Mood Swings

Question

I am in the process of withdrawing from paxil, and zoloft, both were the generic version. Does anyone have any idea of how long this moodiness will last? My last zoloft was last week monday. I weaned off it through my doctors instructions. One minute I feel pretty normal besides getting dizzy, tingling of my hands, and nausea and the next I feel like bursting out and crying. Should I cry? Should I hold it in? I feel lost for the longest time I had no feelings like i could care less about stuff now im getting those emotions and feelings back and I really dont know how to handle them. Can anyone help?

Taybey · Answer

okay sure will.  its so strange getting emotions back, for so long I didnt have any while on the meds.  It feels good in a way i guess but in other ways now I HAVE to deal with real life, which gives me tons of anxiety.  The antidepressants just were not worth it with all the side effects you know?  I cry over the littlest things now.  And I snap at my hubby alot, and hes not use to that, I was a so go with the flow person on the drugs.  Oh well it is what it is and this too shall pass right?

Taybey

nursegirl6572 · Answer

The emotional withdrawal from SSRI medications can be pretty bad...along with some physical symptoms as well (which it sounds like you are doing ok in that dept).  Just be patient with yourself...it is going to take some time to get thru the worst of the emotional lability.  Crying is a good thing...definitely don't hold back.  I know you are prolly crying at Kleenex commercials right now...but that is okay.

Drink lots and lots of fluids and try to be as active as you can...either continuing with a current exercise regimen, or starting a new one, like long walks, etc.  Exercise allows for the release of the natural chemicals in our brains that help with mood stabilization.  

Hang in there, it WILL get better, but truthfully...it may take up to a month for you to start feeling like YOU again (with gradual improvements along the way).

Keep us in the loop, let us know how you are doing!

Taybey · Answer

Thank you Mike that was very sweet of you to say.  Im glad to have my feelings back i was like a rock before nothing bothered me, sad to say I never really morned both of my parents deaths, I was on paxil and was like numb.  I hate those drugs but they are good if you dont want to deal with reality.

Have a great evening.

Taybey

Jikan · Answer

Namaste,

I'm glad to here that you're doing this under your doctors' supervision. Apparently, he/she feel that you no longer need the medication, for whatever reason it was originally prescribed.

Both these medications are non-habit forming, although you may be going through some psychological withdrawal since you have been depending on them to stabilize your mood.

Living without medication is great(wish I could do it), but you have to recognize that as time progresses you learn to deal with the ups aand downs of daily life.

If you feel like cry, go ahead and cry.  Esssentially, ride the way of life enjoying the pleasures and pains without attaching yourself to any of them.   Consider yourself as a leaf flowing down a gentle stream. It may strike an occasional obstacle, but will eventually reach it's destination.

Hope you feel well soon.

Michael