[lotsofquestions]

Hello all. I have been reading this thread because i have some concerns. I am a middle age female in perimenopause. My dr gave me lexapro when I came in asking if I had ADD which has come on with menopause symptoms. I tried it and found it helped many of my symptoms and i started to feel normal. However I use aroma therapy and it caused headaches and when I researched it I found that there is some concern that essential oils interact negatively with anti-depressants. I have been on this med for about 3 weeks but now that I am learning about depression I want to deal with it naturally. The posts here scare me as I went on a trip and forgot to take lexapro for two days and i was having side effects like headache and feeling yucky. I am interested in the fish oil studies, magnesium and other stuff which I believe I could be deficient in. I am curious as to why drs give out such strong drugs to teens when it could be treated with nutrition instead. This kind of scares me.

[RandomSparks]

I have been on Lexapro (and before that, Celexa) for over seven years. I was originally diagnosed as depressed and prescribed SSRIs by an internal medicine doctor who'd never met me before and handed me a shopping bag full of free samples.

So, was I depressed? I was living in a new town, across the country from family and friends. I hadn't seen the sun in months. I had a toddler and a newborn and a husband in graduate school. I was short-tempered with my kids and prone to fits of crying. I occasionally considered suicide, but never seriously enough to hurt myself.

The drugs gave me almost immediate relief.

About six weeks after starting the drugs I decided I was strong enough to "go it alone" and stopped taking them. Within days I experienced panic attacks (which I'd never had before) and severe depression (far worse than before I started the drugs). I was terrified and started the drugs again.

In the past seven years I've tried to quit numerous times but have been stymied by what I now recognize as discontinuation syndrome. I'm trying again, and this time I know what I'm fighting against and I plan to succeed.

I am 60 days into a SLOW titration. Last year I tried this and got down to 2.5 mg/day. The withdrawal symptoms finally got to me and I went back up to 5 mg/day. I am now down to 1.5 mg/day, using LIQUID LEXAPRO, which you can get from your doctor, and I highly recommend for maintaining a slow, steady titration. Also, studies have shown that high levels of EPA Omega-3 fatty acids do help, but only at around 1,000 mg/day. I am also taking extra magnesium, which seems to help, although I'm feeling some low-level anxiety fairly constantly.

It is a long, hard slog. My plan is to cut back by .5 mg/day every 28 days. So far I haven't had the brain zaps this time.

I asked my doctor if these drugs were addictive and she said no. I now know that the drug companies tell the doctors specifically to deny any addictive possibilities. What they mean is that there is no tendancy for the patient to abuse the drugs, not that there's no physical dependancy. Doctors should know that patients need complete information before they go on this very serious journey of dependancy.

I really appreciate that there are communities out there like this one. Reading these threads has offered tremendous support during my attempt to get free of this drug. Thank you all!

[elizabethmaria]

Hello,
Is this thread still working? Is anyone here? Hello? Hello?

where are you all?
love,
EM

[tavee]

Sweet Thang- Since U Are On 4 Ml, U Want To Stay On That For 2 Weeks Till U Are Stable And Then Go Down 5%. So Ure Next Taper Should Be 3.8ml. Stay On This For 2 Weeks And Same Thing Again. Go Down 5% Again.

Now U Might Feel A Few Things, But It Will Not Be As Bad As Going Cold Turkey And Losing Ure Mind.

Again, I Am Not A Doctor So Please Consult Ure Physician Before Attempting Anything. This Is Just From My Personal Expereince.

Let Me Know If U Have Any Other Questions.


Ps Make Sure U Take Ure Supplements Every Day. U Must Take Omega 3 And A Multivitamin Which Will Help With All The Withdrawal Symptoms. The Omega Helps With Moods.

Go Slowwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Do Not Try To Get Off This Fast. It Is Not Worth It!!

Take Care
Tavee

[antidote]

Hi everyone, i have not posted for a while but have still been following the thread. It's amazing how many new posters are joining the forum - i wish you all the best, you definitely have found the right place!! It's a tough road to get off of this stuff, both during the taper and for months affter you're done, but STICK WITH IT!! It will be well worth it to get ack to a life FREE of mind-altering chemicals.

Well, i am 1 week away from being off of Lex for 5 months - can wait to hit the "magical" 6-month mark! I still have symptoms of anxiety (still wake up in a sweat and tingling/numbness in my fingers) but i would say that they seem to be somewhat milder - either that or i'm just learning to cope with the symptoms better :-).

i have been sticking with my Omega-3s and Magnesium Malate. i have seen a very real difference with the Magnesium - getting much better sleep at night.

Hairy, i definitely still want to try the Body Calm - it sounds great! Maybe it can do something for the tingling/numbness feeling in my hands. The ingredients seem to be 100% Tart Cherry and i found another brand that seems to have a higher potency - in any case i ordered some.

EM, i felt terrible reading about some of the stuff you continue to experience - and you are into 7 months already!! By the way, i keep hearing about this 6 - 18 month period - is that from Ann Tracy?

Another thing i've been wondering about. We all talk about the 3 - 6 (or 18) month mark and the possibilities of Lex still in the system due to protein bonding. Certainly could be the case but isn't it also possible that part of the problem stems from a reduction in the number of serotonin receptors as described by Peter Breggin? So even though we are off the drug and serotonin reuptake goes back to normal levels, we cannot benefit from normal amounts of serotonin because of a lack of receptors. The hope is that the receptors come back after a while but until they do we struggle through challenging moods or even physical conditions/symptoms due to the inability to "use" the serotonin that exists.

Lots of musings on my part but with all this going on one tends to think a lot about these topics!

Well, everyone HANG IN THRERE!! We may FEEL sad, blue, depressed, anxious, fearful, etc, etc. - just keep in mind that those feelings are artificially created by the medication - it even says so on the warning label!
(BTW, did you ever wonder why people take a drug for anxiety, depression, fear, etc. when the warning label on that very drug says that this medication may increase symptoms of anxiety, depression , fear, etc. Hello?!?! how much sense does that make!?!?! LOL!!).

Anyway, it is very natural for us to despair when we have these feelings because we naturally associate these feelings with something being terribly wrong. But we need to ask ourselves - is there really something terribly wrong in our lives? If the answer is yes then by all means take care of whatever it is. But if there is NOT something terribly wrong then DON'T let these feelings/symptoms convince you that there is something terribly wrong. Just go with the flow on the feelings and know that they will pass sooner or later. There are many external factgors that are outside of our control, but our thoughts as to what is real and what is not - are absolutely ours to control.

[sweet-thang]

Thanks so much for writing back. So 5% basically equals 2ml, hun? I"m so bad at math. So, from now on, move 2 ml at a time...did I understand right? That makes sense to me...I DO want to go very slowly....

I think the visual blurryness of withdrawal is a really weird effect...it's like there's cotton in the eyeballs or something...

Thanks again for writing!

Ruth

[auntybiotic]

Sweet Thang,

The amount is .02 of a Ml not 2 Ml. On the small 1 Ml syringe go to the .08 Ml line and on the 5ML syringe go to the 3 ML line and that will give you 3.8 ML.

The next taper will be 5% of 3.8 Ml not another .02 ML. You will need to figure out the 5% each taper of your CURRENT DOSE!.

[tavee]

Sweet Thang- Aunty Is Correct. Ure Next Taper After 3.8 Ml Will Be Around 3.6.
U Don't Go Down 2ml. U Go Down.02ml. There Is A Difference.

To Figure It Out:
U Take 4(ml) And Multiply By .05 Which Equals Around .2 Then U Take 4 And Subtract It By .2 So That Should Be 3.8.

Then U Take 3.8 And Multiply By .05 And Subtract That Answer Which Bring U To 3.6. And So On...................

Remember To Stay On That Dose For About 2 Weeks. Now If U Feel ********************py Stay On It Longer(another Week) Till U Stabilize.

*****again, I Am Not A Doctor, So Consult Ure Physician Before Attempting Anything. This Is From My Personal Experience.


Good Luck
Tavee

[tavee]

Hi Guys- Just Wanted To Share That I Went Down From 1.5 To 1.3. It Is Day 5 On This Dose. I Know It Is Early For Any Effects To Take Place, But Please Pray For Me That This Dose Goes Well.

If It Does, I Should Be Off This In 14 Weeks.

Aunty- I Was Thinking That If All Goes Well With This Dose, I Might Try To Go To 1ml After That For My Next Dose Which Means That I Can Get Off This In 7 Weeks If I Go At This Rate.

I Know I Know, I Am Not Going To Take Any Chances If I Start Feeling Effects.
Dont U Think That Since I Have So Little In My Body, The Taper Should Be Ok???? Aunty???

Thanks For Being There U Guys!!
I Love U All
Tavee

[laurafish919]

I've been studying for an exam so I havent read the message board for a few days (too distracting!)--but now i'm so angry. I had a really good few weeks. During which, I had tapered down a step (now i realize it was bigger than i intended because i was so stupid that i did MATH wrong!) but i didnt want to reverse--i want this done with as fast as possible.

Anyways, so I felt fine for a few weeks--it was amazing. Then the last few days, slighty dizzy here and there, but wouldn't you know it, right before the exam i had the worst dizzy spell yet. I went and curled up on this chair in the hallway, and probably looked like some medical accident that was misplaced at the school--

I felt better a bit during the exam--but afterwards, i found out i had actually misread a key part of the question, which i blame on the dizzyness. I usually don't misread things in these exams--I want to tell people now that not only am i fat but i'm also stupid on these pills and to give me another chance...

Do you think i had such a bad dizzy spell because my anxiety over the exam enhanced it? or was it just a fortunate coincidence?

I am still dizzy today a bit--I'm sitting here stewing, but now i have to get to work on a vigorous project. I hope I actually comprehend it correctly today!

I am just so angry! And with these classes, the entire grade is based just on the final exam and there I go, misreading one out of the two questions. what a waste of months of reading/studying. '

Thanks for letting me vent. I refuse to be adult enough to NOT accuse lexapro of blame--I will not accept responsibility for my own errors!

[auntybiotic]

Try it and see, if you start to feel horrible you can always reinstate to the last dose and caulk it up to experience.

You may be able to get off it faster if you can handle the decreas and if not.......................Oh well........you will know. This will be a great experient..........especially if in the next two weeks you handled the .2 Ml decrease without ill effects. Please let me know as I am so curious how it will go. Remeber you are the first on here that tapered SO SLOW............

aunty

[bking126]

To Tranquility and the others who're "scared" and noting negative energy, just a hint of positivity. I am still at the beginning of my taper off 10mg, doing it faster than most people here recommend and I know I'm taking a chance at that, but it's what feels right for me. This is the beginning of my third week at 7.5 mg, and once I feel confident I'll be going to a half-pill, 5mg. I just wanted to say that it really is going alright at this dose -- despite symptoms that are annoying, so far it's nothing I can't live with. I have some dizziness, and some low-level anxiety. The worst for me actually is a weird muscle tension which I experienced also when I went on the medication. And even that is bearable, when I know that some day this year I will be off this medication and can continue working my way to the person I want to be. The medication got me out of a very deep pit of depression, but that was all I needed it for, and now I'm ready to go back to dealing with my milder bouts of depression with simple determination.

Anyway, just trying to be encouraging... I did pick up Omega-3 and magnesium supplements since they seem to be the most consistently recommended, and that may be helping. I find the hardest part is not blaming every little thing on the withdrawal... like today, I was feeling so lethargic and mopey this morning. And it might have been the meds... but (and this is really silly) I realized that when I looked at the link I'm going to post, I was still able to smile and enjoy it -- and that's a good sign.

http://icanhascheezburger.com/2007/07/09/hahaha-2/

Clearly I'm still a little scattered, and this post seems a bit disjointed, but hopefully someone can take a bit of good from it. And yeah, I know the link is silly. But silly is good too.

[Joslyn]

Cute kitty! Awww.

Anyway, to answer a question from a while back, yes I was seriously depressed when I first went on lex (actually it was celexa at the time). I did not attempt suicide, but I was thinking about it often. I also had loss of appetite and insomnia, and when I finally fell asleep, would wake up at 3 am feeling awful. So I completely understand why meds were recommended for me. I was barely, barely functioning.

The first time I was depressed, I refused to take meds, and it eventually went away on its own. The second time (years later) is when I agreed to take meds. Even on meds, I did have an episode of moderate, but short-lived depression. That was like 3 yrs ago though.

Looking back, every one of my depressive episdoes, large or small, I can trace back to some sort of romantic breakup or disappointment. That was my trigger. Now I am happily married. So, I am curious to see, do I still need meds?

I am going to taper down another level Thursday. So far I haven't decided dose. I am currently at 7.75 (from 10).

The only thing I have noticed so far is that I seem to have the munchies more than usual...but that could just be me. Hmm. I would like to go onto a high protein/low carb diet, but I have read that is not so good for those of us tapering off meds, so I am not doing that. Too bad, because it really works. Oh well. I only want to lose about 7 lbs.

Good luck everyone!

[elizabethmaria]

Hi everyone,
Went to the dentist today -- haven't gone since my reaction in December, so was a bit worried what he would find! I have always had good teeth, but didn't know what this drug reaction did in there.. Fortunately, all was good, told him about the reaction, seizures, etc.. and that my gums bled for several weeks during and after.. He said he could totally tell something happened.. my gums had receeded all the way around unusually, like a shock.. and one spot really far he could tell was from the drug reaction - said I might even need a graft to heal the hole some.. So nice that a doctor could tell something bad happened! I told him it was actually a lot better, but he was still angry as to what happened - I think he's a little protective over his patient's teeth kind of cool I thought! He's been seeing me for over 17 years, so knows my mouth really well - could totally tell something hit hard! It wasn't really bad, and I'm actually sure it will heal almost completely, but just take a little more time.. no cavities though, thank the Lord!

Anyways, just thought I would share.. maybe we're looking to the wrong doctors to diagnose our troubles ..

Am doing much much better.. the really really bad depression/scary thoughts have abated much, to great relief. Another bad phase, hopefully passed for a while! That was one of the most scariest times, yucky! and so far out..

I wanted to thank you HOPEFUL SO MUCH for your email - I was crying when I read it, and again, have been carrying it around with me. The prayers helped so very much as I was so scared... I didn't write you back right away, as I didn't know what to say, it was just so sweet of you. I am so thankful to be feeling better now, don't know what happened there. Am so thankful that I started to feel better when my boyfriend came as well, I was able to talk and not have tons of seizures, though I did overdo it! Thank you so much though - I cannot even tell you how much that helped me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is very interesting though.. I think I know why my boyfriend is so understanding - he told me that a few years ago, after he had been seeing someone else and things had been hard, he was put on antidepressants, unwillingly though.. He didn't like them at all, they made him feel sick and funny and more upset, and he couldn't eat, lost 30 pounds in 3 months.. at the end of 3 months, (that was how long the doc said to try it) he gave it back, said NO WaY, this stuff is terrible.. he got his appetite back right away, but he said it took 18 months for his head to feel like normal, kept telling his mom how his head felt so strange, and he kept trying to jump out of his skin-like.. Funny how he said 18 months though! right on target, isn't it? He didn't have a horrible withdrawal or real bad reaction, but it still made him off -- he knows how I feel though, to some extent, so he is so very patient. I just thank the Lord for bringing such an understanding friend at such a time.. So strange, I didn't really know that that happened, I knew he had had them before and didn't like them, but this time he told me more - guys are so strange (sorry guys ).. they don't say much sometimes until later .. why is that?

Ok, I am rambling, but, sometimes just like to write things, even if just to myself here! am just glad to be over that last hump, whew!
thank you for your prayers as always, and you're all in mine,
love,
Elizabethmarie

[elizabethmaria]

Hi again,
One more thing - my boyfriend also said that he had lost a lot of muscle, not just weight - like me.. you could see the bones in his chest, there was just nothing there, terribly thin.. This is what I feel like - like not just weight loss, but like muscle wasting in the whole upper body to hips.. just skin on bone - does anyone else have this too? Doesn't seem to be any muscle tone at all, but I do the same things as before.. that made me feel better, as it's kind of strange... does anyone have this at all?

It was so sweet, I was like, oh no, 18 months for you? and he was like, no, don't worry, the curve is steeper in the beginning, so you'll be feeling much better earlier on... how sweet is that? Gosh, where does the Lord find these people to help us? I mean, the likelihood is next to nothing, really.. prayers are most certainly answered, every one! and even those that we don't even know we'll be saying He answers ahead of time...
take care,
love, EM

[kimberoo]

How is everybody?

I haven't been on since Friday and I'm sorry. My husband has been on 7.5 mg for 14 days now and he still hasn't stabilized yet. The zaps are a little better but the dizziness is unrelenting. He usually finds solace just being at home, but last night while cooking, he nearly passed out. There were no sudden movements, no bending over....nothing.....just standing there and BOOM!! We're seriously considering going up to 10 mg at this point, Monday marked 3 weeks at home with no driving!

Aunty

I printed out information from the www.psychiatrytimes.com in regards to the p450 cytochrome pathway and brought it to our doctor. I also brought information about the interaction of Lexapro with Erthromycin, Cleocin and Biaxin AND Tagamet and Zantac (all of which my husband had been prescribed at one pint or another while on both Paxil and Lexapro).

1. His view on p450:
He didn't know what I was talking about and said that it was above his head. He said that he's never sent anyone for this kind of testing before and wouldn't know where to have it done and even if he had it done he wouldn't know what to do with the results, they would mean nothing to him. Again, he looked up the interactions of Sectral and Lexapro and said they won't harm him, but that his proplems seems to be a chemical one so why doesn't he just stop taking ALL of the medicines including the vitamins.

2. His view on Erthromycin and Lexapro:
My concern is that all of this started even before my husband began tapering, when he was prescribed the antibiotic in Nov. 2005 and had a reaction that sent him to the hospital ( there he was told that he was allergic to the antibiotic). He's been going downhill ever since. He says that even if he had a reaction it wouldn't bring on Serotonin Syndrome and it would last for only as long as he was taking the antibiotic and there would be no lasting or longterm effects from it.

I still have hope that our appointment at Johns Hopkins in August will help. My husband is miserable and I don't even know if we'll be able to make the car ride if he doesn't feel better by then. Why is it taking so long for him to feel better after reinstating? I thought that you had to wait out the tapers but for him he's waiting out the reinstatements!! His next dose is due tomorrow, do you think going up to 10 mg is the best solution at this point?

Everybody
He has chills and goosebumps all the time (it's 95 degrees!) He says he feels tremors inside his body and head (not that I can see him shaking, he says he feels it on the inside) and a constant headache..................is this NORMAL? And, has anyone else ever experienced episodes of near fainting? The more symptoms that you guys mention here that he can relate to, the more he accepts that he doesn't have a life threatening disease. (he's talking about checking himself into the hospital until they find what is wrong with him).....Please help me....this is really getting hard to convince him that it IS the Lexapro.

Thanks Guys,
Kimberoo

[kimberoo]

Aunty

I forgot to mention, he has been taking his blood pressure a lot, it is normal, for the most part. It only went down really low a few hours after he almost passed out last night. It was 106/62 then 86/72 then 101/67. These were all 15 minutes apart. all of the other ones were 110-120 (upper #) and 70-80 (lower #), His pulse was constantly in the 70's or 80's throughout. He got scared when his bp got to 86/72. When should he be concerned? Also, when he did nearly pass out, he right away took his bp and it was 134/92 with a pulse of 64, raised bp and lowered pulse.....does this make any sense to you? Sorry for always giving you way too much information and asking so many questions.

Kimberoo

[elizabethmaria]

Hi Kimberoo,
Am so very sorry that your husband is still suffering so much - I'm sure Aunty can help - I'm not sure about the 10 mg, I wouldn't know, but with all Aunty's research, I'm sure that it will be straightened out soon. I was just thinking that I wouldn't be too sure that after the antibiotic reaction your husband had, everything would just go back to normal.. just with the lexapro. Nothing I have experienced or read about in others seems to behave 'normally' with lex in the system, and because it so profoundly affects serotonin receptors throughout the body, (only 10% are in the brain, the rest are in your system) then I can only imagine that a severe reaction to one medication is going to disrupt the already disrupted system.. It seems like other people have had this happen too - like Hopeful.. she was on the lex for a while, I think doing ok, but then at some point things started to change, movement problems, etc.. Maybe for your husband the shock of the antibiotic reaction, in combo with a drug reaction, precipitated an already brewing reaction... Anyways, just some thoughts from my head! I know my body doesn't behave the same way it did before I got CFS - my tolerance to drugs, and everything, changed dramatically. Sometimes when your body receives a major shock, it throws things off kilter a lot more than we would think.. it sure happened to me!
Here's some of my symptoms,
Early on:
Arm curling
Leg circling
Facial 'drop' (like when one side of your face is drugged)
Over dilating pupil
Heart jumps/palpitations
Blacking out spells
severe memory loss/totally spaced out
severe uncoordination
leg drag/foot drop
akathisia (unstopping movements)
inability to make facial features
depression/crying spells
appetite changes (none to lots)
hormonal imbalance/period changes
headaches of all sorts and kinds (cold sensations, popping noises, pressure, pins and needles, you name it)
breakouts/boils on back, face, very very dry skin
dark undereye circles, come and go randomly
gum/dental changes (confirmed by dentist!)
strange things during falling asleep/waking, feel like your going to pass out
fragmented/strange thoughts
depersonalization
feeling very hot, night sweats, flu-like feelings that come and go
digestive disturbances,
seizures/dystonia
Yes, and car rides are AWFUL!
and tons of things that I hopefully have forgotten!

At 7 months now, I have mostly seizures, dystonia at times, depersonalization, headaches, some movement problems, depression bouts - esp when overexerted, thought difficulty, wavering appetite...but all improving.

So, lots of weird things, it's is NO fun. I would suggest too, if you'd like, to research on Paxil Progess.. there you can read the bios of people who have struggled during reactions and withdrawal symtoms, and maybe it would help you compare more symptoms. That site is hard to read, as some people have had such an incredibly hard time! But there is really good experiences to read there, if you have time.. I know plenty of people have had the blood pressure trouble too.. the doctor I spoke with said that in one of his patients, it caused her blood pressure to just drop unexpectedly to almost nothing, for no particular reason, then boost up, then down.. very strange things he said happen! and he confirmed all my symptoms as ssri reaction too.. soo.. hope this helps you feel a little better, take care of yourself too!

Funny thing about your doctor and the P450 system.. sorry to sound bad, but, I think you need a new doctor! How old is he anyways? Did you bring him the Mayo clinic info on antidepressants, and DNA testing? Does he know that they won't even let one of their doctors prescribe AD's unless they've been genetically tested (P450) first? I brought the Genelex Lab P450 pathway drug list to my neurologist, and she was like OH MY GOSH, where did you find this list?? they should have given us this all in med school! And ran off to make copies to post in all of her patient rooms.. she was so excited..It's scary, but I think we're on the educating end of things at this point...

As stated before, I am not a doctor, and these reflect only my personal experiences and thoughts!
love and prayers,
Elizabethmarie

[auntybiotic]

Kimbertoo,

Your doctor sounds like a uneducated idiot. How could he not know about the P450 Pathways and prescribe medicine.......................change doctors before this one does more harm to your hubby.

I cannot say if 10 Mg will help but if the 7.5 is not then it would not hurt to try. You need to get him stabalized. What did your doctor say about the dizziness and the Sectral and lexapro interaction. Why woun't one of these physicians switch your husband to another blood pressure medication?? Is that so difficult........................he is having a interaction. What were his thoughts after reading the interaction..........I remember he said to stop everything.......what a idiot!!!!!

I agree with you that the change may have begun years ago with the antibiotic reaction affecting the pathways in the liver. Your husband most likely, has become a slow metabolizer of medications using the p- 450 system.

I am not a doctor but I do know that you need to get a more experienced doctor for your husband who is aware of drug interactions. The dizziness seems to be the major complaint.

Yes lexapro withdrawals are hot and cold chills but this also can be from serotonin syndrome. Does he have mania? Shivering? I wish I knew the answer but the best thing would be to get the Sectral switched to something else!!!

Did you get accepted to Withdrawal and Recovery. I read that over 30 new people joined last week and I was wondering if they were all from here. Were you accepted?

[Hairyarmadillo]

I feel SOOOOOOOOOO good! I can't believe it-usually this time of the month I have just started recovering from the effects of PMS influenced moods. I am cleaning house, being productive, really feeling positive. Have been a bit more tired than usual but just let myself sleep extra when I need to. I only have 1 more month of vacation so I figure I need to rest up while I can.

kimberoo I hate to read that about your husband-he has certainly been through the wringer. I can't believe the doctor told you he wouldn't know what to do with the results of the testing even if he did know where to send for tests. I agree with Elizabethmarie and Aunty about the doctor switch. There is nothing more discouraging for a person's morale to be subjected to a doctor that cannot help.

Elizabethmarie I can't believe that about your boyfriend! And then the 18th month mark! Absolutely amazing. I cannot believe that your reaction affected your gums. I should not be shocked by anything that happens after using Lexapro by now, but still, the gums!? At least you had no cavities Glad you are doing better and over your hump.

Tavee How's the latest decrease going? Can you tell a difference yet? hoping you are feeling on top of the world!

[Freazytek]

Originally Posted by elizabethmaria

Hi Kimberoo,
Am so very sorry that your husband is still suffering so much - I'm sure Aunty can help - I'm not sure about the 10 mg, I wouldn't know, but with all Aunty's research, I'm sure that it will be straightened out soon. I was just thinking that I wouldn't be too sure that after the antibiotic reaction your husband had, everything would just go back to normal.. just with the lexapro. Nothing I have experienced or read about in others seems to behave 'normally' with lex in the system, and because it so profoundly affects serotonin receptors throughout the body, (only 10% are in the brain, the rest are in your system) then I can only imagine that a severe reaction to one medication is going to disrupt the already disrupted system.. It seems like other people have had this happen too - like Hopeful.. she was on the lex for a while, I think doing ok, but then at some point things started to change, movement problems, etc.. Maybe for your husband the shock of the antibiotic reaction, in combo with a drug reaction, precipitated an already brewing reaction... Anyways, just some thoughts from my head! I know my body doesn't behave the same way it did before I got CFS - my tolerance to drugs, and everything, changed dramatically. Sometimes when your body receives a major shock, it throws things off kilter a lot more than we would think.. it sure happened to me!
Here's some of my symptoms,
Early on:
Arm curling
Leg circling
Facial 'drop' (like when one side of your face is drugged)
Over dilating pupil
Heart jumps/palpitations
Blacking out spells
severe memory loss/totally spaced out
severe uncoordination
leg drag/foot drop
akathisia (unstopping movements)
inability to make facial features
depression/crying spells
appetite changes (none to lots)
hormonal imbalance/period changes
headaches of all sorts and kinds (cold sensations, popping noises, pressure, pins and needles, you name it)
breakouts/boils on back, face, very very dry skin
dark undereye circles, come and go randomly
gum/dental changes (confirmed by dentist!)
strange things during falling asleep/waking, feel like your going to pass out
fragmented/strange thoughts
depersonalization
feeling very hot, night sweats, flu-like feelings that come and go
digestive disturbances,
seizures/dystonia
Yes, and car rides are AWFUL!
and tons of things that I hopefully have forgotten!

At 7 months now, I have mostly seizures, dystonia at times, depersonalization, headaches, some movement problems, depression bouts - esp when overexerted, thought difficulty, wavering appetite...but all improving.

So, lots of weird things, it's is NO fun. I would suggest too, if you'd like, to research on Paxil Progess.. there you can read the bios of people who have struggled during reactions and withdrawal symtoms, and maybe it would help you compare more symptoms. That site is hard to read, as some people have had such an incredibly hard time! But there is really good experiences to read there, if you have time.. I know plenty of people have had the blood pressure trouble too.. the doctor I spoke with said that in one of his patients, it caused her blood pressure to just drop unexpectedly to almost nothing, for no particular reason, then boost up, then down.. very strange things he said happen! and he confirmed all my symptoms as ssri reaction too.. soo.. hope this helps you feel a little better, take care of yourself too!

Funny thing about your doctor and the P450 system.. sorry to sound bad, but, I think you need a new doctor! How old is he anyways? Did you bring him the Mayo clinic info on antidepressants, and DNA testing? Does he know that they won't even let one of their doctors prescribe AD's unless they've been genetically tested (P450) first? I brought the Genelex Lab P450 pathway drug list to my neurologist, and she was like OH MY GOSH, where did you find this list?? they should have given us this all in med school! And ran off to make copies to post in all of her patient rooms.. she was so excited..It's scary, but I think we're on the educating end of things at this point...

As stated before, I am not a doctor, and these reflect only my personal experiences and thoughts!
love and prayers,
Elizabethmarie

Hi elizabethmaria,i had a bad reaction to from just one dose off lexapro.
Are you still on an ssri or did you had a bad reaction to from an ssri and then quit abruptly?
I still have a headache after 3 months off that one dose,a pressure like sensation.
Is your headache getting better after 7 months?

[skyer]

Hi EM:

I'm still here. I'm leaning on Paxil Progess for support since there are members who posted during their whole withdrawal. It helps me to try and identify with what others were going through during the nine month mark. Sounds like the whole first year for people like us is just plain hard! I was feeling OK for a while (as well as can be with lingering depersonalization, light sleep, stomach issues, etc.), but really struggling this week with the heat; two 100 plus degree days in a row. No sleep last night, so....I'm just surviving today...

Sounds like the depression and apathy is starting to lift for you (!)...did I read that correctly? I hope so! I was thinking about you and how you should be coming out of it by now. Of course, we're all different and heal at different times. I know for me it was a huge relief to care about life again, but I wish I still didn't feel so sick and anxious. I have fairly good days and can fake my way through, but nothing is done with total ease yet. And, like you, if you have a decent day and you push your limits...watch out...the next day usually knocks you down!

hugs!

[elizabethmaria]

Hi Freazytek,
I only took for a few days, and had the bad reaction, and obviously had to quit, thank heavens! but have suffered since. I was only on to help with a sleep difficulty, that turned out to be due to an allergic reaction to something else. I'd NEVER go on any mind altering drug EVER, EVER, . Just a few days, and all this. Funny thing, since the day after, when off of everything, I've slept like a baby since then!! how's that for funny.. drugs are scary...
I still have lots of headaches.. but that is the very least painful of my problems at this point! so... I don't think about it much - sorry! If that is all you have, be thankful! and yes, headaches are VERY VERY common - be careful, it's a sign your brain still has healing to do. I never ever had headaches before this either... and now all kinds of pressure, and other strange sensations.. Hope this puts your mind to rest - let it rest! It needs it, and it will go away, but remember, the brain and nerve cells do take months to heal, so don't be surprised or alarmed of it sticks around for quite some time.. just be gentle with it.. remember, I was only on for 3 days, on a very very baby dose (as my doctor says, ha! not for me!), but here I am! so, don't let the one dose thing mislead you or others, we are all very different metabolizers. A headache is so classic, I don't think I know anyone on this or other sites, that have gotten by without them!
take care,
Again, I'm not a doctor, -- this is only a reflection of my personal experience and research!
love,
Elizabethmarie

[elizabethmaria]

Oh, hi Skyer! I've missed you! I was hoping you were out and about - am glad that you are doing ok.. I know about the whole faking thing.... I'm getting better and better at it, which must be a good sign, because when we are really bad, there is definitely no ability to fake! Yes, I know it has been hot down there.. my boyfriend actually has a farm, and they are pushing pushing to harvest all night every night in order to get things before the heat gets to them..
Yes, I had a really bad spell, wow! but am doing ok now.. just very very very tired in the head. I've been looking a lot more on Paxil progress too, as there are more long timers there.. but I still feel a little different as most people have been on for many years and are withdrawing.. this week was nice, almost, I didn't hardly have any pms, which is unusual, and a relief, although it may bite me a bit later. I'm really noticing that I feel pretty ok if I'm really quiet, but if I overexert mentally, everything comes crashing back. I think that's a good sign.. at least to know how to get relief when it is needed. I am thankful though, to feel as though it is actually healing, whereas before, it really felt I was truly done for. So, that is very good ~ boy, I was really not sure if healing was even POSSIBLE before.. you know what I mean?
I think I still have apathy, though it's hard to tell... I used to have many deep and good hopes and dreams, and most of the time I really can't feel that at all, I mean, not sad like, but like if I died tomorrow, that would be ok.. but, am not as terribly down and having scary thoughts as before, so that's good.
How is your store coming? Are you still opening soon? Do you have a date set? I hope that your family is treating you well too...I hope that you are able to sleep tonight better - do you have a fan or something that might help with the heat? I've been like the opposite, always cold.. tuesday, it was almost 92 here, and everyone was so hot, and for me, it was the first day this summer that I didn't wear longjohns... hee hee.. a little cooler today, and guess what, longjohns are back on!
Sorry for the rambling post.. have just been talking myself through this phase...
take good care,
love, EM

[Freazytek]

Elizabethmaria Thx for your kind words,i know it will take some time to heal the brain.Is there any kind of improvement after 7 months on your side??
I hope we all will heal in time and we recover and be the folks as we were before.
Greetz freazy from Belgium

[tavee]

Hi Guys!!
Just Checking In. Its Day 8 On 1.3ml. Im Ok But Just A Little Tired. I Have Been Sleeping And It Is More Like A Deep Sleep. Do U Guys Ever Get That??
I Wake Up From A Nap And Then Im Tired Again. Yesterday I Was A Little Irritable Or I Should Say On Edge. My Hubby Still Doesnt Understand. I Told Him It Was Day 7 Yesterday And Thats Why I Felt That Way , But Of Course He Thinks Because Im On A Low Dose I Shouldnt Be Feeling Anything. Hey Everyone Has A Right To Their Opinion, But If They Dont Know Anything And Havent Experienced This Then They Shouldnt Say Anything.
Im Ok Though. It Is Nothing That I Cant Handle. Ill Get Thru This. I Just Wish I Had People Around Me That Were More Supportive.
I Have U Guys And Thats Important To Me. I Love U Guys With All My Heart And Thank U For Getting Me Thru The Bad Days.

Em- How Are U Doing?
Hairy- Are U Ok?? Hows Ure Summer Without Students???
Aunty- Is Ure Daughter Back Yet?
Skyer- U Havent Posted In A While. How Are U?

Well, Sunday Is Our Anniversary Of 7 Years Of Marriage. Wooowww Time Flies!!

Love U Guys

Tavee

[thankyouuniverse]

I am so grateful to read what other people have to say about going off lexapro. I have been on an antidepressant for depression and anxiety for the majority of the past 11 years. I started on Paxil, switched to Celexa and then Lexapro. I have been going to therapy for the same length of time and have recently decided that I would like to see what I'm like unmedicated. I would like to go off them forever. I feel like therapy has armed me with the ability to go without the drugs. The drug I have just gone off of is Lexapro at 20 mg. I went to 10 mg for 2 weeks and then 5 mg for one week. I took my last pill 3 days ago. I have been having brain zaps/jolts and today I feel a little bit like the front of my brain is in a vice. But I don't really care because after reading what you have been writing about withdrawal I have been comforted to know that it's "normal" to have weirdness after stopping an antidepressant and it is so helpful to know that this too shall pass. Thank you so much all of you for opening up about these things because it truly helps to hear from others who are going through the same thing you are. I'm looking forward to getting to know myself again. Thanks again.

[Hairyarmadillo]

Tavee I definitely have been through that deep sleep thing, sometimes to the point where I couldn't wake up. I would have dreams about struggling to wake up and trying to sit up, move and anything else that would wake me up. I would have these dreams around the time when I was supposed to wake up for weeks at a time. They were so realistic it scared me. I always felt I had them because it was around the time my body usually woke up and it was trying to rouse, but the sleep was too deep. I hate your hubby isn't more understanding but I guess in some cases a person has to be there to understand. I know prior to this I would have thought closer to the low dose I shouldn't have felt as much but the closer I got to 0, the worse it got. Of course, I also thought I could get off 10 mgs in a months time before I learned better.

Funny you mention school. Only seconds ago I was worrying about if I would still feel as good once school started or will the pressures push me back over the edge. I have been feeling so much better. Been cleaning house, wanting to do things instead of feeling drained all the time. i am so scared this good period will end when school starts. I have already decided that I am NOT going to do my 6 am to 6 pm stay at school schedule I will still stay later and go in early, but am going to have to stop making my life all about school and then coming home trying to squeeze in a homelife. One thing this journey has taught me, is that I am going to find some way to deal with things more proactively/positively without taking this mind-numbing medication.

[elizabethmaria]

A reading - for those of us waiting, and going through this healing, and wondering what is in store...
I really love this, as I certainly struggle with patience, and the unknowing! Hope this helps... love, EM


Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried.
Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.
I plead and I wept for a clue to my fate,
And the Master so gently said, "Child, you must wait!"

"'Wait?', you say, wait!" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and am claiming your Word.

"My future and all to which I can relate
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes,' a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.

"And Lord, you promised that if we believe
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply!"

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
As my Master replied once again, "You must wait."
So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting. . .for what?"

He seemed then to kneel and His eyes wept with mine,
And he tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run.
All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.
You would have what you want -- but, you wouldn't know Me.

"You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint;
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint;
You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there;
You'd not know the joy of resting in me
When darkness and silence were all you could see.

"You'd never experience that fullness of love
As the peace of my Spirit descends like a dove;
You'd know that I give and I save. . .(for a start),
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of my heart.

"The glow of my comfort late into the night.
The faith that I give when you walk without sight,
The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked
Of an infinite God, who makes what you have last.

"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that 'My grace is sufficient for thee.'
Yes, your dreams for your loved ones overnight would come true,
But, oh, the loss! if I lost what I'm doing in you!

"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to get to know me.
And though oft may my answers seem terribly late,
My wisest of answers is still but to wait."

[Atlasmark]

Hi All - 4th day off lexapro and I have foggy like feelings - almost like being stoned or taking mushrooms (long time ago highschool/college) . Once I stopped taking the lexapro, I felt fine first couple of days - mild brain zaps, but I had tons of energy. 3rd day thought I had the flu - then I found this site.....Hmmmm..... 4th day have had some jolts throughout my body and a few mood spells - (anger). I was yelling at my mother and she wasn't even here. Imagine that..... I am taking wellbutrin, but just started on Monday. I tapered off lexapro very quickly, and so far so good. Was taking 20mg for about a year and cut back to 10mg a few months back give or take ( Did so because I felt like a couch potato and I had no motivation - just wanted to sleep) . Cut back to 5 mg for about a week, then my last 20mg pill I cut in quarters and took for 4 days, and now have stopped taking it completely.
Thanks for all the information - your experiences. I hope ya'll don't mind if I pop in and read your comments and share my experience from time to time. It would suck to go through this alone.
Love to all of you!!!!!!