[Hairyarmadillo]

Hello, everyone! It is now 4 weeks off the Lexapro after a slow taper-not as slow as should have been but took approximately 2 or months minus a few days. Had no idea how much it was going to impact my life or I would have been more precise with dates. And my memory is still shot. I can't remember simple things some days. Still stopping in the middle of sentences and can't remember what I was saying. I love to read and there is no hope of reading anything that is going to require much thinking. I am doing ok, just tired after my spicy crawfish incident. PEOPLE, WATCH OUT FOR THOSE SPICES. And, yes, I did wonder about MSG. I am going to do without eating out, since it is hard to tell what is added during cooking. Not worth the pain.
Elizabethmarie-I wish none of this had happened but am clapping over the doctor admitting what is happening to you. I know you knew you were not imagining it but it is sure great to have someone say it-besides all of us,lol.

So many new people! You all are at the right place. I have learned so much from this site as well as benefitted from the support. My big words of wisdom are to taper slowly. I was on 10 mgs and thought a drop to 5 was doable-nope, don't do it. My advice is if you are on the pill dose and don't want to go get the liquid, convert it to liquid as Aunty advised. Stupid me, I didn't even think there was a way to do so, so I just used a pill cutter and did decreases, staying on the dose for approx. 3 weeks at a time. Problem with this is that it is impossible to get a precise small dosage that is needed. It takes time, but it is worth the effort. I do believe that there are people who 1. have no problems on this drug and 2. don't have trouble withdrawaling but the tapering is not that big of a deal when you consider the problems you can avoid. When tapering by minute amounts, the symptoms you experience are so much less and your body recovers more quickly. Even the small things like fatigue are more tolerable. And the closer to the 0mg mark, the tougher the symptoms seem to be. Also, read up on here about things that can be expected along the way. It is going to pay to proactively plan for possible depression and anxiety bouts that may occur. Also, the supplements may seem like a minor thing but they are not. I am so lazy about this, since a few days go by without taking them and I feel fine and forget about them. Then I start feeling awful and remember, "oh, yeah, the supplements" so do what I say and not what I do
I also want to say that any and all suffering is worth getting off this medication. I am by no way back to normal, but I feel it happening and it is nice. Hope this makes sense. My mind is having a very cloudy time lately

[auntybiotic]

You should start to feel better by tomorrow and within three to five days you should stabalize. Once you feel stable for about a week or so.................yo may want to try and taper to 19 Mg.

Look a few pages back and you will se under my postings I have directed how to crush the tablet and make Lexapro liquid. Please read the directions carefully or else ask your doctor to prescribe Lexapro liquid.

Stay at the 19 mg for about 2 to 3 weeks until you are stable. You should begin to feel the withdrawl at about 3 to 5 days after tapering but they should be mild.

Once stable you can reduce to approx 18 Mg and again stay at that level for aabout two to three weeks.

You may consider taking a good liquid mulitvitamin and a liquid mineral supplement to help heal the damage caused by the SSRI,

Carlsons Omega 3 Fish Oil will help a great deal. Carson's is not contaminated with Mercury as some cheaper brands may be.

Good Luck

[nona007]

Aunty, I am afriad that the symptoms will not pass. The first time I was on this it wasn't this bad. I am going to stay on it for a while. I just want to get to where I was 2 months ago. I feel like i am going crazy, will that get better?

[wbsjenn]

I have been on 40mg of Lexapro for just over two years and I have long-since reconciled myself to the fact that I will probably be on it for the rest of my life. Fine with me. The insurance plan I have is one of those which will only refill prescriptions exactly when they are due and, unfortunately, there are times when the month will end and I will have to wait a few days before my prescription can be refilled. The first time this occurred, after about two days off of Lexapro I started experiencing what you described as "shocks." There were electric sensations which would hit unexpectedly and were terribly uncomfortable. It was like coming in contact with a low-voltage electricity source; not exactly painful, but quite unpleasant. Some people, I have come to understand, experience these sensations as part of withdrawal from antidepressants/anti-anxiety agents. Keep the Lexapro coming is what I say. First, my life feels normal when I am on it and, secondly, I don't ever want to experience those "shocking" sensations again.

[wbsjenn]

What I am wanting to know is why are so many people getting off of Lexapro? When I was started on it just over two years ago, my doctor told me that it was entirely possible that I would need it for life. Lexapro, he explained, is not meant for short-term use. The chemical changes which help lead to depression are not "fixed" with Lexapro for a short period of time. The chemical changes are fixed with staying on Lexapro for the duration. He told me that if I were to stop it, the symptoms of the depression would ultimately return. I have no intention of ever stopping it, unless they stop making it! It does not bother me in the least that I need a medication to help get myself back to as close to 100% as I can get. On the current dose of 40mg daily, my concentration is so improved, my memory is better, my anxiety level has decreased to almost zero and I am able to enjoy just living my life. Without the medication, I am anxious, fretful, unable to concentrate, unable to enjoy my relationships and just generally miserable. What is wrong with allowing a medication to improve life? Some diabetics need insulin, people with hypertension need medications, other conditions require medication so what is the problem with chronic depression and anxiety being treated chemically? I am not afraid of the withdrawal - I am afraid of feeling the way I did before Lexapro.

[Hairyarmadillo]

wbsjnn "Some diabetics need insulin, people with hypertension need medications, other conditions require medication so what is the problem with chronic depression and anxiety being treated chemically?" This has always been my argument and I agree totally that this is sometimes the case. Had antidepressants fixed me I would have stayed on them. I really was convinced that I was one of these people who needed them but upon this latest experience, I have done reflection that makes me feel otherwise. But yes, to repeat, if I felt they were beneficial to me and were making a positive difference I would have stayed on them, without a second thought. I have one friend who went through a serious postpartum depression episode and they turned her life around. So, even though I am telling everyone on here who has decided for one reason or another to get off them to taper, I am not saying that everyone in the world should chuck their medication out the door.
The reason I got off it started approximately 11 years ago when I decided I no longer wanted to go through bouts of depression. I had experienced them since childhood and assumed since it had started early in life it was chemical. I have since realized that children do in fact respond to negatives in life with anxiety and depression. I dealt with A LOT that a child should not have. No wonder I was depressed. Anyhow, will stop on all that boring detail but suffice it to say I have realized there is in fact situational triggers, not chemical in my instance. But not knowing that then, I finally succumbed and got up the nerve to ask my gp for antidepressant. He put me on Paxil. 20 mgs if I am remembering correctly. I had to build up to that 20 gradually but once I took even the smallest dose, I felt like a new person. I told everyone, including my friend who has simililar issues with depression, about the change and how it was the best thing I had ever done and how I would never go off it. Fast forward to a year later. I started feeling apathetic and didn't care if I went to work or not. The house was starting to get in disarray. I went to the doctor and told him they weren't working anymore. I thought I was a lost cause. He increased my dose to 40. I became more apathetic, could not stop eating, went from a size 4 to a size 18 within 4 years time. Couldn't say I was depressed but I didn't care about anything. Went through life in a fog. Decided I was damned on them or damned off of them, so I went to the doctor inquiring about how to get off them. No big deal I was told. Skip a day then take the usual dose. Skip two days, take the usual dose. I was to repeat this until I stretched it out to two weeks and then quit-it was over. i was naive and believed it. I had brain zaps. I would be in the middle of teaching and have brain zap that literally made me jerk. I thought it was my weight or some other diet medication I was taking. No clue that this happened to people stopping antidepressants. I stopped the diet medication and cut back on mhy eating, vowing to walk more an if it didn't improve I would ask for a check-up. Thought this was my wake-up call about not taking care of myself. Anyhow, going to skip over all the time I had depersonalization to a severe extent and moments of mania, but eventually anxiety came, so I went to the doctor begging for this miracle drug a co-worker had told me about. was certain the anxiety was to do with some chemical imbalance, ignoring the fact that I had just assumed several extra new job duties. I voiced my concerns that I had with paxil and was assured that lexapro was a clean drug. Little to no side effects and easy to get off. Within 9 months I was apathetic. I halved my 10 mg pill and within two days of taking 5 mgs KNEW I had to go slower. I did half it to where I was taking approximately 2 mgs for a week or so, went down to five and then bit the bullet going all the way to nothing. Folks, I had NO withdrawal, just felt like sleeping and did so for a couple of days in a row, went through the work week, slept through the next weekend. But then I got hit by killer depression and anxiety unlike I had ever had. Once more I assumed it meant I needed it. Now see that it was rebound depression. But got back on Lexapro and within a few months, didn't care about anything. The house is a mess, I had to force myself to go to work, couldn't stand my husband getting near me much less having sex. all I wanted to do was come home, eat, go to bed.
I started weaning off this and within a short time of decreasing the first bit I felt excited about life. I SAW that my house was a mess and CARED! I went shopping and started replacing my wardrobe that has been worn out for years. i didn't care though. I feel alive. My memory is shot but I have read enough to see that Lexapro does affect some people like this and it will take time to recover. What is interesting is that for the past few years I have felt that I was having symptoms indicating that one day i will have Alzheimers. Not that it matters, but to let you know how bad this is-according to tests that placed me in a gifted class in high school, I have a 134 IQ. My vocabulary is extensive. I have gotten to the point where i stop in the middle of a sentence not sure what I was saying. I cannot remember the words i need. On good days, I use basic words instead of more colorful words that better express myself. On bad days, i cannot even think of the basic words. I used to remember details. now I literally can't remember half of what I say within a few minutes. I have learned so much about how this medication affects people since readng here so i am hoping this will improve. But in the meantime, it is not a nice experience. And I am one of the lucky ones here. No seizures, etc.
Anyhow, that is my story on why I have gotten off it. If my depression returns before I go back on something like this I will try natural methods, address issues in my life and -if that doesn't work-will get my medicine from a psychiatrist after getting tested to ascertain if an imbalance is the right answer.
By the way, I am glad this medicine is working for you. I do think in some cases this is what it takes to make a difference

[IdahoTater]

I am into my first week of skipping three days in between doses. ( 2.5mg) I skipped two days in between for a month or so. So far it's tolerable. I'm still not sleeping well, and I'm always tired, but it's not been too bad so far. I guess my question is, has anyone else tapered off like this? Instead of cutting daily doses, cutting days in between doses? I've read lots of the posts on here, and I see myself in most of them. Frankly, I'm scared silly...I don't know if I am capable of doing all I need to do to get off this ********************, much less doing it the right way. I wish there was a Lex support group here locally. I feel like I'll never be "normal" again

Thanks for listening.....
Lynn.

[abracazapya]

Aunty,

Thanks for your response. It seems so long ago, and my memory isn't the greatest. I didn't do a very scientific or even consistent taper. I started in December with 5 mg for about 2 weeks, then cut it in half, to 2.5mg for two weeks. I cut this in half, to 1.25 for 2 weeks, then cut this for 2 weeks then stopped. So I stopped mid February and started feeling well by March. The symptoms during the taper were Zaps, a feeling of paranoia, strange vision, depression, moodiness, and anxiety. During Dec - Feb I was also prescribed Remeron. My neurologist thought it would help with sleep, depression, and possibly the zaps. Currently I am taking Vitamin C, fish oil, and a multi-vitamin. I also take Depakote for epilepsy( I haven't had a seizure in years). On a few occasions in the past two weeks I've experienced mild zaps and anxiety. My doc just wanted me to take one 20mg of Prozac to ease these symptoms. I did this two nights ago and have had no zaps since. I have been sleeping well, though I'm tired all the time and yawn alot. I'm not sure what depersonalization is. I often feel spaced out and like I'm not really present in the moment. I don't know. Please advise.....I don't want to(won't) go back on the Lex.

[auntybiotic]

The Remeron, although not a SSRI, still has a effect on the serotonin activity in the brain so once this medication gets in your system you should level out.

I have also heard that Remeron is much easier then SSRI's to withdrawal from, nthing like lexapro, paxil, effeexor, zoloft. The prozac should hold you over for the next few weeks until the remeron gets in your system. Remeron is great as a sleep aid and the lower 15 Mg dose tends to make one gain weight but suprisingly the 30 or 45 mg doses do not.

You should be fine......................let us know how you do.

[eagerevan]

I find it very ironic that a good percentage of us= (lexapro withdrawal victims)
went on this drug in the first place to treat an anxiety issue. Here we are dealing with these painful and agonizing withdrawal symptoms, which in turn cause alot of anxiety....... kind of ironic huh?

With that said I must say I am very thankful that I fell upon this site when I did. I have been Lexapro free for three days now and I am definitely struggling through the fourth day. Between the "brain zaps", dizzyness, uncomfortable feeling, uneasyness, muscle twitches, muscle soreness, headaches, stomach aches, flu like symtoms, waking up in the middle of the night in a panic, irritability, anger, and as i mentioned before- anxiety it has been quite a journey. Making a few days feel like forever.

I had been perscribed 10mg of lexapro due to anxiety and minor depression issues 3 years ago. It definitely helped me through my tough times, as I call it.
Being 22 years old now with a steady job, wonderful girlfriend of 4 years and lots of supportive friends, I decided it was time to deal with life on my own.
I started cutting my pills in half for about 3 months taking approx 5mg, (my weening process). Then instead of skipping a day or two for a while I ended it cold turkey. Knowing now the intensity of these withdrawal symptoms I am seriously considering taking a 5mg quarter every three days maybe to ease myself into it a bit. I have also heard about omega 5 oil suppliments maybe even a multi vitamin everyday to help the process along.

If anyone has any suggestions or ideas please respond to my blog. Also if anyone has any idea of a timeline for these symptoms to pass I'd definitely like to hear from you.

Thank you,
sincerely a trying soul

[eagerevan]

I think getting through this withdrawal will only make us stronger.
Hang on to faith in yourself!

[auntybiotic]

I have talked to many lexapro users thst have symptoms for months sometimes years after using lexapro and either cold turkeying from the drug or tapering very fast................one common link is that almost all of those are suffering with memory loss, weigh gain that can't seem to be lost, dizziness, depression ....etc.

Recently I have also noticed that several of those exlex users have come up testing positive for hypothryoidism.......HMMMM!!!

Now it is documented that lexapro causes a disruption in the adrenal system....what if it also causes the thryoid gland to malfunction....hence causing the "withdrawal" to continue on for years.

What I am saying is that possibly the "long lasting withdrawals from lexapro just may be a hypothryoidism caused by lexapro use......and the good thing is that it is treatable.
Please read more as this is a very valuable piece of information.
Are You Sick and Tired of being so Tired?

Do you feel run down most of the time?

Is it hard to get going in the morning?

Do you feel wiped out after lunch?

Do you tend to hibernate on the weekends to rest up?

Has your get up and go got up and went?

If so, this newsletter will provide valuable information on why you may feel so lethargic and more importantly what you can do to feel more energetic.

Second only to pain, fatigue is a common patient complaint. My patients often ask how they can boost their energy levels. They complain of feeling drained of energy, making it hard to get out of bed and endure another demanding day. Some find that they are wiped out by early afternoon, others never get going before afternoon. Uncovering the reasons for chronic low energy states takes time and persistence. The good news is that there are several ways to correct low energy levels.

In this months newsletter I’ll address one of the common reasons for being chronically- tired; undiagnosed or misdiagnosed: hypothyroidism.

Some of the following material is taken from my updated and expanded 3rd edition of Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, due in bookstores Fall 2006.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hypothyroidism
Over 20 million Americans suffer from thyroid dysfunction. And over 500,000 new cases of thyroid disease occur each year. However, as staggering as those numbers appear, millions more go undiagnosed. It’s estimated that more than 10 million women have a low-grade thyroid dysfunction, which isn’t treated. And almost another 8 million people with low thyroid go undiagnosed.

Like my patient Allison, many individuals with low or hypothyroid simply fall through the cracks.

Allison K.

I really felt terrible most of the time. I had no energy at all. I’d gained 40 pounds over the last year even though I ate very little and tried to follow my Weight Watcher’s program. I kept cutting my calorie intake and even started skipping meals in an attempt to lose weight. The less I ate the worse I felt. I had numerous sinus infections, which I had never had before. My hair was falling out, I had tingling pain in my hands and feet and always felt cold even in the summer. I had this constant ringing in my ears. I was depressed or anxious a good deal of the time. Every doctor I consulted said that my blood tests were normal and it must be my fibromyalgia that was causing me to feel so bad. I knew something was wrong with me, but I couldn’t find anyone who could help me. One doctor said I had all the symptoms of low thyroid. But, the endocrinologist she referred me to, said all my tests were normal. How could my thyroid be normal when I have all the symptoms of hypothyroid?

Allison’s story is a typical one. I routinely have new patients who present with all the symptoms of hypothyroid:

• fatigue (the most profound symptom)

• headache

• dry skin

• swelling

• weight gain

• cold hands and feet

• poor memory

• hair loss

• hoarseness

• nervousness

• depression

• joint and muscle pain

• burning or tingling sensations in the hands and/or feet

(hypothyroid neuropathy)

• yellowing of skin from a build up of carotene (conversion of

carotene to vitamin A is slowed by hypothyroidism)

• carpal tunnel syndrome

• problems with balance and equilibrium (unsteadiness or lack of

coordination)

• constipation (from slowed metabolism)

• edema around the ankles, below the eyes, and elsewhere

• observation of delayed Achilles tendon reflex test

• hypertension (high blood pressure)

• angina (chest pain)

• atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)

• hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol)

• menstrual irregularities

• infertility

• PMS

• fibrocystic breast disease

• polycystic ovary syndrome

• reactive hypoglycemia

• psoariasis

• urticaria

• allergic rhinitis

Thyroid hormones control a person’s metabolism. Metabolism is defined as the sum of all physical and chemical changes that take place within the body; it’s all the energy and material transformation that occur within living cells. Every cell in the body depends on having enough thyroid hormone. If your thyroid gland becomes dysfunctional, every cell in the body suffers. This is why thyroid disorders can cause so many problems. Low thyroid is a common finding my chronically ill patients. This is especially true for those suffering with anxiety, depression, heart disease, and asthma.

I estimate that as many as 40% of my FMS and CFS patients suffer from low or hypothyroid function.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Understanding Thyroid Hormones,
T3, T4, AND TSH
When your thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, this is known as hyperthyroid. When your thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone, it's called hypothyroid. The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to produce thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH then stimulates the thyroid gland to produce and release the hormone, thyroxine (T4). T4 hormone is then converted into the more active, triiodthyronine (T3). T3 hormone is essential for life and four times more active than T4. You can live without T4 but not without T3. If T4 doesn’t convert into active T3, symptoms of low thyroid start to show up. This can happen in spite of a normal TSH blood test reading.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

c

[auntybiotic]

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Fatigue
Weakness
Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
Coarse, dry hair
Dry, rough pale skin
Hair loss
Cold intolerance (can't tolerate the cold like those around you)
Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
Constipation
Depression
Irritability
Memory loss
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Decreased libido


Each individual patient will have any number of these symptoms which will vary with the severity of the thyroid hormone deficiency and the length of time the body has been deprived of the proper amount of hormone. Some patients will have one of these symptoms as their main complaint, while another will not have that problem at all and will be suffering from a different symptom. Most will have a combination of a number of these symptoms. Occasionally, some patients with hypothyroidism have no symptoms at all, or they are just so subtle that they go unnoticed. Note: Although this may sound obvious, if you have these symptoms, you need to discuss them with your doctor and probably seek the skills of an endocrinologist. If you have already been diagnosed and treated for hypothyroidism and you continue to have any or all of these symptoms, you need to discuss it with your physician. Although treatment of hypothyroidism can be quite easy in some individuals, others will have a difficult time finding the right type and amount of replacement thyroid hormone. (More about this on the next page).



Potential Dangers of Hypothyroidism

Because the body is expecting a certain amount of thyroid hormone the pituitary will make additional thyroid-stimulating-hormone (TSH) in an attempt to entice the thyroid to produce more hormone. This constant bombardment with high levels of TSH may cause the thyroid gland to become enlarged and form a goiter (termed a "compensatory goiter"). Our goiter page goes into this topic in detail, and outlines that a deficiency of thyroid hormone is a common cause of goiter formation. Left untreated, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will usually progress. Rarely, complications can result in severe life-threatening depression, heart failure or coma.

Hypothyroidism can often be diagnosed with a simple blood test. In some persons, however, its not so simple and more detailed tests are needed. Most importantly, a good relationship with a good endocrinologist will almost surely be needed. More about treatment on another page.
Hypothyroidism is completely treatable in many patients simply by taking a small pill once a day! Once again, however, we have made a simplified statement and its not always so easy. There are several types of thyroid hormone preparations and one type of medicine will not be the best therapy for all patients. Many factors will go into the treatment of hypothyroidism and it is different for everybody.

[auntybiotic]

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Fatigue
Weakness
Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
Coarse, dry hair
Dry, rough pale skin
Hair loss
Cold intolerance (can't tolerate the cold like those around you)
Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
Constipation
Depression
Irritability
Memory loss
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Decreased libido


Each individual patient will have any number of these symptoms which will vary with the severity of the thyroid hormone deficiency and the length of time the body has been deprived of the proper amount of hormone. Some patients will have one of these symptoms as their main complaint, while another will not have that problem at all and will be suffering from a different symptom. Most will have a combination of a number of these symptoms. Occasionally, some patients with hypothyroidism have no symptoms at all, or they are just so subtle that they go unnoticed. Note: Although this may sound obvious, if you have these symptoms, you need to discuss them with your doctor and probably seek the skills of an endocrinologist. If you have already been diagnosed and treated for hypothyroidism and you continue to have any or all of these symptoms, you need to discuss it with your physician. Although treatment of hypothyroidism can be quite easy in some individuals, others will have a difficult time finding the right type and amount of replacement thyroid hormone. (More about this on the next page).



Potential Dangers of Hypothyroidism

Because the body is expecting a certain amount of thyroid hormone the pituitary will make additional thyroid-stimulating-hormone (TSH) in an attempt to entice the thyroid to produce more hormone. This constant bombardment with high levels of TSH may cause the thyroid gland to become enlarged and form a goiter (termed a "compensatory goiter"). Our goiter page goes into this topic in detail, and outlines that a deficiency of thyroid hormone is a common cause of goiter formation. Left untreated, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will usually progress. Rarely, complications can result in severe life-threatening depression, heart failure or coma.

Hypothyroidism can often be diagnosed with a simple blood test. In some persons, however, its not so simple and more detailed tests are needed. Most importantly, a good relationship with a good endocrinologist will almost surely be needed. More about treatment on another page.
Hypothyroidism is completely treatable in many patients simply by taking a small pill once a day! Once again, however, we have made a simplified statement and its not always so easy. There are several types of thyroid hormone preparations and one type of medicine will not be the best therapy for all patients. Many factors will go into the treatment of hypothyroidism and it is different for everybody.

[skyer]

Thanks for your concern Aunty. I think I might be lucky here -- my memory was horrible for about 3 months off the Lex and now it's excellent. My weight has also managed to stay right on target. My hair is fine, too. I think I'm tired because my body is healing 24/7 and I swear I'm missing a sleep stage; my dreams are as vivid as ever and I never use to remember my dreams. I seem to sleep hard, but don't feel really rested when I wake up. I was also tested for adrenal fatigue by my N.D. I don't have it (maybe weakened adrenals, but not the actual fatigue).

I finally found Carlson's Fish Oil and so I've been taking that. My mood is actually OK lately so I think maybe it helped...hmm...

Still struggling everyday with apathy, low energy (but so much better than even a month ago), depersonalization, sore eyes/flaoters in vision and no ability to cope with stress and anxiety. Def thinking I'm in going to be the 12 - 18 month healing time range.

Starting month 8 off off Lexapro cold turkey. Don't stop cold turkey and don't skip days of the medication to taper off!!!

Aunty - would you say people who c/t'd off of Paxil have it harder than those off of Lexapro? I've been lurking on the Paxil Progress site and it seems like those people suffer longer, and maybe harder?? Just wondering if you got that feeling, too...

[sandyylew]

Originally Posted by elizabethmaria

Hi Jesyka, (that's a pretty name..)
Yes, taper is the only way, or you'll be in a place you never want to go again! -- I can't write much write now, but I think you are still in the time frame where you can go back on the Lex and slow taper, that is the BEST way to avoid the MOST Worst withdrawals... need to let your receptors rebuild and brain adjust, otherwise is too hard.. You can even end up in the hospital, and beyond by quitting cold turkey like that - your brain is in an altered state - meaning the receptors and nerve connections are changed, and they have to readjust to lowered dosages. Some people have trouble even walking, after going cold turkey.. so glad you found this here -- someone can help you plan the taper as well, I'm sorry I can't at this time... Sarita??? are you there? Aunty? what's best for her?? Hairyarmadillo?
take good care of yourself... this is a hard time for us all..
love,
Elizabethmarie

my daughter stopped lexapro on march 9. her doctor only told her to go down to 5 from 10 for a week and then quit all together. he put her on cymbalta for 10 days. she could not eat or sleep on either drug. she has been without any anti depressant for 6 weeks now and she is having a hard time. the physical things like zaps and dizziness has gone she is also less tired, but the emotional problems are bad. she feels confused like she can't function. she has 2 small children. the doctor says she should have had lex out of her system after 2 weeks. tell me what she should do? Please

[elizabethmaria]

Aunty, Hairy, someone???
please respond to Sandy's e-mail - her daughter tapered way too fast, but sounds like she couldn't handle the drug in the first place - don't know how long she was on --- I'm not feeling to hot right now and cannot reply, but could you walk her through??
I'm really out of it!!
praying for you all,
Elizabethmarie

[skyer]

Sandy,

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter. Sounds like she can't tolerate these medications and therefore had a bad reaction. Unfortunately, it can take some time to heal from a negative reaction due to SSRI use -- it can last a few weeks to many, many months. And sadly, most doctors are unaware of adverse reactions and may say something like "Lexapro (or Cymbalta) doesn't do this." It's too late to go back on the drug to taper and even if it wasn't too late, it might not work since she felt unwell on the drugs. The only thing she can really do at this point is wait it out and look into some of the supplements that are mentioned on this forum. Perhaps look into finding a naturopath if you have any practicing in your area. She needs support, patience, rest and time. If she is already past some physical symptoms, that is a very good sign. But be warned that more symptoms could appear in weeks to come. Hopefully, she will ride through this soon. If not, she may have protracted withdrawal which can last a long time, but eventually goes away. This can happen even if the drugs were only taken for a very short time. Please read some posts from Auntybiotic on this forum. I hope I didn't alarm you...most likely she feel better very soon. But it's good for her to know that she is not alone, despite what doctors say. Many people have problems long after quitting -- especially after a fast taper or cold-turkey quit. The most common things are "zaps", dizziness, anxiety, depression, feeling disconnected....the list goes on.

What are her symptoms at this point? How long was she on the Lexapro?

[spatzkey]

Hi everyone. Well, all is still the same.. Boyfriend still hates me and the baby and I have alittle over 2 wks til I am gone. I am such a wreck!!! For some crazy reason I was hoping that he would "snap" out of this emotionless state of mind, but no go. Still wondering if its the meds or the "real him". Its sad, I came from a single parent house and always dreamed of having a big family (mother and father) for the kids and here I am.
I was looking at the older posts and gosh, just reading all the messages about this drug amaze me! I was wondering... I don't know much about Paxil and that is what my bfriend was on 5 yrs ago (when I met him). I had no idea he was on that and even if I did, I wouldn't have a clue what it was for. Anyhow, he went off it after a year or two and that is when he developed sev. OCD (not sure if he had that prior to Paxil??). I am wondering since effects can last for wks and months after the use of SSRIs could the OCD maybe be a result of the Paxil?? Just wondering if anyone heard of that?
Also did you hear, I think I heard on CNN that the FDA is changing antidepressant labels to read caution also for the ages 18-25 with suicide and not just under the age of 18. Kinda scary!

[Hairyarmadillo]

Sandyylew, definitely get your daughter on the supplements. I hate that doctors give out advice about cutting down like this-I really don't think they realize what a hard time some people have. And I don't think it is just a remote few, but until someone does some indepth research on this, we will have no idea how many. If at all possible, she needs to rest as much as possible. If there is anyway someone can give her a break from the children, even for a few hours, it would probably help. When i was going through the emotion/mood phase, I needed to focus on me. I didn't drop down that quickly but I know that my moods were rough for awhile. Let her know she is not alone, though. Would she be comfortable posting here? these people saved my sanity. It isn't an official Lexapro-withdrawal support group, but it does the trick. The supplements do help-I swear by Noni juice. Also, there are some things that she may be eating or taking that can aggravate the symptoms. I have found out that (as I was warned ) caffeine is a definite no-no. I drank soda and paid for it for days. During the time when I was a ticking time bomb with anger and moodiness, I took an asthma pill (albuterol), not thinking anything of it. I flew off the handle over any little thing. There are also some supplements that can cause problems and should be avoided. Sorry, can't recall all of them but it is on here under some of Aunty's posts. She knows EVERYTHING!!! Really, consider seeing if she will post. We are all in the same nasty boat, but we are all determined to make it through. I was on 10 mgs and have been off for 4 weeks after tapering. I am not "normal" but am seeing the light shining from the end of the tunnel. I have no memory on some days. The energy is better, I sometimes still catch myself overreacting emotionally, but I use self-talk to get myself through it. How long was she on it.
Elizabethmarie I can so relate to your comment about not being able to reply. some days I just get on here and read. There are so many things I think of to say to everyone, especially all you new people out there but it is hard to formulate words much less type them in. I hate that because you guys have saved me, especially when I first wandered on board. I really do feel for all you people, even though I only know you from your posts. So all you new people, just keep hanging around and we will make it through. Elizabethmarie, are you just exhausted or is it the seizures again? Who would think one little pill could do this
skyer i will say my Paxil withdrawal was a lot worse than this, but I am thinking different people probably react differently. And of course I had no idea it was the Paxil withdrawal doing it. I thought I was just fat, out of shape and having the beginnings of indicators for possible stroke and high blood pressure. After all, I never heard of anyone having brain zaps back then!! But my vision would get like looking through a kaleidoscope. And talk about depersonalization! i went around feeling stoned forever.
spatzkey I wouldn't be surprised if SSRI's could cause OCD symptoms, but it would be hard to tell if this was this case without knowing the history of your boyfriend prior to taking SSRI's. When someone does have some type of disorder prior to taking antidepressants and then the symptoms flare while on the medicine, seems it would be difficult to ascertain if the medication is causing it or if the person has gotten immune to the meds and the previously existing problem is just returning. I would think the only sure way to tell is if the medicine was stopped and the symptoms stop, without adding any other medication to possibly fix the problem. Did the OCD stop once he got off the Paxil or did he switch to a different med to get it under control. I do wonder if the Lexapro hasn't been a factor in his recent change, but there is no way to tell if he is still comfortable staying on it. I saw that news bit about the new black box warning. I am over the ages they are specifying but I feel like Lexapro caused me to start thinking suicidal thoughts. I would be going through my daily routine, not feeling low or anything but would have thoughts just pop in my mind out of the blue. However, it would be hard to say it was definitely the Lexapro since I had had problems with depressing thoughts prior to taking lexapro. But my money is on the Lexapro because all the other times, the depressing thoughts came during a time when I was,well, depressed

[abracazapya]

Aunty,

Actually, I was on the Remeron from Dec to Feb. I'm no longer on it. And I did sleep great, and gained 25 lbs! So you think I should just use the Prozac as needed and hope for the best? What about any supplements?

[auntybiotic]

sandy,

I wish you had found this forum a few weeks earlier. Unfortunately you cannot reinstate the Lexapro as too much time has passed.

As others have said, rest, relieving stress by possibly finding someone to help with the children and supplements.

A good liquid multivitamin and a good liquid mineral supplement. omega fish oil, Carson's brand is best, magnesium for anxiety, dramamine for any dizziness.
inisitol.........thse will all help her brain rebuild. Unfortunately, like a stroke victim, it may take several months and up to 18 months for the receptors to repair and to function without the aid of chemicals.

Depending on her symptoms there are other supplements that can be suggested.

Noni juice for depersonalization, acupuncture with concentration on a liver cleansing helps many, for muscle and back pain even a chiropractor.

She will get better but she may not see her own progress. It would be good to keep a journal and days when she feels like things are not going well she can read thru it and see that previously she felt bad but got over the feeling and will get over it again......she needs support as this is frightening.

Sandy list all of your daughter's present emotional symptoms and abra you do the same.

I will try and offer guidance as to supplements that have worked for many others..........................................ju st be strong and know that you are not crazy.............................it is only withdrawal.

[auntybiotic]

Glad you are doing well in so many ways.

Other then the Carsons fish oil what other supplements are you taking? Noni juice, inisitol. liquid vitamin and liquid minerals, vitamin C, magnesium?

Try taking a hot bath with two cups of epsom salts, sit in the tub for 15 minutes and then pour in a 8 ounce bottle of hydrogen peroxideinto the bath wate.................this will help with sleep, aniety and even the nightmares. The magnesium will be absorbed thru the skin and the effect will be calming.

Possibly eating a handful of almonds will help your energy (at least 10 almonds every two hours thru out the day). A lot of low energy is from unstable insulin levels and the almonds keep the blood sugar level stable.

Please list all of your symptoms and I will post supplements that have helped others. At the twelve mark point you will notice a remarkable difference in the way you feel...........................by then the receptors will have healed and by 18 months should be working at producing natural serotonin.

[auntybiotic]

As for the Paxil versus Lexapro. I know both are horrible..................in my mind lexapro seems to be stronger then paxil but that is only my opinion.

Are those on the other board on supplements to help with the withdrawals?

[spatzkey]

You know, I have been reading bk to the beg. of this message board and the last sev. months I have been trying to read up on Lexapro and side effects and all that, and I find it to be strange that I rarely (prob. in one hand) can remember the number of people who write in inquiring about a loved one on Lexapro or some SSRIs and their effects or behavior change. I am wondering if I am deluting myself that there is such a change in behavior. I know you Hairyarmadillo have told me that you felt like how my boyfriend does, but gosh I just can't believe there are not more people or family members freaking out over the change in their loved ones.
The OCD thing.... I am not sure he had it prior to Paxil (I am guessing he did, but not to the extent he does or did 2yrs ago). I know when I met him and he was on Paxil (again didn't know he was on anything) he was sweet and loving. He did cry alot (esp. when we got into little arguements) and I took it as him being really sensitive, but wonder now if that was or is the case, since now he is completely emotionless. Esp. to the fact that he is kicking me out while I am preg. So, your right its tough to say if the Paxil induced a greater or any amount of OCD??? I too am wondering if Lexapro is worse or stronger than Paxil? Atleast in his case.
Thanks everyone! Here I am not on anything, and I feel like I know more about this drug and topic than people that are on it. That is scary!!! I really feel so sad for all of you. Life already has challanges and to deal with this is not fair, BUT I think alot of you will be stronger and more wise after you over come this drug! Remember your stronger than you think!!!

[auntybiotic]

I know in reading Dr. Anne Blake Tracy's update inserts to her book on SSRI's it was mentioned that Celexa was the "strongest" of the SSRI's and I know for a fact that Lexapro is twice as strong as it's sister celexa....................so that is why it is so hard to withdrawal from lexapro.

I know Paxil has it's own nightmare stories but I personally think Lexapro is the worst antidepressant on the market as far as selectively reuptaking the serotonin so that more of it remains at the synapses. Because of this reaction..............................this drug is in my opinion harder then heroin to get off of.

[auntybiotic]

I wanted to ad to the previous post and mention because of the dramatic changes Lexapro had made to the chemistry in the brain...................that is why I strongly caution anyone reading to carefully reduce or taper lexapro if you are chosing to go off this drug.

Respect the changed lexapro hads made on the chemistry of the recptors and it is in your best interest to SLOWLY TAPER so that your brain will adapt to changing back to a normal chemistry.

I know everyone wants off of this nasty poison.......................believe me no one could know this more then me............................but I ask at what price.

Are you willing to be in a state of confusion for a year or more so that you can get off of lexapro quickly? Please respecr what others such as Skyler who has cold turkeyed has experienced and taper catiously................I cannot repeat this enough. Also do NOT skip days inbetween doses...........this causes more harm.......................the rule of thumb is to taper by 5 to 20 % of your CURRENT dose of lexapro.................this will safely get you off this drug with a minimum of pain.

Of course you may taper as you wish.............................but months from now you may experience a setback emotionally as your neurotransmitters are attemptting to normalize.

[Sunny2]

Hi there .... I'm new to this site. I started reading this thread then noticed it was a hundred pages long lol. So I will deffinitely sit and read them all as I have this problem also. I have been on Cipralex (same thing as Lexapro .. just under different name) for over 2 years. I have LOVED the way it has stopped my irritability .. helped my anxiety and given me some energy. However I feel it is playing a part in my migrains. This is worrying me as I am having to take Zomig to counteract the migrains. I do get migrains also from various foods .. but lately I seem to have a low lying migrain which needs the Zomig almost 'every' day. I'm not supposed to use Zomig 'every' day .. there are risks associated with it such as stroke etc. I have gained about 15 kilos on Cipralex .. but I was underweight before I started so I am reasonably happy with this (although slightly over weight now). Anyway ... my question is ... if I get off this drug .. surely I will go back to square one with the problems that caused me to need it in the first place?? Though I cannot go on getting migrains from it .. or taking other drugs to deal with it's side effects .. that's just crazy. If I miss one tablet .. I already know by evening as I get those electric shocks. I have tried to come off before and within a week to 2 weeks .. I have absolutely NO energy to do anything .. can't stop yawning .. I am VERY irritable and anxious .. so what in the world can I do? Any suggestions?

[skyer]

Aunty...my natural doc gave me a supp sometime ago for my stomach issues, but my face got really flushed and so I stopped it (even though I think it helped my stomach), it had some herbs in it so I think I reacted to that. She also gave me probiotics and that has been working out great (and kefir - a drink with the good bacteria). Anyway, I've been so scared to take anything else and am now just getting the courage; feel traumatized when it comes to taking anything. I start to panic everytime I swallow something -- even the first time I took fish oil! But the fish oil is working out great. Ever since I started it I've been doing a lot better. Could be mind over matter, but I doubt it. I've tried to snap out of this in many ways and it doesn't work...

I plan to get Inositol this weekend and then after I start that I think it's time I try the Noni juice. I'm so tired of feeling stoned all day. You're right, Hairy -- "stoned" is the feeling exactly which is why I don't get stoned! If not for that symptom I would be in pretty good shape. Then again, I've had depersonalization since this nightmare started (and it was much worse than it is now) and I was able to function on my own with it until the anxiety/depression started around month four. The anxiety and panic that started around month four has made going out on my own nearly impossible. My depression is nearly gone which has been a huge relief. I've never had anything but very mild depression in my life, so that really threw me for a loop. The fear is also going away. Oh, and my sex drive is def coming back (yay!). At this point I'm dealing with:

depersonalization
vivid dreams (no nightmares)
tired many times during day (but soooo much better than even a month ago)
morning stomach cramping (also much better)
some slight eye pain
can't handle stress or get hives and/or shake (seems better just over past few weeks)
anxiety -- especially after 6 p.m.!
apathy (better this week for the first time in months)

My symptom list from just a month or two ago was about three times as long as this list. But still sad that I can't function alone because of depersonalization and anxiety...but I'm getting stronger. Looking forward to month 12 -- it's gotta imrpove by then??!!!

Thanks for all your help, Aunty. Just like the Doctor ElizabethMaria and I talked to said: it can be lonely ride.

I'd do anything to go back and taper. I never in a million years thought this could happen. This drug totally violated my body and mind. If any good can come out of this, I have a new appreciation for "me". I now know how to take good care of my health (eating habits, etc.) and all the things I didn't like about my personality I have worked on during this and it's amazing how you can retrain your thinking -- without creepy, toxic drugs.

Hang in there, ElizabethMaria...writing this post reminds me so much of the hell I endured during months 4 -7...it does get better. I finally feel like I'm going to survive and have a life again...even though I still feel very off.

[Germanic American Princess]

I am still trying to navigate this site.

I was withdrawing myself from a coctail of meds. I should have been more proactive in my health. I had a mild depression from a life altering injury. I was given meds and they didn't help, so I was given more. I realized that I wasn't happy and was taking a boat load of stuff so I started to withdraw myself.

Last week I got a terrible sinus infection. Treating the sinus with sinus meds made all the symptoms worse, no sleep, nightmares including one where my body went through thinking I was having a seizure, terrible brain zaps, no appetite, mild nausea.

I went off cold turkey. Now all that is left are the brain zaps and lack of appetite.

I want to know if the sinus problem could have been related to withdrawal from the drugs. Anyboyd know?