[feelingcrazy]

i have only taken one pill and it has made my life miserable. Anyone been waken up in the middle of the night with a horrible hot burning sensation? HOw long should i expect withdrawls? I only took it once. Will the anxiety chill out soon? I dont plan on taking this ever again. anyone have suggestions on how to help,the burning sensation freaks me out which probably makes it worse correct? any advise would be appreciated

[Minky Sunshine]

Originally Posted by feelingcrazy

i have only taken one pill and it has made my life miserable. Anyone been waken up in the middle of the night with a horrible hot burning sensation? HOw long should i expect withdrawls? I only took it once. Will the anxiety chill out soon? I dont plan on taking this ever again. anyone have suggestions on how to help,the burning sensation freaks me out which probably makes it worse correct? any advise would be appreciated

I did the same thing. One pill. Severe reaction. It's now 10 days and I'm still getting some wierd side effects. Side effects I've never, ever experienced before taking that one pill.

I get burning sensations in my head, and a shaky feeling in my body. Sometime, usually at night, I get severe tremors in my legs. Generally though, things seem to be getting better.

Having said that, it IS unpredictable, because I had 2 side effect free days (just some anxiety), and then last night, boom, more burning in my head and shaky legs.

Here's an intersting article ..

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

[Nocturnal]

May I please ask, how many of you work a full time job and also have a child? It seems like most become debilitated. I'm wondering how that works. I am a provider for a child and a wife.

[mystichyd]

Originally Posted by Nocturnal

May I please ask, how many of you work a full time job and also have a child? It seems like most become debilitated. I'm wondering how that works. I am a provider for a child and a wife.

I own a restaurant so i work 80 hours a week..we are open 7 days a week and my husband and I have to be there at all times..hard to find good help..this is the reason i cant afford to be "out of it" while decreasing my meds..I have a grandson who i take once a week and my daughter and her husband are pregnant with another child due in Jan..(very exciting)..

[elizabethmaria]

Heidi!!!!
STOP!!!!! It's OK! Skyer, like me, also had a bad reaction, and was only on for 6 weeks, and had to quit cold turkey, no tapering!! THAT's what's bad, the cold turkey stopping combined with adverse effects ON the drug. You have NEITHER, so tapering will work fine for you!!!! That's the whole point of tapering, to AVOID what we are going through! We're just special cases, tapering wasn't an option -- actually, to tell you the honest truth, what I'm going through (seizures, depersonalization, depression, scary thoughts, movement disorder) is NOTHING COMPARED TO HOW I FELT ON THE DRUGS. I was so sick that this is pumpkin pie compared to that, so I do feel incredibly better. On the drug, I was nearly completely paralyzed, throwing up , unable to talk, completely incoherent, and depression to an extent that is undescribable - I hate to say it, but hell looked like a absolute picnic to what I felt like those few days. That's an adverse reaction, no matter how tough withdrawal/recovery is, it will NEVER compare to that..l. that 's what we're talking about -- you won't have any of this if you taper correctly!
please stop worrying, it's scaring me!! just kidding -- really -- read the posts, advice and stuff, slow tapers make it so much easier -- spend time thanking God that you were blessed to find out how to do it!
blessings,
Elizabethmarie

Skyer, thank you so much for your post, it REALLY helped - I needed those words so much ... I will write more later ...
lots of love,
Elizabethmarie

[Nocturnal]

Originally Posted by mystichyd

I own a restaurant so i work 80 hours a week..we are open 7 days a week and my husband and I have to be there at all times..hard to find good help..this is the reason i cant afford to be "out of it" while decreasing my meds..I have a grandson who i take once a week and my daughter and her husband are pregnant with another child due in Jan..(very exciting)..

Wow. You are in the same situation as I am. I myself have a 7 year old and a wife. I work and so does my wife. It would be a huge strain on my wife if it became debilitated in that financially we'd be hit and emotionally and physically we'd take a huge hit too.

Good luck with your tapering.

[mystichyd]

Originally Posted by elizabethmaria

Heidi!!!!
STOP!!!!! It's OK! Skyer, like me, also had a bad reaction, and was only on for 6 weeks, and had to quit cold turkey, no tapering!! THAT's what's bad, the cold turkey stopping combined with adverse effects ON the drug. You have NEITHER, so tapering will work fine for you!!!! That's the whole point of tapering, to AVOID what we are going through! We're just special cases, tapering wasn't an option -- actually, to tell you the honest truth, what I'm going through (seizures, depersonalization, depression, scary thoughts, movement disorder) is NOTHING COMPARED TO HOW I FELT ON THE DRUGS. I was so sick that this is pumpkin pie compared to that, so I do feel incredibly better. On the drug, I was nearly completely paralyzed, throwing up , unable to talk, completely incoherent, and depression to an extent that is undescribable - I hate to say it, but hell looked like a absolute picnic to what I felt like those few days. That's an adverse reaction, no matter how tough withdrawal/recovery is, it will NEVER compare to that..l. that 's what we're talking about -- you won't have any of this if you taper correctly!
please stop worrying, it's scaring me!! just kidding -- really -- read the posts, advice and stuff, slow tapers make it so much easier -- spend time thanking God that you were blessed to find out how to do it!
blessings,
Elizabethmarie

Skyer, thank you so much for your post, it REALLY helped - I needed those words so much ... I will write more later ...
lots of love,
Elizabethmarie

Thanks Elizabethmarie..that helps and explains a lot...i'm not going cold turkey...i'm tapering so hopefully it will help..i'm sorry that youve had to go through what you have...were you on the Lex for anxiety or depression or both...I was on for anxiety primary and then after a very bad panic attack in Boston i because so depressed i wanted desperately to die..and couldnt stop the thoughts...

[mystichyd]

Originally Posted by Nocturnal

Wow. You are in the same situation as I am. I myself have a 7 year old and a wife. I work and so does my wife. It would be a huge strain on my wife if it became debilitated in that financially we'd be hit and emotionally and physically we'd take a huge hit too.

Good luck with your tapering.

I wish you luck also...dont you wish we could just all live our lives and just be able to cope with our emotions and reactions and depression and all of it...I know that we are all strong enough...good luck to you also

[skyer]

Great response, EM. Most people can handle withdrawal if they did OK while on the drug and tapered to get off. ElizabethMaria and I both had negative reactions while ON the drug. I was careless and stayed on it for six weeks because I had been on Paxil and Prozac with no problems before -- I also got off both the drugs pretty fast and only had minor withdrawals for a few weeks. The drug did not go bad on me till about three weeks into it and my doctor told me to stick it out because the "side effects" would go away. I had increased anxiety, insomnia and severe depersonalization (out-of-body or stoned feeling). After three more weeks, I thought, "forget it" and I just quit. I didn't know that having a negative reaction to the drug while taking it could result in long-term withdrawal by quitting cold-turkey.

[gettingbetter]

I started taking lexapro 6 days ago for acute anxiety. Initially I started on 5mg without any major side effects for 3 days. I didn't get any anxiety and my mood was very good so on the 4th day I went upto 10 mg. I noticed with a few hours of going to 10mg a constant headache and dizziness, and feeling abit out of it. I also felt abit wired at times and some anxiety at times. This continued for another 48 hours approx. Today I woke up with very little side effects... and are starting to feel good again. I've got a feeling the drug is starting to work the way it should. I'm feeling more confident and willing to approach situations I used to get anxious from. I'm also finding when I do get myself into an anxious situation I'm able to control the anxiety and it doesn't get out of control. You feel more relaxed at ease and are not firing of negative self defeating thioughts which drive the anxiety quickly.

This is how the drug I believe is suppose to work. Its still only early days but from all the information I've read I'm hopeful that medication can assist the recovery. I've been suffering acute anxiety/ Panic disorder since Jan 2007. Initially I decided to try and beat anxiety using Therapy and exercise, its been working to a point... but I was still avoiding situations and I didn't feel my recovery was complete. I don't believe medication will cure the problem by itself, you also need to start changing the way you think about situations and yourself. Turn negative defeating thoughts into positive thoughts. The medication helps by making it easy for this occur in the short-time frame because it improves the chemistry in the brain within a few weeks. To do this naturally may take several months of changing the thought process, which is very difficult to do when you brain chemistry is not the best when you've got the disorder. A good book I've been reading is called the "Mysteries of the mind" by Restak. Its a great source of information for people to learn more about their brain and how it works. Whilst there is still some missing links, the current knowledge on the brain in relation to what causes people to think negatively is pretty good. Basically the medication is designed to target those receptors, not everyone's brain is the same, which is why everybody differs slightly with side effects, however, the side effects apparently do go away with time. I plan to stay on the drug for at least a year, and continue with weekly therapy (change negtiave thought process to positive). This is very important because the negative thoughts is what most likely created the disorder in the first place, so whilst the drug assists, it won't cure the illness. I need to be more grateful and content with my life and who I am, that is a keen change I need to make for a cure to occur. Tapering off the medication is also very important, because as you come of the drug the brain chemistry changes again, which causes the side effects. I was go for a very drawn out taper maybe a few months before finally coming off to reduce side effects. People that try and go cold turkey are just asking for trouble. All the medication advise is to taper the dosage. I hope this helps people make an inform decision. I read lots of negative feedback and was put off as well. But I' sure some of these people may have different circumstances, either haven't been diagnosed properly, haven't tapered or given themselves enough time for the side effects to subside.

[kellee]

Hey,
Glad to find someone who is thinling like me. I feel all alone. Yes I weaned off lexapro. More quicly than most. Took it for a couple of years. Tried to wean off and it was extreemly difficult and I did not know of this thread and chose to go back on. I began drinking monavie juice about 6-8 months ago and found it had natural ssri uptake....went into a great rem sleep...have a sleeping disorder. So....I went from 10mg down to nothing each week cutting dose in half and stayed on a sliver of the pill for a week. Yes, I have withdrawl symptoms. I read a lot...Women Who Run With The Wolves and other books metaphysical in nature. Watched The Secret...talked about on OPRAH a couple of weeks ago and downloaded a free hypnotic/meditative audio from Silva Utra Mind System. For me, focusing on the symptoms and not recognising the moments I am OKAY keeps me in a symptomatic place. I just ride out the symptom and tell myself I will be normal momentarily and marvel in my normalacy. POSITIVE THINKING AND ENERGY BEGETS POSITIVE RESULTS. Have been off the lexapro one week. Just had a freakish hallucination/dream this morning and my subconscious told me it was okay it was the lexapro. I woke up knowing I'm okay and it was over.....I feel great now. I will meditate 3x today and be greatful for my moment of clarity and ride out the symptoms and BELIEVE IN MY SUBCONSCIOUS that the symptoms will abate sooner than later. Remember we only use a tiny percent of our brain, I KNOW I can SELF HEAL by tapping into my subconscious mind... I am doing every day all throughout the day. Life is good. I am here.

[overtherainbow]

Well said. Just what I needed to hear today, to reinforce what I (we) already know !

Much love
(another) Kelly

[mystichyd]

Originally Posted by kellee

Hey,
Glad to find someone who is thinling like me. I fell all alone. Yes I weaned off lexapro. More quicly than most. Took it for a couple of years. Tried to wean off and it was extreemly difficult and I did not know of this thread and chose to go back on. I began drinking monavie juice about 6-8 months ago and found it had natural ssri uptake....went into a great rem sleep...have a sleeping disorder. So....I went from 10mg down to nothing each week cutting dose in half and stayed on a sliver of the pill for a week. Yes, I have withdrawl symptoms. I read a lot...Women Who Run With The Wolves and other books metaphysical in nature. Watched The Secret...talked about on OPRAH a couple of weeks ago and downloaded a free hypnotic/meditative audio from Silva Utra Mind System. For me, focusing on the symptoms and not recognising the moments I am OKAY keeps me in a symptomatic place. I just ride out the symptom and tell myself I will be normal momentarily and marvel in my normalacy. POSITIVE THINKING AND ENERGY BEGETS POSITIVE RESULTS. Have been off the lexapro one week. Just had a freakish hallucination/dream this morning and my subconscious told me it was okay it was the lexapro. I woke up knowing I'm okay and it was over.....I feel great now. I will meditate 3x today and be greatful for my moment of clarity and ride out the symptoms and BELIEVE IN MY SUBCONSCIOUS that the symptoms will abate sooner than later.

Wow Kelee you have some great advice...i'm going to go to the bookstore this morning and check that book out...thats very positive for me this morning and i appreciate you taking the time to write it...I have been on Lex for a little over 3 years...and i'm at 5 mgs right now..went from 15mgs to 10mgs in august and didnt have any problems...difficulty with PMS though..I totally believe that people come into your life at a time you need them..i came searching for some answers and on this site i have found bad and good..i know all the info at this point i think...meditating havent really gotten to that point yet..i have no time ...lol...but will work on that...even just for a few minutes aday will figure out how...thanks have a great day....HEIDI

[mystichyd]

Originally Posted by overtherainbow

Well said. Just what I needed to hear today, to reinforce what I (we) already know !

Much love
(another) Kelly

Kelly could you explain the Secret to me..i just looked at the trailer and looked pretty weird to me...hmm thought it was a book...??...

[gtowngirl]

I hope this message gets to the right forum. I'm looking for the one with Auntybiotic, tavee, hairy and many others. I've posted on this site for the first time yesterday, but can't seem to hook up with you guys. If there is anybody out there that can point me in the right direction, I would be very grateful. I've received a response from "Dave", but the only one.

THanks guys,

gtowngirl

[kellee]

The Secret is more loke a documentary. The beginning for me was hokey, but a lot of people may enjoy it. I am into science and the introduction of quantum physics got my attention. The bottom line is LAWS OF ATTRACTION. Like a magnet, we attract what we think and feel every day which inturns affects our tomorrow. My husband is a history buff. Historically speaking indians performed a rain dance when there was a draught. Why would they continue the dance if they never got rain. Their combined postive energy from their SUBCONSCIOUS minds affected the universe and therefor...rain. Everything and everyone is made up of energy. You have to watch the dvd to really understand. Google Oprah I'm sure there must be something about it on her site. MY HUSBAND HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE GLASS IS HALF EMPTY KIND OF GUY. Since he watched this he say's he feels LIBERATED. He is more intuitive, happy and finds life is easier...less day to day problems and good things have come his way effortlessly. He FEELS positve as much as he thinks positive thoughts. Positive things happen for him now. What have you got to loose...one and a half hours in your day?

[kellee]

The female empowering book is Women Who Run With The Wolves. See if you can't get it used off the internet. It is in paperback. EVERYONE HAS TIME TO MEDITATE OR MAKE TIME FOR THEMSELVES, IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR YOUR PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL BEING. I OWN A RESTAURANT AND WORK IT LIKE A DOG AND HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS. MY CLOCK IS SET FOR 3:00 A.M. MONDAY THRIUGH SATURDAY....NO MATTER WHAT TIME I FALL ASLEEP. SUNDAYS IT IS SET FOR 6:00. DISCIPLINE IS THE KEY TO GETTING THE CONTROL BACK AND CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE AND DESTINY. I AM NO DIFFERENT THAN THE REST OF YOU...IF I CAN DO SO CAN YOU.....I PROMISE!

[tavee]

Gtown Girl-

This Is Tavee. How Can We Help U ???


We Are Here If U Need Us.


Tavee

[IdahoTater]

Originally Posted by auntybiotic

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.

So, what does one do, that has tapered off by skipping days in between doses, before they read your message not to? I am still on 2.5 one day, and skipping two, then taking 2.5 the next, etc. I've been doing this for about 2-3 months. I just counted the pills I have left (10mg each) and I have only 12 left. 12x4=48 doses of 2.5mg. I feel like I have really screwed up this tapering off stuff.

Lynn

[elizabethmaria]

Hi Skyer,
Yes, thanks for your post again ! I'm always so happy to see your posts, as your a few steps ahead of me, and it's so good to see how your getting better - 75% is AWESOME, that is soo great-- I wish we could both go to Cannon Beach, I think we'd have a great time, especially after all we've been through! a good time to celebrate how far we're coming from the reaction... Can't you see it, just lying on the sand, in the warm sunshine, ohhh sounds soooo good - I'm so ready...!

Hi GettingBetter! Just wanted to say that adverse reactions causing serotonin syndrome, like what I had, are eventually FATAL, so you can't just 'get used' to the reaction.. This is for people who could have it, they need to KNOW-- a couple more days and it would be coma for me - not my choice! 10% of the population are unable to tolerate ssri's due to genetic differences in the cytochrome P450 pathway in the liver - also extremely sensitive to other drugs. Pushing the drug can and will kill, so doctors/patients have to be well aware of the symptoms of serotonin syndrome - 3% of the population have immediate severe reactions to this class of drugs -- that is why the Mayo clinic REQUIRES genetic DNA testing prior to prescribing ANY antidepressent to patients. I'm getting tested through them soon.. So, be careful - slow metabolizers of the drug also have adverse reaction (about 30% of the pop?) and have adverse effects later down the line, as the drug slowly builds in their system. This is why its dangerous to be uneducated about the pathways and mechanisms of these and other drugs..

research at www.antidepressants.com -- how ssri's 'work' Also for definition and recognition of serotonin syndrome -- everyone should read this to be AWARE while being on/tapering/considering ssri's...
also check out Mayo Clinic DNA testing/ssri homepage for more info
Also check out Genelex - DNA testing co and their cyt P450 testing to prevent adverse reactions to ssri/and the lists of drugs that use that pathway. over 100,000 people die yearly due to drug reactions! Genelex is the leading genetic diagnostic lab for profess./public in the country.. there is some great info regarding adverse prescription drug reactions on that site, including Ambien, tamoxifen, acetominophen, coumadin/warfarin, ssri's, etc.

I'm not writing this to you really, but just as some awesome info for those who may want/need more info regarding this - it's no fun to be administered drugs that you cannot tolerate - esp as drug classes are getting more powerful these days.. it's great that they're able to test now more accurately!

Heidi,
Hi! Actually, I didn't begin the drug for anxiety/depression - I've never had any trouble that way (just anxiety/small seizures when taking diphenhydramine, OTC sleep med - why I'm getting genetic testing, ugh) -- I have CFS - myalgic encephalomyelitis, and am recovering - it's a malfunctioning adrenal/hypothalamus/pituitary -- and this causes difficulty sleeping/light sleep as one symptom... I'm getting better though, and especially now that the doctors and I have all realized that I do better (sleepwise/healthwise) without meds than with... so I'm just recovering from the reaction at this point...
Yes meditation and prayer are HUGE helps! To whoever said that, I second, and third your statement!! it's the best way to heal from this reaction/withdrawal time -- the more meditation and prayer, the better, though at sometimes the headaches are too bad for much time spent - rest is key... I think everyone has to pray/meditate at least a half hour a day minimum, but that's just my personal belief .. it sure is a lifesaver, or life itself! God is soo good, we just can't even imagine ... the rosary is a link straight to heaven

take care everyone, hope all are feeling better today - you're all in my prayers as always!
lots of love,
Elizabethmarie

[ernurse18]

day 7 without lexapro. I tapered VERY quickly but will not go back...i don't want to give up what i have already gotten through. Bought a bike and began exercising again. I WILL succeed. I agree, think positive thoughts and focus on how good you will feel once this is all over.

[Nocturnal]

Originally Posted by IdahoTater

So, what does one do, that has tapered off by skipping days in between doses, before they read your message not to? I am still on 2.5 one day, and skipping two, then taking 2.5 the next, etc. I've been doing this for about 2-3 months. I just counted the pills I have left (10mg each) and I have only 12 left. 12x4=48 doses of 2.5mg. I feel like I have really screwed up this tapering off stuff.

Lynn

I would recommend just going back on the 2.5mg daily. Turn the 10mg into liquid and start going down from 2.5 to say 2.4 and then so forth and so on.

[auntybiotic]

HI THIS IS AUNTY.................YOU ARE AT THE CORRECT FORUM.


YOU CAN ASK ANY QUESTIONS THRU THE FORUM OR YOU CAN EMAIL ME DIRECTLY THU THIS FORUM. HIT MY NAME AND A LINK WILL COME UP TO GIVE YOU THE OPTION TO EMAIL ME, READ ALL MY POSTS.ETC.

I READ THIS THREAD AT LEAST ONCE EVERY TWO DAYS.

HOPE ALL IS WELL. tAVEE IS HERE AS WELL.
AUNTY

[auntybiotic]

cAN YOUR DOCTOR PRESCRIBE MORE LEXAPRO.

TAPER FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS, THEN GO DOWN ABOUT 5% OR LESS OF YOUR CURRENT DOSSE DAILY FOR ANOTHER THREE WEEKS OR UNTIL STABLE.

FOR YOU THAT WOULD BE TAPERING TO 2.4 DAILY EVERY DAY NOT SKIPPING FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS.......THEN 2.3 EVERY DAY FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS.

hAVE YOU BEEN HAVING ANY WITHDRAWALS? wHAT DOSE DID YOU START AT? hOW LONG HAVE YOU TAPERED AND AT WHAT DOSES?

[auntybiotic]

Sorry that this board scared you. We are honest and truthful and would have no reason NOT to speak the truth.

Please listen and taper off of lexapro SLOWLY. Learn from others mistakes so that you do not have to repeat their pain.

aunty

[auntybiotic]

Just checking to see if you are OK?

Drop a line so that everyone here realizes that things are during well.

Have a great holiday Hairy, Tavee, Skyler and everyone here.

[auntybiotic]

You will have about 4 to 5 weeks to see how you do with withdrawals........if you find they are too bad you can reinstate and taper slowly. You have up to six weeks from the time you stop to reinstate.

Everyone is different but the large majority have much difficulty with cold turkey from lexapro.

Good luck.

[auntybiotic]

Again, your post made me smile.........................you are just SO informed...............you always answer EXACTLY as I would have. I am impressed.

[IdahoTater]

Originally Posted by auntybiotic

cAN YOUR DOCTOR PRESCRIBE MORE LEXAPRO.

TAPER FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS, THEN GO DOWN ABOUT 5% OR LESS OF YOUR CURRENT DOSSE DAILY FOR ANOTHER THREE WEEKS OR UNTIL STABLE.

FOR YOU THAT WOULD BE TAPERING TO 2.4 DAILY EVERY DAY NOT SKIPPING FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS.......THEN 2.3 EVERY DAY FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS.

hAVE YOU BEEN HAVING ANY WITHDRAWALS? wHAT DOSE DID YOU START AT? hOW LONG HAVE YOU TAPERED AND AT WHAT DOSES?

The highest dose I was on, was 10mg. No withdrawals since doing the take-a pill-skip-two-days-take-a pill thing. First time in ages I haven't had symptoms. I'm sleeping better and haven't had the "jolts" in a while. Not nearly as irritable either. I go to a free clinic, and last time I was there, they told me they don't give Lex any more. I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm going to ask if they can write me a prescription, and see if I can get enough to carry me through. I usually just pick up my meds there, not having to take a script to the pharmacy. They have a pharmacist there. Thank you so much for replying to me. I'll check back tomorrow, to see if you've posted again.

Lynn

[auntybiotic]

See what you can do about possibly get a RX and getting it filled there.

. Possibly Forrest would provide you with free lexapro for patients that do not carry health insurance but you would need a Rx and Forrest would send the lexapro to your doctors office with your name and RX provided by your physician.

Let me know because I have a list of drug manufactors that offer free meds.