24/7 lightheadedness with pulsing ear

[justanotherdusty]

I just started citalopram on 20 mg after being on paxil for 5 years. Had a number of things going on in my life in a matter of months, and more to come (Im getting married this December and will be moving). My reason for switching was that I was experiencing lightheadedness and tightness 24/7 on my lower head/neck area. My doctor switched me to citalopram and its been a little over two weeks with this constant lightheadedness, spaced out, feeling and a light pulsing in my left ear. What do you guys suggest I do now? Just feeling hopeless sometimes and upset.

[remar]

How long were you having these symptoms before stopping Paxil? Were you also having increased anxiety and or depression before stopping it? I'm asking because I also took Paxil and it quit working at about the 5 year mark. My anxiety and depression really increased. I was also getting the light headed feeling too.
If you did'nt taper off of Paxil you may be going through some withdrawal even though you've started another med.
Has your Dr ruled everything else out like sinus and ear problems?

[justanotherdusty]

These symptoms started occuring in December. Only a few days after I had what I thought was a UTI.

I took three days of antibiotics, went back in because I was feeling pain and lightheaded and was worried the infection had spread to my kidneys. The UTI was cleared but they found an ovarian cyst (which has since gone).

Ever since then, I was extremely depressed and having these symptoms, along with a head locking sensation. It went away for a week and came back with just constant light headedness 24/7.

It was on my own accord that I started back up on 10 mg of paxil from 5mg that I was able to wean down on for a few months. From 10 I bumped myself back up to 20 mg and then back to 10 mg. (mostly from a desire to not have to take anything at all)

Funny you mention about the 5 year mark because all throughout this year i was getting strange symptoms every once in awhile that i hadnt been getting in a long time.

The doctor told me to give citalopram 20mg a few more weeks and if i didn't feel better to go see a neurologist.
Im on week 3 right now..

[remar]

Some people can stay on Paxil for many years and do very well on it. Like I said, it was around 5 years that it stopped working for me and it started doing just the opposite of what it was supposed to do. I'm really wondering, like I mentioned before, if this is what happened to you. If you were jumping around on your doses that may have caused more anxiety too. And, you may have tapered too fast. I found that Paxil was one of the harder meds to taper off of and it took a long time.
The new med could also be causing your symptoms. You've only been on them for 3 weeks so you may still be having start up side effects.
What I really think, and I did read over your first post a few times, is that the Paxil most likely quit working for you in December. You went back on it but were taking different doses. You may have tapered too fast. Now you're on a new med which could be adding to your symptoms.
Yes, I do agree with your Dr about giving the new med a few more weeks. Have the two of you talked about an increase before you quit taking it, that is if it is'nt helping before after 6 weeks?

[justanotherdusty]

Just to let you know I really really really appreciate your comments. Although I don't feel better, it's so nice to have someone who's been there try to help you. So thank you! =)

My mom has been on paxil for a little over 10 years and does just fine although her reason was strictly depression.
You are probably right. Everything you're saying makes perfect sense.
Maybe the jumping doses and then going from 20 one week to 10 and now on a new med was alot for my system..
I have been an idiot when it came to my meds and I believe I have learned my lesson.
I have not talked to my doctor since her office relayed the message to give 20 mg a few more weeks and to see a neurologist.
I made an appointment for the neurologist on the 26th and I will hope to be in contact with her after. That will give this med a few more weeks to settle and rule anything else out by then....what do you think?

[remar]

You're very welcome. I do think you may have tapered off the Paxil too fast. It can be a hard med to taper off of.
Yes, I think giving the new med a few more weeks and seeing the Neurologist is a good idea. You may not be having problems with the new med, you could still be going through Paxil withdrawal. Hopefully that will go away very soon and your other med will start working.
Please keep me up to date on how you're doing, okay. I'm here to listen while you're going through all of this.

[justanotherdusty]

I feel a little better. I've been taking a vitamin B-Complex every morning with breakfast along with my Iron and Fish Oil. Not 100% but a little better. Still spaced out a little and light headed with a little tightness on the left side of my neck. Makes me wonder if it's chemical, hormonal, or some type of inflammation or pinched nerve?

[remar]

I'm so glad to hear you're feeling a little better. I hope taking B complex will help you even more. The B vitamins need to be replenished everyday and many of us are low on them.
Have you ever been to see a Chiropractor? It may really help with the neck pain.