Does anyone have any information about withdrawal symptoms of antidepressants?
109304
Paxil withdrawl can cause electric-shock feelings up and down the spine and throughout the head.\n\nFrom the GSK website:\n\n"WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STOPPING PAXIL?\nDon’t stop taking Paxil before talking to your doctor since symptoms may result from stopping the medication, particularly when abrupt. Some patients have experienced symptoms on stopping Paxil, including: dizziness, sensory disturbances (including electric shock sensations and tinnitus), abnormal dreams, agitation, anxiety, nausea, sweating, mood fluctuations, headache, fatigue, nervousness and sleep disturbances."
355498
Here's the side effects.  My girlfriend takes lexapro and had the oh so fortunate side effect of loss of sex drive until it built up in her system, as is common with most antidepressants.  That took about a month.  There's more on the source.\n\nSIDE EFFECTS See also the Warning section. Nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, increased sweating, and trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: changes in sexual interest/performance/satisfaction, uncontrolled muscle movements (e.g., tremor, twitching). Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: unusual or severe mental/mood changes (including rare thoughts of suicide), easy bruising/bleeding, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, fast/irregular heartbeat, fainting, seizures, changes in the amount of urine. For males, in the very unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention, or permanent problems could occur. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist
994865
St John's Wort, Kava Kava\n\nCheck out http://medlineplus.gov/ and look under drugs and supplements. It has a great deal of info on various herbs\n\nAnyone that's taken Paxil knows that once its past its half life you do start to feel withdrawal symptoms
289791
The only withdrawal symptom from a prescripton dosage is a day or two of tiredness and return to depression if that was what you were trying to overcome. You might switch to \nTofranil (which I would prefer)or an SSRI antidepressant if you are afraid you will get depressed off it. Fear not. No illness or death will occur if you stop it cold turkey.
1145280
Consult with your prescribing doctor on this feeling that you are having.  Like all anti-depressants, it should be lowered slowly for your body to adjust to not using it.
494370
I was taking 30 mgs. daily, and my doctor took me off of it too abruptly - just over a two week period, and I had been taking it for over a year.  It took me about a month to feel like myself again.  My side effects included dizziness, waves of shock like electricity in my head (the worst.)  It helped me to go to a search engine under "Celexa Withdrawl Symptoms" and see that a lot of other people felt like I did.  You'll be ok again.
852140
(m)\n\nSide effects of antidepressant medications. Antidepressants may cause mild, and often temporary, side effects (sometimes referred to as adverse effects) in some people. Typically, these are not serious. However, any reactions or side effects that are unusual, annoying, or that interfere with functioning should be reported to the doctor immediately. The most common side effects of tricyclic antidepressants, and ways to deal with them, are as follows:\n\nDry mouth—it is helpful to drink sips of water; chew sugarless gum; brush teeth daily. \nConstipation—bran cereals, prunes, fruit, and vegetables should be in the diet. \nBladder problems—emptying the bladder completely may be difficult, and the urine stream may not be as strong as usual. Older men with enlarged prostate conditions may be at particular risk for this problem. The doctor should be notified if there is any pain. \nSexual problems—sexual functioning may be impaired; if this is worrisome, it should be discussed with the doctor. \nBlurred vision—this is usually temporary and will not necessitate new glasses. Glaucoma patients should report any change in vision to the doctor. \nDizziness—rising from the bed or chair slowly is helpful. \nDrowsiness as a daytime problem—this usually passes soon. A person who feels drowsy or sedated should not drive or operate heavy equipment. The more sedating antidepressants are generally taken at bedtime to help sleep and to minimize daytime drowsiness. \nIncreased heart rate—pulse rate is often elevated. Older patients should have an electrocardiogram (EKG) before beginning tricyclic treatment. \nThe newer antidepressants, including SSRIs, have different types of side effects, as follows:\n\nSexual problems—fairly common, but reversible, in both men and women. The doctor should be consulted if the problem is persistent or worrisome. \nHeadache—this will usually go away after a short time. \nNausea—may occur after a dose, but it will disappear quickly. \nNervousness and insomnia (trouble falling asleep or waking often during the night)—these may occur during the first few weeks; dosage reductions or time will usually resolve them. \nAgitation (feeling jittery)—if this happens for the first time after the drug is taken and is more than temporary, the doctor should be notified. \nAny of these side effects may be amplified when an SSRI is combined with other medications that affect serotonin. In the most extreme cases, such a combination of medications (e.g., an SSRI and an MAOI) may result in a potentially serious or even fatal "serotonin syndrome," characterized by fever, confusion, muscle rigidity, and cardiac, liver, or kidney problems. \nThe small number of people for whom MAOIs are the best treatment need to avoid taking decongestants and consuming certain foods that contain high levels of tyramine, such as many cheeses, wines, and pickles. The interaction of tyramine with MAOIs can bring on a sharp increase in blood pressure that can lead to a stroke. The doctor should furnish a complete list of prohibited foods that the individual should carry at all times. Other forms of antidepressants require no food restrictions. MAOIs also should not be combined with other antidepressants, especially SSRIs, due to the risk of serotonin syndrome.\n\nMedications of any kind—prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal supplements—should never be mixed without consulting the doctor; nor should medications ever be borrowed from another person. Other health professionals who may prescribe a drug—such as a dentist or other medical specialist—should be told that the person is taking a specific antidepressant and the dosage. Some drugs, although safe when taken alone, can cause severe and dangerous side effects if taken with other drugs. Alcohol (wine, beer, and hard liquor) or street drugs, may reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants and their use should be minimized or, preferably, avoided by anyone
900302
I had problems when I was taking Wellbutrin.  I hurt all over.  Just felt achey like I had the flu.  But had no other symptoms.  It just kept getting worse.  I took myself off the Wellbutrin and by the third day felt much better.
875459
Effexor is one of the hardest SSRI's to stop taking. You are probably still have some SSRI withdrawls. The withdrawls are sometimes so slight that you don't know that you are having them. I think it would be best if you called your local pharmacy for a question of this type. Also remember that it could take up to 6 months for something herbal to take effect.
1088466
There should be no withdrawal symptoms.  I've taken it for about 3-4 weeks and stopped with no side effects whatsoever.\n\nYogi brand teas are delicious and they have one with Kava-Kava in it that I drink on occasion.  You might want to try it.  Sleepytime Teas also has one with Valerian root that is good for bedtime.
931767
I have taken antidepressants off and on for 22 years.  I have taken tricyclics, SSRIs and what they refer to as atypicals (like Effexor).  I know hundreds of people who take them through my work and they are fine.  The antidepressants allow them to function more comfortably while hopefully they work on other ways of dealing with life and the causes of the depression or other disorder.\n\nBut...as to what we know long term...I asked my doctor the same thing and he said, and I agree, we do not know.  The trycyclics have been around a while, but they are not given much anymore.  The SSRI's have not been around a "life span" so in essense we are still finding out about them.  \n\nWe do know that for some people, they reach a point where they stop working and they much either up the dose, change to a different medicine or add a medicine to what they are taking now.\n\nSome people are NOT able to take them, that we do know. And, we do know that the reaction to them is very individualized...one person may do great, the next person may not get any relief at all. Going off them should be done with your doctor and any of them should be tapered off very, very slowly to prevent relapse.\n\nIn time I think there will be better medicines for us and we will also know more about those we take now.  Medicine is advancing almost as fast as technology.  But, really, I am glad you are doing okay now.
840702
I can tell you my experience & opinions, but please make your own decision about taking it. \nI'm taking Paxil right now for the 2nd time. I took it about 5 years ago and could really tell a big difference when I was on it. I had to stop taking it for insurance reasons. The withdrawals were difficult, but not unbearable. I fainted twice & was told that was normal!\nI have seen things in the news about it. I saw one news article where a woman couldn't tolerate the withdrawals of getting off of it so she stayed on it & said she'd be on it for the rest of her life.\nHaving gone on and off of several different medications over the years I can tell you that for me personally I'd rather have a week of bad withdrawls (anything from violent vomiting to headaches so bad you feel like you should go to the emergency room) than live a life time on a medication that I don't want to take.\nDifferent drugs affect people differently. Paxil may or may not be right for you. You should discuss any concerns about it with your doctor. He/she can tell you what to expect.
363277
Yes. Absolutely.\nAll "anti depressants" suppress negative emotions.\nThey do not get rid of them or help in anyway to discharge them.\nThis is why it is so difficult to come off them. When you "stop " taking them the "suppress" comes off , and all the negative emotions turn right back on again as tho' the painful experiences had just happened.\nThey also suppress positive emotion in the same way, hence the general apathy.\nThese drugs are not a solution to upset or depression, however once on them, you must not "suddenly" stop taking them, for the withdrawal period can be disasterous.\n\nSuggest if the person wants to come off this medication, they find a suitable medical Dr who is willing to very gradually withdraw the person by gradiently reducing the dose, and monitoring the individual.\n\nAlso recommend nutritional supplements to assist in this withdrawal.
772926
Please reconsider taking these meds.  Yes, sometimes they can feel good for some time, but it doesn't last indefinitely and when the side effects get very bad, you can't get off them and things quickly go downhill.  Withdrawal can last for years and cause physical and mental horrors.  Check out www.benzoisland.org if you'd like some answers to your questions, and for much more info, including published studies, go to benzo.org.uk
634695
You first need to withdraw from your anti-depressants.\nhalve the dosage and take it for at least a week, and then stop. if you dont you will have withdrawal symptoms, such as dizziness and sweating.\n\nSt johns wort is excellent (DO NOT TAKE IT WHILE STILL ON ANTI-DEPRESSANTS *VERY IMPORTANT*)\n\nAlso you sould take a multi-vitamin supplement, and eat plenty of fresh fruit and veges, omega threes and walnuts. These contain magnesium which is beneficial.\n\nIf you are able to obtain a herb called Gotukola eat plenty of it. \n\nIt is one of the most effective herbs which you can eat fresh for anxiety and depressive illness.\n\nit looks and tastes like flat-leaf parsley, and can also be cooked like you would spinach. You can also purchase it as a herbal tea. It is native to Sri-Lanka and India, but has been the subject of extensive testing in UK and USA.\n\nMost Sri-Lankan and Indian Grocers can point you in the right direction for obtaining some, and many asian grocers have it too. \n\nIt is a prolific grower, so you could pop it in the ground or pot and have a ready supply!
1179994
SIDE EFFECTS: The most commonly-noted side effects associated with escitalopram are agitation or restlessness, blurred vision, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, dry mouth, fever, frequent urination, headache, indigestion, nausea, increased or decreased appetite, increased sweating, sexual difficulties (decreased sexual ability or desire, ejaculatory delay), taste alterations, tremor (shaking), weight changes. Although changes in sexual desire, sexual performance and sexual satisfaction often occur as a result of depression itself, they also may be a consequence of the drugs used to treat depression. In particular, about one in 11 men given escitalopram report difficulties experiencing ejaculation.\n\nSome patients may experience withdrawal reactions upon stopping SSRI therapy. Symptoms may include dizziness, tingling, tiredness, vivid dreams, irritability, or poor mood. In order to avoid these symptoms, the dose of SSRI can be slowly reduced instead of abruptly stopped.\n\nIt has been suggested that SSRIs may cause depression to worsen and even lead to suicide in a small number of patients. These potential side effects are difficult to evaluate in depressed patients because depression can progress with or without treatment, and suicide is itself a consequence of depression. Moreover, the evidence supporting these potential side effects is weak. Therefore, no conclusions can yet be drawn about the relationship between SSRIs and worsening depression and suicide. Until better information is available, patients receiving SSRIs should be monitored for worsening depression and suicidal tendencies.
1059377
I have never taken Lexapro, but I have experienced withdrawal from Effexor.  I was also very dizzy and irritable.  I did not experience diarrhea, but it is a common side effect.   I learned through several chat websites that some of these side effects can be relieved by taking one over the counter benadryl.  This is half the standard dose (which means you don't get quite as drowsy), and I found it really helped with the dizziness.   \n\nYou also might want to consider discussing tapering off the meds more slowly with your doc.  The larger the drops you make, the more you will feel these symptoms. \n\nHow long you experience them varies from person to person.   I experienced symptoms for about a month after I started tapering off.  \n\nGood luck!