Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 86592

Shown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Another question for Cam About SSRIs

Posted by IsoM on December 11, 2001, at 16:19:21

Cam, I was just trading info with another person here who had terible problems coming off SSRIs. Both of us took many months to get off them. I still have some of the 'discontinuation' symptoms after two years. They're fairly mild by now but have seemed to have hit a plateau long ago & don't go away. I think I may be stuck with them forever.

My question is: I've read somewhere here about the use of decongestants to overcome the discont. symptoms -

1. Do you know anything about this?
2. Seeing that most cold meds are a mixture, is there one particular drug that helps with these effects?
3. And have you ever heard anything from anybody else never having the symptoms leave them? They're bearable but it would be so nice to have them leave permanently.

And please excuse this question, ignore it if you wish, but your last name isn't Wilson, is it? I don't know if I should ask, as it nice to have a degree of anonymity on the net.

 

Re: Another question for Cam About SSRIs » IsoM

Posted by Cam W. on December 12, 2001, at 0:32:22

In reply to Another question for Cam About SSRIs, posted by IsoM on December 11, 2001, at 16:19:21

IsoM - Nah, my last name is not Wilson, but I have been known to peer over my neighbor's fence (his name is George, though, and not Tim).

It may be the antihistamine, not the decongestants, in the cold medicines that is helping with the discontinuation symptoms. It really depends on which discontinuation symptoms you are talking about, I guess. - Cam

 

Re: Another question for Cam About SSRIs » Cam W.

Posted by IsoM on December 12, 2001, at 1:55:27

In reply to Re: Another question for Cam About SSRIs » IsoM, posted by Cam W. on December 12, 2001, at 0:32:22

The symptoms I was hoping to get rid of are vertigo & the little brain "zaps". do you think antihistamines would help that part?

I take Gravol most nights for sleep & sedation. Wasn't it originally developed as a antihistamine?
Still curious if you've ever heard of some never losing all the discontinuation symptoms?

> IsoM - Nah, my last name is not Wilson, but I have been known to peer over my neighbor's fence (his name is George, though, and not Tim).

Am I missing something about your above comment? What's that about a neighbour named Tim?

Thanks for letting me know about the last name though.

 

Re: Another question for Cam About SSRIs » IsoM

Posted by Cam W. on December 12, 2001, at 8:52:40

In reply to Re: Another question for Cam About SSRIs » Cam W., posted by IsoM on December 12, 2001, at 1:55:27

IsoM - I have never personally seen someone having long term discontinuation side-effects, but I did read about cases lasting at least 9 months in a journal (Annals oF Pharmacotherapy?) once.

Gravol™ (dimenhydramine) is an antihistamine, and it should help with the vertigo, as it deadens the response of the cilia in the vestibular apparatus (inner ear structure that tells you your orientation in space). As for the brain zaps, I still don't know what the hell they are, or what causes them.

As for the Tim comment; I didn't watch the show, but on Home Improvement wasn't the neighbor who peered over the fence and gave advice named Wilson? Sorry, it was another poor attempt at humor.
- Cam

 

Re: Another question for Cam About SSRIs

Posted by IsoM on December 12, 2001, at 15:01:56

In reply to Re: Another question for Cam About SSRIs » IsoM, posted by Cam W. on December 12, 2001, at 8:52:40

Cam, one good pharmacist I know told me that during the discontinuation period, patients' brain wave patterns show changes. I wonder if those changes might not correspond to the brain zaps (wild neural firings, or such?).

As for Tim, I've never watched that show & only know that the actor Tim Allen was in it. My humour tends to the bizarre & really off-the-wall type - American sit-coms just don't fit the bill. Red Dwarf, Black Adder, Titus, & Futurama are great.

Thanks for all the responses & answers.

> IsoM - I have never personally seen someone having long term discontinuation side-effects, but I did read about cases lasting at least 9 months in a journal (Annals oF Pharmacotherapy?) once.
>
> Gravol™ (dimenhydramine) is an antihistamine, and it should help with the vertigo, as it deadens the response of the cilia in the vestibular apparatus (inner ear structure that tells you your orientation in space). As for the brain zaps, I still don't know what the hell they are, or what causes them.
>
> As for the Tim comment; I didn't watch the show, but on Home Improvement wasn't the neighbor who peered over the fence and gave advice named Wilson? Sorry, it was another poor attempt at humor.
> - Cam

 

Re: SSRI'S

Posted by Mary-Teresa on December 13, 2001, at 7:08:34

In reply to Another question for Cam About SSRIs, posted by IsoM on December 11, 2001, at 16:19:21

WHICH SYPMTOMS ARE YOU STILL EXPERIENCING AFTER TWO YEARS. I HAD TERRIBLE SYMPTOMS COMING OFF AN SSRI, AND AND STILL EXPERIENCING SOME AFTER 4 MONTHS.-MARY

 

Vertigo Brain Zaps - Both Mild (nm) » Mary-Teresa

Posted by IsoM on December 13, 2001, at 13:32:27

In reply to Re: SSRI'S, posted by Mary-Teresa on December 13, 2001, at 7:08:34

 

Re: CAM can you help me with this?

Posted by Mary-Teresa on December 14, 2001, at 7:28:10

In reply to Re: SSRI'S, posted by Mary-Teresa on December 13, 2001, at 7:08:34

Cam, I am having a terrible time after discontinuing zoloft. I took 50-75 mg in June, July and August. After stopping, I had horrendous ringing in my right ear, vertigo, naseau, it felt like my brain was on fire, and had spasms around the right side and back of my head. I had a tremour that made my teeth chatter. Its been 3 months now, and most of the symptoms have abated. However the tinnitus is down to a pusating wispery noise, that can turn stronger, if I take any medication that is not benzo related, then the muscle spasms, and tremour happen. They usually elevate the noise in my ears. I am suffering terribly with anxiety. Will this ever go away? Have you heard of this type of discontinuation symptoms beings so persistant before? Any advice would be appreciated.
Mary

 

Re: CAM can you help me with this?

Posted by IsoM on December 14, 2001, at 13:38:02

In reply to Re: CAM can you help me with this?, posted by Mary-Teresa on December 14, 2001, at 7:28:10

Mary, I'm not Cam, but in asking him something I figured was true I found that Gravol (travel sickness tablets) are an antihistamine though they don't work well that way. But they were origally developed for that & their molecular structure puts them in that class.

I take Celexa & adrafinil - Olmifon - but have been trying to stop Paxil for ages. I have to take a small amount: 10mg, no benefit but it makes the brain zaps & vertigo minimal most times. I keep trying to stop it completely by lowering the dose slowly but the discontinuation symptoms are unbearable. I just tried last week again. Last night at work, my brain zaps & vertigo were REALLY bothering me. I felt so spacey & developed a horrible headache.

I bought some Gravol & took two tablets (50mg), something I've only done before I go to bed as it generally makes me sleepy. The headache faded a bit but the brain zaps & vertigo went completely after a hour or so! I was quite surprised.

I've just woken up now & will make myself some tea & take my meds. This time I'm going to take Gravol with it too to see if the discont symptoms go away again.

Thought this might be of benefit to you. If you want to try it, buy the generic Gravol, much cheaper - not that it's expensive medication anyway. You can probably buy the little blister packs that only have about a dozen in them too. I'll have to post back if it always controls these MORE THAN ANNOYING symptoms.

> Cam, I am having a terrible time after discontinuing zoloft. I took 50-75 mg in June, July and August. After stopping, I had horrendous ringing in my right ear, vertigo, naseau, it felt like my brain was on fire, and had spasms around the right side and back of my head. I had a tremour that made my teeth chatter. Its been 3 months now, and most of the symptoms have abated. However the tinnitus is down to a pusating wispery noise, that can turn stronger, if I take any medication that is not benzo related, then the muscle spasms, and tremour happen. They usually elevate the noise in my ears. I am suffering terribly with anxiety. Will this ever go away? Have you heard of this type of discontinuation symptoms beings so persistant before? Any advice would be appreciated.
> Mary

 

Re: Thank you IsoM

Posted by Mary-Teresa on December 14, 2001, at 14:18:05

In reply to Re: CAM can you help me with this?, posted by IsoM on December 14, 2001, at 13:38:02

> Hi IsoM, Thank you for replying to my post. What do you mean by brain zaps? I have a pulsating that seems to come from the back of my head, and spasms that seem to be at the back. Do zaps puslate? Are you able to function. I'm not doing so well in that dept?
Mary

 

Re: CAM can you help me with this? » Mary-Teresa

Posted by Cam W. on December 14, 2001, at 14:59:10

In reply to Re: CAM can you help me with this?, posted by Mary-Teresa on December 14, 2001, at 7:28:10

Mary - I've read about these symptoms, but have never experienced the clinically. For the tinnitus, you may try an antihistamine, to see if the cilia (little hairs) in the vestibular apparatus of the middle ear are firing spontaneously (as happens in motion sickness), but in a different synchronicity.

The vestibular apparatus is a series of 3 semi-circular canals, that are half filled with fluid; sort of like, 3 loops of hose standing up (positioned at different angles), with liquid filling only the bottom half of the loops. The inside of the canals (loops) are covered in clilia; which, when touched by the fluid (as when you change your orientation in space - eg. stand up or lie down) tells your body that you are changing position, relative to gravity. When you change your orientation in space, gravity causes the fluid in the vestibular apparatus to flow over the cilia, triggering it, and sending electrical information of the body's orientation in space, to the brain.

Sometimes, in nausea or tinnitus, the little hairs (cilia) fire spontaneously (on their own) sending erratic signals to the brain about your positioning in space, causing nausea. I think that tinnitus is related to this because the vestibular apparatus is located in the inner ear, and the ringing could be a result of spontaneous firing of small structures (eg. cilia) in the hearing apparatus located in the middle ear.

Antihistamines (Gravol™ - dimenhydrinate; Benadryl™ - diphenhydramine; or Bonamine™ - meclizine) are all over-the-counter (OTC) medications that may help with the tinnitus. The deaden, or slow, the spontaneous firing of vestibular apparatus cilia, quelling the nausea, and in many cases, tinnitus. Serc™ (betahistine) and Antivert™ (meclizine/nicotinic acid) are prescription anti-vertigo meds that may also be of use to you.

The symptoms that you decribe, should go away, but I would not be able to guess at a time frame. Have you been check out for a middle ear infection, or some or diagnosis, that could be secondary to the withdrawl symptoms?

I hope that this is of some help. - Cam

 

Re: CAM can you help me with this?

Posted by Mary-Teresa on December 14, 2001, at 15:18:50

In reply to Re: CAM can you help me with this? » Mary-Teresa, posted by Cam W. on December 14, 2001, at 14:59:10

> Hi Cam, Thank you for the follow up. The nausea has gone away about two months ago. The pulsating whispery noise is still present. The pulsating and muscle spasms seems to come from the back of my head, and is made much worse by trying tricyclic antidepressants. I am very concerned about this, as I am suffering terribly with the anxiety. Do you think the antihystamines would help this pulsating even though I dont have the nausea any more?
Thank
Mary

 

Re: CAM can you help me with this? » Mary-Teresa

Posted by Cam W. on December 14, 2001, at 16:17:03

In reply to Re: CAM can you help me with this?, posted by Mary-Teresa on December 14, 2001, at 15:18:50

> > Hi Cam, Thank you for the follow up. The nausea has gone away about two months ago. The pulsating whispery noise is still present. The pulsating and muscle spasms seems to come from the back of my head, and is made much worse by trying tricyclic antidepressants. I am very concerned about this, as I am suffering terribly with the anxiety. Do you think the antihystamines would help this pulsating even though I dont have the nausea any more?
> Thank
> Mary

Mary - It's worth a try. - Cam

 

Brain Zaps » Mary-Teresa

Posted by IsoM on December 14, 2001, at 16:32:42

In reply to Re: Thank you IsoM, posted by Mary-Teresa on December 14, 2001, at 14:18:05

I'm able to function even with these brain zaps as they're not as bad as when I completely stopped Paxil before. Then I couldn't function & just laid in bed not moving at all to minimize the feelings.

When I was young, I shot up a couple of times, & the best way to describe my zaps are they feel like a VERY powerful, but very short rush, whooshing from my brain down my body a total of a second or two only, but extremely unpleasant. It feels like a really horrid adrenaline rush a person feels in extreme fear but hits & passes very quickly. When I was off the Paxil completely, it was happening as much as 5-8 times a minute - then sometimes I'd go a few minutes between zaps.

No, for me, they don't pulsate or throb. My head did though with the headaches that were often there with the zaps.

> > Hi IsoM, Thank you for replying to my post. What do you mean by brain zaps? I have a pulsating that seems to come from the back of my head, and spasms that seem to be at the back. Do zaps puslate? Are you able to function. I'm not doing so well in that dept?
> Mary

 

Another Question for Cam re Medication

Posted by Mary-Teresa on December 15, 2001, at 9:29:12

In reply to Re: SSRI'S, posted by Mary-Teresa on December 13, 2001, at 7:08:34

> Cam, I am feeling so desperate. Whatever help you could provide would be appreciated. I used to take 50 mg of clomapramine to help with obsessive rumination. Now after zoloft, I cant take any ssri's, or tricylics. My neurologist wanted me to stay with benzo's for 8 months before trying clomapramine again. I told you about the tremour in the back of my head. My psdoc only wants to give me 3 mg of lorazepam daily. I cant function. I spend all day crying, and the anxiety gets so bad I throw up alot. I have lost 30 lbs in a month. The neurologist doesnt prescribe medication. I keep obsessing about the noise in my head. I can't seem to think of anything else or to focus on anything else. I feel as if there is no hope for me, no medications that can help. Do you have any suggetions. Mary

 

Re: Another Question for Cam re Medication » Mary-Teresa

Posted by Cam W. on December 15, 2001, at 20:03:03

In reply to Another Question for Cam re Medication, posted by Mary-Teresa on December 15, 2001, at 9:29:12

Mary - Not knowing your full medical history places me at a distinct disadvantage for giving you any advice. Have you tried an antihistamine like Benadryl or Gravol for your head tremor?

Also, Has your doc mentioned anything about trying Risperdal™ (risperidone) or Zyprexa™ (olanzapine)?

Also, the lorazepam can be too sedating; perhaps ask your doc about clonazepam (Klonopin™/Rivotril™), or even a low dose of chlordiazepoxide (Librax™). I'm sorry that I don't have much advice. - Cam


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