Symptoms: Akathisia, brain zaps, emotional blunting, sexual dysfunction, cognitive impairment, insomnia, depersonalization/derealization, suicidal ideation, tinnitus, neuropathy, severe anxiety/panic, muscle/joint pain, chest pain, neurological jerks, cardiac symptoms
Hi I’m Dawson. I’m a male in my mid to late 30s.
Before I took antidepressants I had some mild to moderate anxiety symptoms mostly panic attacks and some face flushing and palpitations but I was very functional, feeling anxious and depressed. I had a full time career in IT/software as well as a part time job. I was going to the gym, living independently, socializing, dating and pursuing my hobbies and living life.
I am now disabled, had to stop working, move back in with my parents and live in severe and chronic pain due to antidepressant withdrawal. I was on Pristiq which is really difficult to taper. The doctor tapered me in 2 weeks after being on it for almost a year and I started getting withdrawals, then he tried to put me on a few other meds which didn’t fix the withdrawal. He then put me back on Pristiq every other day which messed me up even more. Then another doctor gave me benzodiazepines and Lexapro to deal with withdrawals which gave me further side effects. Finally I had to slowly come off the benzo and Lexapro but the damage from Pristiq was done.
I now suffer from various chronic symptoms like severe insomnia, neurological jerks, emotional blunting, chronic fatigue and chronic pain as a result of ongoing withdrawal symptoms (protracted withdrawal).
I am working on holistic healing and rebuilding my life. I know one day I will get back on my feet. Wish I had never taken these drugs as it was the worst mistake of my life. Doctors don’t recognize withdrawals and just blame it on anxiety.