[auntybiotic]

You are not losing your hearing. My daughter had the same exact issues. It will get better. You already know it is not a ear infection so it is the lexapro withdrawal.

Make sure you chew gum on the plane and maybe a teaspoon of liquid benadryl for the plane ride and the altitude issues and ear pressure. Keep calm.......................this is only temporary....................trust me.

aunty

[auntybiotic]

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome:

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/s/sero...m#symptom_list

[auntybiotic]

Your tinnutius is caused by low levels of serotonin due to the decreasing tapers. Ear ringing is very common so don't worry it will go away once you start to produce your own serotonin natuarally.

http://www.tinnitusformula.com/infoc...ts/trypto.aspx

[auntybiotic]

http://www.enzymestuff.com/serotonin.htm

[gtowngirl]

Go to the website for ABC and go to Good Morning America. You will see a box that says "As seen on GMA" on the left and a box that says "Top Stories" on the right. Then go up to the menu bar and click "Health". Go back to the box and "Health Headlines" will be on the left and "Guide to Good Health will be on the right. Click top of the right side. The info I was talking about is the third box down titled "Dealing with Depression". Once you get there, you will find several different articles. Sorry, I'm not very computer savy, I learn as I go, but I do hope you find this.

[gtowngirl]

Go to the website for ABC and go to Good Morning America. You will see a box that says "As seen on GMA" on the left and a box that says "Top Stories" on the right. Then go up to the menu bar and click "Health". Go back to the box and "Health Headlines" will be on the left and "Guide to Good Health will be on the right. Click top of the right side. The info I was talking about is the third box down titled "Dealing with Depression". Once you get there, you will find several different articles. Sorry, I'm not very computer savy, I learn as I go, but I do hope you find this.

gtown

[Hairyarmadillo]

ernurse I have .definitely had problems when I take the Benadryl but sometimes the allergies are so bad, I don't care. Then the next day I suffer. I do know I feel so much better when I don't take it though.

Tavee Bless your heart! I do believe this will go away. I did experience minor ear issues but blamed it on sinus. With me, it is so hard to tell what is allergy and what is Lexapro. I do think in a way that helped with the Lexapro withdrawal because I kept blaming everything on everything but Lexapro What Aunty says makes sense, though. You are just panicking and it is not YOU thinking it is the Lexapro monsters. This is going to pass. Ooh, just in case this is similar to what mine does with sinus, you might want to be aware that when it clears there might be a loud "pop" sound and then all of a sudden you hear EVERYTHING. Half the time I don't realize how bad my ears have gotten until that POP comes and scares the hell out of me. But if that happens, don't freak. It is a weird thing but then the problem is gone. Stay strong, girlio!

[greenearth]

I have been on Lexapro for 8 months now and I think I'm going to stay a bit longer because I am scared of getting off.

I am taking only 5mg of lexapro, which to many would sound like a joke, but for me it has very potent effects. I must say it has 100% helped me get rid of panic attacks due to a very bad breakup I experienced last year. But when I tried to get off it months ago, I was very sick. I had the usual side effects, very dizzy, and worst of all I had a constant feeling of fear and I could not get out of bed I was so scared. It felt like I had a panic attack all the time. I have no idea how in the world I will ever get off. But I see that people do somewhow based on this thread. We'll see.

[skyer]

Tavee: I had ear ringing/noise in my left ear for about a month at the beginning of my withdrawal. I could barely hear the TV sometimes. It scared me too, but don't worry, it goes away.

Sinus issues are VERY common while on or getting off withdrawal. It will go away on its own.

[Hairyarmadillo]

Originally Posted by greenearth

I have been on Lexapro for 8 months now and I think I'm going to stay a bit longer because I am scared of getting off.

I am taking only 5mg of lexapro, which to many would sound like a joke, but for me it has very potent effects. I must say it has 100% helped me get rid of panic attacks due to a very bad breakup I experienced last year. But when I tried to get off it months ago, I was very sick. I had the usual side effects, very dizzy, and worst of all I had a constant feeling of fear and I could not get out of bed I was so scared. It felt like I had a panic attack all the time. I have no idea how in the world I will ever get off. But I see that people do somewhow based on this thread. We'll see.

Just curious, why did you decide to get off it? I have a friend who has been on 5 mg for several years and that dose works for her. I used to think 5 mg was a low dose, but on this medication, it really isn't that low. If you do decide you want to get off of it, don't let fear of withdrawal keep you on it. Just do a very slow taper and consider getting your doctor to write a prescription for the liquid version. You will feel like you are going incredibly slow as you taper but it will help you avoid all the other issues. Mind you, you will still have some degree of withdrawal but not like going cold turkey or weaning quickly. Also there are supplements you can take to help.

[antidote]

Hi everyone,

A few more days an i'll be done with month 4 and starting on 5. It has been a really tough month that was held together with a concerted effort to focus mind over matter and BELIEVE that these are withdrawal symptoms with better times ahead. Not easy to do though with the internal tremors and lack of energy as a constant reminder.

Somewhat of an emotional roller coaster too. i think Hairy mentioned that after being on Lex for some period of time the body needs to adjust to dealing with emotions again - so true!

Going to my doc tomorrow to review a series of tests that i took last friday. Really interested in finding out about the blood sugar and cortisol levels.

i'm assuming that if there was any issue with adrenal fatigue, that would show up as well (right?).

So, long timers, is month 5 pretty much a repeat of month 4? Better? Worse? Did you start to see a greater occurence of "better" days?

Any and all hopeful tidbits to make this process easier will be happily accepted

[elizabethmaria]

Hi,
Well, just found out what the medical term is for that weird look I get -- it's called 'seizury'... hee hee... well, its kind of a semi official term - found a great thing on the epilepsy.com website, forum of lots of people and esp. moms with kids with seizures - talking about kids/family members with seizures and recognizing the 'seizury' look that many get... black circles, pale thin face, weird look, waxy, dilated/strange eyes etc.. happens with tons of people - right before a seizure, or for days preceeding one, can come and go immediately - seems like other people recognize it before you do... So, now I don't feel so weird, and when look like that, always have lots of little ones... So, that makes me feel better actually ! I know its normal! just hopefully they will go away, but it is going to take a while. yesterday was AWFUL, had like 6 seizures, up and down all day, today somewhat better. Boy, I feel better knowing what that look is - thought something was way off ! Look like a crazy person/ or really ill.. but then its gone in a few minutes sometimes..
Ok, take care, just thought I'd share...
love,
Elizabethmarie

[Hairyarmadillo]

Elizabethmaria, that is TOO funny! I was all set for some involved terminology. Seizury! I guess that about sums it up.

Antidote, I do hope your month 5 is absolutely symptom free or at least close to it. I keep telling myself each day is a step towards progress, even if it is a bad day. You and I tapered pretty much the same way, so I am interested in seeing how month 5 goes, as well for my sake-lol. It just makes sense that the farther you get away from the time you stopped, the more your body will have adjusted, even if some of these adjustments are rough. I mentally use my experience with braces as a metaphor at times. When I got my braces, there was discomfort, then it would get better. By the time it got bearable, I had to go in for the next adjustment then suffer awhile and repeat the process. Even though there were different kinds of pain and discomfort along the way, it was all part of progressing to the ultimate desirable goal. Same thing with this-our bodies are adjusting, we just don't know when the next bit of adjustment/healing is going to come along. The discomfort will continue to pass until eventually all the adjustments/healing is done and we have reached our goal!!

(ha-I won't throw in the fact that my wisdom teeth ended up knocking my teeth out of line to some degree) But hey we are making progress!!

[tavee]

so of course after being depressed for a day and crying because of my darn hearing loss, i wake up this morning and everything is fine.
i was like what the heck??

oh u guys thanks for the kind , encouraging words!! u guys are awesome!!

next time i should listen to u guys and my hubby who says wait 24-48 hours and it will go away. i promise!! of course i freak out cuz im so darn sensitive and such a hypo ever since i stared tapering, that i run to the doctor to make sure im not going to die!! lol lol lol!!

im telling u i wasnt like this while on lex. its amazing what the drug does to u.

take care u guys!!

love u all
tavee

[Hopeful 285]

Hi Greenearth,
I was prescribed 10 mgs of Lexapro and I broke them in half and sometimes I would skip days. I had some serious problems from taking this drug even on the low dose.
You really should start tapering. The longer you take it, the more likely you can get serious and potentially permanent side effects.
Long term users and high dosages usually are the ones that have the most serious side effects. There are also the exceptions who just take a few doses and have serious problems.
You can get through the side effects of withdrawals. Please don't wait to start tapering off this drug and whatever you do, don't quit cold turkey.
Take care


Hi Tavee,
I have problems off and on with my left ear. I used to get the whooshing and it has stopped but I do have some pain. This pain comes and goes.
The pain is not severe and it is in my inner ear and at the top of my ear. It bothers my outer ear to lay on it when I am having the issue.
It is very annoying and when I have it, I can deal with it during the day; but at night I may take some Tylenol.
I never had the problem until I quit taking Lexapro.
We will heal.


I mowed the grass today and I was doing pretty well but tonight I fell 3 times and feel fuzzy headed. I know I am getting better but these set backs are really strange. When I have them, I can't dwell. I just expect the next day to be better and it usually is. Never ever give up hope. Trust in God.We are healing.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick. Proverbs 13:12

Elizabethmaria,
I pray you quit getting seizury. I love your humor.

Antidote,
I started getting seeing improvement at about 5 months. Still don't be surprised if symptoms reappear. They will go away again.

Aunty,
Thanks for all your thoughtful information.

Skyer,
My husband has gotten so much more understanding. When I was at my sickest, he made a couple of unkind remarks but now he is more understanding. I don't know what I would do without him.

Everyone,
Does anyone have constant sensations in their head that never goes away?
Do you feel a numbness and sometimes a dull pain? If I get upset, it hurts and I feel pressure in the center of my brain.
I am better and it is usually not as bad as it used to be. I have learned to cope with this. I haven't read where anyone else has this issue.


Hairyarmadillo, Icarus Fly:
For allergiies, several people from my church recommend honey from the area you live. They swear by it.
You can get it at your local fair and feed stores usually.
I think it works kind of like a flu shot; you take a little bit and it prevents the full blown stuff. Honey has pollen in it.
Also a teaspoon of honey before you go to bed helps you sleep whether you have allergies or not. If you're not asleep in 1 hour, take another teaspoon and you will be. I know I am repeating myself, but maybe some needs this information that didn't read it.

[tiesto81]

I haven't had a chance to read through this entire thread yet (it's a lot of pages!) but I'm hoping someone else can relate to some of the symptoms I am having. I feel really upset, lost, and just generally scared over what my mind is going through at the moment.

I visit a therapist frequently to just have someone to talk with. I've had a high stress job since I was 19 and moved away from family to pursue a career. So, on the advice of my friend and therapist, I went and spoke with a doctor who specializes in mental wellness and stress management. At the time, my friend had sworn by Effexor and she prescribed that, but I decided not to take it due to the horrible withdrawal side effects I read about. I was really looking for something more mild and 'safe' to just treat general anxiety I have at times. I didn't consider it to be too bad, but enough to see if medication would be helpful.

So after researching the different medications, I asked about Lexapro and tried that out. I did 5 mg the first week, and then 10mg for the next 5 weeks. What i got was not fun. I didn't feel much of a change in my well being. What I did experience however, were these hot flashes. I had 3 specific episodes - the first where I I felt my entire body go numb, hot flashes, dizziness and vertigo, then i threw up 10 times all over my bathroom and bedroom. This had happened while having 2 beers over the course of 4 hours so I figure it just meant I couldn't drink while on it. Well, I then I had another incident while out with friends. No throwing up, but it did start with complete body numbness out of no where and then dizziness, nausea and just general disconnection from my body and mind. I had a final incident while out to lunch that was similar to this and said screw this, I do NOT like having these random experiences out of no where. These three situations were random over the course of the 6 weeks and I was on it, so I had convinced myself it was the medication. The doctor said with some individuals the Lexapro causes people to have more anxiety and react badly to it, so I asked to stop.

She originally told me to stop altogether since it was a low dose and wasn't really changing anything for me. I asked if it's better to taper, so she had just suggested I take 5 mg for 3 days then stop, which i did. Well, the first week I was sick for a few days, then immediately after that I was TERRIFIED to go into public places. I never, ever experienced a feeling like this in my life. She said it's possible it's due to the lexapro still being in my body, but that I should let her know if it occured after a couple weeks (by which point the effects should be gone). I was fine for a few weeks, but then it happened again. I would just get dizzy and nauseous while in uncomfortable, crowded, public spaces. This eventually subsided, but then it happened again 2 weeks after that while out with a friend, and then this past week it's creeped up to the point where it's happening all the time while I'm in public places. It always has to do with large crowds and large social settings. I cannot go into a grocery store now or mall for example, because I just get terrified that from the nausea I feel and think i'm going to throw up and embarass myself. It's like my mind has tricked itself into this 'spell' in thinking what I experienced during those three episodes while on the Lexapro, is going to happen again.

My friends think it's just anxiety that has built up over the years and finally manifested itself. I was going through a bad breakup and health issues around the same time I started up on the Lex. Another co worker who's on lexapro was having the same issues as myself prior to taking any medication and he says it's social anxiety - exact same symptoms I am describing. Ironically, the Lexapro is working wonders for him whereas for me, I didn't have any of the symptoms he had until I started *on* the lexapro. I guess it's possible i have always had it in some form but it's made it's full face shown now - I used to sweat profusely when I was uncomfortable in a social setting, but to just be scared to go into public places now? I suppose it's coincidental to coming off the Lexapro but I have to wonder what the hell is going on with my mental state. I've been off it for about 5 weeks now and just depressed as heck in realizing I may need to take some meds now to be able to handle being in a public setting. I never had this issue before the Lexapro. I just feel lost.

I have an appointment scheduled with the doctor on Thursday but for now she has me taking Travacor which is a neurotransmitter supporter that you can buy at homeopathic stores - I think it's a combination of GABA and other ingredients to help build up the supply of serotonin. Hope this works.

[mrsmrrichardson]

Well, add me to the list of folks who experience shocky feelings upon withdrawal.

I've been on Lexapro 10mg since January. I was trying to complete a semester of nursing school, work full-time, tend to a 1 year old baby, and somehow keep my husband happy all at the same time. I felt like I was unraveling. Lexapro made me feel like me again. I am SO glad it was available.

Having said that, the coming off Lexapro process has sucked somewhat. I weaned by lowering my dosage to 5mg and then 5mg every other day. Last week, I just stopped taking it altogether. I attended a "Weird Al" concert last Thursday and thought the loudness of the concert might've messed up my left ear and caused an inner ear issue, causing my dizziness. Apparently not.

Just like other posters on this thread, I've been feeling shocky feelings. If I look straight ahead and don't move my eyes I'm fine. If I close my eyes, I'm fine. Otherwise, over the last few days, if I move my eyes, I feel as if I'm off-balance or am about to pass out. The feeling lasts about 1/2 to 1 second while my eyes are moving. When they're not moving, it's fine. It's exacerbated when I actually move my head in addition to moving my eyes.

This morning, I woke up and it wasn't going on nearly as badly. I'm hoping this means this bit of fun I've been having the last week is just about over.

We shall see.

Michelle

[mystichyd]

Hey all....i'm back...lol...been crazy just got off working 7 days straight..and its my day off....restaurant has been somewhat slow not sure why its slow everywhere...i hate this...we need business..the weekends were slammed though so thats a life saver...

Anyway..went to therapy yesterday and it was ok..no one wants me off my meds but i'm standing strong on this one and saying "this is my decision and ive made it and thats all there is to it"...i hate it when people really have their opinions and thats that...lol....sick of hearing hubby say "well your cranky maybe you should go back up on your meds" every time we have a disagreement..and working together 80 hours a week anyone would have disagreements...well really fighting lol...i'm determined and hopefully for now this is going to work...

A question i had was does anyone have a reaction to "antibiotics" on lex...i just took keflex and felt really weird on it..but had double carpel tunnel surgery about 8 weeks ago seperately one hand is fine the other hand feels like theres an infection inside the incision site..which has healed but still bothers me...dr put me on keflex took it for 4 dayss then stopped..and been feeling better mentally ever since but the hand is still hurting..not sure if it was all in my head...thanks everyone i luvya alllll..take care Heidi

[zema]

Hi,

I live in Bangkok Thailand, originally from the States. Been taking 10mg of Lexapro for about 2 and a half years. The doctor who put me on them is not around anymore and i am having difficulty finding a doctor who knows about this drug. After one year i tried cutting down to 5mg but the side affect were so bad i started taking the 10mg again. Now i don't see a doctor anymore and i buy the drugs over the counter. All my friends here think i have stopped taking them ages ago but i still take them in secret everynight. I am terrified of firstly the side effects from coming off and secondly the depression returning... its making it tough that i have no doctor to talk to about this. Any help will be much appreciated.

Cheers

J.

[elizabethmaria]

tiesto81,
Well, hello, very nice to see you found this board.. it is a lifesaver. Good news, NO you do not have some hidden problem that has finally surfaced - its the lexapro without any doubt. When I had been prescribed antidepressants for even a few days for sleep trouble, incredible anxiety and depression abounded and I totally thought that that was my true self, and it had just come out....NO WAY Jose!.. but it WILL make you feel like that. You are going through withdrawal , unfortunately, -- I have been, and now I have no problem 6 months off, except lots of neurological problems.. otherwise feel every week and month more like my old self. so please don't worry about that, or let people lead you in that direction, it's simply untrue. I spoke with one of the world leading experts on ssri withdrawal and recovery and effects - he emphasized that there is something incredibly wrong with the medical field today, a lack of common sense -- when you do NOT have particular problems prior to drug use, then you use an extremely powerful neuroleptic drug, and have major mental and physical side effects, the cause is always the drug, not YOU!! But somehow there is a glitch in some 'therapists'/medical thinking...
Anyways... please go back and read these boards here -- lots of wonderful advice and information packed in here, plus tons of experiences just like yours.. I can't write much now, but hopefully someone else will -- SKYER? can you help? You have had a very similar experience to her's.. I would suggest reading through her posts too...
take care and keep posting -- we're all here for you,
Elizabethmarie

Oh, one more thing -- It doesn't matter if your friend has not had the same reaction -- ssri's (antidepressants) are processed through the P450 cytochrome system in your liver.. each person genetically processes drugs/chemicals differently -- 10% of the population are extremely fast metabolizers, meaning many drugs that go through that pathway (ssri's) are metabolized so fast they have very little effect... 35% are medium metabolizers.. drugs react 'normally' at normal doses.. the rest are combinations of slow/med metabolizers.. and about 10% have almost no metabolism through that pathway, meaning the drug/chem will build to toxic levels in a matter of hours/days/ or weeks... I had a terrible reaction after a few days.. so I'm most likely in that small percentage of non metabolizers.. I am going to have genetic DNA testing done to know for sure as there are many drugs that I'll be super sensitive to.. Actually, the Mayo Clinic will NOT even prescribe an ssri to a patient without the genetic DNA test, as the effects and potential for adverse reaction are sooo high... check out their website (Mayo Clinic - genetic testing, ssri) and Genelex.com...under adverse drug reaction testing..
anyways, don't be hard on yourself for that, it's just a genetic difference...

Oh my gosh, I just reread the last line of your post -- you can't take serotonin boosters at this time!!!! AUNTY, please reply here ... serotonin boosters can be deadly at this time for you, while you still have ssri's in your system.. Your body is trying to readjust to be without the lex - it can be extremely harmful, and very much delay in your recovery.... I'll let Aunty inform more...
take care,

[Hairyarmadillo]

Originally Posted by Hopeful 285

Hairyarmadillo, Icarus Fly:
For allergiies, several people from my church recommend honey from the area you live. They swear by it.
You can get it at your local fair and feed stores usually.
I think it works kind of like a flu shot; you take a little bit and it prevents the full blown stuff. Honey has pollen in it.
Also a teaspoon of honey before you go to bed helps you sleep whether you have allergies or not. If you're not asleep in 1 hour, take another teaspoon and you will be. I know I am repeating myself, but maybe some needs this information that didn't read it.

I bought some honey about 4 years ago from a man nearby and took it religiously for about 3 days-lol. I need to work on my persistance in taking stuff like this! I had been taking it religiously then realized it ONLY helped if it was from the bees in my area. By the time I got the real stuff, I was sick of honey. But if it helps with sleep that may be motivation enough.


Tavee I am glad you are feeling better! That is what keeps me hanging on-knowing that one day I might feel like doggy doo and then the next day I am ruling the world!

[tiesto81]

Thanks for the kind words. I'll try to read through the thread - there's just so much information that it's hard to sort what is right and what I should avoid.

I would love to hear what worked for others that were in my situation at some point. I went to my therapist today and we started to do some CBT to see if that will help. I am also going to visit a psychiatrist to see if he can diagnose what's going on.

The belief we have right now is that my throwing up while on the lexapro has triggered a sort of trauma that I'm now associating with public situations. I've always hated throwing up and haven't thrown up since I was 18 (except for this last incident with the Lexapro). I'm now 25 btw.

I'd like to think I can wait this out and just eventually get over it, but I need something short term otherwise I will become a recluse. My therapist said that xanax may help me, and I did end up borrowing a couple a few days ago from a friend's wife and that helped a lot to deal with a public situation I had to attend. I know it's habit forming but something to help deal over the short term would be wonderful.

As for stopping the Travacor - I can do that - I just don't know if I need to taper off of it? There's not much information I found on the internet regarding it but a company called neuroscience makes it. I had some hormone testing done a while back and everything checked out except for slightly low serotonine levels (this was before taking the Lexapro). I've only been on the Travacor since Saturday - 1 in the morning, and 1 at night.

I really hope I get over this by the 2nd week of July. I have a family trip planned to Cozumel and I'm just worried thinking about how the hell I am going to get into the airport, let alone the plane. I don't really want my family knowing about this either (they're half a country away so I'm only going to see them during this trip - bringing them in could just complicate things I would think).

[back2health]

Hi. I'm very glad to have found this message board. I could use a little advice. I was on Lexapro 15 mg. for the past 7 months. I decided to go off and I guess somewhat ignorantly went cold turkey 12 days ago. i thought I had it made in the first week, then on day 8 the naseau, dizziness, tinnitus, and extreme fatigue set in. it's tough...I thought I was a choosing a good time to do it because it's summer and I love summer, but was not expecting this kind of withdrawal. I have a high demand job with tons of responsibility and am questioning whether after 12 days I have to go backwards to a taper. I hate to go back on and can't decide whether to tough it out or go back on and taper. any ideas?

it's also tough to explain at work because it lasts so much longer than a virus - so far i'm saying I have a "stomach thing" and having to miss some time - that's not going to fly too much longer. Any advice from others who have struggled with the decision to back-up would be very helpful. Thanks!

[elizabethmaria]

Hi tiesto,
At this point, while you still have lex pumping around your system.. your body is reacting to the change, and excess serotonin by pumping out cortisol... creating powerful anxiety symptoms...that's just what happens.. I would really caution you to spend energy thinking about why you feel this way - your body's going through some major readjustment and it needs time, rest, healthy food, NO SUPPLEMENTS, and plenty of water to heal. The brain and neurotransmitters are vital in all your adrenal/hormone regulation - delving too deep into why can just be a mire!
Please check out the website www.antidepressantsfacts.com and specifically http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/reaction.htm/ to know what's happening to your body during recovery, and how ssri's affect adrenal glands, neurotransmitters, etc. Education at this time is the best tool! Remember, your reaction was due to an adverse drug reaction -- unfortunately your symptoms while one the lex are very very very common adverse reaction - nothing more.. it's the recovery that is important now.
take care,
Elizabethmarie

[ernurse18]

tomorrow i will be 4 weeks lexapro free! i'm starting to feel soo much better but had a set back with a sinus infection. Still have some tinnitus, but much improved. hang in there everyone!

[Hairyarmadillo]

Originally Posted by elizabethmaria

Oh my gosh, I just reread the last line of your post -- you can't take serotonin boosters at this time!!!! AUNTY, please reply here ... serotonin boosters can be deadly at this time for you, while you still have ssri's in your system.. Your body is trying to readjust to be without the lex - it can be extremely harmful, and very much delay in your recovery.... I'll let Aunty inform more...
take care,

Elizabethmarie, do you ever get the feeling that it would be nice if we had some sort of signal (like the Bat signal-lol) to get Aunty when we need her?!! What WOULD we do without our Aunty!! You give good advice though!!

zema
You can get Lexapro over the counter without a prescription? If so, years ago I would have thought it was wonderful, now definitely not. I feel for you not having a doctor you can consult with, but if it is any consolation, I am wondering how much ANY doctor knows about this medication. What made you decide to get off it? Were you having problems with it or just concerned about long term usage? If you decide that you do want to get off of this, there is a better way to get off it. I have yet to hear of a doctor that will tell of this slow taper technique but you have just landed on a site full of people who have suffered trying to get off the quick way and many who are seeing the benefit of a slow taper. I am not saying there are not ANY side effects, but they are less and will not interfere with your life the way with dropping off quickly. It is going to seem like a long process, but it is worth it in the long run. I tried to get off Lexapro a few years ago and did a very quick taper. Thought all the side effects were over and then was hit by rebound depression 3 months later. I KNOW depression, I have had a lot of experience in that area. But this was the worst of all. I took it as a sign that I just had to be on the medicine or be depressed. I know know that is a common adjustment issue after initially getting off Lexapro. Don't misunderstand me, there will still be times as you are withdrawaling that you will have down periods and other moody times, but if you want off of the Lexapro, it is worth it. They do pass. The thing to do is BEFORE these moods hit, have a plan of how you will handle it.This is a great place for support and encouragement and there are also some supplements you can take to make the withdrawal easier. The recommended tapering is no more than 10% of a decrease of the dose you are taking and then stay on that dose for at least 3 weeks or until your body feels normal. Then decrease that dose by no more than 10%, stay on it for at least 3 weeks or until your body feels normal. as you get closer to being off it, you will want to decrease the dose by only 5% as the side effects seem to get more noticeable the closer you get to 0 mgs.
I noticed you mentioned your friends not knowing you were on it and taking it secretly. I had a flashback to the way I felt when I first started taking Paxil years ago. There is nothing to be ashamed about for being on SSRIs. I know that a lot of the public has misconceptions about depression etc but depression can be a medical problem, much like many other illnesses that people treat with medication. It isn't just a matter of "sucking it up" or being strong, depression is very real. I have learned that part of my self-acceptance involved not being ashamed and hiding my Lexapro use. True, there are still some people I am close to who would never understand, so I have not talked about this to them but it is beneficial to find at least one person who is supportive. Especially if you are going off the medication. It is good to have someone to support you. I (unfortunately) did not have that and know it would have made it easier. But I was definitely blessed by people on this site and some friends I could email to keep me going. So, if you are not comfortable talking to your friends about this, know you are more than welcome to join in here! We will get you through it!

[auntybiotic]

I would not take any serotonin boosters...................it could prove fatal. Please google serotonin syndrome. Mania, sweating, chills, locking jaw, dropped foot.....these are a few of the symptoms of serotonin syndrome.

Many doctors are NOT familiar with withdrawaling from SSRI's so offer advice which is not useful. Yes your serotonin will be low because the lexapro recirculated the serotonin and the receptors died off because many were not needed. You will regenerate new receptors in your brain and start producing serotonin but it will take many months. The withdrawals are just signals that your brain's chemistry has been chemically altered and it is trying to rebalance. Like in a stroke, the brain may take up to 18 months to fully heal but you will see gradual healing each month. Some days will be good then WHAM!!!!! bad days will appear.......this is normal.

I do not think any doctor will have the answers to what is happening to you. The vomiting is very common after fast tapers or cold turkey off lexapro. Ninty percent of the serotonin receptors are in the gut and naseau and vomiting are very common after stopping lexapro.

Your nervous system in on "overdrive" and that is why you are anxious in crowded situations. You actually "cold turkeyed" off the lexapro. You can take fish oil, magnesium malate for the anxiety and Primal Defense for the stomach issues but time will be the only real healer.

Since you had a "bad reaction" I would not think going back on the medication and tapering is a option. unless the reactions were caused by interactions with lexapro.. As A experiment, you may ask your doctor about taking 5 Mg of Lexapro for about three days. If all of your symptoms go away.........then it is all withdrawals from lexapro......and it may prove beneficial to slowly taper off of 5 MG.

Were you taking any other medications while on lexapro or drinking or recreational drugs that may have caused the sporatic reactions? Lexapro is very much affected by MANY things in the pathways of the liver's P 450 system. Over the counter cold medications, herbs, spices...........................these may have caused the numbness and dizziness you had while taking lexapro....not the actual lexapro but the reaction of two or more substances with lexapro.

I actually heard a rumor that Paris Hilton was on SSRI's and had stopped taking them the five days she was in jail and became very psychotic.....not sure how true this is but I can relate that if she went 5 days of cold turkey off of SSRI's............... then the withdrawals would start happening.

If you are worried, ask your doctor if he would consider reinstating 5 Mg of lexapro for about three days and see if all of your mysterious symptoms go away..............if they do then this is indeed lexapro withdrawal. (ONLY REINSTATE IF IT HAS BEEN SIX WEEKS OR LESS SINCE STOPPING THE LEXAPRO).

Cold turkey is really discouraged so I am wondering if the "bad reactions" were caused by interactions with lexapro and if this is true you can reinstate and taper off of 5 MG slowly. Check with your physician. All I can say that cold turkey can be a nightmare.

Others here can relate to this.

[tiesto81]

Thanks for the information. I answered inline with your quotes:

"Many doctors are NOT familiar with withdrawaling from SSRI's so offer advice which is not useful."

I'd like to think that this doctor knows what she is doing. She is heavily involved with studying the nervous system and focusing only on stress management through hormone supplementation/medication. She actually did not deal with medication for a while since she was against it, but over the past couple years has begun subscribing it as she's seen good results for certain individuals. I was surprised she asked me to stop it so abruptly but I guess her rationale was that it was having no effect on me other than the negative side effects.

"I do not think any doctor will have the answers to what is happening to you. The vomiting is very common after fast tapers or cold turkey off lexapro. Ninty percent of the serotonin receptors are in the gut and naseau and vomiting are very common after stopping lexapro."

She had mentioned that Serotonin receptors are in the gut. The thing with the naseau and vomiting is it doesn't just happen. It happens at very specific situations, where the variables are exactly right - enclosed space and people I don't know. Any other situation I've been fine in.

"Your nervous system in on "overdrive" and that is why you are anxious in crowded situations. You actually "cold turkeyed" off the lexapro. You can take fish oil, magnesium malate for the anxiety and Primal Defense for the stomach issues but time will be the only real healer."

I will look into this further. I've heard good things about fish oil.

"Were you taking any other medications while on lexapro or drinking or recreational drugs that may have caused the sporatic reactions?"

I am on some medication that is just hydrocortisone for gastro issues, but that doesn't actually hit my liver or any other system since it's not an oral med . As for drinking, I did drink when I had the first encounter. I actually drank 2 beers and had some pot. The second encounter I was drinking, and the third encounter I was not (hadn't drank for 2 weeks by that point). I rarely, if ever drink in general and am not on oral meds except if I have a cold, which I didn't have while on the lexapro (although ironically, had flu like symptoms the first couple days after quitting, and this past week as well although I think this week is just a regular plain old flu cause my throat was hurting).

"Lexapro is very much affected by MANY things in the pathways of the liver's P 450 system. Over the counter cold medications, herbs, spices...........................these may have caused the numbness and dizziness you had while taking lexapro....not the actual lexapro but the reaction of two or more substances with lexapro."

If that's the case, I can't think of any since I wasn't taking any medications while on it other than the Lex.

"If you are worried, ask your doctor if he would consider reinstating 5 Mg of lexapro for about three days and see if all of your mysterious symptoms go away..............if they do then this is indeed lexapro withdrawal. (ONLY REINSTATE IF IT HAS BEEN SIX WEEKS OR LESS SINCE STOPPING THE LEXAPRO)."

I'm right about at the 6 week mark, so I guess this probably wouldn't work out for me. I was wondering if that was an option though. But I also don't want the bad side effects I had while on it.

[overtherainbow]

I was on Lex for 2 years (and Flexeril). I started getting off both of them mid-April. Flexeril was so much easier to drop. But w/ Lex, I realized I needed to take it slow, after also starting some supplements (started getting the serotonin syndrome which was very very scary, so heed this advice).

During that slowly getting off Lex-phase, I was always dizzy, and got tired of it. I woke up on Sunday, May 28, and said, "I'm done". Could not put another pill fragment in my mouth. No more, cold turkey time. I will take it as it comes.

Days 7-8 were pretty bad I must admit, dizziness-wise only. The following week, crushing depression hit, boo-hoo at this, boo-hoo at that. It's like this tide of emotion Lexapro had been holding back was being set loose. But it was the worst at this point, the pits, down low. And now, it's see-saw-y. Mood swings I thinks they call it. And it also feels like my old self, which is in some ways good, but not so good in other ways (hence, why I started taking Lexapro).

Okay, we're into the 3rd week. I'm very busy and stressed at work all of this time, and woke up with a migraine on Monday which hung around through Wednesday. Haven't had one of these in over 6 months I'd say. Stinky. Still coming out of that phase.

Dizziness is getting less. The mood swings are the worst I'd say. It seems every other morning, I read something in the newspaper and have to boo-hoo, a little, and then it's done. I also feel like I want to punch something out sometimes so I take that as a hint that I need to get active. So I take a walk. Stress doesn't help things. If my life was hunky-dory and stress free, I'm sure things would be better.

Yet I hate to complain. All in all, things are great, and I must remind myself to weigh in on the gratefulness side. Pray to God, thank God, etc. That piece is very important.

Moving ahead, moving forward. I also want to chime in on the side, that went cold turkey (after taking 2.5 mg) for fair balance. (Appreciate ernurse doing the same.) Peeps can make a decision whether they want to go cold turkey. But they (we, I) have been forewarned by aunty & company. (And I do worry about getting a scolding : ) ).

I come here everyday, and read, as much as I can, and keep up with peoples' stories. I do better with the short & sweet, and now look at me here, going on and on.

Anyway, have a good day all. We'll get there !

OTR

[skyer]

Tiesto: ElizabethMaria is right, your story is very similar to mine and that worries me some. I don't want to alarm you because we are all different, but I just want you to be prepared. In my case, matters got worse before they got better. Before Lexapro I was active and healthy. I'm a 32-year old female and was starting a business and planning my wedding. Life was great, but I was getting some panic attacks while driving on the freeway.
My friend swore by Lexapro and so my doctor prescribed it to me. I was on 10mg for six weeks. Like you, I started having strange reactions...hot flashes, anxiety, sinus issues, and the worst -- an out-of-body feeling (called depersonalization). And just like your doctor advised...I was told to take 5mg for three days and quit. This was horrible direction and I've sadly learned that most professionals have no idea how dangerous these drugs can be. I know it's hard to swallow, but after months of research I know it to be true. I have found one good psychiatrist via phone in Los Angeles (I'm in Oregon) and a naturopath who is helping me get through this.

After I quit the drug I had seven good days and then I crashed. I had fear like crazy; driving and going to the store became increasingly difficult. Sadly, matters got worse during months three and four off the the drug (this is actually quite common). My fiance had to get out of traveling for his job so he could stay in town to take care of me. It's only been the past 4-6 weeks that I have improved, so about seven months off the drug. I'm starting to drive some on my own and I'm working on my business again, but I know it will take much more time to really recover. I've dealt with stomach issues, headaches, hormone issues, nightmares/vivid dreams, depersonalization, fear, apathy and depression. ElizabethMaria and Hopeful on these boards have experienced a lot of those things, too.

Again, not trying to scare you! SO many people come to this board and get over withdrawal in a matter of weeks. I took a little xanax when I was at your stage, but quit by month three because I became so sensitive and it's also a very addictive drug. I now take fish oil daily and Bach's Rescue Remedy. Please stay in touch with these boards and let us know how you are doing. Do you have a good support system -- friends, family?