scopolamine withdrawal

[gina111]

I have a complicated question.  I was given a scopolomine patch for surgery.  I was hospitalized for 4 days.  About 48 hours after I was discharged, I began suffering from significant nausea and vertigo.  My OB\GYN surgeon prescribed more scopolomine patches. I also developed severe sinusitis and bronchitis in the week after my discharge and was put on an antibiotic.  Each time I used the patch, the symptoms were controlled, but about 24-48 hours after removal, the symptoms were back with a vengeance.  I called after the third patch, and my surgeon said I needed to see my PCP because it was no longer surgery related.  I asked whether I was having some sort of "rebound" symptoms from the removal of my patch, and she told me no. I went to my pCP, he believed it was an inner ear problem,  gave me another round of antibiotics, a steroid shot, a medrol dose pack and two more patches in  case the symptoms came beck before the meds worked.  I continue to have the same problems.  With my own research, I am reading that my symptoms may well be withdrawal from my scopolomine patch.  My question is whether this sounds like what may be causing my problem and if so, now what?  What is the best course of action to get through the incapacitating symptoms and get off this patch?

[massgirl80s]

I have been on this patch for 3 1/2 years due to dr oversight. long-term used has caused medical problems (tachycardia, gastroparesis, blurred vision, SOB, really bad memory,etc. Two attempts to withdraw landed me in a er. going into the hospital to withdraw. I contacted a professor who did long-term scop use and he said no one has ever been on it as along as me. he anticipates a very long road. once done with the outpatient aspect *meclazine valium and zofran) I will continue to have episodes monthly for awhile. this drug enters the brain barrier. can't believe I am in this mess.

[massgirl80s]

I finally am off the patch it's been 9 months and I am so relieved. What a long scary road.

[massgirl80s]

I had to be medically admitted in the hospital to be weaned off scop patch. I entered hospital on dy 4 of wearing the patch and was there for 6 days. Had two weeks of outpatient and valium type meds with meclazine and zofran and within 2 months I was off the meclazine. Just have an occasional dizzy spell and nausea but free from the patch

[massgirl80s]

I had to be medically admitted in the hospital to be weaned off scop patch. I entered hospital on dy 4 of wearing the patch and was there for 6 days. Had two weeks of outpatient and valium type meds with meclazine and zofran and within 2 months I was off the meclazine. Just have an occasional dizzy spell and nausea but free from the patch

[Sickofbeingsick222]

I am so glad I found this forum!  I've been experiencing the exact same thing after using the patch for a four day cruise!  The cruise was 6 weeks ago and I have been sick ever since with all the same symptoms listed above!  I have seen 4 doctors, my family doctor, a chiropractor, a neurologist and my kidney specialist.  None of them mentioned this and I told all of them that I used the patch.  I have missed 5 weeks of work and I too thought I was going crazy.  What a horrible feeling.  I am going to get some meclizine ASAP.  It is only available in the US and I am in Canada so I will be going over soon to get some!  Thanks to everyone for showing me this can be fixed!

[Sickofbeingsick222]

Also, all of these drs diagnosed me with benign positional vertigo, which is clearly not what I have.

[sksrndelux]

I left it on for 5 days and developed a horrible rash behind my ear that took 2 weeks to heal. I too am an RN and have experienced the same symptoms as described above only I thought it was a reaction to anesthesia vs the scopolamine patch. After being referred to an ENT and being told I had migraines and was told to "take off my nurses hat" (when I questioned why the symptoms only occurred after surgery), I decided to research on my own BEFORE having another $1K  MRI. Glad I did because I thought I was going crazy and have been off work for 2 months. The Meclizine and Zofran  weaned me off the patch and physical therapy helped the vertigo but I'm still having problems focusing my eyes and with occasional slight vertigo. I have an eye doctor appointment next week and have cut my sodium intake. Sooooo glad I decided to research scopolamine withdrawal and found I'm not the only one. The anxiety and depression are very real and sadly not taken seriously by health care providers. I'll be sending this to my physicians in hopes of educating them.

  

[k9qtpi]

I am currently going through this horrible patch withdrawal.  I used the patch every 3 days for a 14 day cruise.  Knowing about the patch withdrawal, I tapered down by covering 1/3 of the patch with a band aid, 3 days later covering 2/3.  After 3 days, I removed the patch completely.  By the next afternoon, I was completely incapacitated.  Dizzy and nauseous when standing.  In addition, I feel so depressed and anxiety ridden...like an impending sense of doom.  I have already missed nearly a week of work, which I am sure is contributing to my anxiety.  I am currently taking Meclazine...25 MG's 3 times a day, but based on what I am reading, may need to increase that.  No one tells you about what can happen after using this drug.  I can understand maybe feeling a bit under the weather, but this is extreme.  So hard to explain exactly what I am feeling.  It is overwhelming.  Trying to avoid taking anti-depressants on top of all of this, but feeling so nervous and depressed.  The patch works like a charm to avoid motion sickness, but the price you pay after is not worth it.  I love cruising but suffer from severe motion sickness.  This patch allowed me to enjoy a wonderful vacation, but never again.  This is a dangerous drug and the after effects are debilitating.  Stay away from the Scope Patch!

[Andm9478]

Hi, I'm going through the exact symptoms as you were, can you help me. Can helped and in how long did all symptoms disappeared.

[Tletmom]

How long did it take for your withdrawal symptoms subside? I'm trying to taper off now.... The headache and dizziness is really getting me.

[Rich13215]

Thank God for this forum and all of you! I just returned from a vacation with my wife, 3 yr old son, and sister-in-law. I took my last patch off early Tues afternoon. By Wed afternoon I was beginning to feel "off." On our bus ride to the airport late that afternoon I was really feeling bad. I was sweating bullets on an air conditioned bus and had severe motion sickness (even though buses NEVER bother me). I literally threw up within a minute or two of getting off the bus - thank God the bathrooms were right inside the airport doors. The flight home was terrible - I barely avoided throwing up. As soon as we got to my father-in-laws house (he picked us up) to get our vehicle I threw up (20 minutes from airport), as soon as we got home (another 20-30 min ride) I threw up again! Equilibrium off all night and still today, just walking around makes me a lil naseous. Without this forum I would still be wondering if I was experiencing withdrawal or something else?! I call my dr office (the one's who prescribed it) and two hours later still hadn't heard back! Called back and actually got a call back within 20 min - with ALL my info wrong! They had no flippin idea! This is ridiculous! Drs. prescribe a drug that can have such severe withdrawal symptoms AND they aren't even familiar with them - how the hell is that doing your profession due diligence?!

[R2H]

I used the patch for an 11-day cruise and experienced the same side effects 24 hours after removing the patch. It was awful and I thought I may have caught something while being oversees. I'm so grateful I found this discussion as it put my mind at ease. What really helped for me was wearing Sea Bands. I didn't want to take more medication so the Sea Bands were a safe and effective way to manage my symptoms. I wore them for 2-3 days and found that I no longer felt ill. I hope this tip will help someone suffering from the side effects post the patch.