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From Wikipedia
People with discontinuation syndrome have been on an antidepressant for at least four weeks and have recently stopped taking the medication, whether abruptly, after a fast taper, or each time the medication is reduced on a slow taper.[1] Commonly reported symptoms include flu-like symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, sweating), sleep disturbances (insomnia, nightmares, constant sleepiness). Sensory and movement disturbances have also been reported, including imbalance, tremors, vertigo, dizziness, and electric-shock-like experiences in the brain, often described by sufferers as "brain zaps". Mood disturbances such as dysphoria, anxiety, or agitation are also reported, as are cognitive disturbances such as confusion and hyperarousal.
Psychosis is also known. I haven't suffered hyperarousal or psychosis but everything else.
Additionally, I've suffered what my psychiatrist thought was serotonin syndrome in the past, though they weren't sure.
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I'm the same as Paula if that helps? I would like to add that each time it's been different for each medication..
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If a person is coming off a drug and he feels no side effects at all apart from a slight heavy feeling in the head is that ok?
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I'd say that person is lucky ;) everyone is different, purple
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In the early days of my depression (SAD) I'd be on sertraline from autumn/winter to the following summer then come off them slowly with no side effects (unless I've a selective memory) I went through this cycle a few times before I was on sertraline permanently.
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If controlled drugs that are prescribed by the doctor can give you side effects, then it leads to the question why are we using them?
I cant imagine what it must be like coming off Heroin or cocaine. I guess the good outweighs the evil in prescribed drugs.
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The drugs change the way our brains/chemicals work so it seems logical that removing that will have an impact. Lithium is a dangerous drug but there is no way I'm ever going to allow anyone to take me off it - my life without it is not worth living.
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I'm with Paula. Some of the drugs I'm on or have been on have caused withdrawal - morphine included... but the worst I came off was cocodamol which I'd been taking for a long time at a "cause for concern" level... That was horrible... Thing is I know what my life is like with the drugs and I know it's better..