Withdrawal symptom symptoms and conditions

I just found out about the hives issue when going off Zyrtec. The incredibly annoying thing about this is that the reason I went on the Zyrtec is because of hives so now that I'm trying to see if my hives are gone by going off the drug I can't tell because that's the withdrawal symptom! I used to have to take up to TWO pills a day to deal with my hives and now I can go about three days since I started using traditional Chinese herbs (through a practitioner) to work on my hive issues. Part of me thinks that the herbs are working but it's impossible to know because of the withdrawal issues. I would not have taken this drug for hives if I had known that was what would keep me from being able to stop taking it. I'm really aggravated!

Feeling bad after Stop taking Yasmin:
I stopped taking Yasmin one month ago, after taking it for 3 years.
But now I feel ill and dizzy for about 3 weeks.
I don't know if I should start with Yasmin again to feel better.
I hope to get a helpful advice from you.
Thanks
A.

I have also had a headache with Pexeva, on and off for weeks, and even as a withdrawal symptom. I went back on after two days for various reasons. I mainly went off the med because it was making me have to go to the bathroom (soft stools, sometimes worse) and lots of gas and stomach cramps, etc. I decided to go back on though because I loved how calm and relaxed I was. I also had an awful headache like when I had first gone on the med. I believe it was withdrawal symptoms (even though I had just started Zolof). I thought if I went back on Pexeva, my gastrointestinal symptoms might disappear after a few weeks and I need to give it more time to see. I have been back on for 7 days now and have yet to achieve the calm and relaxed mood I was in, but maybe I need another week. The gastro problems are on and off, some days better than others. Headache has varied, but today the worst. The one problem I am having and perhaps is getting worse is itchy skin, especially my nose (on outside, top and around it). So, maybe I am allergic to Pexeva, which would explain also the gastro probs. All and all, I have probably been on this med for a couple of months or so, mostly on.

I am trying to get off Zyrtec after having taken it for the last four months. I am having a hard time doing so. I've taken Zyrtec every spring for about 10 years. Every time I go off of it I develop terrible insomnia. It takes about three months to get over the insomnia. BUT this time around, I have developed a terrible itching. The itching goes away if I take one-half of a Zyrtec pill. It comes back if I don't take another pill within 24 hours. Come to think of it, I have developed this itching before when I went off Zyrtec and used hydrocortisone cream to stop it, but I never before contributed the itching to the Zyrtec. It is definitely some type of withdrawal symptom.
Also, my husband has noticed that I get terribly moody, depressed, cry a lot, and become critical of everyone when I am on Zyrtec -- and go back to my normal self when I am off of it.
AND I have begun to notice that my appetite goes wild while on Zyrtec. When I go off Zyrtec, my appetite goes back to normal. I have gained almost 50 lbs since I was introduced to Zyrtec.
I would like to say that I will never take it again, but it is the only antihistamine that completely controls my springtime allergic asthma. I need to be able to breathe.

In 1998, my father died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage. I was only 33. This was devastating to me being a single daughter who still had aspirations of having him walk me down the aisle and all. I became extremely depressed and cried all the time. I was prescribed Paxil by my GP in this state of mind. No psychology or counseling offered first. And nothing was said to me about it being an addictive drug that would be next to impossible to stop taking. Nothing was mentioned about the long-lasting side effects. It was only a few weeks into it though that I realized if I missed a dose or didn't take it on a scheduled time each day, I would experience these "brain lapses" or "shock type feelings" in my head. I couldn't think a thought through without confusion. Having a conversation was like being a walking-talking robot that was short-circuiting. My other symptoms from this drug was the weight gain (about 30 lbs by the end) and the total absence of libido (not that I didn't want it but that I was totally numb in parts that I wasn't before), which was not normal for me. It was like many of you have stated... sort of a no-feeling zone ... and I decided this drug was NOT for me.

It took me at least 4 months to taper off 20 mg of Paxil. The side effects included severe trouble thinking or remembering things, anxiety attacks, more gain weight (which I attribute to low energy or enthusiasm for most things), angry outburst, easily tearful, then the feet swelling. At first it was just my left foot that would swell up and I attributed it to maybe a hereditary condition and dismissed it being any part a Paxil withdrawal symptom.

Another blessing I feel is a result of my Paxil is a very sensitive stomach. I have GERT (or acid reflux) most of the time. The GP put me on Protonix which helped the acid problems but then my hands and feet would go to sleep at night. I didn't think that was a good payoff so am not taking that either.

The edema increased to an almost daily occurrence for both feet. Sometimes they are so swollen I cannot bend my ankles and my hands and face are swollen too. Over the past 7 years, my GPs have prescribed varying kinds and doses of diuretics to help elevate the fluid in my system, which at first helped some, but now it doesn't even effect the edema in my feet. The only thing that helps really is to wear a closed shoe (like a tennis shoe) or -- which instead forces the fluid up into my ankles. Just yesterday I was told that compression hosiery is the only fix beyond maybe losing weight (I am not obese but am about 45 lbs overweight at 185) and that the diuretics were really not necessary.

When I exercise on an elliptical machine both feet go to sleep after only 15 minutes. I am much more active now and play tennis 3-4 times a week and when playing my hands and feet get numb.

Ten years later, I have chronic (almost daily) edema in both my feet and in my hands and face sometimes. I am way more active and exercise regularly by participating in sports (tennis and other running sports) but I do not lose weight. I still get the numbness in my hands and feet when I exercise for any length of time.

In the past 3 months I have had my blood tested for any and all problems - diabetes, low B12, high sodium, cholesterol, heart Doppler exam, CT of abdomen, and more. I am healthy as a horse from the results, but I am still having daily edema in my feet. I was told by a friend living in Italy that they prescribe a drug called Daflon for circulatory improvement. It seems this drug is not available in the U.S., probably because it is known for having no adverse side effects. I did find that a natural plant extract called Pycnogenol is supposed to help with circulation and other inflammation. It is also known as a Vitamin C "action-helper."

The reason I am sharing my side effects from Paxil, is that before I took this drug, I had no known problems with my circulation and I feel it is what caused it. I also have the ongoing trouble of remembering things. I feel this drug did a number on my body and I was only on it maybe 8 months. I can't imagine what someone on it for years will face. Thing is, I was sad about my father; I wasn't suicidal. They prescribe something that has long lasting results to someone that is in a weak state of mind and then don't warn you that there are so many serious repercussions -- no. 1 being that this drug is chemically addictive to your body's delicately balanced system. NOW because of deaths and Paxil-related murders the FDA has questioned this drug's safety.

You have to wonder if the doctors are really thinking about the patient or if they are just promoting the latest new drug for some personal gain of their own. I feel like a live guinea pig and there's no solution to the side effects I'm left with.

I want to encourage those that are thinking of getting off this drug that the side effects will wane some over time -- you can't do it cold turkey or you will pay the price -- but don't take it any longer than you have to because the long-term effects are not worth it. Better to learn how to deal with your emotions and find something that will be a boost for you in a healthy, non-drug related way (or at least natural), than let this Paxil industry continue.

I've been on Effexor XR 75mg for 8 months with multiple side effects; headache (feels like the top of my head will blow), stomach pains, constant nausea, excessive sweating, body tremors & a skin rash that started on my chest and has moved to my back, arms & on my scalp. The rash has to be an allergic reaction to this medication. I have went through 3 rounds of antibiotics with absolutely no response. After reading the side effects of Effexor, I am going off this drug - cold turkey. I am on day 6. You name the withdrawal symptom I have experienced them!! eg:Excessive swings in body temps- I am either sweating or chilling to the point I have to get in hot tub to stop shaking, Brain zaps, severe nausea. unending diarrhea - still hitting on day 6, nightmares, heart racing, extreme rage but I feel things are a little better today. I am sticking with this until the end. If you are contemplating getting off this drug you should talk to your doctor and keep in mind days 3 thru 6 will be the worst of the withdrawal so be ready to lock yourself in your home for about a week with hot & cold drinks(tea & 7up) blankets and pray for help to see you through.

weight gain, numbness, diminished (non-existant) sex drive, dependance on the "daily fix".

Any suggestions on how to discontinue usage, with the least troublesome withdrawal symptom? I would love to stop taking Paxil, but am scared of the withdrawal process.

ive had this weird fluid coming from me with blood in it almost like a light period but its been going on for a while now and my boyfriend said ever since ive been on it ive seemed depressed and not myself! anyone else feel this way?

I just recently came off Advair after 5 years of side effects, boy was I brainwashed! And a/o I am now taking Asmanex (corticosteroid) I began having withdrawal but I believe to the Serevent.
Until I read some posts here, I began to question what was going on with me. I thought at first it was withdrawal from Advair particulary the Serevent. But I just couldn't believe something we inhale could do that. But this inhaled drug did cause me and many others systemic effects.
The first couple of weeks off the Advair my anxiety was worse than when I was off the drug. Who thought that was possible.
And the most alarming withdrawal symptom was the tingling in my hands and feet.

Since going on Effexor 3 years ago, I have had similar side effects, as well as withdrawal symptoms when trying to go off the drug. My symptoms while on it are: night sweats, being hot all the time (sweaty hands and feet), rashes all over, excema on my scalp and neck, "lightning flash" type feelings in my brain/head, extreme depression, an inability to feel intimacy (although no sex drive problems), extreme weight gain (despite frequent exercise and good diet). During my pre-menstrual period, I am pretty much psychotic, to the point of wanting to hurt myself and others. With the weight gain and depression, I really AM better off not taking the drug. But I find it impossible to take two weeks off work to simply stop taking a drug. It is not possible to stop taking effexor and work or function in ANY CAPACITY. I really feel for the moms out there who have had to do it. One other thing I have been experiencing is severe joint pain. I would like to know if others have experienced this.

I have been on pred for 2 years off and on for Temporal Arteritis that the doctors at long last have decided that I don't have. They started me out on 60 mm and now they are taking me off at 1mm every other week. I am down to 11mm now. I have experienced all the side effects except the acne and problems with periods. I gained 40 pounds and have such bad pains in my lower back that I can't stay on my feet for long. And I'm always hungry though I try to control it. My main withdrawal symptom is extreme itching from my neck to my wrists and thighs. especially where there is any pressure on the body such as waist bands etc. I tried to get off it once but it was at a faster rate and that is when the itching started. I will gladly put up with the itching as long as I can get off this "Satans curse" of a medicine. I also have jerking in my hands and a general feeling of shakiness. I was glad to read that someone else had painful sensitive teeth I didn't know it was connected to the pred. I too wonder if I will be able to lose all this weight after I'm off the pred. I do know that the moon face goes away because it did the one time I came off the pred then had to get back on it. I also have weakness in my thighs and arms. and my arms are always getting big ugly bruises or torn skin on them to the point that I have to wear long sleeves in hot weather.feel free to email me with your story. Especially if you are off of it so I can have some idea what might happen to me

After one year I stopped taking levoxyl awaiting a doctor's decision as to what I should do now. I have a growth in my throat and the hope was that this drug would make it shrink. It didn't happen. Anyway I've been off the drug for about three weeks and I have a continual slight nausea feeling. I wonder if this is a withdrawal symptom.