[Alpines1]

I have recently weaned off of Lexapro and figured my experiences may be of help to others. I started Lexapro last November to treat social anxiety/panic disorder. I was on Paxil CR for a year and a half a few years ago, and DID NOT want to do that again so my doctor put me on Lexapro.

Right off, the first thing I liked about it was that it didn't give me terrible diarrhea like the Paxil did, but there were some other unpleasant side effects which included sore neck and shoulders, sensitive/itchy skin at the base of my neck, close to zero libido and inability to orgasm. But, the one that made me go off Lexapro was the weight gain. I gained 15 pounds in 5 months, and it was all on my stomach. With the Paxil, I was able to avoid the weight gain with a low carb diet, but NOTHING stopped the weight gain while on Lexapro.

I started weaning off in early April. I was on 20 mg and went to 10 mg for a couple of weeks. Then I went to 5 mg for a couple of weeks, then 2.5 for 8 days. The withdrawal symptoms I had were dizziness/lightheadedness, mild nausea, headaches, and terrible diarrhea (it didn't get me coming, but it sure got me going!).

I have been off of Lexapro for about 3 weeks now, and the withdrawal symptoms are almost totally gone! I have been on a low carb diet for 10 days now and have lost 4 pounds. Yay!

[gtowngirl]

Sounds like my story. I have gained about 60 lbs over the course of 3 years on Lex and I have a "lex belly". The ironic thing was the only reason I asked my doc for ssris was because a friend told me that they decreased your appetite and I wanted to lose some weight! I wasn't depressed or anything, just wanted a "diet pill" I am so angry! I've tried twice in the last year to go cold turkey and did go into a terrible depression, mood swings, fatigue, and my doc wanted to up my dose of Lex!!! I had been reading this forum and told him no. I was on 10 mg. That was 2 weeks ago. I have been on 5 mg so far and tolerating, but am frightened at what I have already experienced when cold turkeying and from what I've read on this forum. A lot of the "oldies" like Aunty, Tavee, Hairy, LisaB, and more have been very uplifting and I feel that there is hope. Please somebody out there tell me that there is!

[elizabethmaria]

Hi,
Is Hopeful here? Are you still on? are you reading but maybe not posting? I miss your posts! Hope you are feeling better - it must be a good sign!
take care,
Elizabethmarie

[elizabethmaria]

Hi Gtowngirl,
there's lots of hope! most all the 'oldies' are gone or don't post as much because they are feeling soo good and getting on out doing things again - or their tapering is going well, and don't need so much support now.. I'm just at a rough patch, so post now, but am pulling through ok..
You're going to do great with the tapers - feeling ok at 5mg is a good sign - see how it goes for 3 weeks, then start a 5 to 10% taper from there. again, check out www.theroadback.org -- it's got some great nutritionals that help people lose the ssri weight and help people like you feel almost no withdrawals during tapering.
Aunty, how many people use theroadback program totally? I thought sarita used it, and that's why she did so awesome...?
take care,
Elizabethmarie

[Ademos]

Hi Everyone,

I have been on 20 mg of Lexapro for 13 months to treat anxiety and depression. I just recently started to wean off and start Cymbalta. At first my doctor put me on 20 mg of Lexapro with 30 mg of Cymbalta for one week, then 10 mg of Lexapro with 60 mg of Cymbalta for one week, then only 60 mg of Cymbalta from there on. I was getting very bad side effects - sweating profusely all the time, irritability, agitation, mania, dizziness, tired all the time, and every time I exercised for longer than 30 minutes, I'd break out in goose bumps and get the chills, then get nauseated, then get bloated and feel very dizzy. After two weeks of this, I felt that I couldn't make it. I went back to my doctor who told me that these were probably withdrawal symptoms from Lexapro. She said that I could either stick them out, which would probably take about another month, or I could go back on a small amount of Lexapro and wean off more slowly. I decided to go back on Lexapro. Now the plan is to (while taking 60 mg of Cymbalta everyday) take 10 mg of Lexapro everyday for two weeks, then 5 mg of Lexapro every day for another two weeks, then 5 mg of Lexapro every other day for another two weeks. I'm still on 10 mg during my first week, but by just adding this 10 mg back, I feel like a new person. All of those side effects have gone away instantly. I never wanted to get off Lexapro - I considered it my miracle drug, but I gained 30 pounds in eight months with no signs of slowing, so I had to decide whether I wanted to be fat and happy or find another alternative. I just thought I'd let you all know my experience so far.

Allison

[gtowngirl]

Hi Elizabethmaria

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I've been reading this forum for about 6 weeks or so and I felt so much relief at finding out I wasn't alone. I despirately want off this drug. I had terrible insomnia on 10 mg of Lex, but find that since tapering, it's not as bad. I need encouragement about tapering the correct way, cause I so want to quit - now! I know thats not the correct way and of course, I've hit the wall myself by doing just that -- it was hell. I can't live like that, so I'm going to try and be patient and pray that it will soon be over.

Hello to everybody here. I feel like I know some of you already.

gtowngirl

[tavee]

Gtown Girl- There Is Hope, But U Have To Be Real Patient.
I Was On 10mg For 3 Years For Postpartum Depression. I Started Tapering This Past October And I Am At 1.7(which Reminds Me I Have To Go Take It Now!! Be Right Back)lol

I Attempted To Go Cold Turkey A Year Ago And It Was Horrible. Thanks To Aunty And This Post, I Got It Right And
I Am Doing Well,but I Have To Go Slow. I Can Only Taper 5% Every 2 Weeks. I Still Have About 6-7 More Months To Go Till I Am Completely Off, But I Know I Will Be Ok.

Its A Struggle Some Days Because I Was A Different Person On The Drug. I Try To Fight It Everyday And When I Have My Good Days Where I Feel Happy, I Take Advantage It!! On Top Of This I Have To Take Care Of My 3 And A Half Year Old And That Is Very Difficult When U Feel Like ********************.
I Know This Will Make Me Stronger In The Longrun, But I Have To Take It Day By Day.

I Guess U Can Say I Am One Of The Lucky Ones. A Few People On This Forum Have Suffered Tremendously And They Didnt Have A Choice To Taper. These Are The People That Are Strong And We Are All Here For Each Other To Get Us Thru All This. Read Elizabethmarie's Posts. She Is Taking It Day By Day. Learn From These People And Let Them Be Ure Strength To Get Thru This.

We Will All Be Ok In The Longrun. Its Just That It Will Take A Long Time. There Is Also That 3 Month Period That I Have To Worry About Which I Wont Get Into Now.

Keep Reading The Posts And Asking Questions. Thats What We Are Here For!!!

Take Care
Tavee

[tavee]

Elizabeth- I Just Want To Tell U That I Commend U For All Ure Strength On What U Are Going Thru. U Are A Tuff Cookie, Girl!!

I Mentioned U To My Hubby The Other Day Cuz I Was Complaining( I Know I Know) And He Told Me To Read Ure Posts And Get Strong Like U. I Have Nothing Compared To What U Are Going Thru. I Pray For U And Everyone On This Site Every Night. I Just Want U To Know That.

U Will Get Thru This And So Will I And Everyone Else. Then We Can All Meet Somewhere And Have A Reunion And Celebrate!!!!lol

Do U Have Any Children???

Take Care Of Ureself And Have A Great Weekend. When U Feel Good, Take Advantage Of It. (i Know U Do That).


I Love U All And I Am Glad U Are In My Life To Help Me Thru This.


Ps- By The Way, The Sickness I Had Was From That Damn Diet I Started 7 Weeks Ago. I Eliminated Food Groups And It Caught Up With Me. I Went To The Doctor And Took Blood Tests. Everything Is Ok. I Am Now Starting To Eat Normal And Slowly Incorporating All Types Of Foods In My Diet.(so Much For Losing Weight!!


Tavee

[Hairyarmadillo]

Tuesday will be 8 weeks off of Lexapro. The worst of it was when I had PMS. I have been getting lax on the supplements and when I started feeling like I was going into a bout of depression, I got back on the magnesium faithfully for a week. (I started to get back on them all like I should have, but I was curious about seeing if one seemed to help more than others. Since I was having the muscular issues, I chose magnesium-lol. )Within a week, I started feeling energy like I haven't had for years and a very good positive mood. True, the mood could have just passed but with the dramatic change in energy I feel it was somehow connected to the magnesium. Since that one spell, everything has been fine, moodwise. My students are in that end of the year restless behavior but I am not feeling like over-reacting to the misbehaviors or annoyances. My one student who has some psychological issues and extreme behavior problems has really been acting out more than normal and I am still able to deal with it proactively. Even had a pointless meeting with her mother who spends time partying and little parenting and i didn't get worked up emotionally. I tell you all this so you can see what an improvement moodwise! So, if anyone is at that point of feeling emotionally volatile at times, take heart-it will improve.
Also, I read about someone's "lex" belly. I am in the same boat so I had to laugh. THAT is exactly what it is. Unfortunately, mine is not only the Lex belly but underneath that is the Paxil fat as well. I had someone ask when I was due last year! On the Paxil I could not stop stuffing down carbohydrate rich foods. Wasn't necessarily hungry but would compulsively eat around the clock. Once the Lexapro got out of my system, I really started caring again. I hated being fat before but not enough to do anything about it. I swear, the world could have come to an end and i would have cared but not enough to do anything-there was so much apathy. BUT I am noticing my belly is shrinking. It is weird because I am not consistently eating that much healthier. The past two weeks I have really gotten back into eating regular foods instead of doing the healthier eating I was doing. I have eaten chips, cake, etc. Not out of control eating but since I am trying to lose weight I was avoiding those foods. Yet my tummy area is shrinking. So maybe that problem will be fixable.
My memory is better though not perfect. It had gotten so bad that when I was reading a book that I enjoyed, I would not be able to remember the title or the main character's name if I was telling someone about the book. I was so happy the other day because I can remember not only the main character's name but other characters as well. I think this progress was set back when I took cold medicine a week or so ago. NOT a good thing to do, but I was miserable so took Nyquil. Normally it would have been out of my system by the next day, but the depersonalization came back full force. I am still recuperating from the cold so I am not 100% but the depersonalization has gone away.
I am not 100% energetic now but I am going out and walking with my doggies, something which was a chore to do. We are out in the country so I let them walk themselves. Now we are back to taking strolls together several times during the evenings or day on weekends.
There are so many new people here. Lexapro may help some people out there, but there are enough that are affected adversely that the doctors need to stop saying this is a clean drug. More stress needs to be placed on the possible problems associated not only with taking this medicine but coming off of it.
But it does get better. The road back to "normal" may take awhile and be bumpy but it is worth it. The thing to do is focus on the goal of being off the medicine. Then take it one step at a time, one day at a time.

[skyer]

EM, Tavee, Aunty, everyone: I'll probably jinx this, but here it goes... I've dreamed of the day I could post this, albeit a little premature, but I've had three good days in a row! I feel like I've been able to pick up some of where I left off before this nightmare started. Before, I was working hard to open my clothing store and fixing up my house and planning a wedding...go-go-go...but loving life. I just took that stupid pill to rid myself of the freeway panic attacks I was having. Anyway, as you know, this withdrawal stopped my life as I knew it...temporarily. I'm still very much in withdrawal and proceeding with caution as I truly believe I need the full 12-18 months to feel recovered. I still evening anxiety for no reason, have some free-floating bouts of depression (but they don't last long), still have bad depersonalization in big, bright stores...BUT, I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT I DON'T EVEN REALLY NOTICE IT ANYWHERE ELSE NOW...and you all know how much I hated that symptom. I can now walk down the street and talk to people and it all seems real and natural. I even drove on my own some...but taking that slowly. Some of my fear is just trauma....I really think it will take time to trust my brain again. I still have stomach issues in the morning, but don't feel very groggy in the morning anymore and that has been a miracle. For the past three days I've been so busy and was tired at the end of the day, but not exhausted. I've also been really happy and have nearly no apathy! But, like I said, taking it one day at a time and gaining courage every hour. If I make a full, or near full, recovery I think this Lexapro horror might have actually been a strange blessing...

I never thought I could make it through life without being on SSRI's at some point or another. Now I now better. I've learned so much and feel like one of the lucky ones to know the truth about how dangerous these drugs are. If any of you reading this are thinking, "but, they work for me" or "I need them, they saved my life." Think again. I thought the same thing when Paxil "saved" me. BUt once a drug goes bad on you, like Lexapro, you start to really think about what this stuff is the doctors are so eager and willing to push onto you. Just read Ann Blake Tracy's book and/or Dr. Peter Breggin's book. Heck, read this forum. Oh, Antidepressantfacts.com will wake you up real fast. I use to avoid any negative info because bad stuff happens to other people, right? Never you...that's what I thought! Is it worth it to risk a severe, long-term withdrawal? Is it worth it to go through all those side-effects, meanwhile these drugs are taxing your body which could hurt you in years to come. They don't even know the long-term effects of these drugs! Is it worth it to possibly lose your ability to orgasm for the rest of your life!? Yes, that has happened to some people. It's a dirty little secret. There are so many natural ways to combat anxiety/depression: hypnosis, Inositol (B8), fish oil, a good diet, Lucinda Bassett's Anti-Anxiety Program, Bach's Flower Essence, exercise...and they are not band-aids like the SSRI's.

I feel so free from all this ******************** and that alone is great medicine!

Do expect set backs? Of course, but I've made it this far and there's no turning back.

I know you'll get better, too, EM! I use to read others talk about their progress and I thought I was going to be the one hopeless case, but I'm starting to believe that recovery is possible. Much thanks to this forum, time and patience, my naturopath doctor and fish oil!

[elizabethmaria]

Hi Tavee,
Oh, thank you so much for your encouraging sweet post - Now, let's get this straight though, I'm always reading YOUR posts and trying to be strong like YOU!!!! I really admire you a lot...!!! your strength is amazing!!!! love your posts soo much, you just say it how it is - gosh is that awesome!!!! I guess it is working both ways - I don't have any children at this time (just turned 28 and have been at home due to other illness), just a dear Goddaughter that I love very very much, but haven't been able to see her much lately cause of everything - so... thanks though - I was feeling kind of like I shouldn't post anymore because people were mentioning that there was not enough positive stuff - feel bad that I've been complaining, it's just soo hard when your brain doesn't work, and there isn't any serotonin in there, to be super up during a hard time. don't want to bring anyone down, or scare people .. it's just the way it is for me now -- BUT, this last week has seen some sunnyshine lighting its way through, and boy am I sooo grateful.!! love you Tavee , oh, now how many months are you along? before the birth of the lex free girl? it's fun to think of it that way when you mentioned you were 9 months away...that's how I think of you now, a 3 month pregnant Dr. Tavee -- so soon! hee hee -- oh, and I think I mentioned my mom had me, her first child, at age 43, and I was as healthy as could be and her too, really really healthy and easy birth - so don't worry ok? all things come at the right time...

Sounds funny, but on May 10th at 4:40pm I had my first COMPLETE THOUGHT!! Yes, I remember the day and time cause it was HUGE. just about 5.5 months off. And have had more times of this since then!! Before, even though it may seem like I write ok, I could NOT THINK. I forget what I'm thinking about several seconds into the thought, then randomly go to something unrelated, on and on and on all day. One reason for me why positive thinking doesn't work when its bad brain damage, cause you can't remember what you were just thinking about!! alllll the time, no matter what. I'd try to be so cheery about a thought, then, a couple seconds later, totally gone, but my body would be all revved up like 'yeah, that's a good idea!' , but have absolutely no idea what it was!! talk about funny though, what a total mess anybody had this? think it has to do w/ seizures... anyways, is getting less, so am so happy about that. also, less really bad depression, which is good as that is scary --

OH MY GOSH SKYER, that is soo awesome about the depersonalization!!! yaa! That must feel soo good! So just when you go into big stores? What IS it about those places?? I'm totally with you there -- they give me seizures too - last Sunday big one in the lovely Safeway store -- had to take a rescue mission in one of those old people carts! I think those places are hard on normal people! That makes me sooo hopeful - thank you for your post and telling us all your updates.. its like life blood to us here! And no apathy? that is so awesome - I don't think recovery is jinxable - otherwise I'd jinx myself right out of this - I'm sure you are truly recovering, obviously, but of course there will be little dips in the road on the way out with all of us. The hardest part right now is to ACCEPT that we're (I, well, sometimes it feels like there are several of me..uh oh) going through this, NOT to take our thoughts seriously, let them pass, and just let the days go by, even if it means not thinking at all. trying to fight it is the WORST, at least for me. it's impossible to fight, but accept with patience and time seems the best, and only answer, then time, and days, and weeks slip by, and slowly you realize you are getting better, or closer to your goal, and that your mind is healing itself faster when you leave it alone! gosh, there are so many days when healing feels impossible, but then , a little ray points through, and its' like oh my gosh - maybe, maybe!
Anyways, I'm so happy for you Skyer - yes, it is a blessing, even if we can't see the whole picture now.. I'm sure you will even save lives perhaps by educating and sharing your experience with others - who knows how much difference it will make. I wish you could still go to Cannon Beach though, since you're feeling so good ... it's so good that you post all the other alternatives to dealing with mental anxiety/dep. etc.. so important that people realize both what this drugs do, and how these other means are truly better in the long run..

Hairyarmadillo! yes, so glad to see your post! I want to write, but am getting tired and need to break - I'm glad you're doing ok -- walking w/ doggies is soo good - we're thinking of getting a pugsly puppy... I will write later, but have to go, I'm pooped here - so are others reading this post probably too..

ok, take care everyone, lots of love to my lifeline friends..

Gosh, there it is again, the message that says there are too many smily faces, seriously, when your down HOW can you put in too many smiley faces???

Elizabethmarie

[Hairyarmadillo]

Elizabethmarie-I thought I was the only one overusing smilies (as if someone can overuse a smiley!) I can so relate to your elation over having a complete thought. Mine are coming along nicely. I do think the healing process is hindered when I take any types of sinus med. I try not to but when it comes to sneezing constantly from allergies or feeling miserable from colds, I am so weak and take them, knowing it messes with my recovery. Even so, I can still see improvement. It is so nice when I can carry on conversations without pausing between them and when I can find the words I want to use. I will be glad when all this is in the past, but at least now I know it will be in the past one day.

[auntybiotic]

I am so happy that this is a good week for the regulars................and that there are so many newcomers to learn from everyone here.......especially nonocturnal...........who seems to complete my sentences.

Actually it is the diligent posts from Skyler, Hairy, Nonocturnal, Tavee, Elazebeth Maries and everyone..........................that gives a insight to what withdrawal from lexapro is all about.

You are giving hope and changing the lives of hundreds, maybe thousands............I couldn't be more proud!

As a scared mother two years ago starting this thread in a desperate search for answers about quitting lexapro.......................it amazes me what this post has grown into and how many have been educated by each and everyone that took the time to explain their experience.

For those reading that have not yet posted..............................I will say a word of thanks on their behalf for being enlightened by the posters on this forum.

It is each and every story here and tracking each posters progress from stormy days to rays of sunshine days...............that offer hope to those that wondered what could be happening to them after stopping the lexapro. I applaud each and every one of you for saving countless lexapro victims from hopelessness.

My daughter won two prestigious awards from her projects submitted by her teachers.......................best on the East Coast, two seperate award ceramonies .........................now how proud am I that even thru lexapro withdrawal, she has been able to accomplished what most students fail to achieve.

Slow tapering is the ONLY way to get off lexapro if it is not contraindicated. Yes there are still bad days, weeks, even months but in the long run............................it is the least harmful.

[overtherainbow]

Well, I think I had my first series of brain zaps this AM. It could be that these are the first I was aware of ? since decreasing Lex 6 weeks ago.

My thought was it was like a little seizure, and wikipedia said they are a form of neuro-epileptiform activity.

So I was hard-pressed to try and describe them. This is what I came up with. Back in the day, you had to get up and manually change the channel on the TV with a clunky knob. You'd go, e.g., from channel 4 to channel 5, and there was a second of "nothingness" as you turned that knob, right between 4 and 5. That's what came to mind.

[ernurse18]

Day 10 without any lexapro. i did wean too quickly, but at this point, i don't want anymore of the stuff in my system. i'm going to gut it out, and yes it is very difficult. I quit smoking 4 years ago and this is much, much worse. feelings of rage, gut twisting, wanna scream and hit something...followed by bouts of overwhelming hopelessness and depression. This will NOT get the best of me. I'm comforted knowing that it is possible to get off this stuff. I have friends that i didn't know were on the drug and told me they have tried to stop taking. They admit they can't. I'm sure this makes the drug companies happy as we have to support our "habit".
hanging in there....................

[jefflex]

I actually hadn't planned to go off lexapro, but ran out just before a business trip and asa result went cold turkey for two weeks. No problems, maybe a little hyper but that was okay. Then I started to get hives. Bummer. I was on 5mg and just yesterday took 2.5.

Other than this being the stupidest withdrawal plan, does anyone have any help to offer. Hives are not a good look for me.

[Hairyarmadillo]

Jefflex, I feel your pain. Was 5 your starting dose? You may want to go back on the five, and then do a slow taper if the total amount of time off was less than 6 weeks. (That's how I am reading the post, but if it is past 6 weeks you can't go back to your original dose). Aunty has posted excellent instructions on converting the pill to liquid dose and gradually tapering. It takes awhile but in the long run it keeps any side effects from interrupting your life. I haven't heard of hives being a withdrawal side effect, but am no longer amazed by all the interesting things this drug can do, both while taking it and getting off of it. Also, the effects don't always pop up for awhile (Mine usually towards 7 days and stayed until about 3 weeks or so. Am hoping hives are it for you (ha I KNOW that doesn't sound right but it really can get a lot worse). Just curious-do they itch? I do advise taking Carlson's Omega 3, magnesium and Noni juice. Avoid caffeine and eat healthy. If fatigue hits, rest as much as possible, even if you feel like you are being lazy. Your body needs it. And watch out for the mood swings and anxiety that tend to pop up even when you have been off it awhile. This makes a lot of people go back on it, thinking they need it. Keep us informed of your progress!

ernurse18 OOOOOOOOOh I remember the feelings of rage. I am so easy going and nothing fazes me but I turned into someone with a very short fuse. Are you taking any supplements? No matter what, do not partake of anything with caffeine! THAT made my moods worse than ever. You definitely have to be determined to get off of this. I have a coworker who tried to get off 5mgs (she SAID she weaned but she really just reduced the dose to nothing after 3 weeks,having been on it for years). I was telling her my experience and she said "But I really need it. I was off it,but then started crying all the time and was moody". So of course she believes it is a defect in her because, after all, she wasn't taking the pill for a few weeks before the moods hit. I went back on it a couple of years ago because I had rebound depression 3 or 4 months after being off of it. I am stubborn and determined not to give in this time. I am just now getting my memory back and feeling alive again.

Interesting new "side effect" Notice I put it in quotes, because it really isn't the type of side effects we have been posting, but is still a result of the Lexapro. Now that I am waking up from my Lexapro fog, I am noticing all the stuff I haven't done for years. It is as if I have been on vacation and am coming back to a life that was run by a very lazy ineffective person. I am staring at walls that need to be painted, a flower bed that needs tending, closets that need to be organized. Of course, worst of it all is the fat unfit body that needs to be whipped into shape. This will be the worst part since I abhor exercise, but am having fun taking strolls with the dogs! I still hate looking at the treadmill though I am glad I am back from vacation but boy do I have a lot of work to do!!

[elizabethmaria]

hi overtherainbow, I love your name
Probably absence seizures - though usually you don't remember them, sometimes people looking at you see you go 'blank' or out for a few seconds, then back in again. Happens to me all the time - just forget how I got somewhere, etc.. just another withdrawal symptom - wouldn't worry about it as they aren't dangerous as they are so short! I don't know how they compare with brain zaps, I don't feel any zapping in my head personally, just go blank and forget... just be careful driving overtherainbow!

Hey, can anyone help me here -- gosh, I so don't listen to my own advice. I shouldn't be trying to talk with other people in life now, as the brain doesn't work, and strange moods, seizures, and depersonalization makes me appear really mental I'm sure to others.. I just keep thinking it will be fine, then I talk with someone, can't connect, then they leave thinking I'm nutty or something, then get down on myself... I'm so glad you're all here ! even though things get better, am not ready for that -- and my reputation for sanity in this little town I think is flatlined at zero at this point - truly, it's a real bad case! anyone have any tips for dealing with other people at this stage? I try to put on a front, but am too woozy to hold it for more than a few seconds, and can't stay home ALL the time... any suggestions?

Hi Hairyarmadillo -- good job on keeping going strong! Isn't that wonderful though, how now you have your life and feelings coming back so strong, and caring about things again! think of how rich everything will seem now, both the good and the difficult times ~ ! I pray that you continue to recover soo good - ! Do you have any movement problems at this point, or have those mostly subsided? Here's some motivation for exercising and the treadmill - may help your body recover faster, if done moderately of course! It helps with cortisol and hormone issues, and weight, and getting rid of that drug once and for all, clearing your liver, etc.. etc.. and of course helps increase serotonin and relieve depression! It helps your body clear out those toxins that just build up, especially during intense recovery like we are going through.. Also, sends tons of fresh oxygenated blood to your brain, which greatly helps in healing, and promotes much deeper sleep, which further speeds up the healing process... Wow, how is that for a pep talk?! I'm convinced!! No, it really helps me a ton, and though the brain is fuzzy, the body is good. makes you feel stronger altogether! take care our big hairy armadillo...

I LOVE YOU AUNTY!!!!! Congratulations on your daughter's awards, that is AWESOME!!! please tell her from us here that we are thinking of her lots, and sending lots of warm wishes .....

take care and hope everyone is enjoying the weekend...!
lots of love,
Elizabethmarie

[auntybiotic]

I would say, after a forgetful episode, I am sorry but I am experiencing something similiar to a mini stroke....my doctor is evaluating me. You really should watch your diet and cholestral intake...........................

.........................so forgive my inability to concentrate at times.

In a small town.......... that story will spread like wildfire and you will have sympathy from anyone that you come in contact with.........after all.......most people eat junk and wonder if the fast food is creating a problem with clogged arteries. After you are thru the lexapro withdrawals you can say you straighten up your diet and are eating healthly and now feel wonderful............and this would be true!

[Hairyarmadillo]

I wrote a long, elaborate, heartfelt post last night and then clicked on something and lost it I've done it before, hit some key on my laptop and BAMMO, it is gone, but still wasn't happy about it!

Elizabethmarie If THAT post didn't motivate me to exercise, nothing will. I am going to clip and copy it for future reference to remind me of the importance of exercise to recover from this. I know when I first got off the Lexapro and felt slightly more alive, I was determined to get in better physical shape to deal with this and feel better. How easy it is to put that on the backburner. Just gonna make myself do it. What a minor thing that is after everything else. Am going to focus on how alive I will feel once I get in shape. What was most motivating about your post was seeing how strong and motivated you sound. I sat with tears in my eyes, praising God because I know how hard you have been hit by this at times. It is wonderful seeing you like this. I know Lexapro is far from being finished with us, but you are definitely out of the valley and reaching a spot in this long uphill journey where you can start enjoying the view. YOU are a motivation in yourself.

Aunty I am so impressed by your daughter's awards. At that stage in life, it is hard for anyone to keep their eyes on "the prize". It is such a crucial time in ones life, but there are so many other distractions, etc that can come in the way of achievement. The fact that your daughter managed to achieve these awards during the ordeal of Lexapro screams volumes of her character and personality. If she can keep on keeping on during all that and still shine, there is nothing in life that she cannot achieve. My sincere congratulations are to her.
And of course I must applaud you. It is so easy to be overwhelmed by things in life and this one was a doozy. Yet you not only managed to find a way to help your daughter, you have touched many other lives. I was reading your post the other night recalling your first posting to find answers for your daughter. Since first reading your posts, I KNEW that your posts were part of something greater. I couldn't help wondering how many lives are going to be touched and improved by your words and wisdom. I still believe that. I can definitely see where your daughter gets her character and personality. You are indeed a blessing to many and will be to many more. You do need to write that book.

[overtherainbow]

I've been going over my notes, and doing a bit more reading, and I think I need to add, for support:

Inositol
Choline
Lecithin

All of them? What is everyone's recommendations, and what brands do they use?

Aunty, did I read that right about you? Please take care of yourself, and sending {{{{{{{{{{{{healing vibes}}}}}}}}}}}}}} to you !

Kelly

[jerzgirl]

Originally Posted by 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

I am new and lost I cant figure out hoe to post something and get to the people I would like to talk with. Please someone HELP! I am thinking of going off Lexapro but I need some advice and would like to explain my concerns.

[Hairyarmadillo]

Originally Posted by overtherainbow

I've been going over my notes, and doing a bit more reading, and I think I need to add, for support:

Inositol
Choline
Lecithin

All of them? What is everyone's recommendations, and what brands do they use?

Aunty, did I read that right about you? Please take care of yourself, and sending {{{{{{{{{{{{healing vibes}}}}}}}}}}}}}} to you !
Kelly

I THOUGHT the same thing, then I realized that she was referring to what Elizabethmarie should say when she has a memory lapse. I am smiling now because I can imagine how you felt!! I was freaking out. Here Aunty has done so much for her and now she is having troubles. Scared the stuffing out of me. We DO love our Aunty!!

[jefflex]

I stupidly went off 5 mg cold turkey because the scrip ran out and I was out of town. 2 weeks later, bad hives. Will go back on and taper correctly. This is miserable.

Any suggestions?

[elizabethmaria]

Oh my gosh guys -- I TOTALLY thought the same thing!!!!!! I was scared to death, I was like, NOO!! not Aunty! You can't have a stroke! what are we going to do?? then... oh, wait a minute... I had to read it like 4-5 times, it was so funnY! That IS a really good idea though -- I've already used it once over the phone this morning! very handy as people know that it takes a long time to recover from a stroke...don't scare us like that Aunty, ok? though I know you totally had no idea!

Thanks Hairyarmadillo I'm glad that post helped - it helped me :! I think motivation is circular, it just goes round and round from one to the next, then comes back again... I know I sound more motivated than I feel, still in those peaks and deep valleys..but that's a good way to pep oneself up!...so we all benefit when we really need it... Yes, I think the exercise really does speed parts of the healing up, even if it doesn't feel good at the time - not too much though and rest lots still - I think the key is in the exercise/deeper sleep connection... just thinking about what it's doing for your brain and that end, seems to be the best motivation just now...What kind of dogs do you have?? We used to have a dog, but he passed away last fall, and are thinking of getting another one... a puppy would be so wonderful just now.. take care today!!!

Jefflex -- well, I think the hives won't go away until you reinstate, unless you wait a long time and go through everything -- have you started back on your dose yet? That's right, just reinstate and taper off slowly, then you'll avoid the bumps! that must be no fun at all ... keep us posted how it's going, ok?
take care,
Elizabethmarie

[ernurse18]

day 11 and no lexapro. I didn't sleep well last night, up every couple of hours. But after i got up, i noticed that the ringing in my ears was somewhat better and i felt ambitious. I actually got a few things accomplished and managed to exercise a little bit. Reading a good book about anti-depressant withdrawal. We, the public, have been royally screwed by the drug companies. I'm so sick of ads on TV that i rarely watch. A pill for this, a pill for that, and how about getting your stomach bypassed so you can lose weight? (but we won't tell you about all the nasty side effects, the potential for danger, how your hair may fall out, and how God made your body perfect and supplied everything on earth you need to adequately nourish it, just PUT DOWN THE FORK AND GET MOVING) i don't say this to be rude...i'm in the same boat as many...trying to wean off of lexapro, overweight, and frequently look for short cuts to good health. NO MORE.......i'm so happy to be over the hump (i hope) and look forward to a healthier, more awake life!

[auntybiotic]

Gee........I never suspected that anyone may have thought I was ill..........sorry for the misunderstanding. After reading that post again, I can now see that it was unclear. I was using a scenero that Elazabeth Marie could use to explain her forgetfulness. I should have explained that better.

I am healthy................... so I will be around this forum for awhile, but I must admit it was nice that several of you were concerned. LOL!

The fact that so many have visited this thread proves how widespread the victims of lexapro are also proves how little doctors and patients know about getting off of lexapro.. I am so glad that my posts have been helpful to so many......................but in reality, all of your experiences have also helped me to better understand lexapro withdrawal ....................... so a big thanks to everyone that posts here!

Hairy,

Thank you so much for acknowleding my daughter's acomplishments............I agree that with all of the burdens she has in her life..................to exel and be best on the East Coast is awesome. Last year she was #1 in her entire hiigh school 10th grade with a 4.0 average. She is on a 504 plan ( to excuse tardiness and absences) and has gone in late and missed quite a few days from school but still managed to come out #1 in a class of about 400 students last year. I am so PROUD of her. She also has a very responsible part time job.

[WHATMEWORRY]

I have been on Lexapro 20 for three years. I have gained 35 pounds...all around the waistline. My doc, who prescribed the med, wrote on my chart, overweight!
Have always been a wirey build, a swimmer at heart. This is really a tragedy...buying new pants, larger, every several months. Went from a 34 to a 44 in three years! Cannot get it off, dieting, exercise, NOTHING WORKS.
So, Im cold turkey for a week now. Zaps are the most noticeable, but I really dont care, IM DONE!
Some dizzy stuff and a little disorentation.
The WORST thing was that a neurologist gave me tests for chronic liver disease to see if my neuro-transmitters were functioning properly due to the toxins my damaged liver was putting into my bloodstream.
I WAS NOT DEPRESSED....started with celexa, gawd, weight gain city! After my complaints I was switched to Lexaprol
Last year, didnt know it but my appendix ruptured. Was caught during a reg exam. No pain. They tried to get it out orthoscopic...too large, cut me anyhow. Learned at that point my appendix had ruptured and repaired itself four or five times in the past.
I DONT BELIEVE I EVER HAD CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE....I was never a drinker, and the odds are the toxic appendix was the cause of all this hoopla.
SO, that being my theory, Im off the Lexapro for good. Cold Turkey.
I dont care what the withdrawal symptoms are. I know Im strong enough to overcome them, however long it takes.
No I havent told my doc.
After the fourth day, I started to have muscle pain in my back, between shoulder blade and spine. BAD! Then it migrated to the left side of my chest. Both conditions are on the left side.
With so many 'natural' treatments for the conditions that most people here say they are being treated for:
I FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS IS A DANGEROUS, ADDICTIVE DRUG THAT SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE MARKET IMMEDIATELY!
If I wanted an addiction, I could think of a lot more things to get addicted to that would be a WHOLE lot more fun!
WHERE ARE YOU FDA....WHERE ARE YOU CONGRESS.....WHERE ARE YOU DOCTORS OF MORAL AND ETHICAL CONVICTION ???
STOP PRESCRIBING THIS HARMFUL DRUG!
My sincere opinion as a human guinea pig on this issue.
Sam

[Hairyarmadillo]

I want to start with some motivational words for everyone: 12 pounds gone in six weeks! OK, maybe that was mostly motivation for me, but had to share what has happened since I have been off the Lexapro for 8 weeks. I got on the scale this morning expecting to have gained back the two pounds I lost last week, since I have been eating hotdogs, chips, cake, ice cream and not really cutting back the past week. Dropped 2 more pounds! I have this diet plan I follow (not a freaky diet, but it focuses on really healthy eating specific foods for 3 days, then normally for 4) but I have been bad and just eaten regular food, not counting the calories. Been taking brief walks with the dogs, nothing over 10 minutes or so and most of that time is spent watching them do their thing. The only big difference is that I do walk the dogs, versus sitting on the couch, but again not strenuous exercise. Can't even call it exercise, just mild activity. But used to I would be watching what I ate more. Still wouldn't lose weight. I am not really trying that hard and it is going. Yes my belly is still there and will be for another 80 pounds, but I finally have faith that this is going away. Doggone Lexapro!!!

jerzgirl just post whatever you need to know and we will jump in. If you want to post to a specific person, the best I have found is to type the name in bold or under the title section. That way it stands out a little more. I have had times when I post and the action is slow and I HATE that but then all of a sudden everyone is online and there are tons of responses. So, just post post post.

gtowngirl Are you still sleeping better? I am sleeping better now and cannot believe that sleep was such an issue before! Are you still tapering? I know it is such a pain going slow but it really is worth it.

ernurseI KNOW how you feel about the pill commercials. I don't hardly watch tv but then those commercials come on. My least favorite is the one about "my time for change" Probably because I believed that when I switched on to Lexapro after giving up Paxil. I used to believe in the pill for anything. Now I am such a skeptic.

[auntybiotic]

Welcome and I must say that i agree with you 100%. There will NEVER b a story to get the truth out because the drug company Forrest is too powerful. Lexapro will continue to create victims of it's users.

Please let me know the symptoms that you experienced. Severe cramping? My daughter experienced that as well on many occassions.

I know that you can tough out anything but my concern is for the damage to your brain that cold turkeying off of 20 Mg of Lexapro after three years use can create. Believe me. I hate lexapro just as much as you but continue to wean my daughter because of the consequences if I do not.

Please know we will be here to support you no matter what. There are others here that cold turkeyed and made it thru......................it will take some time and the road will be bumpy at times. Depersonalization will be the big issue.

Besides the weight gain, can you please elaborate on what other side effects you experienced. Thank you and again, welcome.