Hello - SSRI withdrawal

[Marissa]

Hi--

I too am convinced my PN and interstitial cystitis started after beginning to taper down on the SSRI I have been for over 20 years. The gabapentin that I then took to blunt the akathesia from the withdrawal then caused my feet to burn and hurt--which isn't going away--even after stopping the gabapentin. In fact, my feet started burning and hurting when I began tapering off the gabapentin. I got off the rest of it when I had burning in my eyes, feet, hands, and pelvic area. For me, there is a strong connection.

[Balenul]

Hi Samantha,

There is a lot that is unknown about SSRI's and exactly how they work.
http://www.webmd.com/depression/how-dif ... sants-work

When PGAD occurs as a result of SSRI withdrawal it's hard to say whether it's an imbalance or neurotransmitters in the brain that causes it or a problem that occurs in the peripheral nerves such as the pudendal nerve that innervates the clitoris -- or a combination of problems in both areas. So it is very difficult to determine what areas to treat and it can be a matter of trial and error to find out what works for you. There are so many options of things to try it's a bit of a maze out there. Hopefully your PT was able to give you some clues.

Are there any other factors in your history or clinical exam that could provide clues as to whether this could be pudendal nerve related? --- such as history of exercise, tense pelvic floor muscles, pain anywhere, problems with urination?

Violet

Even if this forum is almost 10 years old things are still a enigma about Pgad....imo even if is a neurotransmitters inbalance they affect pelvic floor also Violet.I also got Pgad 3 months ago after i stopped Zoloft , restarting it did not help me but as you know i have very tight pelvic floor , urinary problems etc.Imo the neurotransmitters inbalance somehow damage the pelvic floor muscles and nerves.Some say is a dopamine problem that is sending to much blood in pelvic floor ....my only question is how stopping a Ssri can damage the pelvic nerves / muscles ( ignoring to much blood sent my dopamine ) ? This is my big question.Also take your case for example 100 % you had a entrapment and Cipralex almost stopped your Pgad and you did not have a neurotrans. imbalance so somehow they helped your pudendal...

[Violet M]

Well said, Balenul.

I had a total knee replacement last year and I started taking duloxetine, an SNRI, and I had to quit taking it because it was causing the small blood vessels in my eye to burst. Who knows why, but the pharmacist said it is a possible side effect of the drug and to stop taking it immediately. The point being that SSRI's and SNRI's are powerful drugs that can affect multiple areas of your body and I think doctors don't give patients enough advice on slowly titrating up and slowly weaning off of them instead of just stopping them abruptly because it can be a shock to your body to just stop them cold turkey.

Violet