FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

Withdrawal is really bad...

Voice_Mail
Community Member

I've been on a fairly high dose of an anti-depressant for the past five years, but for the past six months my depression has come back with a vengeance, so my psychiatrist suggested changing medications because I was already on a high dose. Anyway, I have tapered off the original medication and started the new tablets, but the withdrawal symptoms are really bad.

The past week and a half I've had brain zaps, dizziness, a weird pulsing feeling in my body, nausea, heart burn, headaches, insomnia... I can barely walk or stand, even sitting up makes me feel dizzy and nauseous. I wake up every hour or so during the night. My anxiety and depression symptoms are going crazy - shaking all the time, bursting into tears over nothing.

 I've withdrawn off this medication before, and I remember it being bad, but not as bad as this. At the worst, I feel like I'm dying. I don't know how long I can cope with this, or what I should do.

1 Reply 1

pipsy
Community Member
Hi V.M.  From what you say, I gather you didn't have any time between tapering off old med and starting new.  Whenever we stop taking meds for any reason, the side effects can be exhausting enough, but if we stop taking one, then start taking new, without giving ourselves time, the old meds are still in your system and can re-act against the new.  It can take quite some time for your system to adjust to being without meds.  I would suggest you either see your G.P or try to get an appointment (quick smart) with your psych to discuss your situation.   It's possible your side effects won't last too long, but you need help.