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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by NealMcCoy on February 26, 2005, at 1:06:48
Last week I posted about having "akathisia" like feelings with benzo withdrawal. I am still experiencing a bit of these feelings. I can barely sit still. Nobody talks about this, but I was wondering if anybody experienced this experienced this feeling in the center of your brain that is very hard to describe. It is this feeling of inflammation or tingling nerves and it makes you feel psychotic and can make you wish to die. Maybe there is a name for this. I have only talked to one other person in my life who can relate, and he had SSRI induced akathisia. It's not a headache, it's quite different. Inflammation is the best word I can use to describe it. It is one of the most agonizing sensations known to man.
Anyhow, has anyone experienced this agonizing "brain sensation" and could someone please share their experience w/ akathisia. Thanks
Neal
-Neal
Posted by Spriggy on February 26, 2005, at 13:47:49
In reply to Indescribable brain sensation, posted by NealMcCoy on February 26, 2005, at 1:12:44
I actually experienced this twice in my life.. Once on an anti neausea drug called Compazine, and then recently it was induced by Lexapro.
I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. I kept telling my husband, " I have the weirdest feeling in my head. Like it's off somewhere in the middle or full of cotton." It made me feel like I was for sure going insane. It was the most HORRIFIC feeling/experience of my life.
As a matter of fact, after feeling that way 4 weeks non stop, I ended up in the psych unit for 4 days until they diagnosed it as "akathasia."
Apparently, there are a few things you can do:
1) Benadryl every 3-4 hours.
2) oddly enough, they have put me ON benzo's for it and it is helping me. But apparently since going off the benzo's has caused this for you, that wouldn't help much.You basically want to sedate your central nervous system as much as possible. Try and rest/sleep as much as you can, stay away from any stimulants; caffeine, chocolate, etc..
Do you still feel it?
I still have it a tiny bit but nothing like before. It really is enough to cause someone to kill themselves.
It is the most uncomfortable/restless feeling in all the world.
Posted by NealMcCoy on February 26, 2005, at 17:32:41
In reply to YES YES AND YES!, posted by Spriggy on February 26, 2005, at 13:47:49
Hi Spriggy,
I saw your name on dpselfhelp.com and gathered that it was you. I sent you a PM. I feel a little less alone and a little less insane after reading that someone else knows what I am talking about.
I always hear about people talking about akathisia, but never that specific, excruciating, mind boggling sensation in your head. Let me tell you that I have had every horrific symptom in the book due to benzo withdrawal and they were bad, but they cannot even compare to this one.
It's like it attacks the very core of your being. It wipes out your thinking, your logic, your optimism, your emotions, your ability to connect. You are basically a walking vegetable with this head symptom.
You are right that it is dangerous and must be treated quickly or it could drive a person to the grave. Is the treatment plan you are on working for you? Has the feeling in your head subsided at all?
Mine is going very slowly, but i still have a good number of hours out of the day where I feel like that. I am trying my best to treat it. Email me at nadidas99@msn.com if you want to talk about this more. I really appreciate your response because it affirms that what I am going through is probably akathisia.
Posted by Phillipa on February 27, 2005, at 0:02:59
In reply to YES YES AND YES!, posted by Spriggy on February 26, 2005, at 13:47:49
Yes, benzos will help. Fondly, Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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