Can it be anxiety or reaction to meds-2 years

[atillatheone]

Have had all tests-mri's bloodwork etc: no lumbar puncture though. saw a lyme specialist-nothing.  Current symptoms are sensation of being on a boat, my bed feels like a waterbed even though the mattress is firm, ground is soft, feeling of liquid in my head, popping noises in my head, heart pounding that i feel everywhere including my head, adrenaline surges throughout the body, ringing in both ears, burning and electric shock sensations all throughout the body, twitches and myoclonic twitches, get disoriented when i walk for a distance, have pressure in my head that is more severe when sitting or standing, is usually relieved when lying down.  Workout but can't feel any workout pump.  can't run because i feel like i am running on a trampoline.  I never had any of these symptoms until about 2 years ago when i came off meds that i had no business being on in the first place.  I went to my doc complaning of some insomnia and she put me on generic xanax and lexapro after 5 minute consult.  it wasn't until 7 weeks later after what i know now was interdose withdrawals due to the xanax that i wanted to come off the meds.  i called my doc and she told me to just stop-even though i had been taking up to 4 mg a day.  like i said i had no idea what they were.  after i stopped all hell  broke loose and voila my symptoms appear and have not relented.  i feel betrayed by my doc and i know i have to move forward but is there anybody out there who has had similar experiences that can give some helpful advice.  the funny thing is is that my golf game is the best it has ever been.  thanks

[chcnme]

Hi Jenny!  You did!  Wean yourself?  That's wonderful (well I sure think it is :)  I bet your blood work is going to come back OK, too.  I'm not familiar with the Metanx, but I'm glad it's helping.  And yes - I do think your continued sensations in your face and legs could be from the long-term Prozac. I can't promise, but I sure think that if you continue to go like you're going (off the Prozac)  that these sensations are going to subside and eventually be gone one day.  It might take months, but I do think it's related and that it will go away if you keep the Prozac off the menu - for good.  There are other things that can treat you, Jenny, if you need something, and the Prozac - well, I think you've given it a REAL good chance and need to tell it it's fired :)!

Happy New Year.  Let me know how the test results come back for you!

[chcnme]

I can't blame you for being through with that doc.  I have heard these symptoms can last a long time, and I've heard that some patients (very rarely) can experience them for years.  I did have the ringing (tinnitus) - not constantly, but it would come on and last for about 1 min in one ear, and later it might happen in the other ear.  I don't  know what I'd do if I were you.  It was around the 3rd or 4th month after having no meds in my system the doc was talking about some patients being helped with restarting and tapering the Lexapro over a long haul, and she assured me if I didn't want to go that route that it would stop eventually, probably. Mine did finally stop.  But two years?  hmmm... I think I might have to seriously consider giving it a try  (the taper), but I would ask what the down sides could be.  Best of luck.  Let us know how it goes.

[Jenny Wren]

Hope you had a nice holiday season.  No results from bloodwork yet.  Still burning and having the cold sensation in face.  Weaned myself off Prozac, haven't taken one for 3 days.  The Metanx is helping some it seems.  Its the burning in my back and legs that is still lingering.  Do you still think that the Prozac is what made these sensations worse?  Talk again soon!!!

[RWG]

It sound like you are like a lot of people who just can't tolerate SSRI's.  I know I can't.  I took two Lexapro's about a month ago and I am still having the shakes and ringing ears.  The only reason I took it was because I told my doc that I was having insomnia problems.  I think sometimes doctors think because you can't sleep then you must be depressed.  These are all nervous reactions.  I know the tinitis is a nervous reaction because I have had it on and off for years, and it is always worse when I am on edge.  I think the muscles in your ears tighten up, and like anything else, the more you try not to think about it, the more you do.

[atillatheone]

Thanks for the response and the compliment on the name.  actually i am done with that doc. But i did go to a balance specialist at ucla who treats the equlibrium issues with ssris i.e lexapro. he said it has helped the majority of his patients  i need to make a decision whether to ride the storm out or go back on a trial dose of meds.  you would think that being off of them for almost 2 years, i would be ok.  but i am the type of guy who does not do well with meds.  heck if i smell coffee beans i am bouncing across walls  btw. did you have the tinnitus . that is probably my most annoying symptom.  thanks

[chcnme]

Love your name.  Lexapro can be some wicked stuff if you have a withdraw syndrome from SSRIs  (or if you're SSRI intolerant). The "trampoline" is a good way to describe it.  I went through the same thing (those same complaints) for about 2 years while trying different AntiD's  (Paxil, Prozac, Lexapro), and then for about 6 - 8 months after stopping all AntiD's those sensations continued (and got worse.)  The most noticeable strange sensation was trying to walk. I felt like the earth was moving and that buzzy sensations were shooting up my legs and into my head, and I felt like I was bouncing - even when I stopped walking, I felt like I was going up and down.  And it was as if I could hear short bursts of current (like electric current) in my ears . It was awful!  Mine finally did stop.  It took about 6 months or more off the ANtiD's.  I'll never take another one.  

I'd get back to that doc who put you on the Lexapro and Xanax and ask for help.  Tell them you think it's still withdraw.  If the doc wants to brush it off again, ask for copies of your records and ..... either go home and ride the storm out and hope it'll eventually stop  (and it probably will at some point) or make an appointment with another doc (psychiatrist).  Another doc might recommend beginning Lexapro again and tapering.  That's what they had suggested for me, but I refused it.  Mine finally did stop.  It took a very long time, though.  

Best of luck.