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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by heaven help me on May 13, 2006, at 16:08:52
Geodon, Wellbutrin, Paxil, Lamictal, Resotril possibly involved...I stumbled onto a thread as I did a search for Geodon and Vertigo. The thread was from 2004. I really need some help. Can I ask a question? Very breifly (ha), 4 years ago because of acute insomnia and family history of depression I was diagnosed Bipolar II. Since then I have been through a whole host of med combinations and the only thing that seemed to work was Zyprexa, Ambien, Prozac. This year I weaned off the Zyprexa because of weight gain...many trials later I am on Geodon, Lamictal and Resotril. I started this (6 weeks ago) with Paxil too but couldn't contain the severe jitterniness. Paxil was weaned off and Wellbutrin weaned on. Jitteriness remained so Wellbutrin was taken out. Then I nightly had very disturning dreams and that was all the "sleep" I got, for 1 week. Dr. put me back on Wellbutrin in addition to rest. Again I couldn't take the jitters so I was taken off Wellbutrin again. Today, and for the last 5 days, I have an awful case of veritgo...jitters are bad 3pm on 'till unbearable at midnight but the vertigo is incapacitating. I can not move my head or eyes without feeling like I just missed the last step on the stairs and I'm going to throw up because of a very bad rollercoaster ride as everything around me spins as though I were very drunk. My nerves are shot, particularly my left arm, side, feels like needles everywhere. Help me.....I can only imagine the combinations of possibilities for causing this....can anyone help????
All the while I'm a mom with 5 children at home. I really need help.
Posted by Caedmon on May 13, 2006, at 17:18:22
In reply to incapacitating vertigo!!!-mom of 5 needs help!!!!, posted by heaven help me on May 13, 2006, at 16:08:52
What's the last med adjustment you made and when did you make it?
I would take a strong dose of an antihistamine (generic Benadryl should work well for example), and get in to see a doctor. Vertigo sucks!
My best friend suffered from recurrent vertigo which would last 2-3 days at a time, until it was diagnosed as a bacterial infection. She went onto amoxicillin and it hasn't come back. She used meclizine to treat the symptoms.
- Chris
Posted by heaven help me on May 13, 2006, at 18:16:37
In reply to Re: incapacitating vertigo!!!-mom of 5 needs help!, posted by Caedmon on May 13, 2006, at 17:18:22
The last med change was to go off Wellbutrin (while staying on Lamictal, Geodon and Restoril). That was about 5 days ago. That was about when I starting the vertigo (which has been constant). However, I had only been on the WB for a week. The week prior to that I was on Geodon, Lamictal And Restoril only. I had 5 days of hiddeous dreams instead of "sleep". Prior to that I was weaning off Paxil and onto Wellbutrin and did not have vertigo with that go-round of WB, but DID have the needles all over the skin (especially lips and arms)and raw nerves that I still have now. Since I posted an hour 1/2 ago I had a sort of panic attack (don't usually have 'em, can't be sure - but it was like stress shaking my whole body and unable to breath without gasping) I took 2 Lorazepam and now am back able to type. Still FULL of vertigo and nerve tingling/pain....any ideas? anyone????
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 13, 2006, at 18:46:42
In reply to Re: incapacitating vertigo!!!-mom of 5 needs help!, posted by heaven help me on May 13, 2006, at 18:16:37
> Prior to that I was weaning off Paxil
Was the tingling and vertigo after you went off the Paxil? It's hard for me to be sure of the time-frame between the end of Paxil and the start of these adverse symptoms. How much time passed? If the symptoms are Paxil-related, and you have any Prozac still left over, taking 10 mg of the Prozac might just clear up the symptoms enough to give you some certainty of what has caused this to happen. Paxil is notorious for withdrawal symptoms, and you may just be particularly sensitive to them. If you don't have any Prozac, you could try some diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or chlorpheniramine. Both are antihistamines, but each also has some monoaminergic activity....can help with SSRI withdrawal, if that's what is behind your symptoms.
As another poster said, vertigo can have roots in infection, as well. Maybe you should head in to an emergency room for a doctor's assessment.
Lar
Posted by bassman on May 13, 2006, at 18:48:49
In reply to Re: incapacitating vertigo!!!-mom of 5 needs help!, posted by heaven help me on May 13, 2006, at 18:16:37
A couple ideas. Wellbutrin is the only AD I've ever had a withdrawal from and the symptom was dizziness, which for a panic disorder person like myself, is very fear-producing. Speaking of panic, at my worst with panic, I felt dizzy and unbalanced all the time-and it was made worse by head movement, etc. I think part of it was just being completely spent emotionally, at least in my case. Don't underestimate the meds change and how it may be affecting you. I'd take a dose of benzos until I was calm/sleepy and see if the vertigo goes away. At least it wouldn't scare you as much.
Yes, please call the doc and get some Antivert or other drug to stop those symptoms! Best of luck and please post us so we know how you are doing.
Posted by bassman on May 13, 2006, at 19:35:21
In reply to incapacitating vertigo!!!-mom of 5 needs help!!!!, posted by heaven help me on May 13, 2006, at 16:08:52
The suggestion of Paxil withdrawal and dizziness looks pretty good-see this link:
http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Depression/treatment/antidepressants/article_withdrawl.asp
Posted by heaven help me on May 13, 2006, at 22:36:20
In reply to Re: incapacitating vertigo!!!-mom of 5 needs help! » heaven help me, posted by Larry Hoover on May 13, 2006, at 18:46:42
OK, I think I have a time-line. These are static: PM: 120mg Geodon, 200mg Lamictal,Restoril, in AM: syntrhoid and supplements.
29 March I started this, along with 20 Paxil at night, nerves get jittery.
20 April: now 40 Paxil + static, jittery, raw nerves in eve.
2 May: weaned all the way off Paxil and have been on Wellbutrin 2 days, emo ok but nerves shot in eve.
3 May: go off WB also, now only static
4 nights of no jitters, but TERRIBLE dreams is all the "sleep" I get.
7 May: back on WB 1x a day, jitters back, vertigo begins and increases each day
11 May: go off WB and back to static only, vertigo all day, incapacitating (we are not talking dizzy here, but surreal)
13 May: I feel like I may pass out but I am fighting it...have anxiety attack, take 2 Lorazepam...waiting on list...filled Prozac rx and armed to take it at first sign of vertigo in the am. I guess. Can you help?
Posted by Phillipa on May 13, 2006, at 22:38:20
In reply to Re: incapacitating vertigo!!!-mom of 5 needs help! » heaven help me, posted by Larry Hoover on May 13, 2006, at 18:46:42
Lar I had vertigo and the ER gave me antivert along with a 2mg IM of ativan. It took a few days but went away. Love Phillipa
Posted by Paul on Long Island on May 13, 2006, at 23:13:30
In reply to Re: incapacitating vertigo!!!-mom of 5 needs help! » Larry Hoover, posted by Phillipa on May 13, 2006, at 22:38:20
> Lar I had vertigo and the ER gave me antivert along with a 2mg IM of ativan. It took a few days but went away. Love Phillipa
Ironically enough, for the last two days, I've been suffering from vertigo, which I'd never really experienced before. I've been taking Lithium and Lorazepam. The doctor had me cut back on the Lithium, but I was still getting it. It's too early to tell for sure, but I stopped the lorazepam and took a xanax instead, and haven't had any more vertigo. Possibly the lorazepam?
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 14, 2006, at 11:19:01
In reply to really needing help..., posted by heaven help me on May 13, 2006, at 22:36:20
> OK, I think I have a time-line. These are static: PM: 120mg Geodon, 200mg Lamictal,Restoril, in AM: syntrhoid and supplements.
> 29 March I started this, along with 20 Paxil at night, nerves get jittery.
> 20 April: now 40 Paxil + static, jittery, raw nerves in eve.
> 2 May: weaned all the way off Paxil and have been on Wellbutrin 2 days, emo ok but nerves shot in eve.You went from 40 mg/day Paxil, to zero, in 2 weeks. That is way too fast for most people. What confounds things, is that you simultaneously started on Wellbutrin. Now you have 2 separate variables influencing how you feel.
> 3 May: go off WB also, now only static
> 4 nights of no jitters, but TERRIBLE dreams is all the "sleep" I get.
> 7 May: back on WB 1x a day, jitters back, vertigo begins and increases each day
> 11 May: go off WB and back to static only, vertigo all day, incapacitating (we are not talking dizzy here, but surreal)I think the static, the dizzy symptoms, are arising from too-rapid withdrawal from Paxil. The Wellbutrin just didn't adequately compensate for the Paxil effects.
> 13 May: I feel like I may pass out but I am fighting it...have anxiety attack, take 2 Lorazepam...waiting on list...filled Prozac rx and armed to take it at first sign of vertigo in the am. I guess. Can you help?
You have 2 options, either of which should really help.
1. Take some Prozac. It is similar enough to the Paxil that it should reverse many of the withdrawal symptoms.
2. Take some Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or chlorpheniramine (Chlortripilon???). Both are available at Walmart, as generics, for pennies a pill. With the hayfever meds.Keep talkin, 'kay?
Lar
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 14, 2006, at 11:20:45
In reply to Re: incapacitating vertigo!!!-mom of 5 needs help!, posted by Paul on Long Island on May 13, 2006, at 23:13:30
> > Lar I had vertigo and the ER gave me antivert along with a 2mg IM of ativan. It took a few days but went away. Love Phillipa
>
> Ironically enough, for the last two days, I've been suffering from vertigo, which I'd never really experienced before. I've been taking Lithium and Lorazepam. The doctor had me cut back on the Lithium, but I was still getting it. It's too early to tell for sure, but I stopped the lorazepam and took a xanax instead, and haven't had any more vertigo. Possibly the lorazepam?There are all sorts of reasons for vertigo. That's what makes it so hard to treat, sometimes. A doctor should be consulted if vertigo persists beyond a couple of day, as middle ear problems can be quite serious, medically.
Lar
Posted by heaven help me on May 14, 2006, at 12:32:41
In reply to Re: really needing help... » heaven help me, posted by Larry Hoover on May 14, 2006, at 11:19:01
ummm, I mean, afternoon (It's Mother's Day so I've spent a long time in bed!)
When I get up in the morning I feel pretty good. It takes an hour or 2 for the vertigo and tingling to set in and then progresses in intensity all day. I think what I will do today is take a Prozac now and see what happens. I will keep you posted. And can I say that I am sooooooooo glad I found you all last night. I have NO ONE who can empathize with me, and now I feel so releived to have a bunch. Thank you all!
Posted by bassman on May 14, 2006, at 14:22:20
In reply to goodmorning..., posted by heaven help me on May 14, 2006, at 12:32:41
Good plan, HHM. Wouldn't it be nice if the Prozac got rid of the dizziness? We're hoping that's exactly what happens...you seem a lot calmer.
Posted by Cairo on May 14, 2006, at 20:20:50
In reply to incapacitating vertigo!!!-mom of 5 needs help!!!!, posted by heaven help me on May 13, 2006, at 16:08:52
Physical causes for vertigo need to be ruled out. Don't assume it's due to med or dose changes. Could be cervical disc problems or worse. Not to say it is, but get it checked out. See an Internist or ENT.
Cairo
Posted by heaven help me on May 14, 2006, at 21:22:12
In reply to goodmorning..., posted by heaven help me on May 14, 2006, at 12:32:41
OK, now it's late and I am worried again. Yes, I've been on Lamictal, 'bout a year now.... Didn't realize it could effect the inner ear. I finally called my Dr. answering service and Dr. said come in tomorrow!!! He said he thinks it's viral...I don't think it's a med change....I am freaking out....or, let's say, I am trying real hard not to! pray for me in the morning.
Posted by heaven help me on May 14, 2006, at 21:23:16
In reply to not a good evening...., posted by heaven help me on May 14, 2006, at 21:22:12
I DID take Prozac today and things really aren't much better if at all...
This is the end of the thread.
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