Feel terrible, done with SSRI's TODAY

Avatar for cherfer
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-11-2003
Feel terrible, done with SSRI's TODAY
26
Tue, 10-03-2006 - 10:12am

I'm sick of feeling bad, and I'm quitting antidepressants today. I suffer from social anxiety and I'm on Cymbalta, my fifth drug in about 3 months. Since my doctor and I started looking for the "right drug" for me, I've suffered from severe hives, stomach pains, and SEVERE urinary retention. I get up 6-7 times per night to urinate. I haven't slept through the night in months. I'm such a zombie, my fiance said I got up last night to pee twice in a half hour, and I didn't even realize it. I cannot empty my bladder and it's painful and frustrating. Not only that, but I've seen no real improvement with any of these pills. I feel more self-conscious than ever, and I feel ugly and fat. I get hives outbreaks 3-4 times a day that itch like crazy. That's why I've been on 5 different drugs, to try to find one that won't cause hives, but they all do.
These side effects and not worth it. I've never felt worse about myself. The last drug I took before Cymbalta was Paxil and my doctor said it was okay to quit that cold turkey, so that's what I'm going to do with this one. I took my LAST pill today.
I'm going to have to manage this anxiety on my own.

Cheryl

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 10-03-2006 - 11:44am

There are other older meds that can still be used that are totally different from the SSRI's. The tricyclics & MAOI's are still successfully used in certain people who cannot tolerate the ones that have been difficult for you. Also, managing anxiety on your own is possible. There's alternatives out there. You might consider visiting the Alternative Health board.

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Tue, 10-03-2006 - 12:27pm

sounds like you've been through a lot the last three months:( that sucks that you've had such bad side effects.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Tue, 10-03-2006 - 3:56pm

Cheryl, I have never taken Cymbalta, but be sure you check with your doctor to confirm that you can stop it cold turkey.

Sheri Ann

Avatar for cherfer
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-11-2003
Tue, 10-03-2006 - 3:57pm

I don't know anything about tricyclics but I've heard bad things about MAOIs and they would react with other medications I take, plus I drink alcohol which I don't think you're supposed to do on MAOIs and I'm not willing to stop social drinking.
My dr. convinced me that I was having panic attacks, but I have really only had one panic attack, and that was from riding a motorcycle years ago. I really just have a hard time socially and at work because I get nervous, but I don't feel like it's a panic attack. I don't even know if I need to be medicated, I was just looking for a quick fix to a long term problem. I don't suffer from any depression, I just don't have alot of friends and don't develop close relationships due to anxiety in social situations. I don't know how, but I want to manage it on my own. I'm 30 and tired of feeling this way, but don't want to make things worse with medication that harms my health.

Cheryl

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 10-03-2006 - 5:43pm
Just to set the record straight, you aren't supposed to drink alcohol with SSRI's either. Alcohol is a depressant & people have unwittingly combined antidepressant meds with it & have overdosed. That would be ALL antidepressant meds. The MAOI's do require some dietary changes but sometimes there's trade-offs we have to make to regain our wellness. Good luck, Cheryl. (((hugs))) jan


 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 06-20-2005
Tue, 10-03-2006 - 7:35pm

Hello Cheryl,

I'm sorry that you are feeling so bad, but it
is no wonder since you have taken so many different
medications in such a short amount of time.

I can tell you that EVery time I switch medications
I feel awful for a week or two. Plus, you really must
taper off of one while stopping it. You will experience
bad side effects just stopping cold turkey. Sometimes you
don't need to taper off of one if you are starting another
but I wouldn't take EVery word from a doctor, they haven't
tried all of these pills and some don't understand what our
bodies experience.

I wish you well, I stopped Paxil and it took me 3 months.
I had to take another because I was just too irritated and anxious
every day. Now I'm going from Wellbutrin to Zoloft and I feel
awful!

Good Luck,
Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2006
Tue, 10-03-2006 - 10:10pm

Hi Cheryl,

Like Ann mentionned it's a lot of meds for only a period of 3 months, your body does not know where it's going anymore. My doctor always advised me not to stop those kinds of meds cold turkey, you have to wean yourself slowly in order to know what is doing what to your mind and body. It really isn't a quick fix, it's something that needs to get in your system and stabilize before you can really feel the good effect of it.

Hopefully your doctor will give you better advice because I think he's putting your mind and your body through the ringner. Maybe what you need is just a good therapist to help you sort things out and help you better control the symptoms of anxiety that you are feeling everyday. One panic attack does not qualify for medication but for sure feeling anxious everyday needs some attention. It's your body's way to tell that you are not feeling good. Listen to your body and you'll know deep down what is affecting you mentally. And please stop drinking with those meds. My Dad those that when he's feeling stressed about a social event (drinks with his meds.) and believe me he looks like a zombie and speaks like one too and no one wants to be around him. Plus that is really hard on your body.

Take care
Sonia

Avatar for cherfer
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-11-2003
Wed, 10-04-2006 - 10:26am

I don't think I can wean myself off, I can't think offhand of what my dosage was but it's the lowest you can take. These side effects are not worth it. I'm not willing to feel bad to feel "good". Today is my first day Cymbalta free. I feel great so far!

Cheryl

Avatar for cherfer
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-11-2003
Thu, 10-05-2006 - 11:33am

Well it's day 2 without Cymbalta. No withdrawal symptoms of any kind, but still have excruciating hives... I wonder how long it takes them to clear once you stop taking something that causes them... does anyone know?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 10-05-2006 - 1:22pm
If the meds caused the hives, then I would think you will be free of them in a week to 10 days, Cheryl. Just wanted to tell you that my gf suffers from hives for no known reason, other than stress & anxiety. She has been tested multiple times & experts have come up with nothing. She takes zoloft, but had the hives before she started it. I would like for you to keep in touch on this subject. I hope they leave soon. Good luck! (((hugs))) jan


 

 


 



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