Please Help…What is wrong with me?
Hello all,
I have a few health concerns that are really getting to me lately. I hope you can help.
Basically, in mid December, due to many a reason, I developed severe, chronic insomnia. I was literally awake for over 3 weeks solid. Eventually and with great hesitation, I gave in to meds because of how bad my health got. I was hospitalized. Scary stuff. Anywho, even with sleeping pills, my sleep still wasn’t as restorative as it should be. Soooo, the doctors prescribed the infamous antidepressant, Effexor ( thinking that the insomnia is the outcome of some inner turmoil such as depression or anxiety). Hard to say really…Not sleeping for that long can mimic the worst of psychiatric disorders…Long story short,, I took effexor since January, and boy did it **** me up. So I was switched to another infamous one, Cymbalta. And again the side effects were intolerable. All the while takin sleeping pills and anti psychotics (for their apparent off label help with insomnia).
Throughout the course of the meds or for all i know, the ridiculously long period of sleepless nights, I developed a horrible pressure, tightness around my head, tinnitus in my right ear, and flashes and floaters in my eyes.
Approximately 2 months ago, I had enough, and against doctors orders, I started lowering the dosage of Effexor ( which i was put back on because the cymbalta effects were abit worse)…I was able to somehow get my sleep back too (after getting off that horrible stuff).
Which brings us to now… I am med free..Sleeping fine…Appetite back…Sexual desire back…Thinking is clear, coherant and cohesive…HOWEVER, its been 2 months of me sleeping again and not taking medication, and am still having that relentless, crushing, vice like feeling around my head 24/7…The ringing in my right ear is still louder than ever…And the flashes/ floaters in front of my eyes have not subsided…On top, I’m experiencing some weird "i don’t feel real" feelings too.Been to every which doctor and am not getting an answer I’m satisfied with. Could this be withdrawal from the meds, or some permanent damage from the long nights of sleeplessness or something else altogether..Had medical tests (blood work and MRI) 4 months ago. Everything ok…I don’t know whts goin on….My quality of life is greatly diminished, and I am growing increasingly desperate…Any help or insight is greatly appreciated….Any alternative therapies (other than acupuncture that might help?)Sorry for the length of the post….
btw…im a 24 yr old male if that matters…
Filed under: Tinnitus Treatment
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I, too, would suggest getting a series of Reiki treatments.
But first, get in to see an ophthalmologist and have a thorough eye exam. You may be experiencing a vitreous detachment.with all those floaters and flashes.
poor sod hope you get well again
I too had to keep changing my anti-depressants until i found one that had fewer side affects and ended up being put on cipralex which has been great. But poor you, you must be in turmoil. Keep going back to the doctors until you get the help you need because nobody should have to put up with that. I have a couple of "Complementary therapies" that you might find beneficial "Reflexology" or "Reiki". Good luck to you.
Hello.
Please get your adrenals tested.
http://www.adrenalfatigue.org
Start there and try to get in touch with that doctor, and read his book. If you have more questions, please feel free to email me.
The very best of luck to you.
I am in a similar situation as well. My Dr. Put me on effexor for insomnia. I was on the poison for almost 2 years. After I decided to stop taking it , I gradually weaned myself off. Unfortunately like yourself, I am experiencing what they call discontinuation symptoms. My 2 main complaints are floaters in my field of vision, which are 24/7 and secondly my cognitive functions. I have developed extreme fatigue and the pressure in the head … like your describing. There is a a lot of grey area concerning these types of drugs. All I am going to do is wait it out … exercise and diet help. Let me know if you find anything.