I'm Going Cold-Turkey with My Anti-Depressants
It's been a tearful journey
12/14/23 Update!
Going cold turkey from antidepressants is rough, and I don’t recommend it. I abruptly stopped my medication because I was detoxing from the serotonin overdose in my system. Four days later (last Monday), I felt my body recovered from that, but then I started to go into severe withdrawal from my antidepressant, which can be dangerous. I took my usual dose on that day and experienced again some slight symptoms from serotonin syndrome—my tremor returned. I was fortunate to have a follow-up visit with my PCP on Tuesday, and we reconfigured ALL of my medications, including readjusting my antidepressant to half the dose and further decreasing it to take twice a day. I’m finally starting to feel normal in my head again. Polypharmacy is no joke!
Last Friday, I went to the emergency room because my hand started tremoring. It was a Parkinson's-like tremor, with the shaking only at rest. I felt like my entire body was locking up, and I was shivering. My teeth were chattering, my ears were ringing, and I couldn’t stand up without getting dizzy. I had an extraordinary headache.
By the time my daughter came to pick me up, I was experiencing “dystonia” and having trouble walking to the car. By the time I got to the hospital, I was placed in a wheelchair and immediately taken to see the admission nurse. When assessed, my blood pressure was 165/100, pulse 97; I was flushed (I never was told my temperature), and agitated.
I was diagnosed with Serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when you take medications that affect serotonin levels.
I am on several of these types of medications: Effexor (anti-depressant), amitriptyline (also an antidepressant, but I use it to help me sleep), and Imitrex (for long-standing migraines).
I’d come down with a cold at the beginning of the week and wasn’t sleeping very well. So, I added nighttime cold medicine to my regimen, not knowing that dextromethorphan also contributes to Serotonin Syndrome.
The build-up of these drugs in my body was managed in the ER by giving me IV Benadryl, IV Ativan, and cogentin (a drug typically used for Parkinsons). After six hours, my symptoms slowly started to decline enough that I could be discharged home.
Here it is a couple of days later, and I am still experiencing a light tremor, dizziness, ringing ears, and a slight headache.
I’ve stopped all of my prescribed meds and, of course, my cold medication. Detoxing from my Effexor has been the hardest. I’m trying to stay calm, but if I think of something sad or sentimental, I break down into tears. I have an appointment with my PCP on Tuesday to figure out my medications moving forward.
Why am I telling you this? And what does this have anything to do with Lipedema?
Lipedema can have coexisting conditions of depression, pain, trouble sleeping, eating disorders, or misdiagnosis of obesity, fibromyalgia, or even psychological conditions. It is not uncommon to prescribe medication to help “correct” the problem and to make us “feel better.”
I’ve been doing some serious ‘google research’ this weekend to find out how often women with Lipedema get prescribed medications for depression, pain, etc. I’ve been unsuccessful in finding any stats or articles about this.
However, I am curious if others have experienced these issues…
When I was misdiagnosed with fibromyalgia several years ago, along with migraines, I was given a lot of different medications that affected serotonin levels. I still had body issues, and I eventually stopped these meds.
But when I started going through menopause, my symptoms were unbearable. I started up again on antidepressants and sleep aids, in addition to my already prescribed migraine medication.
I'd like you to please read this overview, including a list of meds that can cause Serotonin Syndrome.
It’s not shocking that I eventually had lapsed into a Serotonin Syndrome.
I only give you my experience from the past week and how easily it is to have drug reactions. Several medical professionals (including myself!) did not see this possible consequence. I could have died from this. Be aware, and be careful.
Take care,
Michelle