Anti-Depressent Cocktail Terrible Withdrawals

[mrrgreene]

I've been in the hospital three times in the past month for fainting spells of unknown origin. My cariovascular system checks out fine: good bp, EKG, heart x-ray, blood enzymes. My fainting spells are always proceeded by a tingling in my toes and fingers. This tingling turns into a partial numbness and then I get these burning sensations almost like I have a sunburn that works its way up to my face. Then my vision is effected, things don't swirl but sort of rock slightly. Then I get an electric jolt, the blood feels like it is draining from my head and I sit down immediately and knod off.

I didn't start suspecting my meds until I realized one of the times I was in the hospital I had forgot my meds. I take 150 mg of Effexor XR, 20 mgs of Ambien, 20 mgs of Lexapro, and 1 mg of Xanax. I'm trying to taper off all of these medications and I've been experiencing all the above symptoms on an all day basis not just episodic. I need to get off this medication, all of it. It's destroying my life. I finished my Masters and work full time. Instead of enjoying the spare time I've gotten from school, I have been bed ridden and isolated. I can't work. I feel sick and in constant fear that my symptoms will cause me to blackout. I can be perfectly calm and collect and I can't fight the faintness. It's like my body has stopped producing the neurochemicals I need to function. Is there anything I can take or do to make it through this? And could there be another reason for my symptoms.

[mammo]

I would stop the Ambien, this is a very dangerous drug.  My doctor wanted me to take it and I refused.  Try doing this at first, and see how you feel.  If no better address the problems with your prescribing doctor and go from there.  I don't think I would taper off of all of them at once, as this has it's own problems.  Stopping the Ambien is not a problem, but I would taper off the others according to doctors advice.  You may also be having panic attacks, which go along with your symptoms. Especially since you are living with the fear of passing out, may be setting off the panic attacks, which in turn create your symptoms and even passing out.  I would go back to your doctor, you may just need to change medication, and start fresh.

[Hensley258]

I useed to take the exact same combo of meds, but at much higher dosages. (minus the ambian) and I never had fainting spells from it. Maybe it the Ambian that is causing this. Then again perhaps your allergic to one of thise meds.

That med combo is not an unusual one and I don't see any adverse interaction between them,