Lexapro Withdrawal

auntybiotic · #**4021** 05-06-2007, 07:23 PM

Try this link to order the Carsons fish oil. There is no mercury contamination in this product and is better then other brands,

http://www.taoofherbs.com/products/3...angeFlavor.htm
http://www.taoofherbs.com/products/3...a-3FishOil.htm

auntybiotic · #**4022** 05-07-2007, 10:11 AM

Prozac Pancea or Pandora by Ann Blake Tracy ***** (a must read!!!)
Can be ordered at 1-800 280-0730

By far the BEST and most informative book for anyone taking or that has taken SSRI's.

Other books to help heal from the damage caused by Lexapro:

Nutritional Approach To recovery by John Finnegan

Hidden Addiction and How to Get Free By Phelps and Nourse

Under The Influence by James Milam

These books are informative and worth every penny.

auntybiotic · #**4023** 05-07-2007, 10:13 AM

I meant to add that sometimes these books can befound on Ebay for just a few dollars. If you are in a hurry to read the books will run about $20 each if ordered directly.

dccll · #**4024** 05-07-2007, 11:06 AM

I'm new at this. My first post. I'm not sure I'm doing this right. I took lex for 16 days. 2.5mg for 8 days and 1.25mg for 8 days. It wasn't working for me so the doctor said to stop taking it. I have had some of the same things happen I'm am reading on this forum. I quit taking it about 4 1/2 weeks ago. I am finally starting to sleep restful some nights. It has been pretty bad. I wonder if you have any insight to how long this can last. I only took it for two weeks. I wonder if it could still be in my system. My liver function is perfectly normal by blood test. Is this something that definitely gets better with time. I am already having some normal days but then I will wake up and almost feel drunk the next day. I am seeking info to know what to do. The doctors dont think it possible because of such small amount. Very confused because I know this isn't my normal anxiety.

auntybiotic · #**4025** 05-07-2007, 02:57 PM

The amount of 1.25 Lex that you quit was such a small dose...............hopefully you should start feeling better in the next month or two.

You can try magnesium malate for the anxiety......................the physical withdrawal will get better by month 3 and then you may have depression and a emotional withdrawal even if you never experienced depression before.

It was such a small amount I am not expecting the withdrawal to be severe as you were not on it that long but Lexapro is a VERY STRONG medication. There are some that took lex for a few days and suffered six months..............I am hoping you will not be another one.

Did you have any other withdrawals other then sleeplessness and anxiety?

elizabethmaria · #**4026** 05-07-2007, 04:39 PM

Hi DCCLL,
Just wanted to say that I only took for a few days, less than you, and am still having much trouble at 5 months after (seizures, disorientation, dystonia, etc.) - doesn't matter how short a time, it matters how your body metabolizes the drug, and how quickly it builds up to toxic levels in your body - for many this is many months, for some (10% pop) this can happen in only 2-3 days.. read up on cytochrome P450 system and other info on website www.antidepressantsfacts.com (make sure spelling is correct) it is a wonderful place to learn much/many links as well... don't worry, you're not alone by FAR!
you're in my prayers too!
Elizabethmarie

elizabethmaria · #**4027** 05-07-2007, 04:42 PM

Sorry DCCLL, I didn't mean to scare you -- you probably will not have too much trouble, but just wanted to let you know that your symptoms (unfortunately) are normal, and common - and may continue a little while, so don't worry! It WILL get better!
love,
Elizabethmarie

overtherainbow · #**4028** 05-07-2007, 06:56 PM

Reading, reading, reading.

How can we find out if we are poor metabolizers? Has anyone done this?

I feel like such an idiot for taking these drugs.

autodoc · #**4029** 05-07-2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overtherainbow

Reading, reading, reading.

How can we find out if we are poor metabolizers? Has anyone done this?

I feel like such an idiot for taking these drugs.

Thats exactly how I feel. I was never a big "doctor person" but last year, 3 days after my 40th bday I had a heart attack and while following up with my doctor he started putting me on one med after another. First it was cholestorol and heart meds only then muscle relaxers to help with "stress" then, after filling out some silly questionaire he put me on the axiety/depression meds. as of a few weeks ago I was on

Tricor
Lipitor
Metroprolol
Xanax
Lexapro
Lamictal
Cyclobenzeprene/flexeril
Lunesta
Plavix

All these are/were on a daily regular basis. I felt no difference at first then I felt sort of mellow and chilled out from there I just felt tired, dizzy and emotionally numb along with wierd dreams. The Lunesta made me sleep through the night but I never felt rested. I finally gave up and quit taking everything at once since I was not sure what drug or what combination of drugs was causing this. I figured I would stabilize and with proper diet and excercise could control the cholestorol and if I try hard I could deal with the anxiety and irritability myself without the drugs. I could always feel myself having an episode which usually starts with anxiety and then manifests itself as being cranky to darn right mean to friends and family. I could feel myself doing it but couldn't stop. I hope between natural remedies and being aware of the fact that an episode is coming on I can control it. I now feel like a complete idiot and failure for even going down this path I thought I owed it to my friends and family to get better but i don't think the huge list of meds the doc put me on made things any better. Sorry for the long rambling post. It feels good to get this stuff off my chest and share it with people who actually know what I'm going through. Until last night I was all alone in this.

autodoc · #**4030** 05-07-2007, 10:00 PM

One thing I wanted to ask. Is 10Mg of Lexapro a lot? I did 5 Mg for a week then 10Mg thereafter. Just curious.

elizabethmaria · #**4031** 05-07-2007, 10:11 PM

Hi, where is everyone? are there any old posters left here now?? sorry, am having a really bad time the last while. am at 5 months now, and feel like I am totally completely stoned all day (never have been before..

it's not even worth waking up - have soooo much trouble walking, legs don't go where their supposed to. hands curl up.. this is impossible! I can't even believe it, -- I cannot do this, at all- there is nothing up in my head, totally gone, then the seizures.. it's totally insane, then crying, and everything, i am normally such a strong person, but feel totally broken, inside and out.. I'm at 5 months, things should be better by now, at least a little, and its worse than ever...! I don't know what to do my head hurts soooooooo bad.
i'm so sorry to complain, but I feel so lost

... forgive me, hopefully better times will come someday!
hope others are having a better time..
Elizabethmarie
l

autodoc · #**4032** 05-07-2007, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elizabethmaria

Hi, where is everyone? are there any old posters left here now?? sorry, am having a really bad time the last while. am at 5 months now, and feel like I am totally completely stoned all day (never have been before..

it's not even worth waking up - have soooo much trouble walking, legs don't go where their supposed to. hands curl up.. this is impossible! I can't even believe it, -- I cannot do this, at all- there is nothing up in my head, totally gone, then the seizures.. it's totally insane, then crying, and everything, i am normally such a strong person, but feel totally broken, inside and out.. I'm at 5 months, things should be better by now, at least a little, and its worse than ever...! I don't know what to do my head hurts soooooooo bad.
i'm so sorry to complain, but I feel so lost

... forgive me, hopefully better times will come someday!
hope others are having a better time..
Elizabethmarie
l

I know I'm only a new poster but I just wanted to let you know I'm here to listen and I certainly don't feel like your complaining. I'm sure better times will come. I know it's easy to say, but hang in there

qoe100 · #**4033** 05-07-2007, 11:08 PM

Hi folks,
I'm new here. I've been on Lexapro (10mg) for about 3 years. I'm into my 3rd week of weaning off of it and I feel like ********************!!! Not sure if it's because I also have the worse cold in the history of mankind or if it's because of the Lexapro.

I've cut the 10mg in half for the last 3 weeks and thought there was no difference in how I felt. However, the last 3 days, I've felt jittery, sweaty, can't sleep and a little weepy. C'mon, I just cried over "Dancing With The Stars."

Like most everyone else, I've gained about 30 lbs since starting the drug. I'm wondering what I should do next. Should I start skipping a couple of days a week? Any advice would be helpful.

qoe100 · #**4034** 05-07-2007, 11:13 PM

Oh yeah, one more thing.....could someone put me into a coma until I feel better? Just wondering.......

overtherainbow · #**4035** 05-08-2007, 07:13 AM

EM, so sorry, very sorry to hear of the extreme difficulties you're having ! It's true, I'm not an old post-er, but have you seen a naturopath doc? It's just a suggestion. Hoping and praying for your release from all this torment. And also saying a prayer for myself, that I may not be headed for the same *()*# &*>. It is a worst fear. To be on a drug that causes such damage? I've had trouble with my body, movements, pains, aches, muscle stiffness, neck pain from he-double-hockey-sticks WHILE on these drugs. What's going to happen later? I've been thinking I need to find someone to help me get off them - the heart palpitations and chest pain have got me a bit scared and cautious. Again, praying praying praying praying praying . . . .

autodoc, WOW, that is some list of meds ! And you quit cold turkey? When? How's it going?

qoe, a coma would be a good thing. I'm trying to figure out when I can try and get off this stuff for good, and time it so I'm not going to affect my job, or my fun. In the scheme of things, 10 mg is less than 30-40 mg which some people were on, just thinking about it makes me wince. I was on 5 mg. Now on 2.5 mg. Working my way down. Since I have always been sensitive to meds, I'm wondering if I am a poor metabolizer.

For the record, I wasn't put into an eating frenzy while on Lex, but going off it, I sure could eat a house. It's like I feel like the ONLY thing that is going to make me feel better is food.

auntybiotic · #**4036** 05-08-2007, 07:36 AM

Newcomers,

If you read the thread you will have read NOT to taper more then 5 to 10 % of your current lexapro dose and NOT to skip days.

auntybiotic · #**4037** 05-08-2007, 07:40 AM

Newcomers

Again this list is drugs that interfere with the liver P 450 Cytochrome system and there fore many drugs will cause lexapro to build up in the system to toxic levels........................................plea se look at this list carefully because many drugs mixed with lexapro can be fatal as with the death of Anna Nichile's son.

Quote:

Originally Posted by auntybiotic

I hope this pastes
Below the list of drugs that are metabolized by a specific cytochrome P450 isoform are the published inhibitors, inducers and genetic influences on that isoform. Drug names are hyperlinks to specific literature references, most of which now include a link to the abstract of the article in the NLM's PubMed database. Also, you click on the PubMed link after the drug name to perform a live MedLINE search of articles possibly related to that drug and Cytochrome P450.

:: View clinically relevant table ::

A quick way to find a specific drug on this page is to use your web browser's Search feature: press Ctrl-F and type all or part of the drug name.

Last Updated: 10/17/2006 15:13:48

1A2 2B6 2C8 2C19 2C9 2D6 2E1 3A4,5,7
amitriptyline
caffeine
clomipramine
clozapine
cyclobenzaprine
estradiol
fluvoxamine
haloperidol
imipramine N-DeMe
mexilletine
naproxen
olanzapine
ondansetron
phenacetin=>
acetaminophen=>NAPQI
propranolol
riluzole
ropivacaine
tacrine
theophylline
tizanidine
verapamil
(R)warfarin
zileuton
zolmitriptan bupropion
cyclophosphamide
efavirenz
ifosfamide
methadone
paclitaxel
torsemide
amodiaquine
cerivastatin
repaglinide
Proton Pump Inhibitors:
lansoprazole
omeprazole
pantoprazole
rabeprazole
E-3810

Anti-epileptics: diazepam=>Nor
phenytoin(O)
S-mephenytoin
phenobarbitone

amitriptyline
carisoprodol
citalopram
clomipramine
cyclophosphamide
hexobarbital
imipramine N-DeME
indomethacin
R-mephobarbital
moclobemide
nelfinavir
nilutamide
primidone
progesterone
proguanil
propranolol
teniposide
R-warfarin=>8-OH NSAIDs:
diclofenac
ibuprofen
lornoxicam
meloxicam
S-naproxen=>Nor
piroxicam
suprofen

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents:
tolbutamide
glipizide

Angiotensin II Blockers:
losartan
irbesartan

Sulfonylureas:
glyburide/
glibenclamide
glipizide
glimepiride
tolbutamide

amitriptyline
celecoxib
fluoxetine
fluvastatin glyburide
nateglinide
phenytoin=>4-OH
rosiglitazone
tamoxifen
torsemide
S-warfarin Beta Blockers:
carvedilol
S-metoprolol
propafenone
timolol

Antidepressants:
amitriptyline
clomipramine
desipramine
imipramine
paroxetine

Antipsychotics:
haloperidol
perphenazine
risperidone=>9OH
thioridazine
zuclopenthixol

alprenolol
amphetamine
aripiprazole
atomoxetine
bufuralol
chlorpheniramine
chlorpromazine
codeine (=>O-desMe)
debrisoquine
dexfenfluramine
dextromethorphan
duloxetine
encainide
flecainide
fluoxetine
fluvoxamine
lidocaine
metoclopramide
methoxyamphetamine
mexilletine
minaprine
nebivolol
nortriptyline
ondansetron
oxycodone
perhexiline
phenacetin
phenformin
promethazine
propranolol
sparteine
tamoxifen
tramadol
venlafaxine Anesthetics:
enflurane
halothane
isoflurane
methoxyflurane
sevoflurane

acetaminophen
=>NAPQI
aniline
benzene
chlorzoxazone
ethanol
N,N-dimethyl formamide
theophylline
=>8-OH Macrolide antibiotics:
clarithromycin
erythromycin (not 3A5)
NOT azithromycin
telithromycin

Anti-arrhythmics:
quinidine=>3-OH (not 3A5)

Benzodiazepines:
alprazolam
diazepam=>3OH
midazolam
triazolam

Immune Modulators:
cyclosporine
tacrolimus (FK506)

HIV Antivirals:
indinavir
nelfinavir
ritonavir
saquinavir

Prokinetic:
cisapride

Antihistamines:
astemizole
chlorpheniramine
terfenidine

Calcium Channel Blockers:
amlodipine
diltiazem
felodipine
lercanidipine
nifedipine
nisoldipine
nitrendipine
verapamil

HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors:
atorvastatin
cerivastatin
lovastatin
NOT pravastatin
simvastatin

Steroid 6beta-OH:
estradiol
hydrocortisone
progesterone
testosterone

Miscellaneous:
alfentanyl
aprepitant
aripiprazole
buspirone
cafergot
caffeine=>TMU
cilostazol
cocaine
codeine- N-demethylation
dapsone
dexamethasone
dextromethorphan
docetaxel
domperidone
eplerenone
fentanyl
finasteride
gleevec
haloperidol
irinotecan
LAAM
lidocaine
methadone
nateglinide
odanestron
pimozide
propranolol
quetiapine
quinine
risperidone
NOT rosuvastatin
salmeterol
sildenafil
sirolimus
tamoxifen
taxol
terfenadine
trazodone
vincristine
zaleplon
ziprasidone
zolpidem

Inhibitors compete with other drugs for a particular enzyme thus affecting the optimal level of metabolism of the substrate drug which in many cases affect the individual's response to that particular medication, e.g. making it ineffective.

1A2 2B6 2C8 2C19 2C9 2D6 2E1 3A4,5,7
amiodarone
cimetidine
ciprofloxacin
fluoroquinolones
fluvoxamine
furafylline
interferon
methoxsalen
mibefradil
thiotepa
ticlopidine trimethoprim
quercetin
glitazones
gemfibrozil
montelukast
trimethoprim
chloramphenicol
cimetidine
felbamate
fluoxetine
fluvoxamine
indomethacin
ketoconazole
lansoprazole
modafinil omeprazole
oxcarbazepine
probenicid
ticlopidine
topiramate amiodarone
fenofibrate
fluconazole
fluvastatin
fluvoxamine
isoniazid
lovastatin
phenylbutazone
probenicid
sertraline
sulfamethoxazole
sulfaphenazole
teniposide
voriconazole
zafirlukast amiodarone
bupropion
celecoxib
chlorpromazine
chlorpheniramine
cimetidine
citalopram
clomipramine
cocaine
doxepin
doxorubicin
duloxetine
escitalopram fluoxetine
halofantrine
red-haloperidol
levomepromazine
metoclopramide
methadone
mibefradil
midodrine
moclobemide
paroxetine
quinidine
ranitidine
ritonavir
sertraline
terbinafine

ticlopidine
histamine H1 receptor antagonists
diphenhydramine
chlorpheniramine
clemastine
perphenazine
hydroxyzine
tripelennamine diethyl- dithiocarbamate
disulfiram HIV Antivirals:
delaviridine
indinavir
nelfinavir
ritonavir

amiodarone
aprepitant
NOT azithromycin
chloramphenicol
cimetidine
clarithromycin
diethyl- dithiocarbamate
diltiazem
erythromycin
fluconazole
fluvoxamine
gestodene
grapefruit juice
imatinib
itraconazole
ketoconazole
mifepristone
nefazodone
norfloxacin
norfluoxetine
mibefradil
star fruit
verapamil
voriconazole

Inducers stimulate the production of the enzyme thus increasing the rate of metabolism causing the substrate drug to clear out of the system faster. This will also affect the individual's response to the medication, i.e. making he drug ineffective because it has not been in the system long enough to have an effect.

1A2 2B6 2C8 2C19 2C9 2D6 2E1 3A,4,5,7
broccoli
brussel sprouts
char-grilled meat
insulin
methyl cholanthrene
modafinil
nafcillin
beta- naphthoflavone
omeprazole
tobacco
phenobarbital rifampin rifampin carbamazepine
norethindrone
NOT pentobarbital
prednisone
rifampin rifampin
secobarbital dexamethasone
rifampin ethanol
isoniazid HIV Antivirals:
efavirenz
nevirapine

barbiturates
carbamazepine
efavirenz
glucocorticoids
modafinil
nevirapine
phenobarbital
phenytoin
rifampin
St. John's wort
troglitazone
oxcarbazepine
pioglitazone
rifabutin

1A2 2B6 2C8 2C19 2C9 2D6 2E1 3A4,5,7
Chromosome 15 Chromosome 19 Chromosome 10 Chromosome 10 Chromosome 10 Chromosome 22 Chromosome 10 Chromosome 7
N/A Polymorphic Polymorphic Polymorphic Polymorphic N/A N/A
N/A 3-4% Caucasians PMs 3-5% Caucasian PMs , 15-20% Asian PMs 1-3% Caucasian PMs 5-10% Caucasian PMs N/A N/A

auntybiotic · #**4038** 05-08-2007, 07:56 AM

How long since you quit all the meds?

If it is under six weeks you may want to reinstate the xanax and the lexapro.

Cold turkeying off of even one of those two medications can be brutal............off of two would do so much damage to your brain that can avtually be prevented by tapering off one drug at a time and tapering no more then 5 to 10%. You can most likely handle the 10% since you have the other drug to ease the withdrawals.

I would suggest you taper the lexapro first, you can read thru the thread to get ideas of what to expect.

On the xanax......................there is a tapering method for xanax that is recommended by a detox center. I will see if I can look it up down the road but it suggests converting the dose of xanax to valium because valium has a longer half life and therefore would be easier to taper.

The xanax will ease the anxiety as you taper off of the lexapro and then after you are off of lexapro you can start the xanax taper. That is my suggestion and I am not a doctor.

dccll · #**4039** 05-08-2007, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auntybiotic

The amount of 1.25 Lex that you quit was such a small dose...............hopefully you should start feeling better in the next month or two.

You can try magnesium malate for the anxiety......................the physical withdrawal will get better by month 3 and then you may have depression and a emotional withdrawal even if you never experienced depression before.

It was such a small amount I am not expecting the withdrawal to be severe as you were not on it that long but Lexapro is a VERY STRONG medication. There are some that took lex for a few days and suffered six months..............I am hoping you will not be another one.

Did you have any other withdrawals other then sleeplessness and anxiety?

I have had some of the typical things seen here. I have been off for 5 weeks tomorrow. Each day seems to be a little better. I have had some numbness in left side of face and ear. My hands and feet have had some of the pin prickle feeling and even been hot in places. My lip on left side one day had a burning sensation. In the first few weeks I was agitated with sleeplessness and a buzzing feeling in hair. I feel like I have a pressure problem with ears at times. My ears popped the other day and my dizziness subsided but noises seemed very loud and lights seemed very bright. That has already gotten better though. The dizziness seems to be the one that hangs on the most. I started taking lex because of anxiety. It took care of that issue by the end of day one. I noticed that I couldn't have a negative thought if I had wanted too. I still am not having the negative angst that I was. I feel like that side of me has not come back yet. I couldn't have shed a tear two weeks ago if I had wanted too. I can now. I have no problem with memory at all , but the excitatory side of me is still not there. I feel happiness and can laugh at things but I don't feel as strongly as I used too. That is probably not all bad for someone with anxiety. It seems like aech day is a little more feeling than the next. How do you know if you are still on a withdrawal or you are through it and recovering. Is there a test you can take to see if it is out of your system. I had a blood test last week and it ensured normal liver functioning. I took 30mg total over 16 day period (equivalent to three pills.) How long could that stay in your system. The docs say it is already gone. I am just trying to gather as much info as I can. I read about your daughter. I am impressed with all of your research. That is how I operate as well. Is she completely off now.

auntybiotic · #**4040** 05-08-2007, 10:45 AM

Hi,

My daughter is not off yet. It has been such a slow taper. If I went fast she was unable to go to school. She is down to 6.8 from above 20 Mg. She was on 20 Mg and had a interaction with Biaxin which doubled the lexapro dose. It has been a nightmare.......................something I would give a million dollars not to have had her experience.

Thought I would help others with my research and that the good would pay forward.

She still has a long way to go but we have reduced by 66% and that is a accomplishment.

There really in no way to know if you are done the withdrawals. Lexapro is protein bound so can hang around a long time. Just take each day and see how you do. Drink lots of water with lemon wedges in it to make your body alkaline, take a good multivitamin and mineral and magnesium.

skyer · #**4041** 05-08-2007, 02:15 PM

EM: I'll send you an email later, but I just want to say that at 5 months off I thought I should have been better, too. I even convinced myself that I was, but knew that I far from normal. I could barely leave the house my brain felt so out of whack. Month 5 does not even compare to how I feel now at month 8 and I'm sure that will be the case for you, as well. Don't get me wrong, I'm still not back to my old self. I want to cry at least once every day because of this depersonalization, weird dreams and not being able to be independent. But at month 5 I wasn't sure there was any hope and now I can tell there is. My nervous system is getting a lot stronger to the point I can deal with some stress and riding in a car is easy now. My brain is very slowly starting to view the world as it once did. I even went to the mall with my fiance this weekend for the first time in many months! Also...I was just like you in that I didn't want to take anything -- even supplements -- but I'm so glad I started the Carlson's Fish Oil. I would really try to consider it. It's really no different than eating fish so it won't hurt you. I swear it's helping...

Hang in there. Just focus on the few things you CAN do right now and know that it will get better.

xoxo

qoe100 · #**4042** 05-08-2007, 04:09 PM

Hi All,
Today, I'm feeling better. I've stopped taking all meds that I've been on the last few days for my cold and it's helped. Course, I can't breathe worth a darn!!!

Does "everyone" suffer side effects when they quit Lexapro? Also, does it comes in pills less than 10mg? Right now, I'm cutting them in half which is a hassle.

Also, I read where others have addressed the weight gain issue but no one has said if they actually lost any weight after getting off this stuff.

Today, the only thing I'm feeling is a little spacey but that's OK, I'm blonde, so I can just attribute it to that if anyone notices.

Long Island Girl · #**4043** 05-08-2007, 11:37 PM

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has tapered off of 30 mg? After reading all of these posts, I'm afraid I'm in for the worst. I'm down to 25 mg after 10 days, but still feel ok.

Also, has anyone experienced numb feelings like not being able to cry and low libido? Lexapro has done more harm than good for me. It's nice to know that you are not alone. My prayers to you all for what you are going through.

Thank you

Nocturnal · #**4044** 05-09-2007, 03:36 AM

I was wondering how many of you that have tapered from say 10 to 5 to 2.5 have experienced any type of withdrawal affects of going down in mg?

I have been on Lexapro for a few years now. I started with 10mg and then went to 20mg and then eventually dropped to 10mg. For about 2-3 months now I have been on 2.5. I originally asked my doctor to cut down to 5mg and he said okay. I did that for a few days and then just said how about going down to 2.5mg and seeing what happens. I have been at 2.5mg for 2-3 months with no significant impairment or depressing coming back. I originally went on Lexapro for OCD.

Anyhow, I have realized that I’ve ballooned up in size since starting this drug and my blood pressure is being affected by my weight. I DO NOT want to take any more pills as it is. I feel that I’ve had enough of taking doses of medication day in and day out.

Again though my main question is for those who have tapered down, have you experience side effects from going down from 10 to 5 and then from 5 to 2.5?

overtherainbow · #**4045** 05-09-2007, 06:54 AM

Nocturnal
I decreased to 2.5 from 5, 10 days ago. The 'worst' of it was around day 7 -palpitations and chest pain, and flu-like stuff, but it was shortlived thank goodness. (It is more complicated as I am also on Flexeril which also affects serotonin.) I had the worst of it when I was skipping the 5 mg doses, and came to this site, and realized there could be a problem getting off this drug. That was scary. So in comparison, these symptoms recently were much less. Looking forward to a drug-free life!
Rainbow

dccll · #**4046** 05-09-2007, 08:10 AM

I was wondering what causes all of the symptoms. Is it that your brain is trying to catch up with production of acetylcholine or seratonin? I'm guessing that you had a lot of a good thing and then you take it away and your left trying to catch up with production or parts of neurotransmitters were shut down for a while and now they are opening back up. Aunty, do you know people who came out on the other side in all of your time on this site? Also, why is the six week mark important for going back on. If you go on another medication wouldn't that take care of what is going on?

Nocturnal · #**4047** 05-09-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overtherainbow

Nocturnal
I decreased to 2.5 from 5, 10 days ago. The 'worst' of it was around day 7 -palpitations and chest pain, and flu-like stuff, but it was shortlived thank goodness. (It is more complicated as I am also on Flexeril which also affects serotonin.) I had the worst of it when I was skipping the 5 mg doses, and came to this site, and realized there could be a problem getting off this drug. That was scary. So in comparison, these symptoms recently were much less. Looking forward to a drug-free life!
Rainbow

Well that's good to hear. I was going to stop after going down to 2.5 but decided last night that I was going to just break it down even further and go to 1.25 and see where that takes me in seven days. I went from 20 to 10 - no side effects. 10 to 5 - no side effects. 5 to 2.5 - no side effects.

aunty,

Question for you. Is there any way to not have any side effects at months 4 and 6 and so on? Or is pretty much everyone, no matter how slow you taper, bound to have the same type of side effects happen?

auntybiotic · #**4048** 05-09-2007, 07:44 PM

I do not know anyone that has tapered extremely slow except for Tavee and she is at 1.9 Ml.........so time will tell if she has the same effects. I would think with a slow taper that you will NOT have those side effects several months done the road................because the brain has slowly adjusted to the serotonin difference.

Everyone here has tapered quickly. Sarita did a slower taper but she was only on 5 Mg to begin with. Not sure at what dosage she stopped.
Sarita....if you are reading...........................can you explain what you have gone thru.......it should be about 3 to 4 months since you stopped. What dosage did you taper to Sarita?

Nocturnal · #**4049** 05-09-2007, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auntybiotic

I do not know anyone that has tapered extremely slow except for Tavee and she is at 1.9 Ml.........so time will tell if she has the same effects. I would think with a slow taper that you will NOT have those side effects several months done the road................because the brain has slowly adjusted to the serotonin difference.

Everyone here has tapered quickly. Sarita did a slower taper but she was only on 5 Mg to begin with. Not sure at what dosage she stopped.
Sarita....if you are reading...........................can you explain what you have gone thru.......it should be about 3 to 4 months since you stopped. What dosage did you taper to Sarita?

Okay, that is great to hear. I am going to start tapering extremely slowly. I do not plan to go cold turkey. I am down to half of a 2.5 pill so 1.25mg. I will continue this for two weeks and will report back with my results as to if I felt any withdrawal, brain zaps, etc.

abracazapya · #**4050** 05-09-2007, 09:23 PM

Hi all,

Have some anxiety along with some zaps tonight, at about 2.5 months off, after feeling great for a month and a half. I picked up a good liquid multi-vitamin/ mineral supplement, magnesium supplement, noni juice and Carlsons Fish Oil, as Aunty suggested. I'll let you all know how this works for me. Thanks everyone.