Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 856577

Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP......................

Posted by LisaDC on October 9, 2008, at 11:25:26

Sorry to keep bothering the people on this board with my problems, but things are getting worse and I don't know what to do.

Just to restate a few things: I have tapered off the Celexa I had taken for depression I developed after the brith of my child. I've been completely off of it for about 2 weeks now.

Things seem to be spiraling downhill and I don't know what to make of it. Here is whats going on since I stopped the Celexa.

It started with brain zaps that are now gone. Then I started feeling intense anxiety, which seems to be getting worse every day. I now have a headache for the last 3 days which is the worst headache I've ever had in my life and can't get rid of it with tylenol or even a percocet which I have laying around the house from an old kidney stone. My breathing has turned into hyperventilation at times that I can't seem to control. Oh, and this anxiety I'm feeling is sitting right dead smack in the middle of my chest. I went to the ER last night as I felt like crap and was given IV benedryl which quickly resolved the shortness of breath, but didn't do anything for the other symptoms. Very strange to me. I tried putting a small amount of the Celexa back into me for the last two days, but it isn't working as some have suggested. My husband gave me some Xanax and it seems to be helping with the anxiety at 0.5mg as needed. I think the worst part of this is this headache as it's the only symptom I can't control. It's so bad, that I rate it a 9/10 . I am not scared with the anxiety sensations, but it's very uncomfortable and all I want to do is lay in bed with all of this. I have heard of this "Discontinuation Syndrome" some get when coming off a drug such as Celexa, but this is rediculous if this is what it is. And I'm praying that this is what it is.

I think I'm just looking for some support, advice, and reassurance here that this is all normal and will pass in time. Otherwise, I feel like I should be in a hospital.

Once again, any help would be appreciated.

Lisa

 

Re: NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP...................... » LisaDC

Posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2008, at 12:13:06

In reply to NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP......................, posted by LisaDC on October 9, 2008, at 11:25:26

I tend to agree with you as the celexa withdrawal was going as expected but this headache? Seriously what does you ob-gyn say and did they check for blood clots? Not to scare you. But I think I'd go back to the Er as did they know that you'd just given birth? It does sound like a panic attack headache being added stress but get it checked and get both your docs on the phone and post back later with what happened. Love Phillipa something doesn't sound right to me but what do I know?

 

Re: NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP......................

Posted by LisaDC on October 9, 2008, at 13:29:51

In reply to Re: NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP...................... » LisaDC, posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2008, at 12:13:06

Philippa, thanks for your response. Just to clear things up, my child is now a year old. I didn't just give birth.

All I can say is that these symptoms started just a few days after my last dose of the Celexa which has been about 2 weeks day and it seems each day the symptoms are getting worse. I took a percocet today and it barely touched the pain in my head, but I did some slight relief.

I read a little more today on this "SSRI Withdrawal Syndrome". It appears that many of my symptoms match up, but they are Very Very severe. I'm not one to run to hospitals, and to be honest with you none of this is scary to me, as in I building fear on fear as some would probably say is happening. These are only physical type symptoms and nothing more. There really is no psycholgical aspect to it that I can admit to as far as I'm concerned.

Being that said, I would feel comfortable knowing that this is all normal and will go away over the next few days or even weeks if thats how it runs it's course.

Thanks again,

Lisa

 

Re: NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP...................... » LisaDC

Posted by Phoenix1 on October 9, 2008, at 13:45:45

In reply to Re: NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP......................, posted by LisaDC on October 9, 2008, at 13:29:51

Hi Lisa,

A lot of people w/ SSRI withdrawal syndrome have found benefit from switching to an AD w/ a long half life like Prozac for a few days at the end of an SSRI taper. This drug gradually clears from your system after you stop taking it, so it makes discontinuation a little easier for some. Maybe ask your doc about this option?

Phoenix

> Philippa, thanks for your response. Just to clear things up, my child is now a year old. I didn't just give birth.
>
> All I can say is that these symptoms started just a few days after my last dose of the Celexa which has been about 2 weeks day and it seems each day the symptoms are getting worse. I took a percocet today and it barely touched the pain in my head, but I did some slight relief.
>
> I read a little more today on this "SSRI Withdrawal Syndrome". It appears that many of my symptoms match up, but they are Very Very severe. I'm not one to run to hospitals, and to be honest with you none of this is scary to me, as in I building fear on fear as some would probably say is happening. These are only physical type symptoms and nothing more. There really is no psycholgical aspect to it that I can admit to as far as I'm concerned.
>
> Being that said, I would feel comfortable knowing that this is all normal and will go away over the next few days or even weeks if thats how it runs it's course.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Lisa

 

Re: NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP.................. » LisaDC

Posted by cactus on October 9, 2008, at 14:54:57

In reply to NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP......................, posted by LisaDC on October 9, 2008, at 11:25:26

Hey lisa, you sound like you're having a similar experience to me in regards to withdrawal. Some lucky people don't experience this at all but after going through this with at least 6 different SSRI's-SNRI's. I hear you loud and clear.

Just hang in there, and keep in close contact with your doc and/or pdoc or both just to make totally sure it's nothing else. I found it took me 2-4 weeks for most symptoms to go away and 8 to 12 weeks to start feeling relatively normal again. You're not alone in feeling like this. I tried benadryl too which did nothing for me. Maybe you could ask for some clonazepam (klonopin/rivotril) to help with the anxiety. It last's much longer than xanax, and you usually need to to dose once a day.

As for the headaches, I don't know what to say except tell your doc again how bad they are. I too had shocking headaches but I had all other factors ruled out. Nurofen plus helped me with the headaches but if you're in the US I don't think it available there. Have you tried ibuprofen? Good luck, remember you are not alone in this and consider the fact that going back on SSRI's will most likely be suggested to you. But keep in mind you might have to go through all this again if you do. peace C

 

headache concerning » LisaDC

Posted by azalea on October 9, 2008, at 14:55:51

In reply to NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP......................, posted by LisaDC on October 9, 2008, at 11:25:26

This severe headache is concerning and something you should call your doctor about ASAP. It may not be related to Celexa withdrawal.

With regard to what is normal, it's difficult to say. SSRI discontinuation syndrome is well-documented, but what is normal for one person may be abnormal for another person.

>I now have a headache for the last 3 days which is the worst headache I've ever had in my life and can't get rid of it with tylenol or even a percocet

 

Re: NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP......................

Posted by Nadezda on October 9, 2008, at 15:19:01

In reply to Re: NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP...................... » LisaDC, posted by Phoenix1 on October 9, 2008, at 13:45:45

Hi, Lisa.

I'm not familiar with Celexa, but as others have suggested, it makes sense to go back into a small dose of Celexa so that the symptoms of discontinuation disappear or become tolerable. Then you can taper very slowly from there.

There's no advantage to sticking with a program of stopping that might be a bit faster, but that's putting you through all this misery. How long you need to taper differs from one person to the next-- it just sounds like, for whatever reason, and however slowly you did it, you need to take a longer time.

Have you talked to your pdoc? Maybe he or she would have some other ideas.

Nadezda

 

Re: NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP......................

Posted by greywolf on October 9, 2008, at 20:55:02

In reply to Re: NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP......................, posted by Nadezda on October 9, 2008, at 15:19:01

I would get that headache checked out first. Then I'd see a psychiatrist for the tapering issues. No point in doing it alone if professional help is available.

Greywolf

 

Re: NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP......................

Posted by Nadezda on October 9, 2008, at 22:37:51

In reply to Re: NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP......................, posted by Nadezda on October 9, 2008, at 15:19:01

I should elaborate: one reason I suggested taking a little Celexa is that if it doesn't relieve the headache, it would raise the issue of whether the headache was caused by discontinuation. At that point, it would be important to would seek medical advice. if the celexa relieves the headache, that suggests that stopping it was the cause.

The other way to go, of course, is simply to call a doctor about the headache. If it's so painful, though, I would definitely call, either your pdoc, or a physician-- or, of course, see if a little celexa is effective.

I hope you're able to find some relief.

Nadezda

 

Re: NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP......................

Posted by Zyprexa on October 10, 2008, at 14:02:01

In reply to Re: NOW I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP......................, posted by Nadezda on October 9, 2008, at 22:37:51

Maybe go back on it full force for a little while. If that does not fix it, you will know its not the withdraw.

 

Re: headache concerning

Posted by elanor roosevelt on October 10, 2008, at 22:09:48

In reply to headache concerning » LisaDC, posted by azalea on October 9, 2008, at 14:55:51

toss the tyleno

call your doctor
ask if you can take 800 mg of ibuprophen at one time
(consider taking some of that in a cold&sinus formula)
if that doesn't do it you need medical help

do you use a humidifier?
if you do, try turning it off for a few days

take care


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