[azureblue]

Tavee- I am definitely going to listen to your advice. I got a prescription for the liquid Lex yesterday (I can't pick it up until today), but I am going to stick with 19mg when I get it- for about seven to ten more days, then I will go to 18. Also, I saw a counselor yesterday, and he is going to help me with coping skills throughout my process- I am excited about that! My only problem is that the dr. that gave me my prescription told me to go from 20 to 10 for two weeks, 10 to 5 for two weeks, then quit. I told her what I WANTED to do, but she told me NO, to follow HER pattern. HELP! How will I get her to prescribe more when I am out!? I am VERY annoyed by this! I am going to follow your all's plan- you apparently know more than her- but I just have to know what to tell my dr. when I need another prescription. Thanks a lot! I am glad you are here for me!

[scootchu]

Thanks to all for the support and advice. My wife started to cut her dose by a 1/4 or maybe a half. I haven't talked to her this morning yet. I did tell her to let me know if she starts experiencing any symptoms at all. I don't want her to drive if she has any of the WE's that I have read. So if she takes fish oil that should help? I will tell her. I am so blown away by this. I take Adderal to help me focus after a series of head injuries. Please don't paint me as a vegetable, I still have higher thinking, but short term memory, cognitive, and multi-tasking all took hits. I did my research and asked many questions when taking Adderal. I also went to a highly regarded Neuro-Psych and he worked with me until we found something that just "helped" , but didn't alter. I am so mad that our MD prescribed this. I am so mad that I missed it. This was all over my wife being stressed over a trip last December to Disney and X-mas following right behind. She also was getting depressed over the kids growing up. I think time would have been a better healer. That and pehaps a few Valium to carry her through the temporary stress.

I feel so very bad for my wife as she is a trusting soul who had blind faith in our medical care giver. I feel even worse about letting her go this long without asking questions. My brother is a doctor so I know that all doctors are human. I also have friends that are drug reps and I know that they are not always the most informed either.

Thanks again.

[Patience]

Lisabb: I wouldn't do that detox right now. It's really hard on your body and you need all the minerals from your food that you can get. Alot of the reason people feel so poorly for awhile is that you mineral deficient and that your neurotransmitters are trying grow back. Don't do anything harsh to your body or it could back fire. Only TONS of water, no caffeine, no sugar, omega 3's, saunas, fresh air, manesium, epsom salt baths if needed, fresh and balanced food with more than enough protein and most importnatly: Time. You cant rush this. I tried.

Scootchu: It is very diappointing when our doctors steer us in the wrong direction. What most of us have learned is to take our medications into our own hands and thouroughly research before taking anything. Look into this book "The Mood Cure". It is a great book that helps to find natural ways to deal with "moods". Just dont start on the 5htp/serotonin for while after the lexapro is completely out of your system.
http://www.moodcure.com/

xoxo and good luck
6 months after going cold turkey: only on 2.5 months

[Patience]

excuse the spelling errors! "A lot"....I am big on that being spelled correctly!

[elizabethmaria]

Hello everyone,
Doing better today - started to feel better yesterday afternoon, and was able to stay with somone last night which was very good... Goodness, felt like the bottom dropped out of my head or something yesterday!
I think it got triggered by the television?? - I watched something, and it makes the head go really weird.. ( couldn't help it, I had to watch funniest home videos ) then everything sets in.. does anyone else have this problem?? I don't understand why it's so strong... like a brain charge or something...
Skyer, I had read about the pineal gland damage/depersonalization/serotonin link... (dream state).. on that site...that is very good - it also said that the tv screen shuts down or supresses the pineal gland - I always get bad depersonalization after watching tv for even a short time -- do you think it's connected? Just asking because I know you have that constant dream state -- and remembered that you mentioned all you could do was watch tv... did you feel a connection?? Don't want to do something if it is preventing healing -- hmmmm.... anyways, just trying to sort it out
I hope everyone is doing well here -- Tavee, Patience, Hopeful, Aunty, Azureblue, Lisa, Scootchu,
take care...
elizabethmarie

[skyer]

Elizabeth: That's interesting. I don't feel any connection between the depersonalization and the TV. I do watch a lot of TV right now, well, actually I just have it on a lot because I like the background noise. But even when I watch it I don't notice any problems. I think it's all related to my sleep. The theory is that we can be REM sleep deprived because of the drug (you can dream without being in REM!) and so the body goes into the dream state during wakefulness. I sleep all night but I sleep light (unusual for me) so I believe I'm missing that deep sleep stage, or at least missing all that I need. It's really complex stuff. Anyway, I feel that once my sleep pattern gets under control my depersonalization will go away. What is your depersonalization like? For me, things just don't seem as real as they should. It's more noticable when I'm out at stores and stuff.

Glad you're doing a little better. Symptoms really go up and down during this.

[elizabethmaria]

Hi Skyer,
Yes, I just don't feel very 'real' much of the time, most noticeable when talking with other people, less when alone (probably just notice the difference more).. but with the tv, I've really noticed that it makes a huge difference -- but it seems to 'stay' in my system for like 24 hours or so, after watching -- usually always sleep less well that night as well.. but I can turn the tv on, and sometimes after just a few minutes I'll get up and all of a sudden it's like I'm truly outside of my body/mind, don't know where I am or what is going on... really strong, and takes a while to 'get back in' so to say...
the antidepressantsfacts site just says something about it suppressing the pineal gland, so it seems like its connected.. hmmm?? I don't know, just hypothesizing..!
love,
elizabethmarie

[Hairyarmadillo]

Elizabethmaria, I had that not feeling real feeling for about 2 weeks, but didn't know at the time it was the Lexapro. I hated that, and really thought I was going crazy. Sorry others experience, but thank God I am not crazy!! I was so bad that, even though I love to read, I would only read for a little bit and only read non-fiction trying to make myself stay feeling grounded. The worst for me was the moments of nausea and the moodiness. Once I figured it wasn't me, but the Lexapro, it was easier to endure.
lisabb, I teach also and am not brave enough to taper anymore until spring vacation-lol. We have standardized testing coming up as well, so I KNOW I don't need any help putting me in a moody state. The first tapering I was teaching but just "faked" a normal mood when I did have the mood swings. It can be done. Good luck!!
azureblue-I didn't even mention to my doctor that I wanted to taper off the antidepressant. After the last time when he gave me (what I feel) was lame uninformed advice on how to proceed, I lost faith in his knowledge pertaining to this area. I trust you guys more than I do the doctor. Isn't that funny? And I PAY him for his input-lol. I don't see why it would be a problem allowing you to decrease like you want to. Unless his theory is to get you off of it quicker. That is what I want to do, but the way I see it, one way or the other, you aren't really free of the effects for awhile. Why not ease into it, allowing the body to recuperate as it goes along instead of that big jolt by quitting more quickly. I know the advice is "check with your doctor first", but I have lost faith in that. I do know that when I had my psychotic episode brought on by some other medication I took, when i told the treating psychiatrist about how I had once taken Paxil but had gotten off of it, he told me "You need to get back on it. If your doctor put you on it, that means you need it." WRONG!! The doctor put me on it because I asked for it. Fortunately, by the time this psychiatrist was telling me this, the effects of the other medicine had worn off and I was in my right mind. However, had I known then what I know now, I would probably have lectured him or sent him to this website
Hey, what can one do about the weight gain? Now that I am getting back to normal, I hate it!!

[azureblue]

Hairyarmadillo- I guess this is the teacher website, because I too am a teacher- or maybe it is just that teachers are depressed Anyway, I am going to follow the sllllloooooowwww taper advice, for the sake of my sanity and that of my husband (I have already put him through so much). Crazy thing is, his sister talked me into taking it after she started (3years ago), but she quit a long time ago (without telling me) because she thought it wasn't good for her- wish she would have shared THAT info! What dose are you on, and how is it going for you? Are you tapering slowly too? Also, am I going to gain weight coming off this drug? You mentioned something about it... but I thought one gained weight while TAKING it. How fair is it to gain weight twice?

[azureblue]

Can anyone tell me what dosage of Fish Oil to get, what brand, and how much to take every day. I looked in the pharmacy, but I got very confused... I just want to do the right thing! Tavee- you mentioned two caplets every morning, but the bottle says to take it three times a day. What should I do? Anyone else take this? Anyone have anymore advice? Gracias!

[azureblue]

Okay, so I know this is my third post in a row, but I am freaking out just a bit. I just picked up the prescription for liquid Lex. I was currently taking 20 mg of Lex pills, so am I REALLY supposed to take 19ml of liquid Lex.???????? That seems like sooooo much! Please help me, I have noo idea what I am doing, and I don't want to take 1,000 times too much Lexapro and O.D. Maybe I am being a little crazy right now, but I am pretty sure that if I take 19ml of this liquid stuff I will be out of it in a week. Thanks,please reply ASAP!

[tavee]

Azureblue- Yes 19ml Is A Lot In Liquid Form. How Much Did That Dr Give U?
I Think Ure Next Step Is To Go To Another Physician If This One Wont Let U Taper The Way U Want.i Dont Know What Else To Tell U. I Wish I Could Give U Some!!!lol
U Can Not Taper That Way. These Drs Do Not Know ********************!! Man Does That Make Me Mad!!!

Regarding The Fish Oil Tablets, Go To Any Pharmacy Where They Have Vitamins. The Bottle In The Front Should Say Someting Like 1200 Mg . U Can Start Off By Taking 2-3 In The Morning. Just Stick With That For Now. Also, Make Sure U Take A Multivitamin. If U Have A Store Called Gnc Where U Are, Take The Womens Ultra Vitamin. It Has Everything Or Go To The Pharmacy And Tell Them U Need A Good Multivitamin. Another Good Fish Oil Is Carlsons. Go To Carlsons.com And Get The Regular Fish Oil Tablets Not Cod Oil.i Think Its Like 30 Bucks Or So.

Ps I Am A Teacher Too!! I Taught For 11 Yrs And I Am A Stay At Home Mommy Now To My 3 Yr Old!!

Le Me Know What Else U Need Help With.

Tavee

[lisabb]

Standardized Testing.....yuk!

I am doing mine next week. 2nd grade isn't as bad as the other grades "yet". It will be soon. I wish the people who decide the test are a good thing would sit down and test with the children!!!!!!!!

I bet they could not handle it!! It is not fair what they put these children through. There is no reason for a child to test most of the day for two straight weeks, every day. No wonder children don't like school.

Sorry venting!!

Right now I only have the tingling and dizzy. I still can't take any vitamins or minerals because it causes to much muscle pain-can't move or function. It really worries me because I know that I need to replenish healthy stuff in my body. This was the deciding factor that made me come off of Lex. I tried the fish oil today......yes it caused muscle pain too.......and I burped it all day lllooonnggggg. not good.

In reading some of the past post (here and other sites) and in research based on what they were saying, a lot of sites were says that when the liver has too many toxins to process that it stores the toxins in fat cells. I have plenty of those thanks to Lex and Zoloft. It says that when your body is trying to detox itself (some of the herbs that everyone suggests helps the body detox itself, Epsom salt baths and a healthy diet also helps your body detox), that the toxins are released back into your system so they can be eliminated. This will also cause some dizziness, tingling, etc. It kinda sounds like some of our withdrawal systems may also be our body trying to clean itself up too. That makes some of the withdrawals a little easier to take, knowing that is my body doing some house cleaning. Most sites suggested that if you are coming off an addictive drug, that you only do a mild detox through herbs and diet because your body has a lot of toxins stored.

http://www.detox.org/gentledetx.html
This website has pretty good suggestions and explinations for mild detox:
essential nutritional supplements, change in diet away from packaged and fast foods that are high in sugar and fat, toward fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, exercise, Yoga -- Healthy Things!

Lisa

[elizabethmaria]

Hello everyone,
Hope you are all ok today ....Still having a tough time here, but not as bad -- yes, Lisa, healthy things are really helpful at this time - and thank you Azureblue for reminding about going out in nature - I took a walk in the woods and it helped a lot.!.. more oxygen or something! Plus, there are six deer (2 mamas, 4 babies)eating and sleeping in our backyard, how cute is that?!

Ok, does anyone have trouble with weight LOSS?? Everyone talks about gain, but its so hard for me to keep it up to a healthy level, and I was already thin to begin with -- not much appetite... anyone with this problem? it's nearly impossible to eat with no appetite, yucky... anyone know what causes it? I used to have a good appetite all the time...

Azureblue -- be careful about the liquid stuff!! I don't know, but that sounds like a lot or something?? I don't want you to get an overdose or something, that would be horrible!! I think we both need to change doctors -- is yours a young doctor? Mine is, and unfortunately I don't think she has much experience at all... it is a bit scary! Sometimes I've wondered just how many people doctors actually kill, I mean really, nearly killed me, how many other more vulnerable people, elderly, etc..are just wiped away ??? ok, don't want to think about that!! We just have to pray for them...

love,
Elizabethmarie

[lisabb]

Elizabethmaria it would be great to sit and watch the mommies and their babies! Nature is so great!!

Please enjoy them for me.
Lisa

[Hairyarmadillo]

WOW!! I love that there are so many fellow teachers here! LOL, I do know LOTS of teachers on antidepressants. In fact, I was off the Paxil for a bit when a fellow teacher was talking about how wonderful Lexapro was-hence, my presence on this forum. She was going off it and I asked the other day how it was going. She had some crying/down times and decided she needed it so went on. I am now so much more well informed that I talked to her about the rebound depression and other side effects. I want her to be well-informed. I gave up the first time I got off because I thought the moods meant I needed it. Isn't necessarily so, I see now.
Azureblue, I was only on 10 mg. Sounds like nothing so I thought no big deal to get off of it. HA!! I am down to 5 and scared to cut down until after the tests. I am so tempted to try but I am also testing coordinator over some of the tests in my school, so I can see me having a forgetful moment and messing up our accountability scores! Gee, it sounded so easy to just take the liquid, but I have no idea about the equivilents of mg to ml. went online to see if I could get the formula -this is what I found on the site I went to "It depends on the substance. Every substance will have a different weight to volume conversion factor. If you know the density, or specific gravity, you can." Maybe your pharmacist could help?!! Nope, definitely wouldn't take the 19 ml Now, wouldn't THAT be a big dose to have to withdraw from?? The weight gain was when I was on the Paxil and then Lexapro. On Paxil, all I wanted to eat were sweets and fatty foods. I couldn't stop eating, it was almost a compulsion. Now that I have decreased, my appetite is normal. For the first time in years, I forgot to eat lunch because I was busy. Just ate a bowl of strawberries for dinner and am stuffed.

lisabb-Sounds like we will be testing on the same week. Second grade doesn't count as much where I am either. I wonder if that is a national thing? If you don't mind my asking, what state are you in? I work with special needs students, so I DREAD it, since they all have to take the test on whatever grade level they are supposed to be versus what level they are functioning on. I want so badly to cut my half tablet half, but am going to wait until the following week, so the bad part will hit during spring break.
The thought about my body healing itself makes these times much easier. I just keep telling myself "This time next year, this will all be a memory" Surely it will be!

Oh, and elizabethmaria, I don't want to hear about weight loss-haha, just joking. I used to have trouble putting on weight and keeping it on, so I do feel (just a little ) sympathy for you! If it helps, I think I have found any weight that anyone else has lost. The bad thing about having decreased the Lexapro is that now I actually care about my weight. It is like someone else made me gain all this weight and now the real me is stuck with it!

[lisabb]

Hairyarmadillo I teach in Kentucky. 2nd grade just does the CTBS for internal testing. The major testing has just moved down to 3rd grade-open response and all. They are testing as much as 4th and 5th now. 2nd grade will be in a year or two. Special needs testing is stressful....you have to make sure everything is documented all year long. It really isn't fair to the children either. They do the best they can. I wish you luck and peace during this time. Peppermint is suppose to help the children think better!!!

The 1st time I went off of Lex, I had just had surgery. I didn't really feel any withdrawals, but I was on pain meds and sleeping a lot. I started becoming very emotional a month or so later, so I thought I was getting depressed again. Wish I knew then, that it was part of the process. I would have toughed it out. I was trying all the natural herbs, but they didn't help.

Elizabethmaria, You might want to drink some of the protein drinks or nutrient drinks until your appetite comes back. At one time, I never gained weight, but I ate all the time. Now I can't seem to loose any of the weight that I have gained from lex and zoloft. It makes me wonder if I gained the "fat" to have a place to store all the toxins from these meds.

Have a good night everyone,
Lisa

[tavee]

hairyarmadillo and azureblue- i have to correct u about the liquid.
19 ml is a lot when u see it in liquid form. when it is in a tablet it is just a round tablet and u cant see how much it is.thats why it seems like u are overdosing on it. lol

i am on liquid and have been for 6 months. i was originally on 10mg and damn that was a lot in ml.
azureblue- u have to ask ure pharmacist for a syringe and explain to them that u are tapering and u need it to start at 19 ml. they have those. when u start getting to the .5 .3 .2, u need toget the smaller syringe; the one that babies or toddlers use.

good luck
tavee

[elizabethmaria]

Hi all,
Ok, I'll try some protein drinks or other liquids.. hopefully it will help -- it's just that when the weight goes down, it's like your body doesn't have reserves to handle the withdrawals and you get even weaker... so have got to try and keep it up... thank you for that tip ....
I really really hope that you who are tapering won't get the brunt of the withdrawals after you finish... Is that usually how it works, ? that if you taper, you have NO withdrawal symptoms once finished? wow, that would definitely be worth the time though!!!! I sooo hope it is that way for you guys! Tavee, Azureblue (I love your name ..., Lisa, Hairlyarmadillo, eveyone there..

Skyer, I think I have hit those emotional withdrawals.. I thought I wouldn't have them, because I was only on for 3 days!!!!!!!! how could this be? Can you have 'withdrawals' when you weren't even 'saturated' with the drug? i did have amitryptiline for 6 weeks prior, but only probably took it 6 times during that time... It definitely goes up and down, and I'm so hoping it is the withdrawals, or else I am truly going crazy!! How have you been, are you still feeling a little better?? I hope so!
Patience, how are you? and Hopeful??

take care everyone, I wish we could see each other sometime --

Oh, I had a GREAT idea... Since our doctors unfortunately put us all on these dreadful drugs, shouldn't they be responsible for the consequences of the mistake?? So, like how's this... if we have had a horrible reaction to the drug, then we should be given a 'referral' by them for recovery, and have insurance (or the drug company!) pay for recovery time, in Hawaii... how is that? Paid recovery time on Kauai, or Maui, or something -- since obviously sunshine and warmth and being outdoors are vital to recovery.... Makes sense to me !!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, this was long... hope you're all ok,
love,
Elizabethmarie

[Patience]

Hey everyone! Hope you are all having a good evening

I just wanted to say hello and let you know how I have been doing. I have felt so much better the last 3 weeks. It's as if I have turned a corner. My muscles are aching about 1/4 of what they were, my skin only aches a teeny tiny bit, the weight has lifted from my head, my eyes are not dry anymore and my tendons/joints are feeling much better. I am at a little over 6 months. It may be coincidental, but I started to feel much better after I began taking the following:
5htp
DLPA
Tyrosine
Magnesium that you mix into water-a highly absorbable type
An antioxidant supplement

Who knows, but it is also time that plays a huge factor. I am almost back to normal!

As far as Omega 3's go, here are 2 highly regarded brands that you will not burp up, you need to take a cold processed, highly regarded Omega or it can be toxic for you:

Nordic Naturals Omega with lemon flavor : $26.99 for 120
Barleans Fish Oil with orange flavor -$26.99 for 250!

Skyer: I will write back soon too!!

[scootchu]

Update on my wife; I believe this is day 4 of her cutting her Lexapro dosage in half from 10mg to 5mg. I keep asking her to tell me if she experiences any strange feelings or sensations and so far she has stated that she had some tingling in her feet, some crackling in her head and some stomach discomfort. I was really worried about the withdrawl SE's. Would she be experiencing them by now or will there be a certain time where there is still enough in her system for the body not to notice the change? In other words am I counting my chickens too soon? Can she cut the dosage in half next week to 2.5mg?

[skyer]

Schootchu: She is going WAY TOO FAST! The symptoms she mentioned are typical of cutting the dose, but if she goes from 5mg to 2.5mg next week and 2.5mg to 0 soon after that...she will REALLY feel the effects...2.5 to 0mg is the worst!!! This is the last time I will emphasize this. If you do not wish to take this advice (theroadback.com, Aunty's previous posts about how to taper...the basic rule is to cut 5 or 10% of the pill every three weeks) then that's your choice. Yes, it takes a LONG time, but may save her a lot of grief. If she goes fast she might be OK...a lot of people are...but that's the chance you take. I quit cold turkey from 10mg and have been going through horrible withdrawals for more than five months. I cannot work right now it's still so bad.

Things that might happen if she quits the drug fast...carb cravings, brain zaps (electrical feelings in the head), stomach cramping, severe mood swings, apathy, fatigue, depersonalization (out-of-body feeling)...just to name a few.

[elizabethmaria]

Hello!
I had a question for those who know about tapering -- I have a friend who was put on Lexapro about 6 weeks ago -- I told her about the reactions, etc... and she is thinking of getting off... I think she was at 5 mg, and just upped it to 10 mg... She has not had any bad effects at this point, so what would be the best way for her to taper off at this time, to prevent the withdrawals?? Can she cut to 5, and then taper, or??? I hope that she is a lucky one and doesn't get any symptoms, !!!

What is the best way to go??
Thank you -- I hope that we are being helpful, and preventing others from going through any unnecessary pain! Thank you Aunty and everyone for this forum... !!!!!!!
love
Elizabethmarie

[skyer]

Elizabethmaria: Dr. Peter Breggin's book said that you can have withdrawals after just 3 days of anti-depressant use. Not to mention, the other drugs you took with it probably pushed it into your bloodstream faster and had to compete to breakdown in your liver. Remember, our liver is what breaks down drugs and we need to protect it. That's why I've stayed away from all medicine and caffiene during my withdrawals.

What makes you think you hit the emotional withdrawals? Crying? Anxiety? Do you feel depressed? How is your stomach? Oh, I know what I was going to ask...how long have you been off the drugs now?

I think my depression in finally lifting slightly. I've been better all week, but I don't trust anything until it's been the same for at least two or three weeks. I still have apathy/no passion, but I'm feeling more social and have not watched TV much during the day this week. I want to go out more, but I'm so jumpy when we drive somewhere. My poor fiance...I'm like, "slow down!" and "watch that car!". It's not worth it. I prefer to walk around.

Still...I sleep and dream sooo much! I'm tired of being tired. My energy during the day is decent, not great, but not fatigued or anything. But I sure can sleep all night and morning. And I still have that urgent need to visit the bathroom every morning around 11 a.m.(yuck!). In fact, I have a little b-day party I have to go to on Sunday and it's at a public place at 10:30 a.m.! I have to go, but am so worried about my stomach!!

Hi Patience! Hi, Tavee!

How are you, Hopeful?

[elizabethmaria]

Hi -- I just wanted to say that I know it is probably written already what to do, but my head is really hurting and cannot go back and read through the responses -- ah..! ok, take care
Elizabethmarie

[Hairyarmadillo]

lisabb-I am from Kentucky but moved to Louisiana. So neat that you are a Kentuckian! I was from Mt Sterling. Anyhow, sounds like testing is about the same there as it is here. I have to give my third graders the test and I feel for them, since they are functioning on beginning first grade level academically. But that is the law-sigh.
tavee-Thanks for the info on the ml. It makes sense when you said it. I guess we get used to see the nice neat pill dosage. I always did think it was easier to take a pill than swallow liquid, but I wish I had known about weaning off with the liquid. Just curious, is it nasty? Hey, the good thing is azureblue, think how happy you will be when you get to that baby syringe!!
Patience, thanks for mentioning the burp free Omega. I must admit that is one of the things that has made me reluctant to get back on that. I used to take it for health benefits but the taste-ugh. I felt like it was always with me.
scootchu, your wife is on the same dosage I was and I did try that half dose but it kicked in and I did feel it so (being cautious after the Paxil episode), I ended up only decreasing it by 1/4. This was a pain because I could never cut the half of the pill in and equal dosage. But she will not be having the biggest problems after only 4 days of a decrease. Though I do have to say that the first time I went off it, I didn't notice ANY of these side effects until the mood swings kicked in 3 months later. So, I do think that there are probably some people that don't have as hard of a time as others. But I don't think it is worth taking the chance. Let her decide if she wants to chance the side effects getting worse. But I would really suggest going with less of a taper.
elizabethmaria, I am so ready for that trip to Hawaii. That way we could recover in a peaceful environment, no demands!
Take care everyone! It is so good to be one day closer to being off this drug.

[Hopeful 285]

Patience,
You mentioned you are taking 5htp and I noticed you told Scootchu to wait until the Lexapro is out of the system to use. Do you know how long it takes?

Also thank you for mentioning about being careful about the detox. I was thinking about doing this to get the Lexapro out of my system quicker. I may try the mild detox that Lisa sent us a link on.

Also thanks for the info on the coldpressed brands of fish oil. I have heard they can be toxic but didn't know what ones to use, so I had just bought one.

Here are some links about drug interaction. Aunty posted the 2nd one; so you have probably read it. I'm posting it again for the newcomers.

http://preview.drugs.com/forum/newre...ote=1&p=170754

Drug Interactions:SSRIs

SAMe (S-Adenosylmethionine)
5-HTP - Possible Harmful Interaction
St. John's Wort - Possible Harmful Interaction
Folate - Supplementation Possibly Helpful
Ginkgo - Supplementation Probably Not Helpful
Ephedra - Supplementation Probably Not

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/27/he...syahoo&emc=rss

Drug Interactions
Perhaps adding to the diagnostic challenge is the fact that a huge number of drugs — prescription, over the counter, recreational and herbal — can trigger serotonin syndrome. In addition to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Zoloft, Prozac and Paxil and serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors like Effexor, the list includes tricyclic antidepressants and MAOIs (for monoamine oxidase inhibitors); narcotic painkillers like fentanyl and tramadol; over-the-counter cough and cold remedies containing dextromethorphan; the anticonvulsant valproate; triptans like Imitrex used to treat and prevent migraines; the antibiotic Zyvox (linezolide); antinausea drugs; the anti-Parkinson’s drug L-dopa; the weight-loss drug Meridia (sibutramine); lithium; the dietary supplements tryptophan, St. John’s wort and ginseng; and several drugs of abuse, including ecstasy, LSD, amphetamines, the hallucinogens foxy methoxy and Syrian rue.

[Hopeful 285]

Schootchu,
Please listen to what Skyer is saying. She is right. This will cause your wife problems if she doesn't taper slowly.
There can be very severe problems. In my opinion, going this fast is just like quiting cold turkey. It may take her 18 months or more to get better. She still could have lingering side effects after that.
We are not being hard, we just don't want anyone else to go through what we are going through. Please listen.
10 mg of Lexapro is like 40 mg of Celexa. This is not a wimpy pill. You wife needs to taper super slow.
I weaned myself in 1 week, which I call cold turkey. I got progressively worse and ended up in the emergency room with blood pressure 206/116 and was jerking violently. I quit on November 9th and was taken by squad from work on December 5th. I have not been the same. I have dystonia (movement disorder), I fall like I've been shot, I jerk, I have tremors, insomnia or sleep for 12 to 15 hours. Easy things have become hard.
It has been 4 months since I quit taking the drug and I have too many issues to mention. I hope with all of us giving you advice that you will take it. It is out of care and concern.
If I would have known what I know now, there is no way I wouldn't have done the slow tapering.
Please print some pages on this forum and give them to your wife to read. They are so important for her well being.
Take care,

[skyer]

Hopeful: Aunty says to wait a year before taking any Saint John's or 5-tpt.

[I_DID_IT]

Here's my experience tapering off Lexapro, a little history... Had some real anxiety - panic attacks, so I convinced my Dr. to put me on something about 3 years ago (ugh, big mistake :-)) Anyway, started on Zoloft for about 1.5 years, then lots of weight gain, so tried Celexa. NO! Terrible headaches, so they tried Lexapro. Anyway, was on 10mg for about another year. Seemed to work but more weight gain. So begged Dr. to take me off and wouldn't (after I begged to get on it). So, cut pills in half to 5 mg and took for about 6-8 weeks. First week would get dizzy, then OK. After 8 weeks or so, cut in half again to 2.5 mg. Again, dizziness when I moved my eyes, some nausua, but everything else OK. Did 2.5mg for another 6-8 weeks. Then cut to 1.25 mg for about 2 weeks, then stopped all together. Now, this was the hard part..... first 3-4 days were fine, then I had a delayed reaction - lots of "eye" dizziness for about 2 weeks. But I soldered through it. After the 2 weeks, I realized I started feeling pretty good, didn't noticed dizziness.

Now it's been about 6 weeks taking nothing and I feel GREAT! No side effects, I feel more motivated to eat healthier, went back on weight watchers, have lost 5.5 lbs and NO ANXIETY. Just a note, IF I do get an attack, I have Xanax to take situationally, but use it maybe once every 2 months or so.

Folks say I look better and ask what I'm on now b/c I seem to be in such a great mood! (now that I'm OFF the drugs!!) Everyone here can come off this drug and feel good. Trust me...I'm free!!!