Posted by NealMcCoy on February 18, 2005, at 14:03:49
In reply to Re: Akathisia, is this it? » NealMcCoy, posted by ed_uk on February 18, 2005, at 13:41:21
Hey Ed,
I took a benadryl this morning and it seems to be taking the akathisia away somewhat, so I am to sit still a bit. I am debating whether or not to take my propranolol dosage in fear that my heart rate will go too low because of the benadryl...Anyhow, I will answer your questions.
What does your psychiatrist say about the akathisia-like symptoms? Did s/he diagnose akathisia and prescribe propranolol?
-All of the psychiatrists I have seen never would've been able to diagnose this had I not told them myself it was akathisia. I was also the one who suggested propranolol. In other words, the docs seem to not have a damn clue to what this symptom is all about.
Did the akathisia-like symptoms start when you stopped the Valium completely or did you suffer akathisia while reducing the dose? Did the bad withdrawal symtoms start when you reached a particular dose eg. 1mg/day.
-They started when reducing the dosage. When I got to 1 mg, the akathisia flared up big time. The bad withdrawal symptoms were there irregularly from 5 mgs down. I can handle the bad withdrawal symptoms. I cannot handle the akathisia. I have noticed that overworking my body seems to be the root cause for the akathisia.
Do you have any other withdrawal symptoms at the moment?
Just some fatigue, but that is overshadowed by the akathisia. I am so focused on this symptom that all of the other ones seem irrelevant.
What dose/regimen of propranolol are you on? Is it causing any side effects?
-No side effects that I know of. I have been taking 20 mg's of it twice a day. Once right after I wake up and once in the evening.
When you were on 10mg/day Valium, how may times a day did you take the drug? eg. 10mg once daily, 5mg twice daily etc.
-I took 10 mgs before bedtime. So I did only one dosage.
>Did you have any side effects while you were taking the benzo?
-Yes. Increased anxiety, headache, muscle tension, blood sugar problems.Did you suffer anxiety all the time or only when the effect of your last dose of Valium was wearing off?
-It was pretty much constant. It varied in intensity though. Most of the time it was low level, but it was annoying nonetheless.
Would you like to try a different medication to treat your akathisia?
-I would like to try anything. However, a friend of mine who suffered from akathisia said it took a week or two for the stuff to kick away the symptom. So I am thinking I may have to wait a while to see if this works?
How do you feel about going back on a low dose of Valium and tapering more gradually using Valium syrup and an oral syringe?
-I think that seems like a good option.
Do your current symptoms feel exactly like the symptoms you felt when you started Paxil? Are there any differences?
-It feels about 90 percent the same. Only difference is that now I have other withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue and muscle aches. During the paxil I wasn't suffering from any kind of withdrawal.
You don't live in the UK by any chance do you?
-No, but I mentioned a friend of mine above(the one who suffered akathisia.) He is from the UK. I take it you are from the UK?
poster:NealMcCoy
thread:459703
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050217/msgs/459986.html