[tavee]

Azueblue-
If U Are Ready To Taper. I Can Help U!! I Was On It For 3 Yrs Also And I Just Started Tapering In October. I Am Down To 2.4 Ml From 10mg. I Switched To Liquid In Order To Taper. That Is The Only Way U Can Do It If U Want To Get Off It Safely.

I Tried A Year Ago And I Went Down Really Fast And I Was A Mess. Brain Zaps, Crying, Irritability. It Was Very Bad. Please Whatever U Do, Do Not Be In A Hurry To Get Off It. U Have To Go Really Slow.

When U Taper U Must Taper Between 5-10% For 2 Weeks. Ure Body Needs To Get Used To The Low Dose Each Time. If U Feel Effects, Usually U Feel It The 7th Or 10 Th Day. By The 14th Day Ure Body Has Been Getting Used To It So Thats When U Go Down Again.

Since U Are On 20mg, I Would Go Down 1 Mg For About 10 Days Or So Until Ure System Gets Used To It. Then I Can Tell U The Details Once U Get Down To Like 15. U Can Only Do It With Liquid Though.

Let Me Know

Tavee

[elizabethmaria]

Hello everyone,

Welcome Azureblue! I hope that you find lots of help here - there are so many people here that have gone through what you are experiencing -- I had a bad reaction and was not on the drugs for long, so I don't know anything about the tapers -- but everyone else can help you so you don't have bad withdrawals... thank goodness you found this site - we are so blessed to have each other's support here...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAVEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!
HOPE THAT YOU DO HAVE A GREAT BIRTHDAY, EVEN THOUGH IT'S A TOUGH TIME!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

So happy here - period came at 28 days!! It has been sooo off.. even before the drug reaction because of chronic fatigue -- feels like the body, at least in some areas, is healing!!!!! I have totally lost the brain though... it's gone, completely. I cannot speak to anyone now, (writing is ok), I'm so out of it - my family is gone for several weeks, so it's just friends and neighbors I might see, and they don't understand at all... I hope it will come back - I'm really hurting friends because I can't react or respond, or talk... does this last long?

From reading the antideppressantsfacts website, and the articles related to it, it seems like our neck stiffness, muscle stiffness, facial distortions is part of the 'Dystonia' that they list as a major effect... due to damage to the dopamine receptors in the Basal Ganglia in the brain.... I did some more research on dystonia, and transient dystonia/dyskinesia (transient, as can come from use from drugs such as SSRI's etc. and usually resolves within several months of discontinuing), and the symptoms match mine at least... the antidepressantsfacts site says that it can be permanent, but other research I found does say that it does a slow reversal -- scary, but I guess we have to know ... I even watched a web movie on a dystonia reaction - and said, "oh nooo, it's me!".. has anyone else looked into this? ? Seems to be a really common side effect.. but to know what causes helps -- I guess takes a long time for the dopamine receptors to repair themselves... I wanted to paste the info here, but I've misplaced my packet of info I printed, and of course, can't remember where I put it ....

Oh, and someone, (can't remember) said something about chronic fatigue muscle pain -- just so no one worries, the actual muscle pain (which can be horribly intense) from chronic fatigue syndrome is due to the muscles being so weak and unused - they cramp and hurt with even the smallest amount of exercise/movement - there isn't anything wrong w/ the muscles themselves - so patients are put on an exercise/building up regimen... (had chronic fatigue syndrome and was helped out of it at the Harborview CFS clinic, seattle..)

Dear Hopeful - I completely understand how you feel ! That is so wonderful that you came into the Church a few years ago - it is sooo great, we have so much help and example there, I love St. Bernadette too - and St. Therese, the Little Flower - she helps me when I feel so small, uncapable and insignificant - and she became a Doctor of the church!!... The rosary is like the ladder climbing out from the darknesses... it's been my 'rope' these last few years where I've been ill... My mom and I just went to see Fr. Corapi last weekend.. so good...do you know him? I was soo very out of it though, I'm not sure I remember much of anything said...but good nevertheless

Sorry about this long posting! I didn't know it was soo long... take care everybody, and hope you are all feeling a little better every day...!!!

ahh, I just had to edit my post because it said I used too many smiley faces... since when can you have too many smiley faces???!!
lots of love,
Elizabethmarie

[tavee]

elizabethmarie- THANKS FOR THE BDAY WISHES!!!

U MENTIONED SOMETHING ON FACIAL DISTORTIONS(DYSTONIA)

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFO ON THAT. WHAT SITE WERE U ON THAT EXPLAINED ALL THAT??? IT SOUNDS LIKE A FAMILIAR SYMPTOM.

CAN U GIVE ME THE SITE OF THE WEB MOVIE ON DYSTONIA REACTION??
IM REALLY INTERESTED IN THAT.


HANG IN THERE GIRL!! WE WILL SURVIVE!!

TAVEE

[skyer]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TAVEE..hope you had a good one!

Sounds like most of us are back to the 28-day cycle...nice to have something back to normal. My periods have actually been really pain-free which is weird for me. So glad, though, cuz I don't want to take any medicine during this.

Elizabethmaria: I'm so sorry you feel brain dead. I do, too, in many ways. Just numb. You are a brave gal for staying home on your own. I'm such a baby and won't be left alone at night. Mostly it's becuase of my depersonalization. I feel I have no control with that symptom. I still live in Alice the Wonderland world because I feel like I'm in a dream-state. I read the pineal glad info that Hopeful posted a link to and it really explained why I have the dream-state feeling and how it relates to the vivid dreams. I always knew it was connected because it started at the same time for me when I was ON the drug. I basically have all the signs of the malfunctioning pineal gland except for the twitching and jerking that many of you talk about. I don't know why I didn't get that, I have everything else it seems. Oh, I didn;'t get the zaps, either. The guy who started that antidepressantfacts.com site wrote about his personal story with withdrawals. It's a bit hard to find, so I'll post it here if anyone wants to read it. He had to live with his parents for a year and still has a few symptoms once and a while.

Well...just thought I would check in today. My depression is not as bad today as it has been. Hope this is a trend...

Take care, all.

Patience: Will write soon...I'm just like you and get apathetic about writing and calling people back in a timely manner!

[skyer]

author's personal story...

http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/...rly-Prozac.htm

[lisabb]

Tavee Happy Bday! Just think, next years Bday you can celebrate not having withdrawals!

Lexapro did help with my depression. But I would have liked to known what I was really getting into. I don't think the doctors really know about what the drug really does to a person. They read the studies that were done and that is were they get their information. It is too bad they don't listen to their patients. I hate feeling like a drug addict.

So far, headaches, dizziness, and words getting mixed up a little is the only withdrawal symptoms I have. OH YEA, the muscle pain. It is amazing that one drug can cause your body so many problems. I don't understand why now that more people are having these withdrawals, why are they not at least saying that there are withdrawals for some people??

I am trying to go to just taking it every two or three days. I will let you know how it goes.

Good Luck everyone.
Lisa

[Hopeful 285]

http://www.breggin.com/brain-disablingch4.html

[skyer]

Lisa: DO NOT TAKE IT EVERY TWO OR THREE DAYS! You will really confuse your brain and make matters worse!! I need to go back and read how you are tapering, but only cut back on the drug about 5% every three weeks. Yes, it will take a long time, but if you don't you could end up getting symptoms that may not allow you to function. I'm glad you found this site because you are right about most doctors...they do not really know about these drugs. They only know what the biased drug companies have told them. It's a true shame.

[Hairyarmadillo]

This must be one of the most comprehensive sites on the web regarding Lexapro withdrawal. I decided to do a search on Noni juice and lexapro withdrawal and the link took me right back here. You guys are great!!
I went to the link on antidepressant facts Hopeful posted and am shaking my head wondering why this information isn't given before prescribing any antidepressant. I honestly believe many doctors prescribing these drugs are not as informed as they should be. Clean drug, my eyeball! I've been on one antidepressant or another since 1996! I am scared I am messed up for good. My memory has continued to decline over the years and I blamed it on stress and fatigue. Never once did I question taking these medications. I finally got so lethargic that I didn't care if I did anything during the day, so I started getting off the Paxil. was off that for awhile, then tried Lexapro. Coming of the Lexapro is better than my Paxil withdrawal experience, but I am so ready to put this behind me. I am going to wait until a few days before spring break to decrease again, but am still dreading it.
Anyhow, thank you all for the wonderful research and insight you have consistently provided.

[elizabethmaria]

Tavee -- I Cannot remember where I saw that movie !! I have been trying to find it, but I can't seem to... - I'm so sorry! It was a good program, some site that had movies of different types... there is a site called WeMove about movement disorders that is good - and another called I think.. Dystonia-Foundation that is good as well... But don't look too much, it can be more scary than maybe we want right now... I hope all our symptoms disappear!

Hopeful, that is a great article!! I don't have the book, but I printed out the article, and if I can muster up my will, I will give it to my doctor, who prescribed me my deadly 3 day cocktail - she doesn't realize unfortunately what these drugs do, and is not really taking responsibility for what happened, though I can understand...

Skyer - thank you for posting the link to his story on that website -- when I first read the antidepressantsfacts website, I wanted to reach out and kiss that dear man!! ... he understands so much - it was so nice to be able to read his story, I couldn't find it before...
yes, I have to be home alone, but it is definitely not by choice! There wasn't any options, unfortunately, there is no one who can stay here - the evenings are the worst though, daytime is better.. and it helps to stay in touch with you all on the site here...so I really really hope things don't get worse in the fourth month, but...

take care everyone!
love
Elizabethmarie

[elizabethmaria]

Dear Hopeful,
I just sent you an e-mail, with a quick question -- I hope that that was ok...!

blessings,
Elizabethmarie

[azureblue]

Hopeful- Thank you so much for your reply! I don't know if cutting down 1mg a week will work for me or not, but I am going to give it a shot for now. This is my second day of 19mg, and I feel fine (which I know nothing happens until later on), but I am really jumpy. For example, my husband scared me multiple times to day- I wouldn't here him come in, then he would touch my arm, and I would jump a mile. My puppy also jumped on me when I was sleeping, and about gave me a heart attack! Do you think these are some of the withdrawl symptoms, or am I just playing too much into it? When do you think I will start REALLY feeling the effects of cutting down? Well, I hope you had a great day! Are you feeling better now? Have your symptoms lessened or become worse?

[azureblue]

Tavee- Thank you so much for your recommendations. I thought I would be fine just going down one mg per week, boy am I glad you told me to wait longer each time. I have the pills right now, and I am trying to cut them down (because I started yesterday, and my doctor wasn't available to talk to), but I am going to call her tomorrow and ask her to send me a prescription for the liquid. As for your support- I would be soooo happy to know that someone is standing by me. I tried to go off Lex a couple of times before, but my withdrawls were so bad that my husband begged me to get back on the meds. Well, I understand a "Happy Birthday!" is in order- so I hope you had a great one!

ElizabethMaria- Thank you for inviting me to the site! I was so afraid everyone would ignore me because I am a "newby," but you are all so nice! It is great to know there are others out there going through the same things as me. I couldn't believe my eyes when I found this website... I feel like I know all of you already, because I have been reading the thread for a few days now. I will keep you all posted on my progress... please let me know how you are as well!

[azureblue]

Hopeful- You mentioned something else I meant to ask about. You said fish oil and magnesium would help. Do I start taking it now... or wait until I feel the effects of the withdrawl? Also, how often are you suppose to take it?

[lisabb]

skyer I am being very careful and monitoring my withdrawal. I got the ideal from reading the post on previous pages. It worked for some people. My withdrawals don't seem to be as bad as other peoples (right now), so it might work for me. If not, I will go back to a slower pace. I did not have any withdrawals when I came off of zoloft. So maybe I will get lucky. I just want to be able to take vitamins (a healthy thing) with out the muscle pain.

Aunty how is your daughter now? I am still in the 2005 year reading. I think it is great that you started this site and that you have shared with so many people.

Lisa

[lisabb]

In reading previous post, there is a mention of stages. What are the stages?
It maybe listed, but I have not got to them yet. I don't have a lot of time to read the post, just on page 9.

[Hopeful 285]

Azureblue,

I am not sure when you will feel the effects of cutting down because I quit cold turkey. Tavee can probably answer this question better. Please whatever you do, don't do what I did. It will take me a long time to recuperate because I did this. It was out of ignorance.

I would go ahead a take the fish oil an magnesium. You will want to get it in your system. Most people don't get enough magnesium.

Here are some sites that others posted earlier in this forum. They ar very good. One of them tells about getting off these drugs the safest way and the other one has a lot of links to magnesium. You may be surprised how much magnesium can do for you. If I would have know about it sooner, I would have taken it instead of Lexapro. It is good for PMS, muscle tension, stress, etc.

I am having a little better day. Thanks for asking. I am glad you found this forum. The people on this forum has helped tremendously, sharing their stories and information they find. You'll learn something new all the time.


http://www.healthy.net/search/qryRes...&ct=xxSearchxx

http://www.theroadback.org/lexapro_description.htm

Have a great day!

Elizabethmarie,
I talked to my daughter about the syncope. She did not get headaches. She said she would start to feel tingly and then black out and fall. She said, she could hear people talking but couldn't move. Sometimes, things would go black and she didn't fall. She said she knew right before it was going to happen and it usually happened when she first stood up, and sometimes when she was walking or standing.

Send me another email at clmackan@aol.com. I didn't get the other one.

I ordered 2 of Peter Breggin's books at amazon.com. They were only $15 including shipping.
I was happy to see that most people who have dystonia don't get worse when they monitored them and checked them after a year. It still is a scary article. Like you said in one of your posting; we need to get ours sleep. I'm sure the after care is important just like with any other medicle issue.
We need to exercise our brains, eat right, lots of sleep, take our supplements, avoid stress as much as possible, and PRAY, PRAY PRAY!!!
Have you had any more syncope problems?
God Bless,

[Hopeful 285]

http://www.healthyplace.com/radio/ar...s_02-06-02.htm

[Hopeful 285]

The HealthyPlace.com Radio Show airs live every Saturday night from:

4:05 - 5 p.m. Pacific
6:05 - 7 p.m. Central
7:05 - 8 p.m. Eastern
11:05 p.m. - 12 a.m. GMT

http://www.healthyplace.com/radio/archives.htm

[scootchu]

For about 6 months my wife has been taking 10mg and I really wonder what it doing to her. She has gained weight, become lethargic, and washed out emotionally. I think she traded one thing for another. She told her doctor that she felt worse and the doctor said to up the dose. I cannot climb inside my wife's head and examine what is going on and that is frustrating. What I find even more frustrating is the regular MD dispensing prescriptions without a complete psych workup. Anyway she would like to get off of it, but the withdrawl SE's scare her. I have no problem with doing this to myself with meds, but I don't want to lead my wife down a path that will be painful.

She never had bouts of depression and she is 42, so with me having depression from time to time, untreated, I guess she never knew that it could be temporary and normal. It goes away and I have always had reasons the explained it. I need advice because the MD's was up the dosage and that scares me. She doesn't want to run or cycle with me anymore and it seems to be like it's making things worse.

[elizabethmaria]

Hello,
having a very bad day.. I'm going downhill like a trainwreck... have been crying last night and all morning, too weak to do , very nauseous , jmy head is gone, drooling everywhere ... -- I don't want to be negative, but I don't think i can heal from this, it's too much and my head is soo broken.. Please pray that i will find someone to help me, it's not good to be alone
em

[skyer]

Elizabethmaria: Don't give up! You will make it!!! Sounds like you might have hit the emotional withdrawals that come at about 3-4 months off. Months 3 and 4 were the worst for me...I got depressed and had horrible stomach/gut problems that are just started to get better. Is there anyone that can visit you to give you some support? It's been more than five months off Lexapro cold-turkey and still don't feel like myself, but I survived the real scary stuff. I do still have floating fear, vivid dreams at night and a sleep-like state during the day and I'm still having depression...but the painful stuff is gone now...I know how you feel...it will get better!

Snoop (scoop?): What is happening to your wife is very typical of Lexapro....weight gain, lethargy, apathy, etc..it's also very typical of doctors to suggest increasing the dose. The fact is, the drug needs to be stopped. I think I can speak for all of us on these boards when I say that. Lexapro (and all SSRI's for that matter) are powerful, mind-altering drugs...not just mood lifters as the drug companies claim. I have spent months doing research and it's alarming what these drugs do to the human body and mind. She is lucky that you're observant enough to care and look for help. Sadly, few doctors know the truth about these drugs. First of all, getting off the drug is scary, but can be done. The key is to taper very, very slow...this may take six months to a year, but it is worth it. I was only on the drug six weeks and had a bad reaction so I quit cold-tukey. DO NOT DO THIS! That said, I am not an expert when it comes to tapering...but please visit theroadback.com. They are a great resource for tapering. Also, read through this forum and look for posts by Auntybiotic. She is tapering her daughter off of Lexapro and has done extensive research into it. Also, look up Dr. Peter Breggin and Ann Blake Tracy...they have written excellent books on the subject and also suggest ways to safely get off these drugs. In fact, if you go to Amazon and look for books about getting off your antidepressant you will find some good info. Good luck!

[azureblue]

Elizabethmaria- Please don't give up... I definitely look up to you for getting as far as you have. I have read that nature is VERY important. Is there a place that you can go to be alone in nature. Maybe you have a yard to work in, or you could go to a local park? I have also heard that saunas are really good. Or you could try pampering yourself somehow... a massage maybe? Stick in there. I know I am new here, but I know that there are a lot of people to support you RIGHT HERE!

[scootchu]

Thanks so much for the support. I would rather it be me that was undergoing this whole thing. I have no problem dealing with things because I always know that the world won't end, life will go on and the pain will go away. You always look back on such episodes and say, "wow that wasn't so bad", but at the time that it is happening you would swear there is no way out. I have had my share of bouts, but I worry so much that I may be forcing my wife to do something that she may not want to do. She says otherwise, but man you guys are so right with the symptoms that I have witnessed. Stomach, head, you name it the pit like a glove. Thanks for the support.

[Hairyarmadillo]

"For about 6 months my wife has been taking 10mg and I really wonder what it doing to her. She has gained weight, become lethargic, and washed out emotionally. I think she traded one thing for another. She told her doctor that she felt worse and the doctor said to up the dose. I cannot climb inside my wife's head and examine what is going on and that is frustrating. What I find even more frustrating is the regular MD dispensing prescriptions without a complete psych workup. "

Scootch-are you MY husband?? LOL, just joking, but this is me, except I have been on the Lexapro longer than that.
Tell her it is worth it. I was on 10 mg and I was on Paxil for several years prior to that-went through hell with the Paxil. This is somewhat easier for me. Do tell her the trick is to do it gradually. My regular md told me to skip a day, take a pill, skip two days, take a pill. And gradually stretch it out. BAD advice, but I knew that from the Paxil incident. I have gone from a size 4 to a size 20. I got to the point where I did not care if the world fell down around me. I wasn't stressed over it, just didn't care. Didn't care if I cleaned house or did anything. had to force myself to do the paperwork required by my job. Just been going through the motions. I was on the 10 mg as of approximately 6 weeks ago. Decreased that dosage by 1/4, am now down to 5 mgs a day. I am waiting for achievement tests to be over and spring vacation to cut down again so I don't have to worry about the side effects as much during teaching time. She can do it and she is going to feel like a darkness has been lifted from her. If she is already feeling the effects now, they will get worse. I also swear by the Relacore, haven't tried the Omega fish oil but these people on this forum are more knowledgeable about this than I am and have spoken of it. Also, if you can encourage her to just read on here she will see that she is not alone. And, she is definitely blessed to have you supporting her. My husband has no idea I am going through this, just thinks I am a lazy moody slob, no doubt. He doesn't believe in depression-lol. So, i don't want to hear I told you so.
But back to your wife. Tell her she can do this-and this time next year she will feel so glad that she did.

[lisabb]

Elizabethmaria hang in there, there are better days ahead of you!

The Wikipedia website has some explanation of things we are feeling. They call it SSRI discontinuation syndrome. It list alot of the withdrawal symptoms and most of them you can click on them for more information.

I am doing 5 mg every other day. So far I am still dizzy and tingly. This morning it felt like my heart was really beating fast. I was in the process of waking up. I am not sure if I was dreaming or if it was real.

Good luck to all.
Lisa

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SSRI_di...ation_syndrome

[tavee]

Elizabethmaria- U Have To Hang In There Girl, U Are Going To Have Ure Bad Days And U Re Good Days. What Is Ure Favorite Thing To Do? Do U Like To Shop? Go Shopping Or Do Something Even If U Have To Force Ureself. There Have Been So Many Times Where I Have Forced Myself And I Felt Much Better. I Know It Is So Hard Right Now But U Have To Be Patient. This Will Pass.

Azureblue-start Taking Fish Oil And A Multivitamin Nowwwwwwww!! Take About 2 Fish Oils In The Morning. This Helps With Moods. Do Not Wait To Have Withdrawals.
Also, The Jumpiness That U Are Feeling Is Part Of The Withdrawals, We Become Sensitive To Sounds Like Loud Noises Etc And U Will Also Notice Odors Too. Dont Worry About That, But Whatever U Do U Need To Listen To Us And Dont Be In A Hurry To Quit Cold Turkey. Mark My Words. U Will Regret It.
Let Me Know If U Need Anything. I Started 2.4 On Friday And Im Feeling A Little Nauseous Today.(thats Because We Have Serotonin Receptors In Our Stomachs). See, And That Is Only 4 Days On This Dose.

Please Be Careful Whatever U Decide Ok????

Tavee

[tavee]

Lisa Bb-
Please Be Careful With How U Are Tapering. I Dont Think It Is A Good Idea To Do What U Are Doing. Yes, U Will Not Feel The Effects Right Away Cuz It Takes A While For Ure Brain And U Are Probably Thinking Oh It Will Be Ok Since I Dont Have Major With Drawals Now.

U Need To Go Slow. Every 2-3 Days Will Mess Up Ure Brain. Do Not Do That.

Let Me Know If U Need Help.

Read My Posts About Tapering. Im On 2.4 Ml And I Have Been Tapering Since October. I Tried It The Way U Are Doing It A Year Ago. Biggg Mistake!!!!

Pleeease Go Slow And Dont Be In A Hurry.

Tavee

[lisabb]

Has anyone tried detoxing your body? I have used a colon cleaning system before. The same company now has a detox system for the liver and other organs that is suppose to help rid the body of toxins that are built up from such things as medications and other sources. Maybe it could help eliminate the lexapro build up in my body???

What do you all think?
Lisa


It is almost 1:00 am and I can't go to sleep......so i am searching for ideas.

[lisabb]

Tavee, I promise I am keeping a real close eye on what is going on. I am still reading the post (only on page13 now). I have plenty of Lex if I need it. I teach school, so at the first sign of bad effects, I will back on it full time and start going slower. I know I am impatient, my nature. I have a couple of friends who are also helping me monitor my moods for major changes too.

I really do appreciate your concern and you can tell me I told so you later. I know I will probably end up back on it, I just have to try.

How long were you on Lex??

Good night, I think the Tylenol pm has kicked in.
Lisa