I have to write something, so...

I was interested in a psychiatric consultation because I was feeling tired and apathetic. I viewed my condition as depression, and the psychiatrist confirmed this at the time. I was interested in trying medication.

Initially, SSRIs improved my mood and motivation. Years later, bupropion was even more helpful. But why I need bupropion to improve my fatigue and cognitive issue? Because I became increasingly sleepy, fatigued, brain-fogged, and cognitively impaired just because of taking other drugs in the past.

The worst symptoms were gastrointestinal issues, which became more severe year after year.

For years, to some extent, I lived with hope of finding the “right” drug and dose. Of course, at some point, that never really happens. After a decade of being poly-drugged, I stopped everything relatively quickly. My last medication was mirtazapine.

Interestingly, I discontinued everything relatively easily. I did not experience any acute withdrawal symptoms such as brain-zaps. Even my digestion improved to some degree as soon as I "finished" the story. However, the cognitive decline and brain fog persisted after stopping.

Over the following years, new symptoms appeared, disappeared, and reappeared, with varying intensity. These included brain fog, cognitive decline, head pressure, facial burning, muscle tension, joint pain, internal tremor, tinnitus, VSS... Almost any symptom you can think of, I have experienced at some point. The only condition I never really get was PSSD.

The most difficult issues are gastrointestinal symptoms (anything) and chemical sensitivity. I have acute reactions just after (passively) smelling anything. I have to mention that I had "events of pacing (akathisia)", but were always triggered by (different) chemicals.

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Welcome to the forum!

 

This is a volunteer-run, community forum aimed at helping those who are tapering and/or experiencing difficulties with psychiatric medications and withdrawl syndrome. We are not medical professionals and cannot offer medical advice. We simply offer support and opinions which you could use as talking points with a medical provider knowledgeable in withdrawing off psychiatric medications.

 

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I'm so sorry to read about the tough time you've had recently since stopping all your drugs. I hope in time these symptoms settle down for you as your body heals itself.

 

In the mean time this is what I would do if I were you:

 

-Stay Hydrated 

 

-Eat a good clean whole food diet, avoiding processed foods and sugars.

 

-Stay away from caffeine, alcohol and antihistamines and any other psychoactive substances.

 

Supplements are to be avoided initially, as they often irritate our nervous systems. Try to get your nutrition through food.

 

Down the line, you may wish to introduce Fish Oil and Magnesium. Those who can tolerate them have found them calming to the nervous system. Be careful try one at a time and start low and see how you get on should you choose to try them.

 

A daily walk is very important as much as you can manage, if you can manage it. Gets you your fresh air and Vitamin D does wonders for your mind!

 

You are very welcome here and I hope you find the site supportive.

Chippy

Welcome to the forum.

Developing sensitivities after exposure to these drugs seems to happen to some people. I hope that they improve in more time.

Are you able to function, to a degree, around your symptoms?

Thanks for asking, @Luke! I’m functional enough to do basic things like walking or cooking, but reading or anything physically intensive is harder.

27 minutes ago, The Dust said:

Thanks for asking, @Luke! I’m functional enough to do basic things like walking or cooking, but reading or anything physically intensive is harder.

Glad you are functioning, I hope things improve further with time. You've been in this while, Im sorry it's still an issue for you.