Withdrawal of Medication

[Sue62]

A nightmare that I was totally unprepared for.... my psychiatrist didn't fully explain the extent of the withdrawal symptoms and I have scared myself and my family. I'm a 56 yo who has been on these drugs for almost 20 years. I felt they weren't doing their job and asked if I could try another drug or better still go off everything and see who the 'real' me is now.... I was told to taper off of the drugs (at the time I was on two medications) I did this over 6 weeks, but in hindsight to anyone else doing this I would say talk to your doctor about doing it over a much longer period. I'm not an angry person, I NEVER raise my voice, EVER and I just generally 'go with the flow' not wanting to be noticed or rock the boat. BUT, coming off of medication......well for the first time ever my almost 80 yo mum found out that she annoys the crap out of me.... she said one sarcastic remark too many 2 days ago, I screamed at her, not once but twice and found language that would shock a sailor... I stormed out of her home dragging my poor husband and 2 dogs, packed up the car (we were visiting while I saw the psychiatrist) and drove 3 hours home.... I simply said I didn't want dinner and I needed to rest.... she insisted I get up and have dinner then go to sleep.... I dutifully did what she asked. It all went to shit from there.... I've since spoken to her (without raising my voice) and explained the withdrawals from this drug have had a much greater affect than I was expecting and that until I was totally off of them I NEEDED to stay clear of anyone that I loved so I couldn't hurt them, vocally or physically. I've never felt so angry in my life, I'm teary, suffer cramps, headaches, feel like I've got a constant head cold coming on. My brain seems to zap every now and then and I feel like I'm going to pass out. Non of this was explained to me, perhaps the doctor was unaware of just how bad they symptoms can be after 20 years..... it's bloody scary and it's not over....

[Croix]

Dear Sue62~

20 years of meds means I guess not only changes to your body but your mind too. You know the physical effects at the moment, as you have found out the mental ones can be just as pronounced. I remember that when on one particular drug it acted to even out my emotions to the extent I think I came to rely upon it. Like you when the drug was removed so was the controlling influence and anger reared up.

I don't think it was a case that I was always full of anger and hate, simply that the regulation I was relying on was absent. So I would let fly.

Even though you departed in haste from your mum's it probably was for the best. She may be annoying at times but it sounds like normally you are able to deal with that, and your relationship with her is OK. Now those petty annoyances might have been blown out of all proportion.

If it was me I'd be back at the psyciatrist reporting what was happening and seeing if it was worth tailing off more gradually, as you say the doctor may not have anticipated such extreme reactions.

Have you managed to square things with your mum? I'd expect it might have been rather a shock coming from a daughter who is normally much more placid.

The other person in you life you mentioned, your husband. Is he an understanding sort? When I've been less than social my partner has had a lot to put up with, I'm lucky she was strong enough and tolerant enough to remain and support me.

It is scary, but you are handling it, and it does get better. Please let us now how you are going

Croix

[geoff]

Hello Sue62, it's sad that you weren't told of the withdrawal symptoms, that's one reason why I don't go to see them, they are different in the way they treat you, and the three psychiatrist's I have seen didn't react to the questions I asked them.

It's not an easy decision whether to stop taking the medication, increase the dosage or change to a new one, mostly we rely on the psych but it's up to you whether or not to do what they say.

Your own opinion maybe different when you're not with the psych, so you have to decide if you agree with what they say and then balance up your own situation.

It's a hard decision to stop taking them after 20 years, but if the medication isn't working any longer and you want to stop, then your body has to adjust and like with you it hasn't been the best.

I'm sorry for what's happened but can I suggest you go back to your GP and perhaps go and see another psychiatrist. Geoff.