[tavee]

skywalk
thanks girl!!
i will try to find those two things for my stomach.
and yes my bowels were a little loose a few days.

how long have u had that for??? does it last long? do u still have it?

have a good night!!

tavee

[Meesh2]

Tavee:
Although not experienced with withdrawal, I do have 42 years of experience with the emotions you are feeling. (I have been trying to read as many posts as I can to get some insight into those particiating in the forum right now.) A lot of the emotional things everyone is struggling with, is how I lived my life from the age of 7, until 42, when I couldn't take it anymore and went on SSRI's.
I just want to say, that one of the most important things for me, was not to beat myself up over how I felt. Like, who hasn't gotten mad at a cashier at Walmart!" [^] I read your post and it made me smile and recall quite a few situations of my own! I sure hope you are feeling good today! Go easy on yourself. It's sounds as if you are doing the best you can...and that's all we can do.
Skywalk:
Thank you for all that information! Funny you mentioned about going back on 5mgs.......by the time I finished work yesterday, I was feeling so horrible I drove to the doctor's office, which was closer that going home. She suggested the same thing and gave me some so I could take it there and not wait until I got home.
The physical symptoms are slightly less this morning. I have a dull headache but no shooting pain. What a relief..... I will stay on 5mg for a while and stabilize and then try again.
Skywalk: I tried to read a lot of posts, but couldn't find why you went on and off Lexapro. If you're feeling up to it, could you tell me?
It's off to try another day at work. I hope everyone has a good day today.
D.

[1wonone]

So glad to have found this forum! I've been on Lexapro and Lorazapan since my first panic attack of my life back in November. I'm trying to wean myself off of Lorazapan because I know they are addictive but boy are they wonderful! I was on 10 mg Lex but I went to a psych because my regular doctor didn't know what else to do for me. She upped me to 20 mg. At least now I'm not lying in bed staring at the celing crying wishing I was dead. I guess I'm luckier than most because I have lost 20 pds since November, have no appetite. Mornings are the worst for me and for a while I would fall apart every morning and have to take a Lorazapan and go back to sleep. I don't have the attacks anymore but am so tired all the time and still go back to sleep after I get my son off to school. If I don't I feel awful all day. I hate taking meds but the attacks scare me sooooooo bad! I was on effexor a few years ago and I could hear my eyeballs rolling around in my head so I got off those asap. I always have side effects with meds. The psych said I need to get over my fear of medicene and I said well it's a justifiable fear. Anyone else stay on Lex out of fear of the attacks?

[sarita]

hi auntie and everyone,
well........i hate to say it, but i need help. for all you new people, i've been feeling amazing being off lex. for about 40 days. i had the worst menstral period of my life, emotionally. i've been very depressed waking in the middle of the night,not sleeping, worrying my husband, and crying. and my stomach is a mess, bloating and diarrhea, etc...

auntie, do you know what it might be? i'm so worried. am i having a relapse? i usually just get that during pms, but not through my whole period.

thanks guys......

[Skywalk]

Meesh: The only reason I started Lexapro was because I was having panic attacks while driving on the freeway. It got so bad that I could no longer do it. Oddly, I was very happy othewise and had almost no anxiety over anything else. I've never suffered from depression. Since I've done well on other SSRI's, I thought I would do well on Lexapro since so many seemed to like this drug. It just never worked for me and I tried it for 6 long weeks (my doctor insisted I give it that long!). I've also been able to get off other SSRI's very fast with only minor withdrawals and that is why I went off Lexapro so fast. It was too late to return to the drug when I found out how important it is to taper very slow. I've accepted the fact that it may take me a very long time to get through this, but I've accepted it and am fortunate that I do not have to work right now. I'd do anything to be the old me again and will try hypnosis in the future for my freeway phobia. It's strange, but this experience may actually be a blessing. I've learned so much about the dangers of these drugs. Who knows what they may come out with in the future...drugs that could be even more harmful! This is just my opinion. An opinion based on my own experience and A LOT of reading.

TAVEE: I've had stomach problems for about one month now. It has been getting better with each week. But I still have to run to the bathroom in the morning and am careful about what I eat.

SARITA: I'm so sorry to hear you're suffering! This screwy drug!! Remember, Aunty warned that you may have some withdrawals yet. I'm starting to become more convinced that the stomach problems are related to our depression/anxiety feelings. It all happened at the same time for me. And it makes sense. I was talking to my naturopath about it yesterday and like I said before...70% of our serotonin receptors are in our gut!

[Skywalk]

Sarita: If this is happening during your period, it could be that your hormones are still adjusting. A lot of people who have posted here talk about changes in their cycles. Even I was off for a few months.

[David in SoCal]

I too am in the middle of a Lexapro 20mg withdrawl process.

After 1 month of 10mg and 3 months at 20mg, I ran out of my refills and didn't think that much of missing a few days. After 3 days I thought, maybe I'll just stop for a while and try to get back to a clean slate. (I recently removed 2 other medications so I thought returning to square one might be a good idea.)

Whoops.

It has been a week and I'm off to pick up my 20mg tablets.

Days 1 - 3 were fine. No recognizable symptoms to speak of.

Day 4. A whole new experience of grouchyiness. I felt terrible, angry, and manic for no good reason nor with any outlet to release the strong (and ridiculous) emotions.

Day 5. A little less grouchy however completely dizzy, easy distracted, disoriented, and a strong desire to jump off of something very tall. My appetite is enormous.

Day 6. Remain dizzy and hungry. Less of a sense that all is lost.

Day 7. Today. And, like I said, I'm off to refill my script of 20mgs. I think I'll take 10mg for the next 3 days before beginning the full 20s on Monday.

It was very nice to see the other accounts that matched my experience. I felt a little insane there for a few days. Lexapro is a powerful drug and I need to give it the respect it deserves.

Good luck to all.

David

[David in SoCal]

I too am in the middle of a Lexapro 20mg withdrawl process.

After 1 month of 10mg and 3 months at 20mg, I ran out of my refills and didn't think that much of missing a few days. After 3 days I thought, maybe I'll just stop for a while and try to get back to a clean slate. (I recently removed 2 other medications so I thought returning to square one might be a good idea.)

Whoops.

It has been a week and I'm off to pick up my 20mg tablets.

Days 1 - 3 were fine. No recognizable symptoms to speak of.

Day 4. A whole new experience of grouchyiness. I felt terrible, angry, and manic for no good reason nor with any outlet to release the strong (and ridiculous) emotions.

Day 5. A little less grouchy however completely dizzy, easy distracted, disoriented, and a strong desire to jump off of something very tall. My appetite is enormous.

Day 6. Remain dizzy and hungry. Less of a sense that all is lost.

Day 7. Today. And, like I said, I'm off to refill my script of 20mgs. I think I'll take 10mg for the next 3 days before beginning the full 20s on Monday.

It was very nice to see the other accounts that matched my experience. I felt a little insane there for a few days. Lexapro is a powerful drug and I need to give it the respect it deserves.

Good luck to all.

David

[Seefour]

When you guys talk about stomach problems? what kind do you mean?
My stomach has been flipping out lately, All kinds of rumblings and gurgling sounds, anyone else experience this? And i'm male, so I know It's not "that time of the month"

[tavee]

SARITA MY DARLING!!

HOW ARE U TODAY?

I HAVE A FEELING THAT IT IS JUST URE PERIOD AND URE HORMONES TRYING TO ADJUST. WHAT DAY OF URE PERIOD ARE U ON?

SWEETIE , WHY DONT U WAIT TILL IT IS COMPLETELY OVER AND THEN SEE HOW U FEEL..
HANG IN THERE!
TAVEE

[1wonone]

I don't know what to do. I've been reading these posts and feel like I need to start getting off lex the sooner the better. My problem is my husband. I know he would hit the roof if I said I want to stop taking them after the last few months he has had to deal with me. He sees now I'm not having attacks and the depression is almost gone and he believes I've find the right drug for me. I know the psych will not want me to get off she wants me on them for 6 months. I want to stop poisioning myself but if I start having problems withdrawing my husband will just say see you needed to stay on them. I don't think I could get him to sit here and read all these post like I have but it would be nice.

[Skywalk]

Seefour: I did not know you were male. That's interesting because "Redbled," a male who had a lot of trouble with the withdrawals that posted on this site last year, had lumps in his throat.

I had some stomach noises and hunger the first couple months off Lex, but the stomach cramping, bowell movements and general upset did not some till about the end of the 3 month mark for me. It just hit me one night like a ton of bricks and ever since has been improving slowly. I use to eat anything I wanted the first couple months off the drug, but now I have to be careful. It is much better, though.

[felly]

Well I'm still on 3mg and good news. Last night I had the best nights sleep I've had in over 3 months. Noooo night sweats for me(WOOHOO!). I feel pretty good really except for this weird sensitivity I have to noises (not so WOOHOO). I'm staying with my olds at the moment and they've got a grandfather clock and it's driving me insane! It seems like it is sooooooo loud. Has anyone else experienced this from lex/withdrawal?

Seefour: Stomach problems from lex are exactly what you are talking about! I have completely lost my periods since my battle with lex and as for gut problems, I've had plenty. Bloating, farting (how un-ladylike!!), gurgling, pain and the splats! In Australia we have these acidophilis tablets called "Inner Health Plus" which are good. You keep them in the fridge and take them on an empty tummy just before bed (that way the bacteria is more likely to survive). Apparently you would have to eat 40 tubs of yoghurt to get the same amount of bacteria.

David in Socal: Thanks for sharing your lexapro experience and I'm glad you've discovered the sensible way to get off lex.

Skywalk: I'm sorry your battle with lex has been so long and so hard. It's so unfair! I admire how brave you have been to stick it out without returning to the drug considering how tough its been for you.

[sarita]

tavee, skywalk

my girls!! thanks for still being there for me. my menstration is OVER, completely today. my depression has been at night and in the middle of the night i can't sleep and we wake up crying and confused.
i hope this is the last day of it or else i'll be worried.
i thought i'd be done w/the withdrawals already and the pms symptoms. any tips?

[tavee]

FELLY
ITS FUNNY HOW U SAID U HAVE A SENSITIVITY TO NOISE. I HAVE FELT THAT ALSO WITH THE TAPERING. I AM DOWN TO 3 AND THE LITTLEST NOISE BOTHERS THE HECK OUT OF ME. I DEFINITELY THINK IT IS ONE OF THE SYMPTOMS!!!
THE STOMACH PROBLEMS ARE ALSO WITH ME TOO. TALK ABOUT FARTING!!!!!LOL
GURGLING NOISES, AND BOWEL MOVEMENTS!! SORRY EVERYONE READING THIS!!

GOOD LUCK
TAVEE

[Seefour]

hmm, I'll have to check for something around here like that, I've been taking tumbs, thinking it was indigestion. It's hard to explain and pretty gross, It's like I'm aware of the whole digestion proccess and it's really starting to freak me out...

I seem to going through the phases I see on this thread pretty fast, Been past the nusia stage, the anger stage, the axiety stage, though I still have a bit of anxiety it's subsiding to the point where I'm semi able to function again. I was told by someone else I know on lex that those who used lex for anxiety get hit the worst by anxiety when they stop treatment, seems to be true.. So if you where on lex for G.A.D and your having severe anxiety, it's probaly just withdrawals and not your original anxiety resurfacing.

[tavee]

seefour
can u describe ure anxiety? do u worry a lot?

can u be specific?? do u have any pains in ure chest when u worry?


tavee

[rubiek]

Patience -- Thank you for reminding me what to focus during this time of withdrawal. I was clinically depressed in the past two years (and now I see that I had some depressive episodes in the past as well without noticing that actually I had depression) and it's unreasonable for me to expect that everything will be back so smoothly so fast. Being stuck for two years, which means that I should allow myself to take a plenty of time to get back on track.

Skywalk -- Thank you for educating me on the "rebound depression." It was such an eye opener to me (my doc has not supplied such information to me) yet such condition TOTALLY makes sense. I went online to read more about rebound depression right after, which was a life-saver for me. Thank you so much. Information is power indeed!

I hope that everyone is doing well this evening. Take it easy and have a good night.

[felly]

Taveethanks for reassuring me about the loud noises. It is so good to know its the drug and not me going insane! (although I reckon I am going insane having stuffed around with this drug!)And yeah, I have had some seriously loose movements too! I'd even go as far as to say its almost the trots.

Yeah, these gut issues certainly are gross! Flatulance is my middle name at the moment!

[sarita]

hi everyone.
i had a good night last night. thank god. my menstration is over. wow. that was just as awful as ever. i'm still tired and i have a headache, but i'd rather have that then depressed feelings.
thanks for being there everyone.

[tavee]

aunty, sarita, skywalki think im about to lose it today!!

i have absolutely nooooooooooo patience!! i'm yelling at my son plus hes going thru this defiance stage(hes three).
my husband is busy today working and im dealing with this.

what am i going to do? i think the lower i go the worse its gonna get!!!

im so temepted to go back on this to get my sanity back!!
i never thought this would be so difficult!!! no wonder some people just go back on it. now i understand why!!!

tavee

[illspinnin]

Wow Lexapro F*#*$G sucks. I took every possible amount for six years on and off. Now that I have no interest in EVER having sex I decided this is ridiculous, I am treating an anxiety disorder with and anti-depressant and experiencing side effects that are not associated with anxiety meds (such as dead libido). Anyways, I decided to go off. It has been 8 days. My brain is essentially F%&^$D! I cannot get rid of these little pulses in my head, about 75 per minute. But I think I am going to survive. I really want to get this out of my system and I am banking on two weeks till I feel better. QUESTION- does anyone feel exaggerated emotions (crying for no reason whatsoever) and irritable??? Please let me know. GOOD LUCK!

[sarita]

tavee,
hang in there. you are menstral......and get very impatient. i think maybe you shouldn't taper while your pms ing....maybe that'll work..
do you take anything? i love the menstral teas. like "woman's mood". maybe go to the health food store?

[auntybiotic]

Sarita,

Do not be suprised if for the next few months you go thru the "emotional withdrawals"..................anxiey, crying, worrying and staying up all night....this is so normal but I thought since you tapered so slow that you may have been a lucky person and not experienced this...................the three month mark after being without LEXAPRO is when the effects of emptional breakdown are really noticible.Matk your calendar.

Possibly by then ............all of the drug is out of the system and the serotonin receptors have not yet started working on their own ................so you experience depression, sadness, hopelessness, etc. The receptors should start repairing and these feeling will lifts but it can take time.

Just forewarning you. Have you got your sexual appetite back yet? This comes back in rare form then subsides again before you become more like normal. Just think of a onion and the layers and layers inside.............. Withdrawal from Lexapro is similiar.........good for a few days....then bad................then new symtpoms............then ggod again...........it is a healing process similiar to having a stroke.........the brain in healing.

The nervous system has been affected by lexapro so the sounds, smells, even bright lights can be very troublesome. May even notice that you cannot even dye your hair due to reactions to the dye, use perfume, burn scented candles.....this is all a part of the body getting back to normal.

[sarita]

aunty,,
that's the sadness news i have ever heard. i thought i was finished.

i don't understand when you say 3 months. i tapered SO slowly and didn't have any withdrawals at all. i hope its' only due to my hormones since i got it during pms and my period. i have NO sex drive at all., well, maybe alittle bit. but not much. i was told it only takes 45 days for it to leave your system so i should be free and clear, but you're saying 3 months? 45 to leave the body and maybe 3 months to get it back to normal??? ****...this sucks. i have to stay calm or else it'll start all over again. i have the worst stomach problems right now. how do i know i WILL go back to normal?

[Skywalk]

Thanks for that info, Aunty. I think a lot of us needed it right now. I nearly passed out at the video store today from severe anxiety. I can't feel good no matter what. I've felt spooked all day. The emotional withdrawals are truly worse than the physical ones. I'd rather have my headaches back! I still think the stomach problems are related to the emotional problems. It all started at the sime time for me...about 3 months off.

[auntybiotic]

saitia,

I do not want to bring bad news, please forgive me....I am only relating what others have experienced.................it takes about 3 months to clear the body of lexapro and then about 18 months to feel good again................horrible news but unfortunately thats what it seems to be.

After three months the mind will have the effects of reduced serotonin with no "reuptake" so you will be emotional............as the receptors regenerate you will start to produce serotonin again but it does take time.

I am so sorry because my daughter will also have to endure this misery.

I hope I am wrong..............let me know.Eeryone is different, please don't get down with this info............but if you do experience the withdrawal that are emotional...please know that it is normal.


aunty

[tavee]

AUNTY

HI THERE!! SO U ARE SAYING THAT IF I FINISH TAPERING AROUND JULY, I HAVE TO WAIT 3 MONTHS TO GET PREGNANT CUZ THE DRUG IS STILL IN MY BODY???OR CAN I TRY GETTING PREGNANT WHEN I AM DONE WITH IT???

SO IT TAKES 3 MONTHS AFTER U STOP THE DRUG TO CLEAR AND THEN ANOTHER 18 MONTHS FOR URE BRAIN TO COMPLETTELY BE REPAIRED???

WHAT A HORRIBLE DRUG!!! I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS!!!

THANKS AUNTY
TAVEE

[auntybiotic]

Tavee,

That is just my guess going from the many peoples experiemces but everyone is different as well as the liver that clears this drug.

Accupuncture can help to clear the drug sooner.
I would say that beng off the drug is by far better for the baby but there are many women that do deliver while on SSRI's.

I would say wait and see how you feel after coming off Lexapro and play it by ear. Just by reducing your dose and being on only 3 Mg (ans decreasing) is helping your body, You may even want to start prenatal vitamins now so that your body will have all the essential minerals and vitamins needed for a baby.

Drink PLENTY of water to help flush toxins out of the liver. Also for thos e experiencing muscle stiffness and aches and spasms..............a bath of 2 cups epsom salts with a bottle of hydrogen peroxide poured into the hot bath water and soaking for about 15 monutes in the water will help those with muscle aches, the magnesium from the epsom salts gets absorbed thru the skin with help from the action of the hydrogen peroxide.....it really does help.

aunty

[sarita]

hi aunty,
i didn't mean to make you feel bad. i'm glad you warned me. i refuse to be one of those people but it looks like i'm not going to have a choice.

i'm back to normal now, so i think my BIG problem is around pms and my period when my hormones are wacked out. any ideas what i should take?

i did talk to someone at www.globaldnasolutions...they told me it takes 3 months for your body go back to normal but nothing about an addition 18 months. i hope that's for people who were on a muc hhigher dose than me.