Has anyone had issues restarting antidepressants after stopping?

I’m trying to get back on Clomipramine after being on it for 30 years. I thought I would try an SSRI. SSRI didn’t work. Now trying to get back on Clomipramine after 4 months. It has been very difficult. Gave me an ulcer , not sleeping, I do think it’s starting over again with the side effects.

I'm going through a similar situation, I was on a antidepressants Paxil, I took it years ago for anxiety and depression, it worked very well for me but after a year I didn't like how I was feeling and I tapered off them, I didn't start on anything else for a while except Ativan which helped a lot for anxiety but eventually I needed more help so I started Lexapro and the side effects were bad, I tried to give it a while and went off them, eventually going back to Paxil. It didn't take long to realize how bad they made me feel, again I gave it a while but I had to get help from the doctor who told me to skip a day for a week and then stop so I did. I really started to suffer from more side effects, everything from body cramps, strong headaches, brain zaps, dizziness and sleeping problems. I learned that I went off them too quickly and found myself suffering from Serotonin Discontinuation Syndrome, this can resolve in 1-3 weeks but even up to several months, I've been off them now for 4 weeks and I still have some problems but it's slowly easing up, I think waiting a while or maybe trying another option with best for now, I've become very weary of these drugs because sometimes they make you feel worse than the ailment I took them for, I had also learned that Paxil is one of the worst medication to get off them.

@frouke I’m sorry you’ve been having such a difficult time and hope you find some relief! Do you feel better off the medications than you did on them? I eventually had a good experience the first time around and was on them without issue for like 15 years. It’s only in trying to restart that I’ve had such negative symptoms de effects. And yea, skipping a day a week is definitely not the way to go and creates instability in the system which can cause something called “kindling” where your body is oversensitized. Ugh, how hard! I’m glad you were able to get off. Please let me know how you continue to do and what you decide about restarting.

@mitch4444 sorry you’re having this reaction and I hope the same defects get better soon!

@climbingmountains81, Thank you for your support, it's been a really tough time for me but I do realize that it's not a unique problem, I truly envy those who survived the storm and found help from their medication. Presently I want to take a break and have my hope that the remaining side effects will resolve soon, best wishes with your efforts.

I tapered off Paxil as I was on a dose too high for my age. My Psychiatrist liked Lexapro and I could not tolerate the drug and what it did to me. I had spiked anxiety and could not leave the house. I’m now back on Paxil that worked for me many years. I Found it to be the best drug I had experienced. I’m hoping I find the same relief as I’m starting again at a much lower dose for my age. Has anyone had good luck with Paxil?
Mjdennis

I started Lexapro and had horrible spikes of anxiety, feeling like my body could not handle what was happening to me. I stayed on it and then was desperate and my psychiatrist helped me get off of the drug. I could not sleep and ended up in the emergency room. It was too activating for my entire body. I had problems stopping it with feelings of with drawal. It was worse than horrible. I have now gone back to Paxil that worked for me for years but at my age, 79 , I was on too much. I am now in 15 mg Paxil and hoping it will give me back the normal feeling I had before. Mjdennis

@maryjjeandennis thanks for sharing your experience. It sounds very similar to mine and some others who’ve shared theirs. Glad Paxil sounds like it working for you so far. I hope that continues! Did you have any issues getting back on Paxil?

@maryjjeandennis
I am going through the same thing trying to get back on Clomipramine that I was on for 30 years. I have developed ulcers that have complicated everything. Not sleeping and dealing with stomach pain . It is worse than horrible. 🥲

@mitch4444 so sorry to hear this! How long have you been on the medication again?