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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by garyeng on July 26, 2007, at 17:52:59
Seriously need help......Started on SSRI's back in March after my best friend (my brother) unexpectedly passed away. I have suffered from anxiety/panic since age 18, but always under control.
Since March, I tried Zoloft 3 different times, like 10 days each time, Effexor for about a week, Wellbutrin for 10 days, and Lexapro on two different occasions. The problem is that I couldn't tolerate the side effects. Excessive Nausea, flu like symptoms, etc. They were beyond tolerable.
Lexapro was the last drug I tried and made it three weeks, despite it increasing my anxiety beyond belief and terrible headaches. I stopped exactly 3 weeks ago today cold turkey, but I was only on 10mg daily for 3 weeks. However since most of the other meds I took except for Wellbutrin were SSRI's, I guess, it's more like 5 months I was on the different drugs.
I suffered the brain zaps, but they have resolved. I was on 10mg the entire time, and now finding myself taking 2.5 mg maybe once per week as I feel like my anxiety is terrible, my headaches and dizzyness are daily. I feel weak, lethargic, and just sick in the head. I know I'm not going crazy. The 2.5mg seems to help take the edge off, but I'm now taking Xanax as needed throughout the day. My heart rate is in the 90's at rest and use to be in the 60's. I get out of breath and even faster heart rates just walking up stairs. I'm 38, fit, in good shape. I've been cleared medically of any heart/lung disease. Had a clean MRI of the head recently. GI is working fine. It's just these symptoms.....Is this discontinuation syndrom and if so, how long will this last. It's been 3 weeks, and I've been unable to work as a result. I'm a Registered Nurse x 15 years. I can barely drive down the street due to the above current symptoms. Keep in mind, although I was on many meds, I pretty much switched back and forth and from one drug to another without days off. My psychiatrist was involved in every step. I read these symptoms can last up to 8 weeks. It was from a post on another site. Is this true??? I feel like I need to check myself in to a psych. hospital at times. This isn't about my brother anymore. This is something physical and not mental I'm dealing with. Please help me understand what is going on inside my head and chest........Gary (GARY1RN@YAHOO.COM)
Posted by Phillipa on July 26, 2007, at 18:10:39
In reply to NEED HELP !!!! (SSRI Discontinuation SYMPTOMS), posted by garyeng on July 26, 2007, at 17:52:59
Gary I too was an RN for l5 years and fine until my thyroid went hasimotos and no stabalization. Ended up on benzos for the thyroid anxiety. I'd suggest a complete physical and all the blood work including ANA. I have a current license haven't practiced in l0 years . Please let me know if you find anything physical as a pdoc I saw here said my anxiety was physical too. No docs believe it though. I know it is. I did have panic attacks for 35years but functioned extremely well on low doses of benzos. Now I'm pretty much tolerant to them. I was off them also at various times as stress was not there and I loved my job. Good luck to you. Love Phillipa
Posted by brooke484 on July 26, 2007, at 19:16:50
In reply to NEED HELP !!!! (SSRI Discontinuation SYMPTOMS), posted by garyeng on July 26, 2007, at 17:52:59
Have your doctor switch you to prozac or try to tough it out for a few weeks. I took lexapro for 2 months and when I got to 5 mgs I just quit. I had anxiety, dizziness, etc for about 2 weeks and then it went away.
Hang in there...
This is the end of the thread.
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