Depression Support Group

Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.

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IDidThisToMyself 05/11/2008

i just had a question i thought maybe someone could relate. i have been off 3 of my medications...paxil, klonopin, and xanax all at once. its been a week 1/2 since i have taken anything. im not on those because i am 9 weeks pregnant. but ive been having some really horrible withdrawal side effects. the ones that are really concerning me are constant shaking, getting very dizzy, and these zaps that i get...they are hard to explain, but it will send a shock from my chest to my head and make me very dizzy and sometimes my hands will tingle afterwards. its been really bad tonight. i think im running a fever and im dizzy even laying down and getting these zaps every 10-15 minutes or so.

deleted_user 05/11/2008

First of all congratulations on expecting a baby.
Are you doing this cold turkey or with the advice of your Doctor.

I have never been pregnant but I have suffered withdrawal from klonopin and paxil and I know the feeling and pains you are describing.

I had to gradually reduce the dosage over a month and half to stop the severity the chest, head pain and the dizzy feelings.

You have so many changes at once if you are going cold turkey I advise you check with your Doctor because my recollection is it was very disturbing feelings.

I wish you well with your pregnancy best of luck.

deleted_user 05/11/2008

Yup the zaps. Hard to explain. But so unpleasant. I plummetted off a high dose of Citalopram and got the zaps every 10 - 20 second or when I moved my eyes and they stayed with me for quite a few weeks.

Paxil is notorious for being a bitch to come off.

I guess you just have to sit it out and hope for the best. A week and a half is a good length of time so surely in a week maximum you're be feeling beter.

And congrats on the pregnancy : )

deleted_user 05/11/2008

I think you should call your doc right away and if they are unavailable, talk to whomever is on call. Michele

deleted_user 05/11/2008

wow, that's a lot for your body and brain to cope with!! i'm surprised your doc didn't want you to wean off the klonopin a bit slower as it can cause seizures with abrupt withdrawal.

deleted_user 05/11/2008

Agree with the others about the talking to docs if you haven't already done so.

Although, from experience, if you've suffered a week and a half it might not be the worst thing to just push through because you're soon out the other end.

Definitly talk to doctor!

IDidThisToMyself 05/11/2008

i read that you could get seizures from not taking the medication anymore and now im getting a bit scared. its so hard to focus on what im typing either and its really scaring me! im waiting for a call back from the dr who is on call. and i was supposed to get switched to a different medication about a week about but my psychiatrist put in the wrong medication so now ive been waiting over a week to get on zoloft! but i did stop taking all three medications at the same time without lowering any dosage. and i was taking klonapin every night which is like xanax and taking xanax (.5mg) on a daily basis. im just so nervous!

deleted_user 05/11/2008

The one I think that made the problem for me was the Klonopin maybe the doctor will tell you to reduce the dosage over four to six weeks.

I understand your thinking being pregnant get of the meds but that might be best for you or the baby check with the doctor as soon as possible you need to stay healthy.

IDidThisToMyself 05/11/2008

i just wanted to say thank you to everyone that replied to my post. my doctor filled in a prescription for me for zoloft to a 24 pharmacy and she told me that even though that frown upon taking xanax during pregnancy that she wants me to be able to take one tonight with the zoloft so my symtoms will not be so harsh. she also said that i should of been slowly weened off those two benzos and to have abruptly stopped taking them could cause more problems then taking them. so now im going to be weened off those meds instead. i feel a lot better knowing all this. thank you guys so much, i dont think i would of called my OB if i didnt make this post.

deleted_user 05/11/2008

God bless you honey and good luck Michele.

deleted_user 05/11/2008

Withdrawls are scary and upsetting to say the least, but the most disconcerting thing I found is that I've been feeling suicidal and burst into tears quickly and with little provocation. My depression has never caused suicidal feelings before, so I know that it's only because of the withdrawls and will pass. It makes it easier to sit back and know that I won't act on it. But I know how strange it can be, so if you want to talk I'm here :D Congrats on the bubba by the way :D

deleted_user 05/11/2008

Ms I did this,
That is good news I hope this helps you to-night I will be thinking about how you are doing.
Good luck God Bless
Me

deleted_user 05/11/2008

Good for you- i a gald you talked to your doc.
Tapering is tough and takes time, I have fisnished a slow taper off of clonopin (klonopin) and am having a tough time, but not nearly as tough as cold turkey!
Best wishes!

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