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How long for withdrawals to dissapear?

Mary_Ploppins
Community Member
Hi , just wandering how long it takes for withdrawal symptoms to dissapear? I have been on a lot of different medication the strongest ones for insomnia. I have stopped taking them now and the withdrawals are terrible, headaches,flu like symtoms and feeling nauseas. Insomnia is terrible getting about two hours a sleep at night if im lucky.
13 Replies 13

demonblaster
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Hi Mary, liking your name, clever 🙂

Sorry I don't know but chances are someone here will.
Did you go off the meds with GP advice, I know some meds have wicked side effects as you're having & there's certain ways of doing so.

Insomnia would be terrible, may I ask why you're going off the meds and insomnia one?
Is it all the time?

Something that helps with sleep is excercise although very hard to motivate when you're so tired too isn't it.

Have you tried any meditation at all, that with practice perfects but I've had good results making up my own images of peaceful relaxing situations and zoning out to relax and there's a lot of info around for it. Heard of some phone apps too.

What happens, does you're mind just not shut off with thinking?

Hope the withdrawals ease off, maybe a call to GP or here, they may know who you could contact.

Also medicine hotline or after hrs GP, if you google. (both free services)

All best

MsPurple
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Hi Marry.

I'm hoping you decided to go off the medication on gp advice and supervision. I only say this because I stopped taking some medication without both of these and really struggled myself. This was when I first moved out of home. When I stopped taking meds this time I had withdrawals for over a week I think (if memory serves me right)

Since then I have gotten help and support from different people and have also addressed my issues through therapy as well. I had to stop taking one medication to go to another. I was given suggestion to taper it off at a rate they suggested. I found following their advice and dosage reduction strategy was really helpful and reduced the side effects. Also I only had real withdrawal issues for maybe a few days but then I wasn't even sure if they were withdrawals or me struggling with not boing on any form of anti depressants

At the end of the day you wanting to stop your medication is your decision. And your gp knows this too and that is why it is important to discuss this with them so they can help you do it in a way to reduce withdrawal symptoms

Hi demonblaster,

The doctor tells me there is no side effects of going off this medication, ha! i have actually started doing some googling on the medication its primarily used for psychotic/ skitsafrenic ( pardon the spelling) i was put on it off label for insomnia problem is i gained 30kg in the space of three months effect breathing and a whole list of other things. I have tried everything for insomnia nothing works only medicat and sometimes alcohol'

switching gps as mines a complete moron she told me last week to lose weight just stop eating, and i cant possibly have insomnia for so long. 10 years now

thanks Ms Purple ,

Unfortunetly i dont really have much support , do have a psych appointment next week but after a year of trying to do something with my ocd shes not really wanting to discuss other things.

Wow sounds like good idea moving on to another GP & psych, being primary caregivers you need to be comfortable & have faith in them.

Seems to much of coincidence but could the symptoms be something else maybe, I'd hope GP would be sure of side effects coming off them ?virus or flu symptoms maybe but don't know just thoughts.

Have symptoms eased off at all. Hope so sounds rough

Also but standing by you need to be happy with psych, they may be thinking the OCD is priority

Have you tried meditation, have with some success & heard majority of people find helpful with practise, could help relax mind & body.

Sorry tired, think there's thread here or could google, heard of apps & I've made up my own, general idea is for peace & relaxing, our imaginations are vast & keeping it simple seems the way.

Excercise?

Thx replying ☺

HI Mary Ploppins

sounds like you definately need to swap GP. Trying to come off any medication, especially those for mental health, have some withdrawal symptoms or side effects from coming off them. It's because our bodies are used to functioning with it and it goes a bit hye wire if it changes. But it will go down eventally. But any doctor should know about this. And they should have let you know about the side effects before medication. Especially with anti psychotics weight gain is a big side effect. Her not giving you information on it or refering you to a dietitian shows that she probably isn't right for you.

I think if you aren't connecting with your psych it maybe a good idea to see someone else. It took me around 4 sessions to click with mine. It can take some time. Maybe you should say what you want to work on and what your priorities are. They may explain why they want to priorities OCD and then it will help you get on the same level.

Sometimes finding the right medication and getting and the right type of therapy takes time but once you have it it works great. Just keep at it because it will happen for you

hello Mary Ploppins, there is a thread called 'ask Dr. Kim', so you could ask her, however each doctor will have their own opinion, so it's what you go through yourself, but if anything nasty happens then you must contact your doctor straight away.
There is a 'medical helpline free 24 hours' on 1800022 222, the gap between the 2's is because it maybe difficult to count them or the 'free Nurse Advice Line' 24/7 on 1-866-418-1002.
If you google 'medical helpline free 24 hours in Australia' then numbers will appear.
All the best. Geoff.

Hi Demonblaster, ive tried everything there is to try over the last few years meditation,walks, baths anything ive been able to research ive tried it just doesnt work for me. Symptom arent really going away if i take a small dose every 5 days ive found im fine the next day , no sickness etc but by the next day im back to the way i was before.

Hi MsPurple

Its been almost a year now since ive been seeing my psych to be honest she really doesnt say much at all at visits and just asks how my medication is going then gives me something new because everything ive tried so far is giving me restless legs.