Medication Reduction/changes And I Keep Crying. Is This Grief?

[Chondra]

I have a new med provider. After my first meeting, just over three weeks ago, we cut out two of my seven (yes seven) meds; Olanzapine 2.5 mg and Escitalopram 20 mg. (I was diagnosed with Major Depression years before my PTSD) Since then my sleep quality has steadily declined and my irritability, anxiety and depression have increased. I sort of expected this to happen but not to this extent. I was hoping that by now I would have hit bottom and these symptoms start to ease up. I see her again on the 24, so I still have a few days to go.

What I did not expect to happen was the crying. I hoped to experience more feelings, but all I seem to feel is the urge to cry. What is going on? Is this grief?

Crying was mostly beaten out of me at an early age. Did I just store all those tears up?

I see my med provider soon, and I do not know if this is a symptom or not.

Any input is appreciated.

 

[Ted Moen]

When you start a medication it can take a few months for the initial reactions to pass and the long-term response to stabilize. Similarly, when you change or discontinue medication it can take a few months for the new mix to stabilize. If I were making a major change in my medication I would expect a set of initial reactions which I would expect to pass as the change stabilizes. I would discuss the initial set of reactions with my therapist, but I would expect the initial set to pass as the change stabilizes in my system. I would use a lot of self-talk to help myself through the stabilization period.

Ted

 

[intothelight]

Chondra,

Maybe the medication muted your emotions and the reduction in medication is allowing the emotion to come through? If you were taught not to cry (I have the same experience), maybe the crying is the first step in coming into contact with your emotion?

It is something to bring up with your T and remember that medications affect each individual in different ways. Also, there isn't any "right" or "wrong" way to be impacted by medication changes. If they make you cry than that is just your unique way of responding to the change.

Deb

 

[^^FlyingSolo^^]

Chondra,

I experienced a lot of uncontrollable crying when I was flexing the frequency of my medication, specifically Ativan. I chalked it up to a side effect. Tears would just run down my face no matter where I was or what I was doing even driving.

I know my own body very well and I new the previous crying was a direct side effect of the Ativan.

Since then it has made me more susceptible to crying at the drop of a dime, but its actually a different type of controllable cry.

 

[Chondra]

Thank you all so much for the input. I wish I could send you a bouquet of flowers. That is how I feel.

Ted, I think I was trying to fool myself into believing that the adjustment period was much faster than it actually is. You gave me a good reality check. I need to stay realistic about this.

And thanks for sharing your experiences Deb and Flyingsolo. I have changed meds before, I just never had this as an issue and it was freaking me out.

In parsing out my recent crying jags, they are mostly around loss and grief issues or acts of kindness I receive. Yes, your supportive missives have gotten me a bit weepy.:cry:

I am beginning to think that this might not be so bad if it means I am clearing the way to a greater range of feelings and a less numb existence. I think I would like that. But that is for the future. On a more practical note; I found that "Systane" eye drops (not an endorsement, just an observation) help ease sore eyes and takes out some of the spooky red eye look.

Thanks again!

Regards, Bill