[Hopeful 285]

Thank you Tavee for making that loud and clear. I don't want to cause anyone to take anything that will hurt them.
I almost bought some myself today.
My mother inlaw was on Lexapro and she was given Reglan for nausea at the emergency room. Nothing happened to her, thank God.
I read that you are not supposed to take this if you are on SSRI's.
I took St John's Wort. I wish I would have wrote down when it was because I believe it might have been right before I went to the emergency room.
I had the symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome and they did not recognize it.
I was in bad shape.
Thanks for your help. I probably would have ended up buying the SAM E and maybe had a repeat or worse.
Thanks also to Aunty.
All of you are Angels!!!!

[Hopeful 285]

Elizabethmarie,
I am glad you can open it. There is so much more information that needs sent out to people. This basically just lets people know that there is such a thing and what to look for.
They also need to know what not to take with antidepressants, etc.
They need to know all the basic life saving stuff. The rest can come later.
I have a lot of homework to do on making one with what not to take.
I can refer to the site Aunty gave for information.
Considering these drugs can cause bleeding problems, aspirin is probably not even good to take.

[felly]

Hopeful 285, Tavee: Thanks for asking about my liver. I think the doc said my enzymes were elevated too, but she didn't seem too worried about it. She said we'd just keep an eye on it. I'm seeing her again on friday so I'll ask her then and then let you guys know.

Tavee: thanks for the tip about the Same. I def won't be using it!! I am down to 2.5ml (we are almost the same!!). I am doing ok but i soooo can't wait to get completely off this drug, this slow taper is sooo slow (but worth it if it stops us getting really bad withdraws). My sleep has finally settled (now I sleep too much!!), so that is making SUCH a difference. But I am starting to get a chubby tum.. oh man! I hope this fat goes away when I get off. And I eat like heeeeeeaps now too. I have started bingeing.. it's disgusting! I've never binged before in my life. Stupid smelly old lex. I'm thinking of eating artifical sweeteners to cut back on some cals.. Do you know if that's an alright idea, or if that will make me fatter!?

How are you going? Keep in touch, we can help each other get off this crud of a drug.

lots of love, felly

[1wonone]

Geez finally got in. I think I could have gotten into the U.S. Mint easier! Anyway my story. I found this site and learned ALOT. I learned Lexapro was what was making me depressed and suicidal. So I talked to my family doc and told her I wanted off them. She told me not to worry about it just keep taking them. I said for how long, she said for the rest of you life-true story. So I started weaning myself. Didn't have too hard of time just got the swimming head alot. I've been off for about two weeks now but my leg muscles are killing me! Last night as I was trying to go to sleep they were drawing up and hurting soooo bad. What causes this and what to do? I wrote in a while back and no one ever replied, I'd appreciate a reply on what to do for my legs. I take magnesium supplements, iron, and even used that spray that Avon sells for restless leg which helped some. I like to go walking but it hurts so much. This site is a Godsend!

[elizabethmaria]

Hello everyone,
I'm getting worried here -- does anyone have trouble with blacking out, or something like it? it seems to be getting worse - more so in the afternoon and evening ... I'll go along for a few minutes, then whoosh.. like everything is gone in my head, it goes black,and then after a while, it goes away, and I don't know what happened...I'm alone at this time, and it's scaring me because i can't remember anything or do anything at the time - had this a few times in the beginning (3 months ago) but it is going on really bad now, and seems like its worse each day... I had it 2x while going to bed last night, and actually thought I died, and then found myself alive again... when i came to... what's going on???? is it going to worsen? i think I need someone around...happens over and over again all afternoon/evening, slowly getting worse...
Aunty, can you help??
I had a bad reaction on Celexa, Trazadone, Xanax (only on them for 3 days).. happened 3 months ago now (was on amitryptyline for a month and a half, on and off for sleep, caused problems before the really bad one occured... been on nothing for 3 months...
thank you..
elizabethmarie

[Hopeful 285]

Elizabethmarie,

You may have:
Lexapro withdrawal Syncope - A short period of light headedness or unconsciousness (black-out) also know as fainting caused by lack of oxygen to the brain because of an interruption in blood flowing to the brain. I found this in the forum before it was updated. Aunty posted it. It is on page 79.

Or you may have hypotension:
You can get high or low blood pressure with what we are going through.
You need to check your bloodpressure when this happens.

I don't know the answers of what you can do about it. Hopefully someone else will.

Please be careful and let your doctor know.




1wonone,

I'm glad you found this sight. Please go back on the Lexapro. Our brains do not handle sudden changes very well. You need to taper very very slowly. What you are doing by quiting in only 2 weeks can be dangerous.
I quit on November 9th and progressively went downhill and ended up in the emergency room on December 5th with blood pressure of 206/116.
You should decrease by only .5 mg. The others on this forum can tell you how often to decrease the dosage.
If you don't wean yourself slowly, it will take you a lot longer to recuperate and can cause you all kinds of issues.
Since it has only been 2 weeks, you can go back on and start decreasing slowly.
I have restless legs also and my iron is low. I have been on iron pills but my iron is still low. Maybe it takes awhile to build it up. Prescription iron is what I am taking and I still could not give blood during the blood drive. It was probably silly of me to try to. Although I was surprised that my iron still had not recovered. If you get dark circles under your eyes, this is a sign your iron is still low. This is what the lady at the Red Cross Bloodmobile told me.
Iron can be toxic, so I wouldn't recommend taking more without talking to your doctor.
I am also taking magnesium. The restless legs are better than they were. I believe it takes time to get the full benefit.

[Hopeful 285]

Elizabethmarie,

I found another possibility:

Lexapro withdrawal Tachycardia - The heart rate is speeded up to above 100 beats per minute in an adult. Normal adult heart rate is 72 beats per minute.
This is also on page 79 of the forum (Aunty's posting).

http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/arr...a/Syncope3.htm

Tachycardias are heart rhythm disturbances in which too many electrical impulses are produced by the heart, thus causing the heart to beat too rapidly. While there are many kinds of tachycardia, only two produce syncope with any regularity – ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF).

Check your pulse and your blood pressure and call your doctor.

My daughter had syncope and she outgrew it. We never knew what caused it and she didn't take antidepressants.

I'm sure this is another Lexapro thing that will go away. I know it must be scary.

I'm praying for you.

[Patience]

Hi Everyone!

Iwonone:
Just a quick note, For the pain and restless feeling in your legs, you need to combine calcium with the magnesium. The calcium will help your muscles to not contract. You can get a liquid Calcium/Magnesium at the health food store/whole foods. Take it before bed.

[1wonone]

Patience, thank you I'll try that.

Hopeful, I was only on them for 3 months and I took about four and a half weeks to wean off at .5 each week then 2.5 for the last week. I was only saying I had been off of them for 2 weeks. I was aware of the withdrawels and was ready to go back up if I needed but I just never had much problems, I'm keeping my fingers crossed it will stay that way. The doctor gave them to me for panic attacks but they caused me to fall into the deepest depression I have ever had. I read Peter Breggins book and I'm through with anti's for life!

[BassetHounds Rule]

Just a quick question - I've been completely off Lexapro for about a week. I've been tapering from 40mg. At the same time going on to Cymbalta - can anyone tell me how long the brain zaps typically last? I have had a couple of really good days and then everything goes to sh*t. (excuse the language but that's exactly what it feels like). Today? Not so good...coupled with PMS, equally not so good. Could someone just put me down now?

Thanks for any input!

[Patience]

Guys-Was it Dramamine that helped with the brain zaps? Magnesium helps with them too.

[Hopeful 285]

Bassethounds Rule and Patience,
Benydryl helps with the brain zaps. They even gave it to me in the emergency room when they thought I was having seizures.
The emergency room says it even lowers you blood pressure.
I have been off Lexapro for 4 months and I have brain zaps but they are not a frequent as they were. I did not taper off the drug like I should have. My doctor told me it wouldn't hurt me to quit and that Lexapro is easier to get off than other antidepressants. She said I would just feel bad for a few days. Now I know, quiting cold turkey you are sick for months.
Someone else may be able to give you a better answer (someone who tapered).

1wonone,
Sorry for the misunderstanding. I guess I am just over protective because I went cold turkey out of ignorance and I don't want anyone else to do what I did.
I'm going to get the Peter Breggin book you're talking about. I keep hearing about how good it is.

Take care,

[skyer]

Hopeful: My doctor also told me it was easy to get off Lexapro. I've been on three other SSRI's before and none of them did what Lexapro has done to me. For me, it was a trap because the drug gave me such severe depersonalization I couldn't stand to be on it. Still, if I could go back, I would taper. At least my mood was cheerful while on the drug.

Peter Breggin has many books on the topic. I bought "Antidepressant Facts" but it did not have a lot of info about withdrawal. I think he is very good, though, and I wish more people knew about him and his crusade.

[elizabethmaria]

Thank you so much Hopeful for the information -- I looked at page 79 and there is so much there (think it is page 40 now in this form).. I don't think it is the tachycardia, nothing changes in my heart/BP, it just goes all black... last night was a bit better though, don't know why...
Thank you for your prayers, I am praying for all of us here, -- hopefully if we just ride these things out, they will go away, though it will seem like a miracle!!
take care all...
lots of love,
Elizabethmarie

[elizabethmaria]

Hello everyone,
Gosh, do you know, the real bummer about memory loss is that you can't remember that you have memory loss!! seriously though, I forget to remember to do the things that are supposed to help me remember... Then, I get so excited about some thought I just had, that was a positive thing, but before I can think about it, I've forgotten what it was in the first place... it's amazing!
ahhhhhh!
oh dear,
lots of love,
elizabethmarie

[Hopeful 285]

Skyer,
I was very cheerful on the drug too. I loved it for awhile. I recommended it to family and friends. Thank God they were on it only a few weeks and got off of it before they had issues.
I liked what it did for me so much. I am a very shy person and I became the Editor and facilitator for the meetings for a newsletter for a large retailer. It is about 16 pages long usually. I am in charge of the employee recognition program and am the facilitator at these meetings. I have become shy again and I worry what everyone thinks again. I was totally out of what is normally my comfort zone.
I am not bragging. I was just totally amazed that I came out of my shyness during the time I was on Lexapro. I was just happy go lucky and people enjoyed the meetings and would tell me how they would look forward to the next meeting. We were having so much fun. I made so many friends.
Now it is so hard for me to get these newsletters out. I am ready to give that part of my job over to someone else.
How could a drug help and hurt you so much?
I am on FMLA and have been good about not missing work until this week. This was a bad one. I work an hour from my house and I couldn't drive that far. My head hurt so bad. I couldn't walk well. It was worse than usual.
I have been having gait issues for almost a year. I started having them while still on the Lexapro.
I wish the doctors would have recognized my problems back then.
I can only hope that I can be an advocate in some way.
I may be shy but when it comes to speaking up to help someone else, (like concerning this Lexapro) I become bold. At least I haven't lost my love for people.
Sorry, I don't know what happened. This is a little lengthy.
Hope you are still doing better.
If I've picked up correctly, you are normally a go getter. I hope this comes back for you.
God Bless


Elizabethmarie,
I am glad you found that information. If it was syncope, you do not have to have any kind of heart problem to have it and it can go away like my daughter's did. I am really glad you're ok. This stuff is pretty scary sometimes.
Now I am going through a phase that is almost like terets. I will be talking and then I say a few words loudly and then my voice goes back to normal. This has been happening for a few days now. If I'm not talking, grunts and sighs come out. This is really strange. I even make funny faces. I hope this goes away.
Sometimes you feel like you have Parkinson's, terets, bipolar, MS and depression. Everyday is different. I feel more compassionate to all of these people. Just having the symptoms temporarily is bad enough and they have to deal with it the rest of their lives unless they get a miracle, which I definately do believe in.
Take it easy and be careful.
Oh yes, my daughter would get syncope when standing up quickly.

[skyer]

Hopeful: You are right in that I am normally a social person. That's part of the reason this newly aquired depression is killing me so much. Not wanting to call or see family and friends is so foreign to me. I should clarify, Lexapro did not cheer me up as I was already happy before the medication, but it did not make me depressed...the withdrawals are causing this depression and so if I had tapered perhaps I would not be going through this. Again, it started at month four. I try not to worry about it as I believe what Aunty and the books say about it being caused by my own neurotransmitters not working yet. But I can see how people who got on these meds for depression would run back to the drug mistaking this for their own depression (often worse than the original depression)! It's a vicious cycle as Dr. Breggin put it.

Like you, I liked how SSRI's boosted my confidence. Although I'm not shy, I have anxiety and don't always do all the things I want to do because of it. While Lexapro did not work for me, I had good results from the other SSRI's. Either way, it's not worth it. I never knew how toxin these drugs are. In fact, I think I did some rather bold things while on these drugs...like driving too fast, that sort of thing. I think there are a lot of good remedies out there but they are not marketed. I've learned a lot and can't wait till I'm better so I can try alternative methods.

I'm sorry you're having a bad week. I'm amazed you've been able to work...an hour away, too! I can only drive really close to home. We'll get through this. Look how much you have learned.

[elizabethmaria]

Dear Hopeful,
I really liked what you wrote about being a shy person before Lexapro, then feeling that you changed, but that it wasn't really you... I've always been super shy, and had difficulty with that, but wasn't on the drugs long enough to see any difference in that of course. .. (3 days)
I love shy people though... I don't think you or anyone should feel bad about it at all!!!!, - I think that you are probably more sensitive than other people, and to other people's feelings, and this comes out as shyness in certain situations, so maybe people like us are not the 'entertainer' types in large gatherings, but our meaning and purpose in life is just for different things - ... I always wanted to be different, but am just not made that way - (I'm Catholic, so I look at the Saints, and oh my gosh, they are all so very different! gives me hope !

I've had the face twitching, distortions too - and some speech trouble - clicking, etc... it is embarrassing - I know! but I think it will go away like the rest...seems to be worse with stimulation too... I am feeling better today, not so blacked out at all, at least for now.. . Sometimes when my face gets bad, I just wear a big coat and collar if I have to go out, so no one can see...
One good thing ! It's day 27 and am still waiting... if you know what I mean -- maybe things will finally cycle correctly and not so early!!!! yay!!!! That would be such a relief - one more step upwards...

Have any of you tried syntonic phototherapy, or acu- light? I've had both, and they helped a lot with vision/nerve problems...

Skyer,
I am sooooo hoping that the depression lifts for you soon - I think about you a lot!... and to the other new people -- keep reading the old posts, it will help you so much!!
take care all, thank you for prayers, and you are all in mine !
Elizabeth Marie

[elizabethmaria]

I know this is off the subject, but we should watch that movie, 'What about Bob?' I know it's old, but it's soo funny... reminds me of his fear of terets syndrome... and all the other funny things that are happening to us...
oh well, nevermind...
Elizabeth Marie

[lisabb]

I have been taking Lexapro for about two years now. I have decided to come off of it because I can't even take vitamins without having major muscle pain all over, even the palms of my hands hurt! It comes down to I should be able to take healthy things with any trouble. I read some where, (don't remember where) that Lexapro stores toxic crystals in your muscles. They suggested having a deep muscle rub to loosen the toxic crystals so that can leave your body. It kindda made sense because exercise seems to help with withdrawals. It really bugs me that with the amount of people who have trouble with Lexapro, that they do not update any of the information that is given out to people.....at least up date the side affects and withdrawal symptoms.

[Hairyarmadillo]

Originally Posted by lisabb

I have been taking Lexapro for about two years now. I have decided to come off of it because I can't even take vitamins without having major muscle pain all over, even the palms of my hands hurt! It comes down to I should be able to take healthy things with any trouble. I read some where, (don't remember where) that Lexapro stores toxic crystals in your muscles. They suggested having a deep muscle rub to loosen the toxic crystals so that can leave your body. It kindda made sense because exercise seems to help with withdrawals. It really bugs me that with the amount of people who have trouble with Lexapro, that they do not update any of the information that is given out to people.....at least up date the side affects and withdrawal symptoms.

I get so excited when I hear people talking about having muscle pain. I am so sorry that anyone is having these same problems, but at least I know I am not crazy. That is interesting about the toxic crystals. I almost feel stiff at times and the muscle cramps after even the smallest amount of exercise are horrendous. How can I exercise when I have the cramping up when I do-sigh!

Also, just read somewhere above that Benadryl helps the brain zaps. I found that the days after I took benadryl at night I had less withdrawl symptoms. Not saying they were totally gone, but less apparent.

[lisabb]

I can't hardly take anything that doesn't cause my muscles pain now. If you are taking vitamins or such, you might try not taking them for 3 or 4 days to see if that helps with the pain. That is about how long it takes my muscles to stop hurting. It took a while to figure out that it was the lexapro causing the pain. But after reading several different message boards of lexapro withdrawal, that had to be it. There are a lot of people who have experience the muscle pain with lexapro. I know how you feel, sorry that other people are in pain, but now we know it is just not us.

I haven't had the brain zaps (yea), yet. But Benadryl makes me hurt. So maybe I will get lucky. I have gone from 20 mg to 10. I plan on cutting the doses in half as I go. So far I am just dizzy and headache. I teach 2nd grade, so I need to keep my snappiness under control. I had a bad head ache today. I told the kids that my head hurt really bad.....they can be really sweet. When things didn't quiet come out of my mouth like they should, they said it was OK because I had a real bad headache. I hope it was because of the headache and not the memory loss some people have had. You always wonder.....is this another withdrawal effect.

Hang in there. We are not a lone. This site seems to have a lot of information to helps us get through this.

Lisa

[Patience]

Hopeful: I too had the terets (sp?) problem, When I would try to talk it would come out in a jerk and sounds really loud! I would jerkily knock things over as well! It went away awhile ago and it will for you too.

Agghhh the lovely muscle pain! Hate it!! It takes a long time to go away. Stretching helps as opposed to working out. Just do long stretches everyday and take your calcium/magnesium. Get massages as often as you can as well.

Best,

Patience

6 months off cold turkey from being on 2.5 months.

[Hairyarmadillo]

Originally Posted by lisabb

I can't hardly take anything that doesn't cause my muscles pain now. If you are taking vitamins or such, you might try not taking them for 3 or 4 days to see if that helps with the pain. That is about how long it takes my muscles to stop hurting. It took a while to figure out that it was the lexapro causing the pain. But after reading several different message boards of lexapro withdrawal, that had to be it. There are a lot of people who have experience the muscle pain with lexapro. I know how you feel, sorry that other people are in pain, but now we know it is just not us.

I haven't had the brain zaps (yea), yet. But Benadryl makes me hurt. So maybe I will get lucky. I have gone from 20 mg to 10. I plan on cutting the doses in half as I go. So far I am just dizzy and headache. I teach 2nd grade, so I need to keep my snappiness under control. I had a bad head ache today. I told the kids that my head hurt really bad.....they can be really sweet. When things didn't quiet come out of my mouth like they should, they said it was OK because I had a real bad headache. I hope it was because of the headache and not the memory loss some people have had. You always wonder.....is this another withdrawal effect.

Hang in there. We are not a lone. This site seems to have a lot of information to helps us get through this.

Lisa

I had wondered if the Benadryl wasn't responsible for increased stiffness, but couldn't verify that since I was taking the Lexapro the time as well. I have found that if I only do the Benadryl for a few days versus every evening, I don't get that stiffness as bad. I left of the benadryl last night and I made the mistake of giving in to sleeping longer than normal this morning. I had to force myself up and I feel nauseous now. Have decided that no matter what I will not give in to the extra sleep. Anyone have input on this? I'm trying to read back through the threads to see but there is so much GOOD information to go through. Still haven't been out to buy the magnesium, but will do that. Am taking the relacore. Will be glad when the memory is rectified. I am a teacher too and I empathize with you. I have been down to 5 mg from my usual 10 for at least 5 weeks now and still have some issues. Mainly the muscular part but definitely memory. I experienced moodiness initially and had decided to put off decreasing any more until spring vacation. And then I am only going down by half of that. This is definitely best done on a gradual basis.

[elizabethmaria]

Dear Hairyarmadillo,
I think that many people have had extra sleepiness while going through withdrawals, and tapering... I think that from most experiences, your body needs that extra sleep - I think Aunty said some people sleep like 14 hours sometimes -- all that extra healing that needs to take place as your body adjusts.. I think that if you just are careful, go to bed earlier, and get up a little later, it is fine - just as long as you don't start changing your sleep schedule, staying up late, getting up late, napping, etc... so your body doesn't get out of whack... Sleep is the best thing for healing the brain and everything... so I wouldn't short yourself, just watch it...
Anybody else have suggestions?

Hope all are doing better -- Tavee, how have you been lately??
take care, lots of love,
Elizabethmarie

[elizabethmaria]

Dear Hopeful,
I wanted to thank you again for that information - I think I've definitely been having the 'syncope' - short black outs... so I'm so glad that there is a name for it!! I was wondering, did your daughter fall down when it happened, or ? I don't feel lightheaded or anything.. it just goes black... and before it happens I feel like I have an intense ice cream headache in the center of the brain... maybe the circuits are rewiring....Just was wondering...
love,
ElizabethMarie

[Hopeful 285]

Skyer,
I was taking Lexapro for anxiety also. I wasn't depressed. My husband was in a car accident. He is ok now. At that time, I did not want to leave him to go to work, especially an hour away. My husband insisted he would be ok on his own. I very distraught over leaving him alone. I had taken care of him and did everything for him for probably 6 weeks after the accident. He couldn't even try to walk until 3 months. He is diabetic and has severe arthritis and it was so hard to leave him on his own. The Lexapro calmed my anxieties and helped he and I both. I would have probably caused him more stress because of my anxiousness.
I kiddingly tell him it was his fault I took the drug. He has a wonderful sense of humor.
I am only going to work 2 days a week. They rest of the week, they let me work at home. Actually, they let me start doing this just before I got worse on this Lexapro thing. What wonderful timing. No way could I drive in all week.
My parents live close to my work, so I only drive in once.
My manager lets me decide if I need to work at home or not. I manage my own time. If I am having a hard day, I don't turn in any hours. If I can work a half a day, that is what I do. I am very blessed to have this job. They know, I would never take advantage of them. I make out a sheet of everything I've done and turn it in. I do this on my own because I believe accountability is a good thing. I just don't want to every lose their trust.
Have a good day!



Elizabethmarie,
My daughter did black out and fall when she had the syncope.
I will ask her if she had a headache and let you know. I think she did right before falling but I am not sure since it has been a while.
You're right about people that are shy being sensitive. I cry over the good and the badk. I cry less now because I try to avoid it. It hurts too much. I don't watch the news much these days, just a little to keep updated some.
You know how they repeat the major things. You don't have to watch it everyday to know the big issues.
The thing I dislike most about being shy is people may think I don't like them until I open up. I have had some of my closest friends say they didn't think I liked them and then when we get to know each other, they find out that I am kinda silly and goofy. I love humor. I need to get that movie 'What about Bob?' It would probably do me some good.
I am Catholic also. I love the Saints. They are such wonderful role models. I love St. Bernadette. She was so humble and not very intelligent, but God used her in such a special way. I see so much glory in God in his taking the most common and using it in such a special way, that everyone becomes inspired. He is awesome.
I just became Catholic 3 years ago. Friends of mine thought it was a cult. I had to explain to them that it is Jesus we worship and we love and honor the Blessed Mother and why wouldn't we. She is the mother of our Savior. I told them when we pray the rosary, that we are saying actual words that are in the Bible. We are fullfilling prophecy. The Bible says all generations will call her blessed.




Lisa BB,
I have muscle aches also. I also have been having joint pain. I wonder if we have developed chronic fatigue from Lexapro.
One of the symptoms of chronic fatigue is a sensitivity to medications.
Thank you for the information on the toxic crystals. It makes sense that something was stored in our muscles.


Thank you Patience for the encouragement. There are so many different phases you go through. Everyday there something different. My new thing is under my left breast bone, I feel pulsing sensations. It doesn't feel like it's my heart. I also have been getting some sharp pains off and one in the same spot. Have you had this?


Hairyarmadillo and Lisa,
Here are some things that Aunty posted on page 40 about stiffness.

Lexapro withdrawal Muscle Stiffness - Tightening of muscles making it difficult to bend.
Lexapro withdrawal Joint Stiffness - A loss of free motion and easy flexibility where any two bones come together.
Lexapro withdrawal Jaw Stiffness - The result of squeezing and grinding the teeth while asleep that can cause your teeth to deteriorate as well as the muscles and joints of the jaw.


Take Care Everyone!!!

[tavee]

Hey Everyone!!

How Are U Guys?
Im Just Trying To Get Thru This Damn Period!! Its Day 3 And My Birthday And Im Dying From Cramps. Im Feeling A Little Better. I Take Naprosyn For My Cramps, And I Doubled Up Yesterday Cuz I Was Dying And I Felt The Pain In My Stomach. I Felt Like Someone Punched Me So Hard!!!

Other Than That. Im Irritable, Everyone Is Annoying Me, And The Usual Symptoms. I Hope It Is Just My Period Cuz I Alwys Analyze Myself When I Am Like This. I Always Think Oh Noooo Is It The Withdrawals?? Am I Freaking Out Cuz Im Tapering??? It Will Pass Though!! (hopefully).

Well, I Hope U Guys Are Having A Good Weeknd And U Are Feeling Ok.

Love Ya
Tavee

Ps I Started 2.4ml Today

[azureblue]

Hey guys! I am new to this site, but not new to Lex. I am 26, and have been on this horrible drug for three years. I am ready to be free! I currently take 20mg, and yesterday I started taking 19. If I drop my dose by 1mg each week, will the withdrawl symptoms still be horrible? Have any of you seen a counselor at the same time as withdrawing from Lex, and should I find one?

[Hopeful 285]

Skyer,
Hi, I ordered the book you read 'Antidepressant Facts' and another one from Peter Breggin. I can't recall the name right now. I am excited to get them. You are right we have learned alot. I am a teacher at heart so I will love passing on the information.
Last night I had another weird phenomenon. Not surprised?
It scared me my legs were bent for awhile and when I went to straighten them, I couldn't do it at first. I had to force them to straighten. I felt crackly noises in my knees as I straightened them. Maybe a half an hour later, it happened again. I also was noticing tighten chest muscles and a sharp pain on the left side that would come and go.
This terets-like stuff is also pretty strange. This morning, the sounds I was making sound like a monkey.
I am not a hypochondriac at all. I am an optimist usually and always expect to get better but when I am in the moment of some weird stuff, it really freaks me out. The terets stuff isn't as scary as not being able to straighten my legs easily or my chest tightness.
Have you done either of these?
Thanks Skyer.

Tavee,
I have had bad PMS also. It is worse with this Lexapro stuff. We need to remember it will go away. I know it is always harder when you are in the midst. Maybe you could look on this day that you are half way through and that means it will start getting better. Spring is almost here, we'll be outside more and this should help us tremendously.
Take care

Azureblue,
I was just reading back in the forum today. Aunty says that a 5 percent withdrawal can be devastating for some. Her daughter has been decreasing 1 to 2 percent every 2 weeks to have minimal symptoms.
Omega 3 fish oil and magnesium are musts. Aunty says lecithin may help with muscle pain.
Do not take SAME E, St. John's Wort, cold medicince, MAOI's, or anything that inhances your serotonin for a year after to have completely stopped taking the drug. All this information is posted by Aunty and other on this site.
I quit cold turkey in November out of ignorance and doctor misguidance and have had debilitating side effects. I believe eventually I will get better but it takes longer if you don't taper.
About councelling, I believe it is a good idea. I have not seen one. These ladies on this site have helped me more than my doctors, emotionally and physically. They know what supplements to take and what to avoid. If you have an issue, usually someone on the forum is having the issue, had the issue, or has read of the issue and this helps calm your nerves knowing that they are ok.
Here are some sites you may want to check out.

http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/pinealstory.htm
Blessings

http://www.channel4.com/health/micro...comingoff.html



This site has a guide you can preview online.

http://books.google.com/books?id=uV1...1#PRA1-PA40,M1