zoloft), increased to 50mg after 1 week. Remained at 50mg for 4 weeks before increasing to 100mg at the request of my psychiatrist despite advising of suicidal ideation for an additional week before stopping. Advised to drop to 50mg for 3 days before withdrawing altogether. I did as advised and horrendous withdrawal ensued. 11th August 2014 commenced escitalopram (lexapro), weaned off end of October 2014. Commenced Clonazepam December 2014 0.5mg twice daily, switched to Diazepam 10mg twice daily with a view to tapering of the benzodiazepine altogether. Tapering schedule presently at a reduction of 1mg of Diazepam every 1-2 weeks depending upon side effects. So far experienced no severe physical side effects except worsening of PGAD symptoms upon reduction which does seem to improve within a few days of doing so. Presently taking no antidepressants however still experiencing mild agitation, severe depression and PGAD which is currently being treated by a physiotherapist.

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Broken, I don't have this condition so I'm not sure what I'm doing over here but all the info is great and your generosity in sharing I'm sure will help someone!

2000 - sertraline for job anxiety low confidence (17 years old) ..which turned the next 16 years into nightmare!

 

On/off sertraline severe withdrawals every time. 2014 - felt better as reduced dose of sertraline no more inner restlessness. Doctor rushed off again. Hit severe withdrawal. Lost the little I had in life. Couldn't get stable again on 12.5mg. Was switched to prozac. Had severe reaction to prozac..came off in November 2015 at 6mg as felt more confused and damaged on it..Even more withdrawal ..rage, depression, dyphoria, near constant suicidal ideation, self harm impulses, doom, concrete block in head, unable to do much of anything with this feeling in head..went back on 6mg of sertraline to see if would alleviate anything. It didn't..reduced from December to June 2016 came off at 2.5mg sertraline as was hospitalised for the severe rage, suicidal impulses, and put on 50mg lofepramine which in 2nd week reduced all symptoms but gave insomnia which still have..psych stopped lofepramine cold turkey..no increased withdrawal symptoms new symptoms from lofepramine except persistant insomnia which has as side effect.

 

Taking Ativan for 8 months for the severe rage self harm impulses 1-3 times a week (mostly 2 times a week) at .5mg. Two months (I'm unsure exactly when the interdose started to happen) ago interdose withdrawal seemed to happen..2 days I think after the Ativan.

 

 

Nightmare that could have been avoided!

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I hope it won't be required but if it is I hope it will L&L.

December 2008 Prescribed 20mg citalopram (celexa) for depression and OCD.July 2013 stopped taking citalopram (celexa). November 2013 reinstated citalopram (celexa) following replapse at 20mg for 4 weeks, 40mg for 4 weeks and tapered off over 4 weeks as my condition had deteriorated. February 2014 started 20mg of fluoxetine (prozac). Didn't tolerate it and stopped 4 weeks later, experienced no withdrawal. May 2014 started 25mg of sertraline (zoloft), increased to 50mg after 1 week. Remained at 50mg for 4 weeks before increasing to 100mg at the request of my psychiatrist despite advising of suicidal ideation for an additional week before stopping. Advised to drop to 50mg for 3 days before withdrawing altogether. I did as advised and horrendous withdrawal ensued. 11th August 2014 commenced escitalopram (lexapro), weaned off end of October 2014. Commenced Clonazepam December 2014 0.5mg twice daily, switched to Diazepam 10mg twice daily with a view to tapering of the benzodiazepine altogether. Tapering schedule presently at a reduction of 1mg of Diazepam every 1-2 weeks depending upon side effects. So far experienced no severe physical side effects except worsening of PGAD symptoms upon reduction which does seem to improve within a few days of doing so. Presently taking no antidepressants however still experiencing mild agitation, severe depression and PGAD which is currently being treated by a physiotherapist.

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  • 1 month later...

I have since had physio from an amazing pelvic floor physiotherapist. All the work is carried out internally, no kegel excercises! I have had significant relief after 6 sessions, his prognosis is that it will most likely be 6 to 8 months of treatment before I'm symptom free.

 

I took Nortriptyline briefly which only served to complicate matters, symptoms have returned. I'm also tapering off valium which I would imagine will be problematic.

 

It's a little convoluted and disheartening that after making some real progress I've regressed somewhat thanks to another antidepressant.

 

You think I'd learn my lesson but alas I continue to repeat the same mistakes time and time again.

 

Learn from mine please!

December 2008 Prescribed 20mg citalopram (celexa) for depression and OCD.July 2013 stopped taking citalopram (celexa). November 2013 reinstated citalopram (celexa) following replapse at 20mg for 4 weeks, 40mg for 4 weeks and tapered off over 4 weeks as my condition had deteriorated. February 2014 started 20mg of fluoxetine (prozac). Didn't tolerate it and stopped 4 weeks later, experienced no withdrawal. May 2014 started 25mg of sertraline (zoloft), increased to 50mg after 1 week. Remained at 50mg for 4 weeks before increasing to 100mg at the request of my psychiatrist despite advising of suicidal ideation for an additional week before stopping. Advised to drop to 50mg for 3 days before withdrawing altogether. I did as advised and horrendous withdrawal ensued. 11th August 2014 commenced escitalopram (lexapro), weaned off end of October 2014. Commenced Clonazepam December 2014 0.5mg twice daily, switched to Diazepam 10mg twice daily with a view to tapering of the benzodiazepine altogether. Tapering schedule presently at a reduction of 1mg of Diazepam every 1-2 weeks depending upon side effects. So far experienced no severe physical side effects except worsening of PGAD symptoms upon reduction which does seem to improve within a few days of doing so. Presently taking no antidepressants however still experiencing mild agitation, severe depression and PGAD which is currently being treated by a physiotherapist.

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  • 4 months later...

I think i have this now... It started yesterday. Have anyone here have had this and got rid of those symptoms later? 

Citalopram 40mg from 2003-2015

Jan 2015 started tapering first dropped to 35mgFeb 30mg, March 25mgApril 20mg, May 17,5mg, June 15mgJuly 12,5mg, Aug 12,5mg,

Sep 0mg for 5 days because of stomac flu and after I raised to 7,5mg. All the symptoms of acute WD shaking, diarrhea, vomiting, barely could walk ect. Still didn't realize that it wasn't only stomac flu but I was also going through WD.

Oct 2,5mg and crashed again badly and quickly raised to 4mg. It was then when I knew my symptoms were due to WD.

Then in November after a month holding on 4mg raised to 5mg due to muscle weakness and had a VERY BAD reaction to reinstatement: akathisia(lasted for one or two weeks), insomnia, anhedonia... Drop quicly back to 4mg, Dec 3mg

Jan 2016 2,6mg( in the middle of Jan after I had been on 2,6mg for a week I tried to updose to 2,8mg and immediately had bad reaction to it: akathisia for a day, andehonia got worse. The next day dropped back to 2,6mg), Feb 2,4mg( a new symptom PGAD lasted 24/7 for 2 months after that on and off), March 2,4mg, April 2,3mg, May 2,2mg, June 2,1mg, July 2,0mg( Pgad almost nonexisting, sleeping pretty good, still some anhedonia but there has been a lot of gradual progress), Aug 1,97mg-1,89mg, Sep 1,88mg-1,49mg, Oct 1,48mg- 1,70mg,

Nov 0,65mg- current dose 0,5mg

 

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  • 4 months later...

Hi Reaching. I had this in earlier WD and it went away with time.

Intermittent Klonopin use February, 2014 to September, 2015

- Off of SSRIs completely since April, 2012 

- Had horrible side effects from Celexa (constant feelings of terror, insomnia) so stopped taking it after 6 weeks

- Started 20 mg of Celexa in February 2012

- Began to taper off of Zoloft in May, 2011, off Zoloft completely September, 2011

- Increased Zoloft to 75 mg October, 2010 and decreased back to 50 mg in February, 2011

- June 2009- Went on 50 mg of Zoloft

- October, 2007 - July, 2008- Celexa 20 mgs (tapered off fairly quickly)

- 2006-2007- On Effoxor for about 8 months- switched to Prozac and cold turkeyed off

- 2005- Paxil and Lamictal for a few months but stopped taking because it didn't work

- 2004- Paxil for a few months but quit taking because of increased feelings of depression

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I think i have this now... It started yesterday. Have anyone here have had this and got rid of those symptoms later? 

Yes.  I had this for a few months and it went away. 

1971-81  Valium 5mg c/t PAWS     1992- through now Zoloft 25mg    2003-05 Valium 12mg Slow Taper Off

2013 Afrin Exposure to CNS    2013 O/D Val 230mg    2013 Doxepin 50mg Clonidine 2mg Zoloft 25mg

3/15/16  Doxepin 49mg Micro Tapering  Zoloft 24.3mg Holding taper

3/15/16 Clonidine mg 0.1 1/2 -    Decreasing incrementally.  DISCONTINUED

10/9/16  Doxepin 48.9  Zoloft 24.3  Clonidine  01.10  Continuing micro taper on Doxepin.

11/16/16 Doxepin 48mg  Zoloft 24.3mg  Clonidine 1.30mg

5/4/17  Doxepin 45mg  Zoloft 24mg  Clonidine 1.20mg   Micro taper of Doxepin  , Clonidine

01/13/19  Doxepin 45mg   Zoloft 21mg   Will start Micro taper of Doxepin 2/19

12/21/21  Doxepin 20 mg ?  Reducing using water micro taper--Pulling 24ml from 75ml

12/2121   Zoloft .060 grams by weight--HOLDING (info from post added by CC: On 12/21/21 my dosage was .060grams by weight or 20mg. )

26 Apr 2022 - Zoloft at -0-

 

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  • 2 months later...

New PSSD / Post-SSRI PGAD research by University of Milan! https://m.reddit.com/r/PSSD/comments/528pms/pssd_research_by_university_of_milan_italy/

Please complete the questionnaire, it's for Post-SSRI PGAD, too!

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I have sent Prof. Melcangi a few questions. He told me that "they are not presently working on this matter". He says that the questionnaire was probably translated by a patient (he only made the Italian questionnaire). He also says: "Thus, only to explain you that this is a general questionnaire only to have (in case we may work on it) already some information."

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  • 5 months later...

Anyone that has been affected by SSRI induced PGAD and I have counted at least 20 people on this forum , just know that you are not alone.

This symptom is not "rare"! 20 people experiencing this symptom from an SSRI's is alarming. When a doctor tells you it is "rare", what a load of BS.

DRUG HISTORY:

 

November 2013- Zoloft, ( Bad reaction).

January 2014 - March 2014 Seroquel.( Quit Cold Turkey).

January2014- Mirtazapine, I was taking 15mg at one stage, reduced to 7.5mg, Pgad reactions to Mirtazapine. Doctor kept increasing it to 37.5mg, until July 2014. No improvement, experiencing panic attacks, on 37.5 mg. I had enough by October 2014. Began tapering.

October 2014- Started tapering Mirtazapine from 37.5mg.

September 2015- Down to 4mg of Mirtazapine. Crashed.

September 16th- Up dosed to 5mg. Held this dose for almost 5 months. Stabilised.

February 2016- Began tapering again. From 5mg to 4.5mg of Mirtazapine. (Rocking the boat, again)! Lol. :(

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  • 2 months later...

I've been off SSRIs for five months now and am still struggling with PGAD which I never dealt with anything like before. My experience with the sensations and arousal are very similar to everyone's. This started two months into withdrawal - February - and was at its worse the third month - March. I, too, considered suicide over it, but I knew I really didn't want that. (At that time, I was going through a horrible depression which thank goodness hasn't gotten that bad again.) Improvement has been very gradual and sometimes seems at a halt. I recently stopped satisfying it the main way I was because it added undue stress and frustration. I am currently working on stopping other ways of satisfying the desires. It's not easy, and if I'm not careful, they come right back. It takes a conscious effort to focus on other things.

 

As I'm still struggling with control over my thoughts, it's almost impossible not to think of myself as a horrible, sick person when symptoms arise. It is not like me to go into deep sexual fantasies, and when I don't bother managing the triggers(because I don't always think about it), this can easily go on the entire day. My main triggers are inadequate sleep, lack of exercise, and going to the bathroom. I feel sick for saying all this, but this was never me and since my mind is usually in a blank state, I blame myself and can't figure a way to think differently.

 

About the sensations, I have the full bladder feeling a lot. When my bladder gets too full, I experience sharp pains that last for days and never go away completely. It's terrible. Not to mention my pelvic floor is weakened and is an extreme discomfort. I fear that I have damaged myself somehow by holding my pee and masturbating too much. I deal with much frustration as nothing will ease the desires and I feel like I have lost my purpose in life. This is disgusting and I would rather be doing anything other than this.

(Took Respiradone, Strattera, Celexa, Lexapro, and Pristiq prior to these.)

These were all taken over the course of approximately 10 years

10/7/15 - Fluvoxamine Maleate 100 MG

7/26/16 - Amphetamine Salts 10 MG

10/5/16 - Olanzapine-Fluoxetine 6-25 MG

11/1/16 - Olanzapine 2.5 MG AND Fluoxetine HCL 10 MG

11/08/16 - Amantadine 100 MG AND Aripiprazole 5 MG

11/22/16 - Trazodone 50 MG

12/1/16 - Aripiprazole 5 MG *LAST DOSE - COLD-TURKEYED*

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  • 1 month later...
On 3/7/2017 at 5:31 AM, Hopefull said:

Anyone that has been affected by SSRI induced PGAD and I have counted at least 20 people on this forum , just know that you are not alone.

This symptom is not "rare"! 20 people experiencing this symptom from an SSRI's is alarming. When a doctor tells you it is "rare", what a load of BS.

 

Hi, Hopefull. I have been suffering from arousal symptoms / feeling the need to pee all the time / burning symptoms for over a month now.  I suspect my condition may have been triggered by Zoloft, as my symptoms cropped up about two weeks after being on the med (50 mg for one week, 100 mg for one week). I also had a UTI at the time, though I'm not sure if the UTI was actually causing the symptoms in the first place, or if the symptoms lead my doctor to suspect a UTI, which then prompted further testing and the discovery that I indeed had a (mild) UTI. My symptoms didn't seem UTI-esque to me at the time, so I was surprised when it turned out I had one. Perhaps I had had detectable bacteria concentrations for awhile at that point, but not to the level of an actual infection? I read that many people can discover that they have "secret UTIs" through advance testing, when in reality it's just normal concentrations of bacteria that can be construed as a UTI if need be, through confirmation bias.

 

Anyway, I quoted your post because I'd like to know how the 20 people on this site are doing, and what helped them with their SSRI-induced PGAD. I have been very hopeless lately, and I'm tired of going to bed each night feeling uncomfortable and miserable, even if I accomplished a lot during the day. My experience with PGAD is wore than any depression I've ever experienced in my life. 

 

My hope is that this will eventually go away. I want to trust and believe in my body, but right now that's pretty hard to do. It would be nice to know what specifically helped you, and other people who's PGAD was caused by an SSRI, rather than an injury or local nerve damage. Additionally, I want to know whether most people with SSRI-induced PGAD go into symptom remission eventually. I know that you did, from reading your posts. Has that been the case with anyone else that you know?

- will update eventually -

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Hi Passanger,

I am really sorry to hear that you are going through this. 

It really is disheartening and I completely understand. 

Prior to taking Zoloft,  have you taken SSRI'S in the past? 

The reason I am asking is because I had a bad reaction to Zoloft and I have never taken an SSRI. 

There have been cases on this forum where people developed PGAD symptoms from SSRI'S as they were coming off it. One lady was on Citolapram and developed PGAD symptoms as she was tappering.  As soon as she reinstated the symptoms went away. 

For me it happened after taking 3 Zoloft tablets. 

We are all different,  and it happened to you 2 weeks after. 

This is an indication that you are sensitive to Zoloft as it is causing a chemical imbalance in the brain. 

How long have you had PGAD symptoms? 

I understand how depressing and devastating this can be.

I never felt so helpless and hopeless as I did then. 

But please remember that the brain does repair it self , it took a while for me. 

I don't have the symptoms any more,  but I did have a variation of it as I was coming off Mirtazapine.  A lot of spasms and twitching.  I think that Mitrazapine was probably masking it too. My doctor put me on Mitrazapine after Zoloft reaction,  but I was having issues on higher doses and infact suppliments and other things would bring up the symptoms. 

My advice to you is to try and avoid taking any supplements.  Keep things simple.  To realive burning pain, do a cool sit bath and add a bit of salt.

Try to avoid wearing tight clothing,  until things calm down. 

Don't loose hope!  I know how hard that is. I went through it snd so can you. 

I am not better than you. We all have it within our selves to get through hardship. My unty get UTI's and she took D-Mannose suppliment. It helped her and she has taken antibiotics in the past. You can get it from the Health Food shop and it is a simple sugar.  Google it.

It comes in a poweder form.

You could possibly add it to the sit bath.

Obviously speak with your GP and a Naturalpath.

You will heal and recover too.  Just take one day as it comes.  That is whatI had to do.  I am not sure how the others are doing.  Search PGAD and it should come up with PGAD symptoms and self care.

Like you I had a need to constantly pee.

I had a test done and I had no bacteria. 

It happened after taking Zoloft.  I had a really bad burning sensation for a long time.  Are you able to sleep? 

 The one thing that I found helpful was accupuncture.  It received the symptoms a bit. I did not have the treatment all the time. 

Take care and feel free to message me anytime.  You will get through this. 

Hopefull.  

 

 

 

DRUG HISTORY:

 

November 2013- Zoloft, ( Bad reaction).

January 2014 - March 2014 Seroquel.( Quit Cold Turkey).

January2014- Mirtazapine, I was taking 15mg at one stage, reduced to 7.5mg, Pgad reactions to Mirtazapine. Doctor kept increasing it to 37.5mg, until July 2014. No improvement, experiencing panic attacks, on 37.5 mg. I had enough by October 2014. Began tapering.

October 2014- Started tapering Mirtazapine from 37.5mg.

September 2015- Down to 4mg of Mirtazapine. Crashed.

September 16th- Up dosed to 5mg. Held this dose for almost 5 months. Stabilised.

February 2016- Began tapering again. From 5mg to 4.5mg of Mirtazapine. (Rocking the boat, again)! Lol. :(

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD)
  • 2 weeks later...

Dear Sipdey,

 

I am suffering from PGAD since coming off Sertraline in May this year. I was only 3 weeks on the drug and it was my first antidepressant ever. You can see my story in the introduction forum. I suffer from constant arousal, over active bladder, heavy pain in my lower belly and parts, constant lubrification and swelling in the private parts. It sounds like what you had. I am looking for reassurance that things will improve and I see that you suffered from this disorder in 2013. I hope you don't mind me asking about how you are doing. Did the PGAD went away eventually ? I am not taking any anti depressant at the moment but i am on Xanax. I hope you don't mind that I sent you this message and I hope you can reassure me.

 

Thanks a lot for your help

 

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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  • 4 months later...

Hi!

I quit Sepram in 2014. As I was very young when I started taking it I have no idea what my sexuality is like, actually I didn't even notice that It was gone until I quit Sepram and my sexuality came back in a not so pleasant way. Six months after quitting Sepram I became VERY sexual and had my first proper sexual relationship with someone in years. Of course sexuality went overboard and the relationship also ended. I was very overwhelmed of what was happening and didn't actually realize what was going on (think about a 25-year old who is actually 16 on the inside and beginning to get a grasp of what sexuality is). I had really bad PGAD combined with other withdrawal symptoms. In January 2016 I tried to kill myself after being sexually aroused non stop for 6 months with other disabling symptoms. My situation now is so that I can walk without getting aroused but any other exercise is quite excruciating. I was a rider but can't ride anymore because it hurts too much and I get very aroused after it. Is there any hope for me to get back to normal? I tend to avoid situations that get me mentally or physically too aroused in any way. I think there has been some weird wiring in my brain and I get sexually aroused from very normal situations in a very disabling way, I can't work anymore since it is too stimulating. I have actually almost completely lost the desire to have sex, though I get aroused, since withdrawal was so extremely traumatizing.

Citalopram (Sepram): 2005 10mg, 2008 20mg, 2010 30mg, 2011 20mg, tapered 2012 for two months quit in August 2012, restarted Oct 2012 with 10mg, January 2013 20mg, February 2014 40mg, tapered in August 2014, quit in December 2014

Suprium: Oct 2012 50mg, cold turkey after one month, December 2015 50mg, quit March 2016

Xanax: Oct 2015 2mg used it when needed, quit November 2015

Opamox: January 2016 15mg 3x day, tapered in March 2016, quit April 2016

Tenox: 3 weeks in February 2016 cold turkey

Lyrica: One month in Spring 2016 cold turkey

Abilify: 2 weeks in Spring 2016 cold turkey

Mirtazapine: June 2016 - mid April 2017 cold turkey

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  • 5 weeks later...

I have had PGAD 8 times from different antidepressants! Its horrrible. I've had it for 3 weeks caused by amitryptiline this time. I had it for 3 years from prozac and a few days or weeks from pristiq,lexapro,Seroquel,lamotrigine,zoloft. It sucks because I need meds for my mental health issues but this pgad keeps happening on almost every med.

 

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  • 3 months later...

hello everyone i m too suffering from pgad due to use and abruptly stopping many ssri drugs please someone guide me what should i do

i took different antidepressants medications for depression and anciety 

from 2013 to 2017 with no benefit i kept on changing the ads but of no use and i gave up...and then the pgad started..

 

prozac for 2 weeks

lexapro for 3 weeks

seroxat for 10 days

Now i am antidepressants free 

2017 december was the last time i took ads since then i havent taken any ads medication

My main symptom is pgad 

i get stabbing pain in genital area which is interfering in my daily life..

and very mild arousals which dosent bother me.

 

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  • Administrator

time, please start a topic for yourself in the Introductions forum.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 5 months later...

I know nobody knows 100% why but as someone who's scared to death of PGAD I've done a lot of research into it and noticed it's usually a pudendal nerve or bladder issue. Do you think this means they are irritating or even damaging nerves? And does it also mean they can cause autoimmune disease such as IC? I've read IC is actually very rarely the REAL IC and about 80% of the time it's actually pelvic floor dysfunction (overly tight muscles). PN is also very rare and a lot of cases it's also turned out to be PFD. So what I'm wondering is, if withdrawals are causing these conditions, could it actually be somewhat phsycological/tightness (and hormonal?) in a sense where it causes you and your body so much stress and anxiety that our muscles down there get tight And spasmy and mimic these conditions? If not and withdrawal PGAD is very different from these conditions then I really want to know what everyone thinks is the cause of it. I think it's hormonal but don't know enough about hormones to know why exactly. I think whatever it is it must be the same kind of thing that can cause cause PSSD where there's loss of sensation. So maybe nerves as well?

 Would be really interested in hearing everyone's opinions! :)

16.4.14 - 25.4.15 Took Paxil (??mg) - cold turkey. Had random pgad symptoms around this time but not sure when exactly.

?.5.14: Started Citalopram (10mg) / 17.5.14: Quickly upped to 20mg  / 9?.15: upped to 30mg. 

8.16: Tapered off Citalopram in less than 2 weeks / 9.16: straight back on 20mg for just a week then stopped cold turkey. 11.16 Very mild pgad, PN symptoms and other withdrawals started.

7.12.16: Took Amitriptyline 10mg for just 2 days then stopped cold turkey.

14.12.16: reinstated 5mg of Citalopram / 1?.16: 10mg Citalopram / ?.16: 20mg Citalopram. 3.17 (6 months since withdrawing) pgad hit.

8.2.18: 15mg Citalopram / 8.3.18: 10mg / 8.4.18: 5mg / 12?.5.18: 2.5mg / 19.5.18: 0mg. pgad worsened almost instantly from first tapper, all sorts of PN symptoms, earworm, tinnitus, other things, coming and going until late 9.18 (4 months since 0mg) where it all got SO MUCH worse for 1.11 years (with windows and waves).

1.9.20: 99% healed ❤️

31.5.21: Smoked weed 5 out of 9 days. Pgad and other old withdrawals came back, plus developed akathesia & fibromyalgia.

7.22: Steadily recovering again ❤

2.23: Acute withdrawals coming back, no apparent reason.

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  • 1 month later...
On 10/8/2018 at 12:02 AM, Rbvdk said:

I know nobody knows 100% why but as someone who's scared to death of PGAD I've done a lot of research into it and noticed it's usually a pudendal nerve or bladder issue. Do you think this means they are irritating or even damaging nerves? And does it also mean they can cause autoimmune disease such as IC? I've read IC is actually very rarely the REAL IC and about 80% of the time it's actually pelvic floor dysfunction (overly tight muscles). PN is also very rare and a lot of cases it's also turned out to be PFD. So what I'm wondering is, if withdrawals are causing these conditions, could it actually be somewhat phsycological/tightness (and hormonal?) in a sense where it causes you and your body so much stress and anxiety that our muscles down there get tight And spasmy and mimic these conditions? If not and withdrawal PGAD is very different from these conditions then I really want to know what everyone thinks is the cause of it. I think it's hormonal but don't know enough about hormones to know why exactly. I think whatever it is it must be the same kind of thing that can cause cause PSSD where there's loss of sensation. So maybe nerves as well?

 Would be really interested in hearing everyone's opinions! :)

Hi Rbvdk,

I know that I never had bladder issues or prudential nerve issues prior to Zoloft.

I don't have PGAD anymore,  but I have been experiencing spasms since November on and off, and I have not had this symptom for a while .

I switched to Rameron SolTab because Avanza SolTab is discontinued. 

The ingredients are exactly the same,  made by the same company. 

I think that ADs make the nerves more sensitive. 

How are you doing these days? 

 

DRUG HISTORY:

 

November 2013- Zoloft, ( Bad reaction).

January 2014 - March 2014 Seroquel.( Quit Cold Turkey).

January2014- Mirtazapine, I was taking 15mg at one stage, reduced to 7.5mg, Pgad reactions to Mirtazapine. Doctor kept increasing it to 37.5mg, until July 2014. No improvement, experiencing panic attacks, on 37.5 mg. I had enough by October 2014. Began tapering.

October 2014- Started tapering Mirtazapine from 37.5mg.

September 2015- Down to 4mg of Mirtazapine. Crashed.

September 16th- Up dosed to 5mg. Held this dose for almost 5 months. Stabilised.

February 2016- Began tapering again. From 5mg to 4.5mg of Mirtazapine. (Rocking the boat, again)! Lol. :(

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 12/3/2018 at 11:48 AM, Hopefull said:

Hi Rbvdk,

I know that I never had bladder issues or prudential nerve issues prior to Zoloft.

I don't have PGAD anymore,  but I have been experiencing spasms since November on and off, and I have not had this symptom for a while .

I switched to Rameron SolTab because Avanza SolTab is discontinued. 

The ingredients are exactly the same,  made by the same company. 

I think that ADs make the nerves more sensitive. 

How are you doing these days? 

 

Hey it's nice to hear you don't have PGAD anymore! Are the spasms apart of PGAD? That's scary it was discontinued I'm so glad you managed to find the exact same medication! I think the sensitivity makes sense, I was thinking that too lately by noticing what triggers my PGAD. How long did it take for yours to calm down?

I've been on and off although right now I'm having a really bad day with symptoms - worse than I've ever had. :( it's very disheartening because it's soon after I just went though a 5 day symptom free window. :( how are you doing? Thanks for replying, sorry for the late reply I forgot to turn on email notifications!

Take care :)

16.4.14 - 25.4.15 Took Paxil (??mg) - cold turkey. Had random pgad symptoms around this time but not sure when exactly.

?.5.14: Started Citalopram (10mg) / 17.5.14: Quickly upped to 20mg  / 9?.15: upped to 30mg. 

8.16: Tapered off Citalopram in less than 2 weeks / 9.16: straight back on 20mg for just a week then stopped cold turkey. 11.16 Very mild pgad, PN symptoms and other withdrawals started.

7.12.16: Took Amitriptyline 10mg for just 2 days then stopped cold turkey.

14.12.16: reinstated 5mg of Citalopram / 1?.16: 10mg Citalopram / ?.16: 20mg Citalopram. 3.17 (6 months since withdrawing) pgad hit.

8.2.18: 15mg Citalopram / 8.3.18: 10mg / 8.4.18: 5mg / 12?.5.18: 2.5mg / 19.5.18: 0mg. pgad worsened almost instantly from first tapper, all sorts of PN symptoms, earworm, tinnitus, other things, coming and going until late 9.18 (4 months since 0mg) where it all got SO MUCH worse for 1.11 years (with windows and waves).

1.9.20: 99% healed ❤️

31.5.21: Smoked weed 5 out of 9 days. Pgad and other old withdrawals came back, plus developed akathesia & fibromyalgia.

7.22: Steadily recovering again ❤

2.23: Acute withdrawals coming back, no apparent reason.

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10 hours ago, Rbvdk said:

Hey it's nice to hear you don't have PGAD anymore! Are the spasms apart of PGAD? That's scary it was discontinued I'm so glad you managed to find the exact same medication! I think the sensitivity makes sense, I was thinking that too lately by noticing what triggers my PGAD. How long did it take for yours to calm down?

I've been on and off although right now I'm having a really bad day with symptoms - worse than I've ever had. :( it's very disheartening because it's soon after I just went though a 5 day symptom free window. :( how are you doing? Thanks for replying, sorry for the late reply I forgot to turn on email notifications!

Take care :)

Hi Rbvdk,

Sorry to hear that you are still struggling with the PGAD symptoms.

I think that spasms are part of PGAD.

I used to get it a lot at the beginning and I used to get it also when I would cut down on Mitrazapine.

It went away for a while,  until the beginning of November,  when I switched to Rameron SolTab, which is exactly the same thing, made by the same company,  only generic.

I am still experiencing it,  and frequent urination. 

I think my brain is adjusting to the tiny amount of Mitrazapine and the spasms are part of the WDS.

I know it will settle down eventually. 

Please don't feel disheartened,  the PGAD symptoms will eventually go away. 

It takes a while.  Even when you become symptom free,  occasionally you might experience very mild, arousal feeling,  until it eventually goes away. It is part of the healing process. 

You will also experience flare ups along the way,  and you have to be careful with the suppliments.

I avoided fish oil, magnesium and wearing jeans,  tight clothes,  because it would flare it up.

I found that burning feeling really uncomfortable and painful.

Do a sit bath in a cool water with a little bit of salt, it can help to ease the discomfort. 

It will go away,  so don't feel disheartened. 

Avoid triggers, and symptom free days is a sign that you are healing. 

Flare ups are part of the healing process and gradually it will become less and less. Hang in there and you will see that I am right. 

 

Take care,

Hopefull. :)

 

 

 

 

 

DRUG HISTORY:

 

November 2013- Zoloft, ( Bad reaction).

January 2014 - March 2014 Seroquel.( Quit Cold Turkey).

January2014- Mirtazapine, I was taking 15mg at one stage, reduced to 7.5mg, Pgad reactions to Mirtazapine. Doctor kept increasing it to 37.5mg, until July 2014. No improvement, experiencing panic attacks, on 37.5 mg. I had enough by October 2014. Began tapering.

October 2014- Started tapering Mirtazapine from 37.5mg.

September 2015- Down to 4mg of Mirtazapine. Crashed.

September 16th- Up dosed to 5mg. Held this dose for almost 5 months. Stabilised.

February 2016- Began tapering again. From 5mg to 4.5mg of Mirtazapine. (Rocking the boat, again)! Lol. :(

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