[auntybiotic]

Hi,

For those of you having trouble logging into the new forum.......save this link in your "favorites" of your computer and use it whenever you need to come to forum. You will also need to log in after you gain access.

The Drugs.com forums have been updated. To visit the new version of the forums please enter this into your window:

http://www.drugs.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7826

[auntybiotic]

Hi,

Try this address and then save the link to favorites in your computer.

http://www.drugs.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7826



All Forums
General Discussion Boards
Featured Conditions
Lexapro Withdrawal

[Seefour1]

Bah I had to make a new account lol.

Anyway, how's everyone doing?
My throat still seems to be getting better, but I still feel like food might go down into my windpipe rather then into my throat, but I've been shrugging it off, becuase I know it's highly unlikely that will happen, gotta eat afterall...
Other then that and my stomach, and feeling highly detached lately, can't explain it, don't think it's depersonalization becuase there is no panic with it, but it's a very weird feeling, kinda like everything is far away, and i'm only going through the motions of the activity i'm involved in, especially if that activity involves other people, theres a certain numbness to it all. But it's pretty rare. Just new.

Well hope everyone has made some progress, would love to hear from yall and see how you are fairing lately.

[tavee1]

Thank God I Found U Guys!! I Thought This Is It!!

Aunty I Finally Got In. I Had To Reregister Blahhhh!!

Ok Im Doing Ok But I Wanted to Askis It Normal To Have Sinus Issues?? Is This Part Of The Withdrawal??

Tavee

[Hairyarmadillo]

I am so glad to have found this forum but could do without this! This is the second time I have gotten off Lexapro, so I guess I can only blame myself. I went through Paxil withdrawal years ago and should have learned my lesson then. But had problems with depression again (as have on and off throughout life) and went on the Lexapro when the doc said how clean it was with little to no side effects. HA! The withdrawl symptoms went away after about a month (or so I thought) but 3 months after I had the worst depression. In retrospect, I think this was still part of the withdrawl but I went back begging for more Lexapro, convinced that I was a lost cause depression wise. Could tell a marked difference the first 6 weeks I got back on it, but then I went back to feeling like I didn't care about anything in the world. The world could fall apart around me and I would not have been phased. Was on 20 mg then cut back to 3/4 of that for the past two weeks. Want to sleep all the time and had what I blamed on sinus, but am sure is all interrelated to the decrease. Since the weird dreams went away after 4 days, I thought I had gotten adjusted but this medication is insidious. Takes a toll even though one doesn't realize it. Probably will regret it but am going to decrease it by another 1/3 tonight-this will take me down to 5 mg. I would continue taking the 3/4 of the tablet a bit longer but I can never get the section cut exact and I know I can get it cut in half accurately since it has that line. I use a pill cutter but it still comes out lopsided so i would rather do the same dose instead of going up and down, even if it is only a slight difference each day. Who would have thought that decreasing the dose by a lousy 1/3 would even make a difference!

[tavee1]

AUNTY,
IM STILL HAVING A HARD TIME SIGNING IN. THEY MUST HAVE HAD ME CHANGE MY PASSWORD LIKE 3 TIMES.

ARE U HAVING THAT PROBLEM?
I BET U EVERYONE FROM OUR FORUM IS MAD TRYING TO FIND US.

TAVEE

[Hairyarmadillo]

I've read many of the posts but not all. Can anyone tell me if they have had any muscular side effects from the Lexapro? There are so many things going on with this that I am not sure what is related to the medicine and what is something else Thanks

[skyer]

Hi...it's Skywalk...I had a hard time logging on.

Hopeful...did you get my email? I'm actually feeling slightly better since I sent it to you. I had some energy yesterday, but I'm having terrible anxiety and depression. Like I said, I did not have that the first couple months off the drug so I'm guessing it's the emotional withdrawals. Based on what Aunty has heard from others, it will last about four months or so. I've been this way for one month and it is the reason I'm having a hard time getting out. I went out some yesterday, but it was not easy; I just have overwhelming fear for no reason. I also can't handle any stress or else I seriously feel like I'm about to have a nervous breakdown. Physically, I have stomach issues in the morning, some lingering depersonalization and vivid dreams. And at times I feel like I've been kicked in the head and am slightly dizzy. Plus, I went over the checklist that Aunty sent us the link to...about brain injury symptoms....and it was alarming to note how many of them applied to me right now. This really is a type of brain injury. It's just tragic that we don't get the sympathy we deserve...even from friends and loved ones. If i had been in a car accident and sufffered a head injury I know I would get patience, care and understanding from others.

TAVEE: Sinus issues are ABSOLUTELY part of Lexapro withdrawal. It comes and goes for me; I get a runny nose and a cough. In fact, I have a lot of it today. I sneeze, too.

SEEFOUR: What you described is depersonalization...you do not have to have panic with it. It just makes people panic sometimes because it is so weird and alarming. I had it very bad when I was ON the drug. I still have it but it does seem to be better.

[tavee]

Skywalk, Aunty

God This Is So Bad. I Hope Everyone Finds Us. It Took So Long With This New Forum.

Aunty- How Is Ure Daughter Doing? What Dose Is She On Now?


Skywalk- It Seems Like U Have Ure Good Days And Bad Days, But U Have Been Doing Better.
I Noticed That In The Morning My Eyes Get Watery And I Sneeze. I Feel Like I Have A Cold, But It Goes Away. It Is Weird. I Definitely Feel The Stomach Cramps For A Little , But Then Im Fine Later On In The Day. I Am At 2.8ml. Now Im Going Really Slow. Next Will Be 2.6

I Hope U Guys Are Doing Well. Talk To U Soon.

Tavee

[tavee]

Aunty
Oh My God!! I Read That Article On Brain Injuries And I Was Reading The Checklist Of All The Issues. I Was Amazed To Find Out All The Things. Half Of Those Symptoms Are What I Have. Odors??? Being Childish And Silly???

It Definitely Answered A Lot Of My Questions And My Husband's.
Now This Is Making Me Think Twice About Ever Going On Those Pills Unless I Am Dying Or Something!! Wow

Is This The Sme For All Antidepressants When U Have Been On Them For So Long??

How Long Do U Think It Will Take To Get Back To Normal The Way I Am Tapering? Ive Been Tapering Since October And I Am On 2.8.

Thanks Aunty
Tavee

[Hairyarmadillo]

What can be done about this extreme lethargy? I thought I was drained before I decreased my dosage, but now all I can do is sleep. We had holidays off from school, but tomorrow I have to go back and be energetic for my students. I am taking the vitamins and B supplements, but i still have slept until 11 today and am fighting off sleepies now. I am battling the depression by talking myself through it, since finding this site I feel that part will pass. (Wish I had read this last week because I was so depressed I thought it was hopeless) I can make it though the depression and moodiness, but can someone please give suggestions on the fatigue?

Oh, somewhere I was reading on this forum (before it was updated) about their child being put on Lexapro for TMJ. In my searching for information,I found one site that said Lexapro has been known to cause TMJ. I thought that was ironic.

[Hopeful 285]

I was turned down by all the lawyers at a big law office that does class action law suits.
They told me I took the risk for taking the drug. They obviously know that there will be alot of work involved.
Maybe all of us can work on this together.
Anyone who wants to participate can help.
We would have to be careful not to do anything that could cause us to get into trouble.
We need to research to find out who got Vioxx, or any other bad drugs off the market.

People send the FDA letters all the time telling them of their side effects. The complaints should be made public and the names kept anonymous. This should be a law. People should be able to view actual side effects of individuals so the public can see how many of us there are.
The drug companies do not need to be protected. There is enough of this going on with the doctors. They are afraid to say anything because they know they are still writing prescriptions to people for these drugs that they know are hurting people. My doctors will not say anything about the drug and I know they know by now that I am telling them the truth. I have been driving them crazy.
My sister in-law passed away about 3 years ago and they could not figure out what happened to her. Her platelets were messed up which caused a stroke and she was on antidepressants. I never put it together before. According to webmd.com, Lexapro messes up your platelets and causes strokes. I don't know which antidepressant she was on, but it seems all SSRI's have the same side effects.
I am going to try to research and find out what steps to take to get this drug off the market. Anyone that can help, I would appreciate it. My brain doesn't do well if I'm on the computer too long at a time.

[auntybiotic]

Hi All,

Mine was the child put on Lexapro for anxiety thought to be causing TMJ tooth grinding...................stupid doctors. She is down to 7.2 from 20! We have to go so slow..................I was told it was safe. her dentist had her on valium!!!! Her family doctor said Lexapro was effective with no side effects!!!

A good liquid multivitam and a good liquid mineral supplement will help the fatigue. and rebuild the body.
Think of Lexapro as speed. Now you have taken the "speed" away and you body is crashing. I would suggest that you get your adrenal glands checked as severe fatigue can suggest that the lexapro threw a "wrench" into the adrenal system.

Tavee,

You are still tapering by 10% so that is still a good sized reduction.

For those with anxiety.................many have had success with Bach's Flower essence in WHITE CHESTNUT. May take a few days to notice a improvement. Directions are (per bottle) four drops under the tongue and then put four drops in a bottle of water and sip thruout the day.

Magnesium malate is also known to help for providing the body with a calmness.

Primal Defense worked great for my daughter's stomach cramping. Google it and you can either pick it up at a vitamin shop or order it online. The muscle soreness and twitching can be helped by taking lethacin (sp?)

Dizziness helped with Bonnie or Dramanine.

Depression with carson's Fish Oil...................one that I know is not contaminated with Mercury.

Relacore is also known by others for providing a sense of feeling calm and reduces the cortisol levels but be leary of starting s as high as the bottle recommends.

[Hairyarmadillo]

Thanks, auntybiotic (love the name!). How long have you and your daughter been battling this? I hate that the doc prescribed this so readily and now your child has to deal with the effects. I cannot fathom dealing with coming off the 20 dosage. I have only been on ten but it is terrible. Last week I went through some of the worst depression and nearly gave in and got back on the full dose. I thought it meant that I just couldn't stay undepressed without the medicine and needed it. Now I am looking at it as a readaptation process. That has made it easier but the fatigue really gets me. I work with special needs students and can't afford not to be 100%. I have been taking vitamins but will look into the liquid supplements. I started to give up and just wait for summer break so I could sleep as much as I needed, but I did that the last time I got off it. I didn't realize how long some of the withdrawal effects could last so when I had panic attacks and moments of anxiety, I thought it was a sign that I could not cope without them. So, I am going through the withdrawal now and, hopefully, when school starts and it is most stressful and demanding, I will be back to normal.
Thank you for your advice.

[skyer]

Hopeful: I'm sorry to hear the news about taking legal action. I think it is important that we all contact the FDA, but they seem to side with the drug companies. I can't wait for Michael Moore's movie, "Sicko", due out this summer. He takes on the drug companies and shows how doctors push the drugs. I do want to fight this in some way, but right now am not strong enough...perhaps in a few months.

Hair: I'm not sure what to do about fatigue. I cannot work during this and si I just sleep when I need to. Your story is no uncommon...running back to the drug after a few months off because it produces "rebound depression" which is actually withdrawal and not your own depression. Dr. Peter Breggin and Ann Blake Tracy discuss it in their books. I'm going through the rebound depression now, but I know it's withdrawal because I never had depression before, only anxiety. Can you taper off slowly?

[Patience]

Hello Skywalk/Skyer and everyone else.

Aunty thank you for more wonderful information.

Hairyarmadillo: Tell me more about your muscular issues? I went off effexor, and still have muscle issues 5 months later....

All: I found this interesting info regarding magnesium deficiency. We all definately suffer from a little bit of this having had a hard withdrawal from this drug. Read the whole link about magnesium deficiency and you will see it talk about difficulty swallowing, problems with smooth muscle tissue (heart, etc), photophobia, loud noise sensitivity, zips and zaps etc. It awesome information. I have gone on a highly digestible magnesium citrate product.

http://www.healthy.net/scr/Article.asp?Id=541&xcntr=1

[auntybiotic]

Good Morning,

The key to the "rebound depression" feeling is to get the body's cortisol under control.
First ask that your doctor do a 24 hour saliva testing for cortisol. Lexapro users and those that have stopped lexapro use will find that their cortisol levels will spike at night thus the anxiety and sleeplessness ...........when they should be low. Cortisol levels will be low in the day....causing the fatigue. Ever wonder why those that use/used lexapro get the bloated belly? Cortisol is the answer. All SSRI's increase the cortisol levels dramatically..................but also make the levels unnatural. This explains fatigue during the day and suddenly at night you are WIDE awake.

With cortisol levels being erratic......................the adrenaline spikes and dips will cause what feels like depression but is caused by the highs and lows of unstable adrenaline levels. So what so many run to go back on the antidepressants for....................is just the body's adrenal system attempting to repair after Lexapro and any SSRI use.

Hope this helps to get a better understanding of Lexapro.

aunty

[Hopeful 285]

Hi everyone, I am glad you found your way back this thread.

Skywalk, I got your email. I answered it. I am glad you had a better day. Hope today is also one of your better days. I can relate to everything you are saying. I am still working and I have a desk job. I am only working 2 days a week right now unless someone is off. It is so difficult to drive in. I don't know how much longer I will be able to do this. I push myself because I don't want to cause more work for others.
Yesterday, even though I am using a cane, I fell numerous times. I know they are going to tell me I need to get a walker instead. I am so stressed because everyone wants to know what is wrong with me. I am greatful to be able to warn them of the SSRI's and the importance of tapering slowly but the attention is hard. None of this makes since. It seems we should be getting better not worse. I still can't get my blood pressure under control.
It feels like a dark cloud. My doctor increased my seizure medicine (Depakote) yesterday. This is for my headaches and brain zaps. I just feel so lethargic.

Aunty, thank you for helping us all with all the information and research you do. I am still reading the brain injury stuff. I can relate to almost everything unfortunately.

Harryarmadillo, I have muscular issues in my neck shoulders and back. They hurt all the time. I feel like I have the flu and my whole body feels weak. I am very lethargic. I have to make myself do things. It is harder than it used to be and it takes me longer to do the things I used to do easily. Another issue is my legs give out. I have reflex damage behind my left knee. I fall from this and also from strange sensations in my head. Is any of these things what you have?

[Hopeful 285]

Patience, my doctor has me taking magnesium for restless legs. Alot of us have restless legs from the Lexapro. It is probably because of the magnesium defeciency Lexapro causes us to have.
Lexapro must cause a lot of defieciencies because it also made me anemic which also causes restless legs. Thanks for the info.

[BassetHounds Rule]

Hello,

I apologize upfront if this is a repeat question. I have not taken the time to read through all of the responses to this thread.

I am currently coming off of 40mg of Lexapro (I am now at 10mg for one more week before stopping altogether) and I am going on Cymbalta. Has anyone experienced bone pain? I have had moments where I feel like my skeleton physically aches - does this have anything to do with the Lexapro withdrawal? or should I be looking at something else?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[tavee]

Hopeful- What Is Ure Situation? How Long Were U On Lex, How Much And How Did U Quit?? Did U Go Cold Turkey?
I Am So Sorry To Hear About Ure Condition. Are U Falling Because Of The Lex Or Do U Have Any Other Conditions?hang In There And Take Care. Try To Rest When U Can.

Aunty- Im Not Sure If U Read My Email But I Wanted To Ask How Long Does It Take For Ure Brain To Be Normal Again? I Was Reading The Brain Injury Article And I Was So Amazed To Find Out The Reasons Why I Feel The Way I Do.woowowww

Skywalk- How Are U Girl? Are U Better At All? Are U Getting Out?

I Had Some Stomach Issures Today. I Dont Know If It Is Something I Ate Or The Lex. Sometimes U Dont Know Which Is Which. I Always Question And Say"why Do I Have This Today? Why I Do Feel This Way Today? Is It The Lex?? Its So Frustrating.

Tavee

[Patience]

All:

Read this book: "The Mood Cure" off this website.

I am reading it right now and it is awesome. I think it will really help with my anxiety and moods. Its an easy answer with supplements and nutrition.

http://www.moodcure.com/

[Seefour1]

Anyone else having problems getting to the last page of this thread? some kind of issue with firefox or something.

Anyway, I'm freaking out right now, my stomach has been going CRAZY for the last week at least. All kinds of rumblings and vibrations and gurglings and gas and constapation. I'm about 7-8 weeks off lex, lost count really, and I've been feeling better mentaly big time, more focus, better sleep when my stomach lets me, anxiety is at managable levels. I've been taking tums and sometimes pepto bismol, which seems to help slightly but it keeps on coming back? Can I still really be feeling this this far off of lex, or do you guys think it might be something else? I know this drug cuases stomach problems during withdrawal, but shouldn't I be over this by now?

[Patience]

yes, the only way that I can get to the last post is by clicking on the little arrow by the last person that has posted close to their name.....weird

[skyer]

I just found a way on the forum by clicking the little arrow. How hard can they make this?? I'm sure a lot of people never even figured out where the forum went in the first place and now you can't even get to the last page. I contacted the site about it, so hopefully it will get fixed.

Patience: That sounds like a great book! I think I'll order it. We should stay in touch to share our new ways of dealing with anxiety disorder. I'll make a new email address and post it here (if they let me) and you can write to me if you want to. Sounds like we have a lot in common.

I'm getting a little bit better. I still wake up with stomach problems and have a number of bowell movements (yucky!) and I have gas throughout the day...SEEFOUR...it's been 5 months for me and it's the LEXAPRO! I also still have vivid dreams and depersonalization. My fatigue is sooo much better, though. Yay! The depression is lifting a little, too...but so slow and I still have so much apathy. Where is my passion???!

Hi Tavee...stomach upset is all part of this. Remember, 70% of serotonin receptors are in our gut.

[Patience]

Hi Skyer,

That sounds great, I will email you if you post it. So glad you're starting to feel better! I think I am too. I wont hold my breath though

[Hopeful 285]

Aunty,
I asked my doctor to check my cortisol and she told me it will correct itself. I don't know how when stress levels are high. I found this article. I'm going to try the coenzyme Q10. It is supposed to be good for your brain and also for chronic fatigue syndrom. It boosts syratonin levels. That is the only thing that worries me. If they give it to stroke victims and we don't get enough of it in our diets. It might help. I will let you know if I see a difference.
The many health benefits of coenzyme Q10
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. Dr. John Ely of the University of Washington and Dr. Cheryl Krone of the Applied Research Institute in Palmerston North, New Zealand have cooperated to produce a fascinating report summarizing the latest research about coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone). It is now known that the tissues and blood of an adult human contain a total of about 2000 mg of coenzyme Q10 and that 500 mg/day is required to maintain this body pool. The average diet provides only about 5 mg/day so the remainder must be synthesized internally. The ability to synthesize coenzyme Q10 declines sharply with age and a deficiency can lead to irreversible damage in the brain and other organs. Besides its essential role in the production of adenosine triphosphate (the body's "energy" molecules), coenzyme Q10 is also a powerful quencher of free radicals (50 times more effective than vitamin E). It has been found to be entirely safe in daily intakes as high as 800 mg.
Animal experiments and at least three cases involving humans have found coenzyme Q10 to be highly effective in reversing the effects of a stroke (400-800 mg/day as soon as possible after the event) and has also been found beneficial in the treatment of congestive heart failure when combined with vitamins E and C. Some fairly recent research has established that statins (cholesterol-lowering agents) depress the synthesis of coenzyme Q10 and has concluded that patients on statins need to supplement with at least 200 mg/day in order to avoid serious deterioration in heart function. [48 references]
Ely, John T.A. and Krone, Cheryl A. A brief update on ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10). Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, Vol. 15, No. 2, Second Quarter 2000, pp. 63- 68


Hi Tavee,
The falls are from coming off Lexapro. For a long time, Since November, I suspected it was the Lexapro. Then I saw on page 79 of this forum, some information the Aunty posted and there is something called lexapro fall. It is sudden and you fall like you've been shot.

I was on 10 mg and breaking them in half a lot of the time. I was on it 2 years and about 1.5 years into it. I started getting a strange gait. I would walk like I was handycapped. It would come and go. On webmd.com, it says one of the side effects while taking the drug is an unusual manner of walking.
This is something different than my withdrawal falls.

What initially happened was I quit Lexapro cold turkey and a few days later I was taken to the emergency room in a squad with blood pressure of 206/116. I had a severe headache. I haven't been the same ever since. I still fall. I am on 100 mg of cozaar for my blood pressure and it still gets high.
My brain feels like it is inflamed and hot. I take my temperature and no fever. I have very severe anxiety and I wonder sometimes if I am going to have a stroke. My neuroligist put me on depakote which is seizure medicine for the brains zaps and headaches.
I really have a hard time focusing. I move so much slower. Just the simplest task seem hard. Planning what I am going to do next is such a chore. It is hard to think. I have to try to overlook things that are upsetting because my brain and nerves can't handle it. I sometimes sleep 12-15 hours and sometimes 4-5 hours. I used to sleep 8 hours every night. My whole pathology in my brain has changed.
I want to escape this, just like all of you.
I want to be strong. I don't like complaining to people and talking about this to people.
Thank God for all of you who understand and are going through similar withdrawals.

Does anyone have severe tension and pain in the back of their neck and down the back? I hear my neck crack when I move it side to side or front to back. I think it might be inflamed. I know some of you have had neck pain. Is this your experience?

[felly]

Hey guys!

I had so many issues trying to get to this post. I thought they'd ditched it! Its so good to hear from you

Anyway, good news for me, I've been doing HEAPSSSSSS better! I am on 2.7mg and I have been sleeping! I hadn't slept for months, so I'm lovin it. I went back to uni last week too and it went well so I am just so thankful I found this thread, and for all of your advice etc. Thanks!

Seefour, I reckon that Lex probably did stuff up your tummy and it will just take some time for it to settle. YOu have to rebuild the good bacteria in your gut. Did you get any acidophilus tabs? I;ve also heard aloe vera is good and stuff called slippery elm powder.

[Hairyarmadillo]

I am having trouble accessing pages on this thread. I can get into the first pages but when I click Last, I can't connect. I am going nuts! At least I can tell you guys how I am doing even if I can read the latest posts
The BAD depression spells are still coming but at least they are going. I am staying consistently now with the half of the 10 mg tablet and have sustained that for a week. This is going to be week five, I think. So, that puts me at taking the 3/4 of the 10 mg dose for 3 weeks, approximately 5 mg for 1 week and am starting the fifth week keeping on the 5 mg dose. Ha-will probably keep on that 5 mg dose until closer to spring vacation and after our school has finished the big week of achievement testing. I think that is better for everyone. Still have moments of sleepiness, but not quite as bad as before. I did take Friday off to rest more, but ended up feeling like cleaning house. This is new, because lately I have had to force myself to do anything. I just didn't care. I thought (mistakenly) I was getting more depressed in spite of the Lexapro, but I think it was one of the side effects of the medication, apathy. I also think that had I gone back to a doctor, they would have made the assumption it was depression and either increased the dose or changed meds. The paxil I had taken years ago evidently has the same side effect because I got to where I didn't care what was going on around me.
Something else I haven't mentioned before but now think it may have been the medicine was that I was having thoughts of suicide but assumed it was depression and I was hopeless, even the Lexapro wouldn't help. I didn't mention this to anyone because I wasn't to the point of acting on it, but throughout the day thoughts would just randomly pop in my head, usually about the guns, but sometimes about driving into trees. Weird stuff and I would be going about my routine but it would pop in my head. They issue warnings about when people first start taking these medications, but I had been on it for awhile. In spite of the moments of fatigue and grouchiness, and even depression that hits now (again, coming and going), these thoughts are not popping in my head. Again, I think it was medication related.
Someone had asked about what type of muscular issues I had noticed. Mine are cramps. I have had leg cramps before I took the medicine on rare occaisions but I started having more but also have had cramping in my arms and abdomen. Assumed I was just out of shape but I am not so sure. It got to the point that when I attempted light exercise, my muscles would cramp up. I had increased my potassium intake (eating potassium rich foods) and am drinking more water, in case it is dehydration related but can't help wondering if it isn't another side effect.
I am taking the relacore at night-the PM version and have found it helps with my sleep. Was taking this before on and off, but when someone discussed Relacore and the cortisol issue, I went back to regularly taking it.
Will be so glad to get off this stuff! Oh, I was a size 6 when I started taking antidepressants-went on Paxil, went to a size 22(within a four year period) and didn't care. Was craving foods all the time and had no energy. Haven't had the cravings as badly on the Lexapro, but haven't been able to drop weight either. Exercised for the first time in ages today and have been able to eat reasonably since I have been decreasing the lexapro

[Hairyarmadillo]

[QUOTE=Hopeful 285;170295]EWhat initially happened was I quit Lexapro cold turkey and a few days later I was taken to the emergency room in a squad with blood pressure of 206/116. QUOTE]


You have just confirmed something I think happened to me when I got off Paxil. Only until lately, I was blaming it on diet medication I was taking. To make a long story VERY short, I had the same experience with my blood pressure going sky high. Never had a problem and I thought it was because of the diet pills I was on. I didn't even mention that I had been on Paxil and stopped it abruptly. The only reason that I finally realized the relationship to the Paxil was when everyone on here was talking about brain zaps. I had no idea what that was about and it went on for awhile. And the falling happened also, but only once thank goodness. I was agitated at the time, so I blamed it on stress and being out of shape. But the more I think of it, the more sense it makes that it was the Paxil.
I second the sentiments about how good it is to have people to share this experience with. I have always been one to stand on my own and deal with things, but this is different. And I am learning so much more. This is strengthening my resolve to get off and stay off these types of medications.