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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by toughingitout on July 22, 2005, at 9:27:38
Has anyone who is or has been on Zoloft ever experience what I now know to be AKATHISIA -"Sometimes called hyperkinesia, can be described as extreme agitation often accompanied by motor restlessness. Patients who have experienced it are unable to sit still, and often described it as "a desire to jump out of their skin". Suicide ideation and violent behavior is not uncommon when a patient experiences akathisia and many doctors believe that akathisia is usually the condition proceeding suicide attempts induced by SSRIs"-- I experienced this to the point where I tried to self medicate with alcohol, then attemped suicide. Two days off the Zoloft, I feel like a competely different person. Has anyone experienced this type of effect from Zoloft?
Posted by SLS on July 22, 2005, at 9:50:49
In reply to Zoloft - Akathisia (extreme aggitation,etc...), posted by toughingitout on July 22, 2005, at 9:27:38
Hi.
I haven't had any personal experience with akathisia on SSRIs. It seems that this side effect is becoming increasingly recognized with these drugs for what it is - true akathisia.
I experienced a mild form of this when I first started Abilify, a neuroleptic antipsychotic. As uncomfortable as it was, I can hardly imagine what it must be like to experience a more severe reaction. I know one other person who tried to self-medicate with alcohol when a moderate akathisia evolved from her taking Risperdal.
I'm glad you were able to isolate Zoloft as the offender. I hope you have better luck with whatever treatments you undergo in the future. If you still want to treat a depression, perhaps the tricyclics would represent an alternative for you. Have you tried non-SSRI drugs?
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by gardenergirl on July 22, 2005, at 11:35:52
In reply to Re: Zoloft - Akathisia (extreme aggitation,etc...), posted by SLS on July 22, 2005, at 9:50:49
I never had this with Zoloft, but I did experience it one day when increasing my dose of Sarafem, another SSRI, at the same time I took some excedrin for a headache. I think the combination of increasing the SSRI and taking in more caffeine than usual caused it.
I have experienced pretty severe akathisia when I tried to go to 75 mg of Nardil. I also recently experienced it at 75 mg of Lamictal added to my current dose of 60 mg of Nardil.
Hey....maybe a dose of anything at 75 mg is not so good for me. :)
It's a horrible feeling. I'm glad I have always been able to make it go away by stopping or reducing the offending med. I can't imagine feelig like that for more than a few days. Both times were the only times I have called my pdoc between appts because I could not stand the feeling.
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on July 22, 2005, at 11:46:19
In reply to Re: Zoloft - Akathisia (extreme aggitation,etc...), posted by gardenergirl on July 22, 2005, at 11:35:52
Posted by toughingitout on July 22, 2005, at 13:58:58
In reply to Re: Zoloft - Akathisia (extreme aggitation,etc...), posted by SLS on July 22, 2005, at 9:50:49
Scott - Thanks for the reply. I never took anything other than Zoloft until now. I'm just starting Effexor 75 mg and I plan to do some extensive research on it's side effects....
> Hi.
>
> I haven't had any personal experience with akathisia on SSRIs. It seems that this side effect is becoming increasingly recognized with these drugs for what it is - true akathisia.
>
> I experienced a mild form of this when I first started Abilify, a neuroleptic antipsychotic. As uncomfortable as it was, I can hardly imagine what it must be like to experience a more severe reaction. I know one other person who tried to self-medicate with alcohol when a moderate akathisia evolved from her taking Risperdal.
>
> I'm glad you were able to isolate Zoloft as the offender. I hope you have better luck with whatever treatments you undergo in the future. If you still want to treat a depression, perhaps the tricyclics would represent an alternative for you. Have you tried non-SSRI drugs?
>
> Good luck.
>
> - Scott
Posted by toughingitout on July 22, 2005, at 14:03:43
In reply to Re: Zoloft - Akathisia (extreme aggitation,etc...), posted by gardenergirl on July 22, 2005, at 11:35:52
gg- thanks for your reply. It's comforting to know that there have been other people experiencing this symptom who are on SSRIs. It truly was a horrible feeling. Also, thanks for the "Welcome" in your 2nd post!
toughingitoutI never had this with Zoloft, but I did experience it one day when increasing my dose of Sarafem, another SSRI, at the same time I took some excedrin for a headache. I think the combination of increasing the SSRI and taking in more caffeine than usual caused it.
>
> I have experienced pretty severe akathisia when I tried to go to 75 mg of Nardil. I also recently experienced it at 75 mg of Lamictal added to my current dose of 60 mg of Nardil.
>
> Hey....maybe a dose of anything at 75 mg is not so good for me. :)
>
> It's a horrible feeling. I'm glad I have always been able to make it go away by stopping or reducing the offending med. I can't imagine feelig like that for more than a few days. Both times were the only times I have called my pdoc between appts because I could not stand the feeling.
>
> gg
Posted by ed_uk on July 22, 2005, at 14:38:37
In reply to Re: Zoloft - Akathisia (extreme aggitation,etc...), posted by SLS on July 22, 2005, at 9:50:49
> I know one other person who tried to self-medicate with alcohol........
I tried. It made the akathisia worse!
~Ed
Posted by linkadge on July 22, 2005, at 15:35:24
In reply to Re: Zoloft - Akathisia (extreme aggitation,etc...) » SLS, posted by ed_uk on July 22, 2005, at 14:38:37
Yes. I have had akathesia on Zoloft.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on July 22, 2005, at 19:13:28
In reply to Re: Zoloft - Akathisia (extreme aggitation,etc...), posted by linkadge on July 22, 2005, at 15:35:24
Really? I took 50mg of zoloft and didn't feel a thing. How high was your dose? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Racer on July 22, 2005, at 19:29:35
In reply to Re: Zoloft - Akathisia (extreme aggitation,etc...), posted by linkadge on July 22, 2005, at 15:35:24
> Yes. I have had akathesia on Zoloft.
>
>
> LinkadgeMe too. I was on Lamictal and Zoloft, and at times it wasn't just the feeling that my legs would burn up if I didn't keep them moving -- which I did to the point of joint pain -- but also losing control of my arms and legs which would twitch uncontrollably.
For what it's worth, that on Zoloft and unbearable restlessness on Prozac were the only problems of that sort I had with SSRIs. Paxil and Lexapro, the others I've tried, just left me in a zombie-like state, unable to get the motivation together to speak, let alone do anything else...
Posted by linkadge on July 22, 2005, at 20:14:57
In reply to Re: Zoloft - Akathisia (extreme aggitation,etc...) » linkadge, posted by Racer on July 22, 2005, at 19:29:35
I had akathesia on 50mg zoloft and more on 75mg. Kind of like a terrable feeling of being trapped in my own body.
Linkadge
Posted by spriggy on July 22, 2005, at 21:02:31
In reply to Re: Zoloft - Akathisia (extreme aggitation,etc...), posted by linkadge on July 22, 2005, at 20:14:57
Yep, I felt that horrible uncomfortable in my own body feeling too. It made me suicidal.
Lexapro caused it as do nausea meds like Compazine or Phergen for me.
Lexapro was much worse becuse it lasted for weeks on end.
I told the doctor, " I feel horrible in my own body, so uncomfortable but where do I go?"
It's not as if you can do anything about it when you are trapped in your own body so the only logical thought for me at the time (in the middle of these distressing feelings) was just to kill myself. That is how awful my akathasia was-- to me there just seemed to be no other option.
One night I did get so desperate that I bought a bottle of Nyquil and guzzled down 2 capfulls. It calmed me down and helped me sleep.
It's awful. Horrific. It is only what I can imagine Hell to feel like.
Posted by toughingitout on July 22, 2005, at 21:07:57
In reply to Re: Zoloft - Akathisia (extreme aggitation,etc...) » linkadge, posted by Phillipa on July 22, 2005, at 19:13:28
Hi Phillipa - I was on 100mg for over 2 years. I started at 25mg, then was upped to 50mg. After 3 days off the Zoloft, I feel a lot more calmer, less anxious and I can think more clearly. Perhaps I was on the wrong meds from the start...
Posted by linkadge on July 22, 2005, at 21:18:38
In reply to Re: Zoloft - Akathisia (extreme aggitation,etc...) » linkadge, posted by spriggy on July 22, 2005, at 21:02:31
Its totally hellish. I don't wish akathesia on anyone. I don't think doctors know the degree to which these drugs can cause disruptive and psychologically dangerous side effects.
Linkadge
Posted by toughingitout on July 22, 2005, at 21:19:04
In reply to Re: Zoloft - Akathisia (extreme aggitation,etc...) » linkadge, posted by spriggy on July 22, 2005, at 21:02:31
Spriggy - that sounds exactly how I felt, like it was so painful that the only thought I had at the time was suicide. I recently read on a site -- http://www.zoloft-suicide-side-effects.com/pgs/zoloft-side-effects.html -- that Akathasia IS NOT listed on the label as a side effect because the Drug co. wanted to "conceal and minimize the possible harmful effects of its drug"
Posted by linkadge on July 22, 2005, at 21:54:08
In reply to Re: Zoloft - Akathisia (extreme aggitation,etc...) » spriggy, posted by toughingitout on July 22, 2005, at 21:19:04
Yes akathesia is horrable. Periactin can definately help.
Akathesia was probably very responsable for the way I felt on SSRI's for a long time without knowing it.
Linkadge
Posted by Mr.Scott on July 23, 2005, at 23:13:54
In reply to Zoloft - Akathisia (extreme aggitation,etc...), posted by toughingitout on July 22, 2005, at 9:27:38
I absolutely experience it with Zoloft and also other ssri/snri drugs. Won't take them because of it.Scott
Posted by sm2010 on September 10, 2005, at 14:25:55
In reply to Re: Zoloft - Akathisia (extreme aggitation,etc...) » toughingitout, posted by Mr.Scott on July 23, 2005, at 23:13:54
Totally got it at 50 mg Zoloft, along with chest pain. It was awful. Never felt so nervous in my life. Stopped taking it after 2 days.
This is the end of the thread.
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