Medication - Discontinuation Symtoms

[just_let_go]

Hi All,

Before I start, I am aware of the rule when it comes to discussing medication. I will not reveal the name of dosage of my medication, so hopefully this is okay.

So, let's get started. I have been on medication for about 4 years. I recently decided to taper off my medication, but a psychologist I was seeing convinced me to take a new type of medication which she believed would be extremely beneficial to me.

I began this new medication about a month ago (let's call it Fruchocs) and, long story short, it simply did not agree with me whatsoever. IBS and digestion issues have always been problematic for me, but Fruchocs multiplied these issues tenfold. Under advisement, I continued with Fruchocs for about a month to see whether these side effects would taper off, but had no such luck.

I was finally instructed by my psychologist to discontinue Fruchocs immediately. That was a week ago today. I now have a daily fight with nausea, headaches, vertigo, fatigue and can't seem to concentrate on anything.

I was wondering if anyone else could share their experiences with stopping or changing medication and whether you had similar struggles. Any advise or insight would be greatly appreciated. I have read that discontinuation symptoms usually only last around 2 weeks, but is there anything I can do for the next week to alleviate this horrible nausea? I've been eating extremely healthy, taking all kinds of good vitamins and supplements but nothing seems to help.

Many thanks in advance!

[Doolhof]

hi_im_ty,

Welcome to the forum and the community here. I really like the way you have described what has happened without using the name of the medication and improvising with Fruchocs! ( Which I do enjoy eating!)

I have similar issues to you when it comes to withdrawal from medications. All of us react differently, so the symptoms may well take longer to disperse I am guessing in some people like yourself.

Do you have a DR you can discuss these withdrawal symptoms with? He or she may be able to provide you with a script for some medication to help you feel better.

The chemist may be able to advise you as well. You can walk into a chemist and ask to chat with the pharmacist.

In the past I have found peppermint tea and ginger tablets help me with the feelings of nausea. Travel sickness medication can help as well. Just as the pharmacist as well if these will be suitable if you take nay other medications.

Toast and Vegemite help my stomach to settle. Other people may have different suggestions.

Hopefully you will soon be feeling better!

Cheers to you from Dools

[just_let_go]

Hi Dools, thanks for the reply.

Sorry that you've had to experience these symptoms, they're pretty nasty to say the least.

Thank you for all the suggestions. I haven't spoken to a Dr yet as I'm waiting to get into a new clinic and the current wait time for an appointment is 2-3 weeks. I've been using some stomach ailment tablets from the chemist which provide some relief, and I've had the peppermint tea/ginger tablets before which do help a little.

I guess I was hoping this would have passed by now. I'm so sick of daily nausea draining my energy and happiness.

[geoff]

Hello Hi_im_ty, I don't think there could be anything worse than feeling nauseated.

Dools has given you some great advice, however, is there any other doctor that you could see, some places have 24/7 clinics which will just cover the time before you see your own doctor.

There are tablets from your pharmacy which you can buy over the counter, but flat lemonade or ginger ale is good but try not to gulp it, drink it slowly.

The best relief if you cope with it is to get rid of the gas by emitting it yourself, sorry. Geoff.

[just_let_go]

Hi Geoff, good to see you're still active here mate!

I have been a lot better the last few days, so I thought I would share what I've done in case someone in the same boat stumbles across this post.

1. Although eating was very unappealing, I ate small healthy meals, frequently throughout the day. An empty stomach seemed to make things worse. I also had a glass of red wine with dinner sometimes, which seemed to calm my stomach.
2. Made sure I was always keeping hydrated.
3. Started taking a Magnesium/Zinc/B2 multivitamin with a 64 billion probiotic every day
4. Aimed for 10 hours of sleep a night
5. Drank peppermint or ginger and lemon teas.
6. I used painkillers when it was getting out of hand

Hope this helps