Chrissy and Skywalk and Ineedhope,
First for those having severe stomach issues.......Garden of Eden Primal Defense works very well.............it is costly, about $39 a bottle but is worth it's weight in gold.........believe me.
My daughter aws actually on 20 mg but due to the interaction with the
Biaxin it was actually comparable to about 35 Mg of
Lexapro (or more) with the increase due to the p 450 Cytochrome system.........she is also a slow metabolizer.
She is down to 7.5 Mg of Lexapro and is able to function................we reduce by 1 to 2% every two weeks but by doing this the withdrawals have been managable..........it will just take long time to get off. When trying to reduce by more the nightmares, stomach cramps, chills and mood liability were horrible. School attendance has been greatly improved with the minute reductions. I have noticed now that she is on a much lower dose she is beginning to be creative again by drawing, etc. Prior to this she would retreat to her room often.
The dizziness can be managed by dramamine. Also the dizziness can be caused by blood sugar levels being unbalanced due to the lexapro. A handful of walnuts eaten thruout the day will stabalize the blood sugar levels and help the dizziness. Make sure those of you reducing keep a close eye on blood sugar levels by blood testing because I wonder if the SSRI's are not causing diabetes in many.
There are various brand of Omega Fish Oils so follow the directions..I do not think 3 is too many if directed to take that amount on the bottle. Carson's liquid fish oil is the brand that seems to work the best..........no mercury contamination as some may have.
Ineedhope,
Your reduction was extremely fast but everyone is different. I can tell you from personally talking to so many lexapro users that some of the side effects (emotional) set in about at the 3 to 4 month mark of being completely off the lexapro. The first phase is the physical symptoms that seem to appear about seven days after the reduction and last till about day 14 to 20 then you will start to stabalize until your next reduction.
There is the second stage of withdrawal that includes the depersonalization and a faraway look in ones eyes (as may be described by your family and friends)....this seem to happen about 3 to 4 months after being off after a cold turkey or fast taper off of the lexapro. Most become afraid at this stage but it will pass......be patient.A I said.............with many it can take about 18 months.
I am not a doctor but if it were myself or a family member.............I would do a much slower taper then you have done. After 5 weeks being off the lexapro you will not be able to reinstate..it will not help symptoms at that point.
Again I am so glad that I as well as others have been able to help and reach so many by posting our experiences to this topic.
All I can say from experience is that SLOW tapers really do allow the neurotransmitters in the brain to heal without possible permanent damage...........at least it appears to help.
I know 5% is the recommended taper in Dr. Tracy's book but in my daughter's case that was far too much and caused too much distress.
Everyone is different and the lower the dosage gets the harder the tapers will be. I am praying that my daughter continues to be able to handle the symptoms as her dose goes lower.
I know of a man that was on 15 Mg of Lexapro for abou a year. He tapered to 10 Mg for about three months, then 5 Mg for a few months and never had any withdrawals. he ten stopped the Lexapro and at about the 4 month mark he became very ill with the depersonalization....it has been two years and he still is not feeling himself...............that is enough for me to realize that tapering slowly is essential for long term benefits even if the taper is smooth and not many withdrawals are noticed.