Antidepressant withdrawl. PLEASE READ

HeatherBug · Post by **HeatherBug** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:37 am

So, I was on my antidepressant for 3 years and recently weaned for a week and then by the direction of my doctor, quit cold turkey 2 nights ago.
I feel horrible, and I was wondering if anyone knows of ways to ease my withdrawl symptoms?! Has anyone gone through antidepressant withdrawls aswell?
I'm having really bad hot flashes/sweats, nausea, major headaches and sometimes it feel slike someone is zapping my head, i get dizzy and somewhat disoriented.. Last night around 2am my boyfriend had to undress me and put me in a tub of cold water just to ease off my hot flash and nausea/sweats.
I'm ready for this to be OVER, or atleast find out some ways to curb these horrible feelings/symptoms. Any advice or words of wisdom and/or encouragement would help.
I'm feeling like this is gonna be quite the struggle and hard to overcome, bbut I know I'm strong enough I just need to stay positive and find some way to be able to cope and deal with this sickness I'm having.
My sister in law said hers took up to 6 to 8 weeks... i'm on my first week and dont know if i can take that long!!!
HELP PLEASE?!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 2:37 pm

Hi Heatherbug, I'm not sure what you were on, but I have weaned off a few SSRI's before. I took it really slowly. I would break the pills in to smaller, and smaller dosages over the course of a month or two. I still suffered with brain zaps, dizziness,body aches, and many other weird feelings, but the slower you go, the easier it is. I think you have gone off way too fast. Sometimes Docs don't always know the best way to do it, especially if they've never been on them. You may rethink, and go back to the lowest dose that you were feeling ok at, then go very slowly , and wean down from there. Stay at the same dose for at least 5-7 days before you go to the next lowest etc. Hope you feel better. take care.
Hally

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:46 pm

Hi Heatherbug,
I agree with the above post. I think you are weaning off way too fast. I am currently weaning off of paxil, and have been for about 4-5 weeks. I just spoke with my doctor yesterday and he readjusted my dose into smaller increments for another 6 weeks. I have had some withdrawal effects but nothing too intolerable, and I believe this is in part to weaning very slowly. I promise there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I will be praying for you.
God Bless

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 2:00 pm

Weaning yourself off of an SSRI that you have been taking for 3 years IN ONE WEEK is way too abrupt, in my opinion.

I have taken several different SSRI's over the years, and my Psychiatrist always weaned me off over a period of at least 4 weeks... decreasing the dosage, as already stated above, every 6 days.

I would call him and tell him that you are having terrible side effects of the withdrawal and see what he suggests.

Good luck to you

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:00 am

Thanks, I'm going to my doc today.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 3:35 am

Interested in what your doc said/did for you, Heatherbug?