[SaraAnn]

Hi all! I have found so much comfort in the 204 pages you have left behind... and I am angry. When I put on 40lbs in the last 2 years on Lexapro my Doctor assured me that Lexapro was not indicated to cause weight gain, what a bunch of bull! Not to mention the fact that I began to lactate and my anxiety was increasing... with two sever panic attacks while on the medication. At 30mg I was still suffering. To get my health back at the expense of my bi-polar disorder, I stopped taking Lex. I was gald losing my insurance forced my hand. I see not that my withdrawal has not been easy. I had a major falling out with my family and was not with them over the holidays. I see now that withdrawal may had had a hand.
I am now suffering with very disturbing nightmares, staggering, headaches, moodiness and loss of appetite... which is nice... and my sexdrive is increasing.

I am using your collective advice... taking Excedrine for Sinus and Relacore... which really took the edge off.

Because I am hyproglycemic, I am avoid high glycemic index foods like the plauge! My Fiancee made me biscuits and gravy this morning and I started having hot flashes and a spinning spell and nausea. reminded me why I am on a "strict" diet.

I feel like I could start crying at any moment and all I want to do is go to bed and cover my head. The only thing keeping me up is that the Bears are going to kill the Seahawks today!!!

Sara Jones

[Getting Better]

Skywalk,

Thank you. That does make me feel a lot better.

I'm at the three month mark and the emotional withdrawals are kicking in--explaining a little of the melo-drama in yesterday's post. Physically (except for the weight) my body has gone back to normal. Emotionally I've been great 80% of the time, but 20% of the time I feel crazy.

I remember you writing in past posts that your fiancee travels a lot for work. So does my husband. He's been away all week (Finally coming home tonight) and I'm so afraid of being home alone I can barely sleep. I have to check the locks again and again and investigate every time I hear a noise even if I know it's just a house settling noise or the radiator clanging. I get into these moods where I'm so afraid. Then I feel guilty for things that happened years ago that were not even that big a deal and then like I deserve for bad things to happen to me. This isn't me. This just started happening two weeks ago and it sucks.

Anyway thanks for your words of encouragement. How are you feeling these days?

[Mart_n_MO]

Hello, what a great forum. I am over 2 1/2 months off and still suffering withdrawls, specifically the brain pains. My question is about the brain quakes.

I would describe them like this: It started like what I would call rumblings on the surface of my brain, usually near the top/back area. Sometimes they move along like a lightning storm. Lately though, I have been getting these pinpoint pains or like a burning sensations, they slowly come in and then fade out. Also dull headaches that last for an hour or so are common. I know this is specific, but I guess I am looking for some "me too's".

All this really sccares me, I fear something worse, but have gotten comfort from this site.

Thanks in advance,
Martin

[rubiek]

Now almost a month off the Lexapro--

And in past two days, I cannot stop eating! I've started to eat VERY healthy and eat moderately at each meal shortly after quitting the med. In the past two years during my depression episodes I did eat very little (lost lots of weight) and really unhealthy (w/ instant foods), so it must be natural that my body is craving for all the "good" nutrients it missed until now!

Another reason of this craving seems to be due to the facts that 1. I have started to work hard all over again; and 2. I have begun exercises by going back to practice after almost a year of being inactive.

For me, it helps to keep a laid-back perspective in regards to these cravings. I eat whenever I feel hungry inbetween meals but very healthy, e.g., fruits, nuts, yogurt. NO foods that give me sugar high, such as, chocolates, cookies, also avoid those that contains caffeine (e.g., coke). Making a commitment to exercise regularly also helps me because I surely know that I will build muscles and strong bones again. I am careless about weight in numbers because muscles are heavy and I know I WILL and NEED to GAIN WEIGHT to get my healthy body back. What is more important is that I feel stronger and feel fit.

Mart_n_Mo--yeah, what you have sounds like "brain zaps" and I can relate to it. I feel a sensation on the back of my head first, then electric shock like sensation goes all over the brain. Also feel that a part of my brain is foggy all the time. When sharing those with my doc, she said to me that as long as there is no emotional side-effects, there is nothing to worry.

[SaraAnn]

brain zaps here too!

Sara Jones

[Skywalk]

Getting Better...at only three months off, give yourself some time before dealing with the weight issue. My mom is 5'8" and is about 140 lbs. On Lex she must have gained 50-60 lbs. She is back to about 140 or less. I know some can't lose the weight, but hope you will. It takes months and months to really heal from this drug. I think I'm in an overlap phase...I still have some issues with my stomach and head (brain). Last couple days have been really good, though, physically. Still very bad dreams, but depersonalization is better. So, yeah, my body is doing much better, but this fear still hangs on and I have no desire for the good things in life. I guess that's the emotional phase we're both experiencing, at least the fear part.

Rub...I remember that hunger at one month off. I actually ate two plates of spaghetti every night for one week during that! It will settle down in the weeks to come. Luckily, I've only gained about 10 lbs from this ordeal. At 5' 6", I was 130lbs and am now a little over 140.

Sara..you sound much better now that you know what's going on.

Tavee...how are you? Any passion yet?!

[SaraAnn]

skywalk... there is a great deal of relief that comes from knowing that you are not alone. I thought I was going crazy... or should I say crazier.

The Excedrin for Sinus zapped the brain zaps to about 75%... things are starting to seem real again, good to know that Wal-Mart making me dizzy and disoriented is normal.

aaaaaah... good to be normal.

Sara Jones

[tavee]

SKYWALK AND SARITA
HEY THERE!!

I HOPE U GUYS ARE FEELING WELL.
I STARTED 3.6 TODAY AND I AM SCAREDDDDDDDDD!!

SARITA-
I NOTICED THAT THE LOWER U GO (JUST BY CALCULATING THE DOSE) IT IS REALLY, REALLY SLOW GOING DOWN. FOR EXAMPLE, MY NEXT ONE IS 3.4 THEN 3.2 THEN 3(THIS IS 5% DOWN EVERY TIME). WHEN AM I EVER GOING TO GET OFF THIS COMPLETELY???

U HAVE TO TELL ME URE BREAKDOWN WHEN U WERE AT AROUND MY DOSE.

WHEN I GET LOWER TO LIKE 2 OR 1ML, HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO STAY ON THAT? IS IT THE SAME TIME AS NOW(2 WEEKS)???
PLEASE LET ME KNOW BABY GIRL. IM REALLY WORRIED.

SKYWALK- HOW IS THE DEPERSONALIZATION GOING? HAS IT DIMINISHED? DO LIGHTS STILL BOTHER U WHEN U ARE AT STORES?

I HOPE U GUYS ARE DOING GOOD. IL TALK TO U SOON.

TAVEE

[mj21]

Hi everyone,

I just found this site surfing around for info connecting migranes (especially around your period) with Lexapro. I have been on Lexapro 10mg for about 9 mons, originally for anxiety. I went to cognitive behavior therapy and my shrink and I convinced my GP to let me wean off. I started taking 5mg about 3wks ago and have had a lot of the same symptoms other people mentioned, nothing debilitating until this past week, a week before my period (though since I've started taking the lexapro, it is hard to predict). I started my period a whole week early and if that wasn't bad enough, the migranes started everyday. I am taking fioricet which helps sometimes but I know the next step if I complain is imitrex and well, I just see how one more chemical in my brain could be a good thing at this point.

I'm not looking for a cure all answer, I am determined to get off this drug, becuase I never had such terrible clusters of headaches until I started taking Lexapro. I don't know, I guess I'm needing to vent a bit, because I am sick of the "take more drugs" approach when I try so hard not to take any.

Magee, don't feel alone, lexapro has sent my female hormones in an uproar, I tell my husband "It's a party and everyone's invited but me" What is most sad though is that doctors don't appreciate the effects changing your cycle even slightly can do to your physical and emotional health.

Anyway, glad I found you all.

[Skywalk]

Aunty...if you check back...how long do the emotional withdrawals last??? Is this the stage where one experiences depression and anxiety? I'm at 3.5 months off and the emotional stuff has been creeping up on me, but I've hit a real low now. I've been on my couch for several days with NO desire to do anything and I almost can't feel. Is this normal at this point?

[sarita]

TAVEE,

You are going really slow. But aren't you doing better? You haven't complained in a long time...If you feel you can go to 10% do it. But why rush if you're not in a hurry and suffer for what? cause you're losing patience? You must be feeling pretty good. I know, I wanted to go faster too but i didn't. It's really up to you. Believe me, it's worth the wait. I barely had any withdrawals.

I'm 30 days off lexipro and i'm feeling AMAZING!!!!!!!!! so happy....
no weight loss yet..

[Back and Neck Pain]

I went cold turkey. Its been 4 weeks.

my withdrawal effects are - extremely bad neck and back pain, headaches and light headness. The neck and back pains are just awful.

Anyone else with the same problems?

[Back and Neck Pain]

quote:Originally posted by smille50

Its nine days now off lexapro! ive been getting bad neck pains, dont know if it has to do with the withdrawl affects or not. anyone else get neck pains? Im also feeling sleepy in the afternoon.

[Skywalk]

Neck and head pain is absolutely withdrawal. I think the neck pain even has something to do with the serotonin. I had it for about the first two months off of Lexapro.

[Patience]

I have been off for 4 months and STILL have neck and back pain! Lately my tendons have ached too, mostly in my hip area. Anyone else experiencing this?

[Getting Better]

Patience: I've been off for over three months now and I'm having a lot of isues with back and neck pain. I thought it might be because I haven't taken a yoga class in a long time, except that the pain isn't quite the same thing as usual muscle stiffness.

Here's something else that's weird: I know we talked about adrenal fatigue, but I can kind of feel a little soreness in my lower back where my kidneys are. Strange, huh?

Skywalk: I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time. I had a depressive episode at about 75 days off. I had just finished my novel--after working on it for four years-- and gotten a job. I should have been thrilled, but for a week or two I was miserable. I couldn't connect with what I had just accomplished, couldn't be happy, couldn't enjoy it. Then that feeling went away. It was replaced by fear/ panic/guilt for about two weeks.

This week I'm feeling good, but I have days where my behavior and reactions are strange; it's easier to slip onto hopelessness. But it's gotten much better.

I hope that helps. Maybe try to force yourself to go for a walk, even if it's just down the block. Some fresh air and a change of scenery often work wonders. Feel better.

[Skywalk]

Getting Better...I was just thinking about you. Today is much better than yesterday. I got some energy back (yesterday I had extreme fatigue). I was even able to go out and enjoy some of the snow we got here in Portland. Last night I was afraid the depression was here to stay, but it's not really with me today so it seems like these emotional withdrawals come and go, would you agree? The only one that has stuck with me for weeks is a feeling of apathy. I have little interest in the things I use to. I do believe it will come back, but it is so strange to feel like this. Sounds like we are going through a lot of the same things. Thanks for the support.

I have the fear, too. The first couple of months off of this I would venture out to some places with my fiancee, but now I want to stay close to home. I have crazy fear...like "what if we get in a car accident"...I know I couldn't handle it. Part of that actually makes sense, but most of it is this irrational fear I have. I just try to calm down and allow myself to stay home and recover.

I can relate to your lack of feeling in regard to your novel (very cool, btw). I was ready to open my clothing store (my dream!) before all of this. And when I go to my store now I feel nothing. Luckily, I can hold off the opening till I feel ready.

Patience: What are your worst symptoms at this point? Muscle aches? You went off Effexor, correct? Did you get the depersonlization (out-of-body) feeling?

Tavee: Hey, you! Sounds like you're doing well with taper...hang in there...you're getting close! Yes, to answer your question, I still have the depersonalization. I think it's getting a little better, though. I corresponded with a woman this week that went through this nightmare (from Zoloft and Paxil - 3 weeks each). She had severe depersonalization and had to move home with her parents and could not drive or work for 5 months. It's been three years and she is doing well. She promised me it would get better!

I'm 3.5 months off cold-turkey of six weeks of Lexapro 10mg.

[Patience]

Getting better:

Thanks for telling me! Sometimes you think you're going crazy! Yes, the neck and back pain is very different from anything else, because it comes and goes (mostly there!) and it is just really uncomfortable no matter what you do. I take a lot of hot baths. I also experienced for awhile the pain in the lower back near what would be my kidneys. It eventually went away about 2 or 3 weeks ago. For now I am also still dealing with the dry eyes that started right when I went on the medicine. I wish that would go away over anything else

Sexy Sue:

Are you still out there? I wanted to find out how your doing after this much time. I remember reading that people thought soemthing was wrong becaus eyou couldnt possibly having such bad withdrawals after 7-8 weeks, well they're wrong! I think that it actually got a little worse my 3rd and 4th month....

[Patience]

oh yeah and this month is definately more emotional than the last.

I try to get a lot of massages as well. They help with the emotional and physical aspects. I am going to get my hormones checked this week by a naturpath and will let you guys know what has happened.
I think that a lot of the effects are also caused by our hormones being so far out of whack. The time closest to my period is the worst and the I get my period earlier than I should, etc....She also said that she could give me some things for the withdrawal. I won't be taking anything to stimulant-like though, don't want it to bring back the burning sensation on my skin which has since pretty much left

[Patience]

HI Skywalk!
Isnt the snow wonderful?! My mom just moved to Portland and is real excited to see that.

I went off effexor cold turkey exactly 4 months ago. I am on the lexapro forum, because they are very similar drugs and there is more out there about lex than effexor. Effexoir is a horrible drug, the drug reps call it "side-effexor"!! I have been on zoloft before and actually lexapro and never experienced withdrawals like this. Who knows why....It must just be a timing things with your body. One thing I do know is that I will never not take these drugs seriously again....
The intense withdrawals lasted for about 4-5 days and then came the layers of the onion. for awhile things would be better and then they would swing bad again. The skin burning feeling started at about 2.5 months and the achy feeling then too. The depersonilazation feeling started awhile back, hard to remember, but it is alomst 99% gone by now. It will go away. On the days you feel good, or the minutes you feel good, force yourself to contact friends--reach out. Thta's what I do. The days I feel ****ty and cant think of doing anythin or talking to anyone, I just hole up, watch a movie and feel sorry for myself. It really sucks. Right now the only things I am dealing with are:

Dry eyes
Muscle aches in back and neck and back of legs
A little sticky joint feeling (came back--felt this while on the drug)
A little weepy
A little anxiety--although not much

Get a Tai chi massage--awesome! I got one and the lady was sooo awesome and I just bawled and bawled. It really lets a lot out.

[Patience]

Oh yeah and VERY tired!!

[Skywalk]

Patience: Yeah, I heard Effexor is a c r a p drug, too. I will never take an SSRI again! I did well on Paxil and Prozac a few years back (very low doses) so I know I have some tolerance. These newer drugs are getting more and more powerful and it's really scary. Google Dr. Peter Breggin when you feel strong enough to read about these drugs. He has a lot of insight as to how bad they are and is trying to get the truth out there.

If any good will come out of this it's the fact that my family and I will never casually take a medication just handed out by a doctor. I'm a true believer in naturopathic medicine now. My N.D. tested my neurotransmitters...did you know that can be done? My levels were off the charts. It was nice to have evidence on paper (not that I needed any evidence). My N.D. gave me some herbal supplements for liver and gut support, but one bothered me and now I know why after reading that article about being too sensitive to herbs during withdrawal. I just want her to help me plan good meals. I want to keep my system clean.

I totally agree with you about the 3rd -- and probably the 4th month-- being the worst. I'm at 3 1/2 months off cold turkey and I'm in worse shape than ever. I have little energy, am depressed, have irrational fear and still have that spooky depersonalization. I still cannot work or drive.

I'm sorry you still have the muscle pain. I remember that weird neck pain...no rubbing or massage really helped. And then sometimes it would just go away for a an hour or two...like it was never there! But most of the time it was there. That went away for me about two months ago...it will go away.

Oh, like you, my period started early for three months too, but this month it was right on time.

[rubiek]

I knew that PMS would throw me off and it has started to affect me... ugh. Yesterday I felt so tired, and am dragging myself today. My neck is kind of stiff, too. I have a lot of work to do and this is very frustrating!

[Patience]

Skywalk:

I will never take an SSRI again either! Thanks for the info too, I will look that guy up soon. Right now it would probably depress me more!
That is really neat about your nerotransmitters, I would bet the farm that mine are completey out of whack as well. I am nervous about the supplements she will give me. My stomach hasn’t had any issues since the first week unlike some people, so maybe I will be able to take some things….?Mostly I think that my adrenals are really depleted. I went off of caffeine, alcohol and sugar, hoping that it would speed recovery time. If your adrenals are depleted and that is what the SSRI’s do (they cause your body to over-produce cortisol, which depletes your adrenals) then drinking coffee is like kicking a dead horse. So the way I’ve read to rebuild adrenals is through high amounts of B-5 (pantothenic acid), but I don’t want to do that now, because it is overstimulating!? So ****py.

Yes, the starting the beginning of my 3rd month until now has been rough…it is getting a little better though. I just keep thinking that it is like peeling an onion; you get through one layer and then hit another type of withdrawal symptom. I have a lot of fear too, but mine is the fear that I have a disease or something! Yuck…..

That’s great that your period is getting back to normal, don’t worry the depersonalization will go away. Try meditating and deep breathing. Lot’s of chamomile tea too….

[Skywalk]

I had to wean myself off caffeine during this. I had to go through that withdrawal on top of this withdrawal, but I had to get off of it. I cannot believe how tired and spacey I am today. I wanted to fall asleep at the grocery store; my only trip out today.

[Patience]

Skywalk..

Yes, the caffeine withdrawal was not fun amd I miss coffee soooo much! Not fair

I know the fatigue you,re talking about, are you naseous too? I had that dizzy, naseous fatigue and it went away actually a couple weeks ago (hopefully gone for good) I'm about 2 weeks ahead of you, so its interesting to experience similar things.

Getting better: how are you lately?

[Leonie Treston]

This is my first posting. I live in Australia and started taking Lexapro in February/March 2005.
3 weeks ago I quit cold turkey. I just forgot to fill my script, and after a week decided that I would not bother. My doctor did advise that I should taper the dosage, but I like to do things the hard way!!
I have found the postings very helpful.
My experience with Lexapro has been different than others. I started on Lexapro due to depression and anxiety. I was unable to leave my house. My dose was 10mg once per day, which I took in the mornings.
The first few weeks where a bit hard, I experienced sweats and vision issues. It was a long time ago, so I don't have exact specifics.
I lost 15 kilos in the first 8 months of taking Lexapro, but have not been able to lose anymore. I have an enlarged thryoid, which I had before beginning Lexapro, but all tests are normal. I have been severely overweight since having my children, the first in 1992 and 2nd in 1994.
I have suffered with depression since having my first child. My marriage break down bought it all to a head in 2000, but I was very anti medication and went down a different path to treat my depression, this worked great, but the depression set in again after another relationship break down in early 2005.
I called Lexapro my happy pills, as I had no side effects once they were in my system.
I stopped biting my fingernails [:0](anxiety related) 6 months ago. This is a habit that I have been trying to break for over 36 years (I have been doing it as long as I can remember!)
Since quitting cold turkey, I have dizziness and sweating. [V] The dizziness started from day one. After reading through the postings, I tried walking and moving my eyes left and right. I get dizzy. If I move my eyes up and down, the dizziness stops.
However, I don't have to be moving to get dizzy. Either way if I look up it stops. Sometimes with the dizziness I feel a bit nauseous, but this is not often and now I know how to stop it. [8D]
While taking Lexapro I did a lot of reading about depression and the causes. I found a book called "Taming the Black Dog" and checked out a website in Australia called beyondblue.com.au. This website has a lot of information about depression and anxiety and has been set up by the ex premier of Victoria, Australia.
Please check out this website and try to get a copy of the book if you can, the book is written in plain english, so anyone can understand it. [8)]
I also did a lot of self analysis while taking Lexapro and feel that I am in a much better place emotionally, which I am hoping will help me through withdrawal as well! [)]
From reading previous postings I now know that what I am experiencing is relatively common and that it will not last forever. [^]
Thankyou to all and I hope that you continue to find inner peace and tame your little black dog!!
Leonie [8D]

[spiderc52]

quote:Originally posted by shocker

[spiderc52]

quote:Originally posted by shocker

[spiderc52]

Hi,
i have been on lexapro for about 3 yrs ,was on 15 mgs now down to 2.5,i also had the sweats ,stiff neck, aches and pains.i have been on 2.5 for about 2 months.i am so scared to get off because of the side affects. but i am determined.i am 57yrs young,is there anything i can take to make the side afects less severe.
Rebecca