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[lillmisssunshiner]

Hi ya


I am new here and this is my very first post and I just really need a little support/help/advise in what I am experiencing at the moment.  This is a quick run down on me.  I took citalopram in 2000-2003 after giving birth to my fourth child.  At the same time was going through a sticky divorce and it helped me through.  I 'cold turked' and had a very BAD weekend but after that I cant remember many side effects.  

Forward to January 2009 amd I started om citalopram 20mg and slowly increased to 40g and then was swapped in the last few months to sumatriptan 50mg.  I found I started to get the 'shakes' so had to start Propranolol 40mg X 3 daily.  Three weeks ago I decided to stop everything and cold turkey again (I know thats not the way to do it, but as my doctor says its now too late to go back to taking them).  In the last three weeks I feel totally 'high' as a kite.  Not that I have ever done illegal drugs, but I feel out of this world completely.  I feel like I am too loud all the time (when answering the phones at work) and would say that I am dizzy all the time.  I have made an appointment to get my eyes checked as was wondering if perhaps it is my eyes, but deep down I know its probably withdrawal from the drugs.  My doctor says I should keep taking the propranolo, but I honestly want to be drug free for the first time in nearly 3 years.

I feel like I am drunk 24/7 and like I am going to faint.  Had to hold on to the trolley in Asda very tight today.  Also I am not very good at judging distances and bumped into a few people :(


I am now single as my second husband left me over a month ago and my twin sons have just left for a 5 year university course, which is three hours away.  I am left with a hormonal 16 year old, a crazy 10 year old and parents that believe that depression is 'all in the mind' and I should just get over it.

If you got this far then I appreciate that u took the time to read this.

Any advice would truly be sooooo helpful as this is hard work on my own.



Gina

Edited by lillmisssunshiner, 25 September 2011 - 05:13 PM.

[LaurynJcat]

Hi Gina.  Welcome to DF



Wow, you have been through a lot in the last few months with your husband leaving and quitting the meds cold turkey -- no wonder your brain is reacting so strongly.  Frankly I would go with your doctor's advice.  It makes sense to me that your symptoms might start to subside over time -- but you have given your brain a huge shock by withdrawing off the meds like that and I feel strongly that you need to tell your doctor about your continuing experiences of feeling drunk.  And obviously you should NOT be driving -- if you are, you are negating your insurance by knowingly driving while medically impaired (I work part-time as an auto insurance adjuster).  Your insurance company could find you in breach of your terms and conditions, and make you pay the costs for any accident.   Not to mention you could **** or severely injure yourself or others.  Sorry to put this so strongly, but I deal at work with people who've had family members killed or hurt by drivers who were distracted or impaired.  Hopefully you're already not driving right now.

Everyone reacts differently to meds and withdrawal, so even if someone else on DF has been through this, they are not qualified to give you advice.  Please tell your doctor especially about the dizziness and bumping into people.  You could hurt yourself even walking around like that.

Best wishes and please take good care of yourself.  Let us know how it goes, and I hope you feel better soon!

p.s. if you're determined to stay off the meds, there are forms of therapy like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that has helped me and many people on DF, so maybe that would work for you.  Lots of info about CBT and other therapies and treatments on these forums.  Just do a search.
Hugs,  
Lauryn

Edited by LaurynJcat, 25 September 2011 - 05:16 PM.

[BetterOff]

My advice is to go with your doctors suggestion.  you know its not good to go cold-turkey but at least hang in there with one medication until you get over the withdrawals...
and dont give up, another AD might work better for you...

[lillmisssunshiner]

Thank you for your replies.

I went to visit my doctor today and he said perhaps I should start taking a lower dosage of sumatriptan.  I begged him not to put me back on it and instead I came out with prochiorperazine 5mg X 3 daily to try and help my dizziness all the time.  Keeping fingers crossed that it might help.  He has only given me 28 tablets and he thinks by then I should feel fine !



Gina

[LaurynJcat]

Good luck!  Let us know how it turns out.

[lillmisssunshiner]

Thanks :)

Now week 4 and started up at the gym today.  Could officially say I was on zero medication, as I only take my dizzy tablets when having a really bad episode and only took one all over the weekend.  I used to go to the gym over a year ago, but due to working full time I had no time.  Today I have reduced my hours back by a quarter so have a little time for myself.  I feel very positive although had a good cry yesterday, but am hoping that was more pmt than depression !

I still know it is very early days and still hoping that this dizziness could be due to my eyes.  Having a test very soon to count that one either in or out.

Hope u all enjoyed the sunny weekend and thanks for reading.