You are such a kind man. I am so sorry you have and are going through PAWS. I have severe PAWS. I have been off antidepressants for 6 years and am frequently triggered back into withdrawal symptoms so severe I think I am dying - like you said it is worse than heroin withdrawal. I had no idea why I kept ending up in the ER with all these panic attacks, severe high blood pressure and worse. Medication, supplements, foods, and pain killers may be a trigger to another withdrawal attack. I have severe protracted antidepressant withdrawal syndrome due to brain injury and PTSD. I have constant daily anxiety, nightmares all night, huge rushes of panic wake me in the morning. I am seeing a Holistic Psychiatrist. It was unrecognized by 7 psychiatrists I went to. The diagnosis is recognized by the AMA and is in the PDR as PAWS. I hope anyone who reads this and is suffering finds the help they need.
To be fair I’ve never been on SSRIs longer than a few days cause I could tell they were bad news at least for me but when it comes to being harder to withdraw from then heroin, I’d imagine coming off dope after consistently doing it for 10 years would be a nightmare, it’s just very difficult to maintain that while doctors are giving you the anti depressants. Everyone knows heroin is addictive but very few know about SSRIs and it blows me away how little responsibility ill informed doctors take. Thank for the video, gives me insight into one of the few notorious withdrawals I haven’t been through even to a minor degree, all these videos make me happy that I was a depressed drug addict when I was young so I know what I’m getting into with doctors Edit: just want to say I really appreciated the motivation at the end. I’m currently rapid tapering gabapentin after realizing how addicted I was to it after a couple months. It’s basically a 1 percent of what you described but if you can do it I can do it. It’s not the worst wd I’ve ever had but it’s the first time I’ve had brainzaps and it makes me empathize with people like you
I was addicted to heroin for over 10 years and withdrawled off all kinds of opiates too. Oxycontin, Heroin, Percocets, Hydrocodone, even Xanax. I've been clean from opiates 7 years now and have been on Antidepressants since then. I tried getting off these meds and it's way harder than Opiates. Opiates suck to come off of but these things are different. It messes with your head. At least with Opiates there are treatment centers. They don't even have groups or any sort of treatment centers.
I've had two hard crashes from my fluoxetine/clonazepam combo. First time I was naive and pulled the Prozac to zero while tapering the benzo. I thought I was in the clear for 2-3 months on no medication. But I got hit with the most unimaginable symptoms. Couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, constant terror, pacing the house or laying on the fetal position. I dreaded going to bed because I knew I'd just be laying there for 8 hours in terror waiting for the sun to rise. I reinstated after 3-4 weeks and gradually got better. Tried another slower taper a year later and I still got hit hard. Except this time going back on the fluoxetine isn't kicking in. Doc wants to try all sorts of things, Lyrica, Wellbutrin. But I just feel trapped on these meds for life. Taking them not because they help me, but solely to avoid withdrawal.
Be so so careful with the lyrica, people say it’s as bad as benzos and it’s not but it still can give a wicked kick. I started taking it over the counter thinking it was barely addictive cause that’s what the medical sites said but it has a pretty unpleasant wd. To me personally it has nothing on benzos or opiates but from what I can tell I’m also someone who tolerates it pretty well, I’ve read some horror stories about it online
I do describe to people that heroin withdrawal sounds like a walk in the park compared to my PAWS experience. Im 5 years this July 23rd. I’m doing really well and continue to improve. Hope you’re doing ok mate. Well done👍🏻Keep going 👍🏻 Good times ahead 👍🏻
@@healing.buddies it's hard to explain how bad they are not were, I've been off then 9 months now and still feel the bad affects, anhedonia, but I’m definitely getting better, I can’t have anything more no gluten no sugar no salt no caffeine no carbohydrates no stimulants of any kind I haven’t had alcohol 15 years anyway but no alcohol no drugs no nothing just very clean food no process food exercise walking out in nature every single day for at least an hour a lot of hiking wild camping the list goes on but my motivation is coming back now. I was only on 50 MG for three years. I got rid of all my friends all my relationships it turned me into a zombie and nasty person.
Hey Francesca, I’m now 75 % tapered off the drug, but still struggle every day. How are you going ? I hope you’ve noticed some improvements? I’ll be looking at tapering the final 25 % over the next 6 months to a year 🙏😊
@@mo87m coming up 12 months at the end of November. This was my third attempt, last time I tried was in 2017, had to reinstate after 9 months due to severe PAWS. No going back now.
Do you have head symptoms like heavy head, headache, neck and head nerve pain, stuffed type of head ? I am 8 months off xanax and these head symptoms, mostly one side nerve pain in head, headache are severe. I also don't feel any healing in recent months. Dpdr is still rhe worst.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 thanks for replying as I don't feel alone and can tell my sufferings , and get validation. No-one in the house or any doctor wants to listen and believe. They say that it's gone long time back , but you know that 8 months off are early for this slow process of healing. My symptoms are sometimes so intense and unbearable, but I try to act normally in the house. My only way to get some validation or relief is by writing to you. Thanks for being there. 🙏
Hi from England, Ive got Venlafaxine withdrawal syndrome. Ive been researching Nutrition and you should look up Dr Ken Berry MD and Dr Chris Palmer Psychiatrist research on ketogenic diet, they are on RUclips. Its been found to treat depression and other MH conditions successfully, Dr Palmer is a harvard educated and a researcher hope you're ok 🙏 Spread the word
Venlafacine was the worst drug I ever took. Took me almost 2 months to get over the withdrawal. The head zaps was the worst. Hang in there, it will eventually pass. Also, ask God to help you. He cannot deny his own goodness.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 yes mine started after taking effexor. It’s starting to get a little better but for a while there I was in a terrible fog. These medications are awful
Yep I sure do. A lot of unfortunate events which shot my health, especially immune health to pieces. Went into a downward spiral and the depression and anxiety followed.
You are such a kind man. I am so sorry you have and are going through PAWS. I have severe PAWS. I have been off antidepressants for 6 years and am frequently triggered back into withdrawal symptoms so severe I think I am dying - like you said it is worse than heroin withdrawal. I had no idea why I kept ending up in the ER with all these panic attacks, severe high blood pressure and worse. Medication, supplements, foods, and pain killers may be a trigger to another withdrawal attack. I have severe protracted antidepressant withdrawal syndrome due to brain injury and PTSD. I have constant daily anxiety, nightmares all night, huge rushes of panic wake me in the morning. I am seeing a Holistic Psychiatrist. It was unrecognized by 7 psychiatrists I went to. The diagnosis is recognized by the AMA and is in the PDR as PAWS. I hope anyone who reads this and is suffering finds the help they need.
Thanks 😊
All the best for your healing journey 🙏
U should ask the doctor to prescribe uclonidine because of the high blood pressure and it also helps with PAWS
Exactly the same with me, thanks.
What does PAWS stand for? ❤️🩹
@@andyapple7176 Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS).
I feel you brother! thanks for sharing.
Tramadol has to be put in the same category as SSRIs and they also act on your neurotransmitters SNRIs
To be fair I’ve never been on SSRIs longer than a few days cause I could tell they were bad news at least for me but when it comes to being harder to withdraw from then heroin, I’d imagine coming off dope after consistently doing it for 10 years would be a nightmare, it’s just very difficult to maintain that while doctors are giving you the anti depressants. Everyone knows heroin is addictive but very few know about SSRIs and it blows me away how little responsibility ill informed doctors take. Thank for the video, gives me insight into one of the few notorious withdrawals I haven’t been through even to a minor degree, all these videos make me happy that I was a depressed drug addict when I was young so I know what I’m getting into with doctors
Edit: just want to say I really appreciated the motivation at the end. I’m currently rapid tapering gabapentin after realizing how addicted I was to it after a couple months. It’s basically a 1 percent of what you described but if you can do it I can do it. It’s not the worst wd I’ve ever had but it’s the first time I’ve had brainzaps and it makes me empathize with people like you
I was addicted to heroin for over 10 years and withdrawled off all kinds of opiates too. Oxycontin, Heroin, Percocets, Hydrocodone, even Xanax. I've been clean from opiates 7 years now and have been on Antidepressants since then. I tried getting off these meds and it's way harder than Opiates. Opiates suck to come off of but these things are different. It messes with your head. At least with Opiates there are treatment centers. They don't even have groups or any sort of treatment centers.
I've had two hard crashes from my fluoxetine/clonazepam combo. First time I was naive and pulled the Prozac to zero while tapering the benzo. I thought I was in the clear for 2-3 months on no medication. But I got hit with the most unimaginable symptoms. Couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, constant terror, pacing the house or laying on the fetal position. I dreaded going to bed because I knew I'd just be laying there for 8 hours in terror waiting for the sun to rise.
I reinstated after 3-4 weeks and gradually got better. Tried another slower taper a year later and I still got hit hard. Except this time going back on the fluoxetine isn't kicking in.
Doc wants to try all sorts of things, Lyrica, Wellbutrin. But I just feel trapped on these meds for life. Taking them not because they help me, but solely to avoid withdrawal.
All the best.
Be so so careful with the lyrica, people say it’s as bad as benzos and it’s not but it still can give a wicked kick. I started taking it over the counter thinking it was barely addictive cause that’s what the medical sites said but it has a pretty unpleasant wd. To me personally it has nothing on benzos or opiates but from what I can tell I’m also someone who tolerates it pretty well, I’ve read some horror stories about it online
@mondoguitar what did you do? I’m in the same boat exactly with lexapro
I do describe to people that heroin withdrawal sounds like a walk in the park compared to my PAWS experience. Im 5 years this July 23rd. I’m doing really well and continue to improve. Hope you’re doing ok mate. Well done👍🏻Keep going 👍🏻 Good times ahead 👍🏻
SAME, I HAVE BEEN SIX MONTHS OFF ZOLOFT AND STILL LIVING IN HELL!
Hang in there mate.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 I went to the doctor yesterday because of my anxiety and he gave me Mirtazapine, I, am not going to take them though.
Zoloft off since mid 2019 and still having occupational issues! Sure wish I never agreed to take per PCP suggestion! Hang in there!
Keto and fasting helped me. loads of exercise!
What length fasting did you do and how bad were your withdrawals out of 10?
@@healing.buddies it's hard to explain how bad they are not were, I've been off then 9 months now and still feel the bad affects, anhedonia, but I’m definitely getting better, I can’t have anything more no gluten no sugar no salt no caffeine no carbohydrates no stimulants of any kind I haven’t had alcohol 15 years anyway but no alcohol no drugs no nothing just very clean food no process food exercise walking out in nature every single day for at least an hour a lot of hiking wild camping the list goes on but my motivation is coming back now. I was only on 50 MG for three years. I got rid of all my friends all my relationships it turned me into a zombie and nasty person.
Best wishes to all who read this. 🤗❤️✌️
Is your fatigue severe? I had fatigue before paxil, but 6 months after CT, I could barely get up or walk slowly
Yes it is, been having fatigue problems for around 5 years now. Off the drug now for over 2 months and noticing slight improvements. Will take time.
Can i pm you? I had severe Neurotoxicity
For sure.
How are you? Any update?
Hey Francesca, I’m now 75 % tapered off the drug, but still struggle every day. How are you going ? I hope you’ve noticed some improvements? I’ll be looking at tapering the final 25 % over the next 6 months to a year 🙏😊
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 it’s hard I’m tapering off benzodiazepines
@@katrinamenzies9398 hang in there 🙏😊
You will get better champion. I know what you going through
7:55 Thank you
What was the antidepressant that you took and how long were you on it for?
40 mg of Citalopram for 9 years and switched to 75mg of Effexor for 8 years including the taper down from the drug to 0.30mg before drop off point.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 How long have you been off drugs completely?
@@mo87m coming up 12 months at the end of November. This was my third attempt, last time I tried was in 2017, had to reinstate after 9 months due to severe PAWS. No going back now.
@@mo87m 1 year currently.
Do you have head symptoms like heavy head, headache, neck and head nerve pain, stuffed type of head ?
I am 8 months off xanax and these head symptoms, mostly one side nerve pain in head, headache are severe. I also don't feel any healing in recent months. Dpdr is still rhe worst.
Yep I do. 8 months is still early in the context of things. Give it time, the brain is healing and will readjust slowly over time.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 thanks for replying as I don't feel alone and can tell my sufferings , and get validation. No-one in the house or any doctor wants to listen and believe. They say that it's gone long time back , but you know that 8 months off are early for this slow process of healing. My symptoms are sometimes so intense and unbearable, but I try to act normally in the house. My only way to get some validation or relief is by writing to you. Thanks for being there. 🙏
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 very encouraging, thanks.
@@Radhey2223❤️🙏
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 ❤️💐🙏
Hi from England, Ive got Venlafaxine withdrawal syndrome. Ive been researching Nutrition and you should look up Dr Ken Berry MD and Dr Chris Palmer Psychiatrist research on ketogenic diet, they are on RUclips. Its been found to treat depression and other MH conditions successfully, Dr Palmer is a harvard educated and a researcher hope you're ok 🙏 Spread the word
Venlafacine was the worst drug I ever took. Took me almost 2 months to get over the withdrawal. The head zaps was the worst. Hang in there, it will eventually pass. Also, ask God to help you. He cannot deny his own goodness.
I’m on month three off stopping venlafaxine and I still have brain zaps
@@arissaburris1334 Hang in there! I know it's awful. It will eventually end. Warm Regards
God helped me through withdrawal as well.
Did you struggle with short term memory loss too?
Yes I do, very concerning at the moment.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 yes mine started after taking effexor. It’s starting to get a little better but for a while there I was in a terrible fog. These medications are awful
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849when did it start for you ?
In 2017. Still recovering.
Do you know what caused your depression in the first place to start taking them ?
Yep I sure do. A lot of unfortunate events which shot my health, especially immune health to pieces. Went into a downward spiral and the depression and anxiety followed.
Yeah, doctors and family believe you just have a relapse
My family don't understand, don't want to understand, and don't know how to help.
@@johnmyers9300 Thats why i make these videos man, so we know we aren’t alone and can help each other on the journey.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849It is soooo brutal.