[Rissy]

One more thing... has anyone had any trouble with smells/scents? Suddenly perfumes, colognes, smells, etc. drive me nuts!

[MaryB]

Thanks for asking felly.... I am doing ok.... I actually am doing much better on the nausea... I started taking Collidal (sp) Silver which my father in law reccommended and my nausea has improved almost 100%. Not sure if coincidence or it really works, lol... I do still have that bloated feeling and I have been taking alka seltzer for that. It seems to help a bit. I went from 5mg to nothing and that was when I got really sick for a few days and seemed to get a bit better.. Now the brain zaps are really bad today but thankfully without the nausea. I am still VERY tired and my eyes feel like they are extremely heavy. My sweats are improved too, YEAH!!! I am eating like crazy though... the last 3 nights now. It could be worse. I am so thankful that I am not working full time. I would not be able to do that. Maybe go to 4 or 3mg... I quit because I am at home and thankfully can try to get it over. OH!!! I have been taking Sudafed, I think I read it somewhere that it helped a bit and I think it does with the head zaps some... Good luck to you! We will get through this!! I just read on the internet that bananas are really good to eat before bed to help you relax... Take care all and sweet dreams!

Don't let what you can not do interfere with what you can.

[Seefour]

Quick question, I've been off for a bout a month now. I'm going to the doctor today about my swallowing problem and just for a general checkup.
Now, I'm probaly going to be sent to an ENT. I don't have globus hystericus (there is no lump feeling in throat) So i might have GERD or an infection (lots of phelgm) If I have to take medicine or some kind of anti-boitic is this going to total screw with my withdrawals? Further I might have to have a tube stuck down my throat, which means i might have to sedated, is the anasteshia (sp i know) going to effect me in any adverse way? Has anyone had upper GI tests done while under lexapro withdrawals?

[MaryB]

I haven't Seefour but I just wanted to wish you Good luck today! I hope they can figure out what is up without the sedation! Keep us posted!
Hugs~Mary

Don't let what you can not do interfere with what you can.

[Tamela11]

Why does lexapro cause weight gain? How long before quitting does the weight come off providing you are exersising and eating right? I know that is a loaded question but I wanted to make sure it can be done.

[Patience]

Hi guys!

Skywalk: I was looking at some of the old postings and Miss Lee on page 80, said that she had been dealing with severly chapped lips for the whole 4 months since she had been off...

Seefour: Redbled, an old poster, talks about having a lump in his throat that he experienced for a while. Page 94

Getting Better: Do you take anything for the soreness and aches? Like advil or alieve?

Dramamine helped a lot of people with dizzyness and nausea.

Weight Gain comes from excess cortisol in you system because of the antidepressant.

I am doing pretty great today. This weekend, I was a pretty tired, but i did take 2, 4 mile walks, so that is probably why. Just hoping for the best!!

Went off cold turkey 4.5 months ago, from only 2.5 months of use.

[sick_of_sick]

It is quite amazing to read through all of these postings and see so much of myself...it is the only relief from the anxiety I can find. Reading about all you out there whose families do not understand - I know exactly where you are coming from. My family has had it with me - my husband has tried hard to be understanding but he thinks I should be over it - he blames my son for causing me too much stress. My son just wants me to go back on Lexapro because he doesn't like who I've become. My daughter just wants to be away from it all...I want to tell them that I am not meaning to be this way - I don't want to feel tired and dizzy and sick and crazy. This weekend I just wanted to go away somewhere where I don't have to try and explain why I feel like I feel - think my dog is the only one who understands. In terms of having trouble swallowing - I've had that symptom since being on Lexapro - also horrible jaw clenching that leaves me with a horrible headache.

My prayers to those enduring this long road....

Sick of being sick

[Skywalk]

Patience: Thanks for the info. Not sure if this applies to Effexor withdrawal -- sounds like you're OK emotionally -- but
I found this on page 80, too:

I saw the old post below -- which exactly describes how I am feeling right now, and my initial 15-second doctor visit resulting in a year-and-a-half of numbness and apathy. Meanwhile, 30 pounds later, I think this stage is worse than the head zaps and snaps and initial nausea and headaches of quitting cold turkey. I am determined to remain Lexapro-free.

"To all with Lexapro withdrawal problems, I am currently experiencing what I unlovingly call "Stage Two" of withdrawal. This is the stage when the dizziness becomes only a haunting echo and the sweats and chills diminish. However, the emotional withdrawal has begun. I am prone to crying spells, thoughts of self-harm, and hopelessness, especially at night.

That's exactly how I feel right now -- except that I don't want to hurt myself; I'm in enough pain! I just told my fiancee today that I think I was in less pain when I had physical pain. My body is doing pretty darn well...cough seems distant all of the sudden, eyes better, stomach better, no headaches anymore. But I feel SO low and hopeless (so not like me...I never had depression before Lexapro). I'm just glad to know this is a "stage" that will pass. Although, I never believe it until it happens. I even thought the emotional withdrawals were getting better over the weekend, but I guess not. Not the way I feel today.

Still have the depersonalization; it seems as bad as ever. I'm almost 4 months off Lexapro; quit cold turkey; took 10mg for 6 weeks.

Hope everyone is doing OK today.

[Seefour]

Thank you mary! Well, once I told them I stopped lexapro cold turkey, and why I was taking lexapro, it felt more like a visit to a shrink then the doctors office. They also said the drug was completly out of my system and i shouldn't be feeling any adverse effects from the drug, lol at that.

Once I told them the symptoms though, they ruled out globus, which is accompained by a lump in the throat, which I don't have. They also assured my that they didn't think it was cancer, which is a good thing I guess. They think it is GERD or a stricture. so wendsay I have to go swallow barruim yay.

[Patience]

Patience...

I am so sorry that you are feeling so down! I definately feel really depressed most days too. I sometimes try to seperate how my body is physically feeling from how I feel emotionally. I think that I am depressed a lot too, because the physical pain is annoying, but it's not the end of the world. It just all brings you down

You will get through it! Keep going outside, the fresh air does wonders.

Seefour: I bet it will pass soon....

[MaryB]

Seefour..... And they call themselves Doctors, lol... Doesn't help how you feel when the doctors seem to think that you should be just fine now... Hopefully wednesday will rule out anything serious and ease your mind. It is so hard to find a doctor that is understanding and really listening to the symptoms. I will cross my fingers and say a prayer for ya!
Hugs~Mary

Don't let what you can not do interfere with what you can.

[tavee]

AUNTY SKYWALK ANYONE
I NEED HELP!! I AM GOING NUTS. I STARTED 3 ML TODAY. IM GETTING MY PERIOD IN ONE WEEK. TODAY I ALMOST GOT IN A FIGHT WITH THE DMV LADY WHEN I WENT TO RENEW MY MOTHER'S LICENSE. I AM SO IRRITATED. MY PATIENCE LEVEL IS UNBELIEVABLY BAD.
I JUST FEEL LIKE I CANT DEAL WITH PEOPLE WHEN ITS PMS( I THINK IT IS PMS). IM BETTER WHEN IM IN THE HOUSE. MY ANGER JUST SKYROCKETS.
MY MOTHER JUST ANNOYS ME AND I KNOW THAT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH MY PATIENCE LEVEL. SHE IS 75 AND GETTING OLD AND I CANT AGREE WITH HER ON ANYTHING. IM SO ANTAGONISTIC.

TODAY I TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT I DONT KNOW IF I CAN STICK THRU THIS EVERY MONTH. I NEED TO RAISE MY CHILD. IM SO TEMPTED TO GO BACK ON LEX WHEN I AM LIKE THIS. I KNOW I AM A DIFFERENT PERSON NOW WITH THE DOSE I AM ON. WHAT SHOULD I DO???? I WANT TO HAVE ANOTHER CHILD THIS SUMMER, BUT I CANT DO THIS!! AUNTY PLEASE HELP ME

SOMEONE PLEASE RESPOND.
SKYWALK U KNOW MY STORY!!!!

TAVEE

[felly]

Well I'm back on the drugs!! I went back to 3mg last night and am feeling heaps better already. I am so buggered though. Lex seriously messes with my sleep.

Have you guys noticed that this sight blacks out things that aren't even swear words? Like c r a p for example. That is sooooo not a swear word!

Skywalk. How are you going? That seriously sucks that lex has stuffed you around so much after so little time. I too have had dry lips ever since my on again, off again battle with lex. I have also developed seborrheic dermatitis on my eyelids (weird, I knoW!!)

Mary, thanks for the tip about the bananas. I luuuuuurve bananas. There was a cyclone in Australia last year and as a result the price of bananas shot up to above $10 per kilo, but now they've gone back down to $1.99. Ripper!

[Skywalk]

TAVEE: HANG IN THERE! I know how painful it is, but look how far you have made it. I'm over my mood swings, but I remember how crazy/nuts I felt. Can you try to keep your life as simple as possible right now? Keeping stress away really helps during this. Just keep telling yourself that it will pass and that it is not you -- it's the drug! I know you can do this. You don't want to be hooked on this horrible drug forever, do you? You're lucky that you knew to taper. I'm just jealous that you could go to the DMV. I have a hard time going anywhere right now because I feel SOoo weird. I know you'll recover just like Sarita!!!

[Patience]

Skywalk...that last post was to you. I accidently wrote my own name! huh!

[Seefour]

quote:Seefour: I bet it will pass soon....

I hope so, the first thing I'm going to do when it does, is go eat some sushi, mabey a nice thick steak with some bread. I lost 15 pounds, though I could stand to lose more, don't want to lose it like this.

Mary, they might be a little naive when it comes to anti-depressants, which I think might be the case, but when it comes to physical problems, I have some confidence in my doctors. And they seem to be taking my physical problems seriously, scheduling tests and what not. i'll feel alot better when I actually know what's going on.

[balki9]

bbbbbb

[sarita]

TAVEE,
I'M SO GLAD I CHECKED THIS SITE TODAY. EVER SINCE I'VE KNOWN YOU, YOU TOTALLY FREAK OUT DURING PMS. I CAME TO THE SITE A WEEK AGO AND REMINDED YOU. DID YOU GET MY EMAIL? I HAVE THE SAME THING.IT'S TERRIBLE. BUT DON'T GIVE UP GIRL!! JUST REMIND YOUR HUSBAND, STAY AWAY FROM YOUR MOM, TAKE DEEP BREATHES, AND REMEMBER, IT'S PMS AND IT'LL PASS. if you go back on lex, you'll be very sorry. besides, lex isn't going to change your pms symptoms that much. is it really worth it?

[auntybiotic]

Hi Everyone,

I do not have red hair, I am a slender brunette.

Tavee,

I actually think you are tapering too fast..........I know that you want off quickly but you are going down too fast too soon and that is why you are so moody. The PMS does not help things either.

Stay at this dose until you are completely stable, it may take three or four weeks but you will know. Then reduce maybe to 2.9 for two weeks and see how you do. My daughter cannot do the 5% tapers as she ends up like you, ready to fight.

You should begin to feel better about 10 days from the taper. What day did you reduce? Are you also feeling manic at times between moody? Craving carbs? Having more stomach cramping then usual.

You control the amount you taper and therefore the severity of the withdrawals......slow down some..............it is not worth feeling crazy. Do a minute taper next month and you will see a difference.

What did you start off on 10 MG? How did you taper.....write me a quick schedule................it will get harder as you go lower.

You can do it..........................just slow down some.How do you feel crazy....describe your feeling. Possibly Bach's flower essence will help get you thru this period,,,Cherry Plum.....four drops under your tongue as needed to deal with the feeling of "losing it".

aunty

[Patience]

Getting Better:

When was your last dose and how long were you on? I am starting to wonder why I still have these body aches and the pain sensations....What do yours feel like? Did you have them at all before the drug?

Thanks,

Patience

[tavee]

AUNTY

my MOOD SWINGS started on sunday A DAY BEFORE MY TAPER (12 days before my period). i always get moody before, ever since i started tapering.

i was on 10 mg for 3 yrs and i started reducing in october at about 5% for about 2-3 weeks. now it is every 2 weeks. i havent had any physical symptoms, but i do know that when i was on lex i was a slightly different person.

i started 3ml on monday. so today is day 2 on 3ml.

sarita always reminds me that it is pms and after i get my period i am back to normal.
i just dont have a lot of patience when im pmsing. i yell more and every little thing is like a big deal to me.
my mother is visiting and she sets off a lot of my anger so that doesnt help either. so im dealing with that too.i have a 3 yr old too so u can imagine how that is!!!!
i am going to see my therapist this week whom i havent seen in a while.

my next taper was to be 2.5 in about 2 weeks.
is that bad aunty? what do u think is going on? should i wait and see how i am after my period???

i definitely crave carbs this week just like i always have. i want my potato chips, chocolate etc.

am i making sense?

THANKS FOR RESPONDING!
TAVEE

[auntybiotic]

Tavee,

You are tapering by almost 10%, I think that is too fast. Taper by 5% and wait three weeks inbetween tapers and see if that makes a difference.

5% of 3 mg equals approx 2.8 ( this is actually a little more then 5%) Try it this way and see if it makes a difference.

[Meesh2]

New to Discussion

I have been on ssri drugs for almost 8years. Lexapro for about the last 2years. I had unsuccessfully tried twice to get off. Three's a charm they say! I have been weening off 10 mgs. since November...shaving off about 1mg every two-weeks. Up until 2 weeks ago, I felt no change emotionally or physically. Two weeks ago I split my last 10mg pill into 6 tiny pieces and finished the last one Saturday night. Three days later, and still now, I have a constant dull headache, with an occasional sharp jolt, lightheadedness, mild nausea and dizziness. Nothing unbearable, but how long do you think it will last? I am quite determined to give this a go,given I've gone this far already.
I was amazed to see how many problems people are having with a drug doctor's say is not addictive and has no withdrawal side effects.
Any info on how I'm doing compared to most coming off this drug and how long this will go on would be helpful. Thanks D.

[Tamela11]

These are the things that I am taking right now do you think they are helping or hurting?

AM - Wellbutrin 150mg
1 Multivitamin
2 Relacore regular formula

Aft with lunch
1 Cortislim
1200mg Omega3/6
1 CLA 1000mg

Dinner

[Tamela11]

These are the things that I am taking during the day.. Are they helping or hurting?

AM - 1 Multivitamin
Wellbutrin 150mg
2 Relacore regular

AFT - 2 CLA 2000mg total - Conjugated linolic Acid for tummy fat
1/2 NV diet pill 1 full makes me too jittery
1 Cortislim
1 Omega 3/6 1200mg
Testosterone cream rubbed on wrist for low libido

PM 2 CLA 2000 mg total
1 Omega 3/6 1200mg

RIght before bed 2 3mg Melatonin and 2 Relacore PM

I was curious about the Melatonin.

Thanks for your input.

[Tamela11]

Forgot I am also taking 2.5mg lexapro liquid form. ON day 3 of the 2.5 Went from 20mg to 10mg in 2 weeks then 2weeks from 10 to 5 and now on 2.5 in two weeks or roughly that time frame going to 1/2 that.

[auntybiotic]

Tamlela,

If you are still on the Lexapro liquid and the Wellbutrin.the full withdrawal effects have not come to light yet.

You have withdrawan 50% at times. The "zaps" and lightheadedness are a part of withdrawals. You may also notice depersonalization since you withdrew so fast.

Are you also planning on coming off the Wellbrutrin and the liquid lexapro. Going from 10 Mg to 2.5 in three months is way too fast. You may not notice the actual effects until coming off the Wellbrutrin because that is also a SSRI.

Try to slow down your tapering. It takes about 4 to 10 days since the taper to notice the full effects of the reduction.If you are already getting brain zaps a nd a dull headache...it is hard to tell because of the other medication what you may experience. Why did your doctor have you on two antidepressants? Just curious.

aunty

[Skywalk]

For those of you concerned about how your family is reacting to this...I wanted to share this paragraph I found in Ann Blake Tracy's book (Prozac: Panacea or Pandora?):

"It is the patient who is unhealthy, who is not strong and needs help. The healthy individual in the relationship, who is still capable of feeling love, should realize that it is their responsibility to stand by their loved one and help them heal. This is not easy. But if the tables were turned and they had been unwittingly duped into taking a drug which caused a similar reaction, how would they want their spouse, child, parent, etc. to react to them?"

I really recommend her book. I think it can only be purchased online by going to her website. Just google her name or book title. If this book does not convince you to stay away from SSRI's forever, nothing will. When I first had a bad reaction to Lexapro I decided I would go back on Prozac after the Lexapro cleared from my system. But now I feel lucky that I was able to learn the truth about these drugs so that I will never put SSRI poison in my body again. I look forward to a healthier drug-free lifestyle in the future. Her book addresses the importance of reducing stress in our lives, eating right and getting proper amounts of sleep. We get so caught up in the go-go-go of life today. It IS possible to slow down. I have been forced to rest now for four months and while it's the worst thing that has ever happened to me, it's taught me that I can stop if I have to.

[sarita]

tavee and aunty,

i've been following tavee for a long time, and the she seems to be doing really well w/little or no symptoms except when she PMS's. she gets really irritable like a million other woman!! it's easy to forget that the cause is pms while your tapering. maybe she should taper slower but i don't see any signs of her needing too. but you're the expert!!

like me, right now, i'm on my period. while i was pms, i was a horror to everyone!! j/k but irritable. it's like my true feelings come out while i'm on it, so it turn, it's a good thing although i could've said it in a nicer way!! all in all, i've been off lexipro for almost 1 1/2 months and still feel amazing. but during my period, i get sad. but i know it'll go away once i'm done. it's knowing WHO YOU ARE and how you operate that's really helpful in recovery.

[tavee]

SARITA
I LOVE U GIRL!!
THANKS FOR LOOKING AFTER ME. U DEFINITELY KNOW ME BETTER I THINK.
I SHOULD GO BACK AND CHECK THE DAYS I COMPLAIN TO U. IM 100% SURE IT IS DURING PMS.

I WILL SEE HOW I AM AFTER MY PERIOD NEXT WEEK.
I WILL TRY TO GO A LITTLE SLOWER NEXT WEEK.

TAVEE