I really need some support. Trying to get off my ADs and the irritability is making me want to claw out my eyeballs!!!!

[Jacksmama]

I was prescribed ADs (Zoloft/ sertraline) last year after DS was born - very traumatic delivery, had PTSD and severe anxiety with secondary depression. Much better now in every respect, and feel like I can cope without them. Also, ADs give me horrid night sweats - the soak-the-bed kind - and I'm tired of that, too. With GP's approval, am weaning myself off them - first reduced the dosage, then, at lowest dosage, started taking them every other day. I've previously taken venlafaxine and the withdrawal process from them was horrendous - physical and emotional symptoms - this is nothing like that. But the irritability is making me crazy!!!! I alternately want to cry, claw my eyeballs out or choke stupid people with barbed wire. Everyone irritates me. Poor DH. He is known for asking rather daft questions ("should we get a bottle ready for DS" when I'm about to walk out the door to go to work... "gee, honey, what do you think???") but I am gritting my teeth so as not to snap at him. DS hates it when I leave and so was wailing as I walked out to go to work and I just wanted to scream - not at him, poor mite, I just feel so unbearably stressed by his unhappiness!!

Have spoken with Gp every day - she is rather wonderful, said to ring her with an update every day - but of course not today since it's Saturday... and she says this is all part of the withdrawal process (seconded by my local pharmacist whom I have gotten to know rather well) so I just need to vent and get some support... please!!! I know this is just temporary, it will all be over in a week or two, but right now it feels rather horrible.

Anyone...

Hi Jacksmama

At least you know that it will pass - I'm not weaning off ad's but couldn't not post something because it sounds like this weekend is a bit isolating for you. Feel free to vent ... rant.... whatever! Bit of time to pursue something you enjoy help?

Thanks .
It's tough because I'm at work this morning (I'm in the Pacific time zone in case you're wondering ) and I have no patience for anyone... feel rather scattered and unenthusiastic. Blah.

my sister is on these tab's and she also sweats so bad she tried to come off them without sucess.im sorry your feeling bad maybe your not ready yet ?

I've asked both GP and pharmacist and they both say this is a normal side effect of withdrawal of this brand of ADs. I do feel ready to stop taking them though. I just hope this irritable bitch isn't the "real me" without happy pills!!

Even if it is Jacksmama, at least you are feeling 'irritable' and not numb! - with the option of re-visiting the ad's if necessary. Anyway, feeling irritable is quite normal, perhaps you didn't want to be in work! I am supposed to be studying and have spent the whole weekend on mn on and off, even done a little cleaning, so I am feeling annoyed with myself for using avoidance strategies and my weekend is nearly over!

Errr... how did you know I had zero interest in work yesterday? I'm betting I live too far away from you for you to have been peeking over my shoulder!!

Was very tired yesterday. Went to yoga after work which felt great, came home, napped with DS on the couch for two hours . Still tired when I woke up.

This too shall pass....

My DH has been taking ADs for years (paroxitine/"Paxil")), and has come off them a few times only to go back on them again. Sleepiness and lethargy are major symptoms for him when he is depressed or as withdrawl symptoms, as is irritability.

He finds that vigourous exercise is very cathartic on the irritation. He used to go the gym but in recent years took up running (he now runs marathons, he's not one to do things by halves. He says that physically tiring himslef out helps greatly to reduce his stress levels. He also found it very useful when weaning himself off the pills (he could probaby stay off them if he didn't have the stress of his 7 year old sword of Damacles -his doctoral thesis- hanging over him).

Yoga is good I imagine, but could also try swimming or jogging or ven just wallking briskly?? While singing along to crap heavy metal (DHs particulary favourite).

I'm sending you a big hug; you'll get through this!

LOL at crap heavy metal. I actually go to Power Yoga and it was extremely tiring (wobbly legs after, LOL).

Feeling a bit better today. Not as irritable (still grouchy but not wanting to choke people with barbed wire though).
Napping yesterday afternoon really helped, as did sleeping in this morning and taking it easy.

Thanks for the hug Didn't want to drag this into the Tea Room again - seems like there are much worse problems going around right now!

Jacksmama, I am on sertraline and lowered my dose significantly last year. I found that symptoms eased after a fortnight. It is AWFUL though, really it is so bloomin unpleasant, I feel for you. It is normal though and you are doing really well. I am glad you are getting plenty of support. Hang on in there!

Thanks nicky. It's not great. I'm beginning to think that I'm not a very nice person without my happy pills as I've had nothing but crabby thoughts about people this weekend. In my mind, everyone's a twat right now. Sigh.
Just went through my house on a cleaning spree. Bathroom, kitchen, Hoovered, washed floors, put a load of wash in... does anyone else ever do this? I always clean when I feel like I'm in mental turmoil. Maybe having control over my outer environment helps calm my mind... I don't know. At least I have a clean house now.

Hi Jacks.
Yes, I feel more 'controlled' if my environment is in order. Bit like PMT.

I find the AD withdrawls are rather like raging PMT actually. PMT time 100. Must be similar chemical changes in the brain maybe? Seriously though, this is not the real you. I was thining about this today and talking to dh and he says that my withdrawls lasted about 2 weeks, but the grumpiness took a good 4-5 weeks to subside. You will be back to your normal lovely self in a monthish, which in the long term is nothing. It is tough at the time though, so take it easy and give yourseld lots of treats like nice baths or choccies or whatever floats your boat. Excercise helps too as you know.

Awww, thanks!!! [blush}
I am much better today. The cleaning/ energy spree lasted through today - I have no idea where all this verve is coming from my my house and garden sure are benefiting!
Mood is better, too. You're right, it's like PMT times 100. I really do wonder what chemical changes are going on in my brain. Hmmmm... [mad scientist emoticon].

Hi Jacksmama

I am on Venlafaxine (sp?) and have been taking them for the past 14 months for anxiety and panic attacks. They have done their job supurbly but I cannot get off them - I am actually physically addicted to them according to my GP and she has agreed to try a withdrawal programme which will involve swapping from them onto Prozac (which I do not have a problem getting off). The Prozac masks the withdrawal symptoms from the other tablet and I then reduce the Prozac after a month going onto liquid Prozac and using a syringe to measure out increasingly smaller doses until it's gone.

Might be worth talking to your GP about as it stops the awful withdrawal effects (mood swings, electric shocks in the head etc)

...and I cannot spell superbly

Well crap - why didn't she tell me about that???

Oh well. Thank you - I will keep that in mind if someone else I know has trouble getting off ADs, but I seem to be over the worst of it and feeling quite good.

Hope you're having a superb day !

Thank you all for your kindness and support, I really needed it as this isn't something I'm terribly comfortable talking about in RL.
Small, most un-MN-like ((((HUGS)))) all around.