Desperate for answers - help

Posted , 9 users are following.

Hi all, 

it all started for me in 2009 after a stressful experience and a bad cold/flu. I came down with post viral symptoms, from excruciating headaches to inability to walk etc. Eventually I had to stop work and go to my parents' home for a few months. I checked into a private hospital in Greece, I did a bunch of tests/MRI etc and they found a thyroid issue (autoimmune) which I now control plus got given antidepressants which miraculously worked! I was taking 20mg Cipralex for the last few years and I have managed to stay healthy and i recovered. I don't think you ever get rid of this thing, but at least the antidepressants helped a lot.

For the last few months, I have been seeing a private doctor who has prescribed a bunch of supplements etc. that I have been taking. I have been feeling good, so I foolishly thought I could come off the antidepressants and asked her advice, she seemed to think it wouldn't be an issue so I started reducing them since May 2016.

In mid Sep 2016, and whilst almost off the antidepressants (on 5mg every other day) I came down with a cold again. Since then, my life has been hell. To cut a long story short, most of my initial symptoms started coming back, headaches, dizziness, malaise, aches etc. I have started back on antidepressants in an attempt to balance my system out, it's been 10 days now that I am back on 20mg Cipralex and truth be told I have improved a little bit, but I am so worried that I have unbalanced my system and will take ages to function again.

My worst fear is that the specific antidepressant has stopped working for me (they do 'poop out' after a while), and as I have been on it since 2009, maybe it has run its circle.

Every day is hell, I am also panicking a lot, and experiencing anxiety, depressive thoughts and even suicidal ones.

Could it be the antidepressant taking effect again? 

I am so confused and don't know what to do. Said doctor hasn't been very useful, she said I suffer from Pots/Dysautonomia, which I think is not true as I don't experience tachycardia /palpitations which is the hallmark of the disease. I think she 's got it wrong, and I don't know what to do/who to trust.

Anyone with a similar experience? Please help.

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  • Posted

    Give your antidepressants a chance to work.  You know that some of the symptoms you describe are side effects of some anti-d's?  It will take some time for the chemicals balance to be achieved again.  I am so sorry you feel so unwell again and understand the frustration that you feel.  In the first instance I think you need to just give yourself a break, give the medication time to settle and hopefully you will get back to where you were.  If not, then a different medication may be required.  It is good that you have a supportive boyfriend and parents who care too.  Get your bloods checked again for thyroid as you may need a change there too.  Good luck to you, and I am sorry I can't help you in your journey except to say I am thinking and praying for you.

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