[anxiousbabe]

I was reading online about any side effects that omega3fish oil might have and it stated one as being fish smelling breath. (Don't Laugh) like I am right now, but does anyone know of this to be true?????

Florence

[bodyelectric]

My wife stopped taking it for exactly that reason. I didn't notice it...I must have fish-breath too.

The nicotine cravings have calmed down considerably. I feel more and more "normal," which is a new feeling for me. I'm still going to wait awhile before working on that addiction. One thing at a time.

I have fleshed out the master list on page 31 and made some minor changes. You might see if any of the new information applies to you.

[anxiousbabe]

Oh no!!! Now I have to worry about fish breath. If you didn't smell it on your wife then maybe she just thought she smelled it, but didn't really have it.

Well I am still going to try it and see what happens. I am sure my husband will let me know if I have fish breath.

Good luck with the cigarette smoking. I don't smoke so I don't know how hard it is to quit, but my husband has to quit. He is smoking 2 packs a day and has a terrible cough in the morning. He doesn't smoke in the house either so maybe if the winter is cold enough he won't want to go outside to smoke that much. I am going to get him the gum. Does anyone know how that works?

Florence

[bodyelectric]

The gum gives me hicoughs but works for many. Others get addicted to it and chew it for years after quitting the smoking. Expensive, but harmless.

When I quit successfully for a year and a half (until this Lexapro withdrawal ordeal), the patch and prayer did the job, though I was a crazy, mean s.o.b. for the first 3 weeks. I recommend getting some 12-step literature, too, because at least the first three steps apply completely to smoking, too, and can help.

No amount of cold would deter me from smoking.

[Not depressed]

This is my first posting. I am on day 5 without Lexapro. I started weening myself off from 15 mg to 10 to 5 to 0 over a period of about 6 weeks. I was put on Celexa almost 4 yrs ago for migraines induced by stress. Then switched to Lexapro because I complained that I was still having occasional headache and a bit of weight gain. Now I have gained so much that I am depressed . I am only 5'1" and used to wear a size 6. Now I weigh 160 and wearing 14's. No, not happy. Also having allot of IBS, went to another Dr. for that, he put me on something, didn't like the side effects, then read that these Seratonin uptakes are taking from the gut, could be causing IBS. Time to get off. So I started backing off. I thought I was doing great but during Hurricane Rita, my son wanted to go to his girlfriends house. I got so mad that I threw him out of the house and started uncontrollably crying. I am not like that. I realized after the fact that I was having my first withdrawal symptom. Was doing okay until yesterday, started getting light headed and nausiated [xx(]. Today, the same, started looking online to see if this could possibly be Lexapro withdrawal symptoms, and found you guys. Wow, I didn't realize how bad I really need to get off of this drug. I am happy that these symptoms are just withdrawal and not something else wrong with me, but not to happy to think it might go on for 2 - 3 weeks! Also, [:0] I'm now wondering if the tendenitis type pain in my right shoulder could be part of the withdrawal too, any one else have that problem? Seems like it started about the same time. Also, can anyone tell me when I might start wanting to have sex with my husband again?[?][:I][?][?]

NOT depressed!in Texas

[wendyk]

I had been taking lexapro at 10mg for 3 years and recently decided to stop. I actually did it the wrong way, cold turkey and have now been off the drug 10 days. I have had some very weird withdrawal effects including a zapping feeling in my head every time I stand or move around. I also have been noticing I am exhausted, could sleep all day and am a bit nauceous and dizzy. Per my doctors, I have two choices. Either continue since I am already 10 days over the meds and it will dissipate shortly or take a half of a pill and do the proper weaning off. I am inclined to just suffer this out since I am already 10 days into the "no drugs". Curious others thoughts on what to do.

[Not depressed]

I just posted for the first time just ahead of you. But since we are both online at the same time, I will give you my input anyway. Stay off. You are already 10 days into it. I am only on day 5 and experiencing similar symptoms, not to encouraging for me. But it sounds like you are ahead of me, don't go backwards. I weened off slowly, and am experiencing the same symptoms. If anyone else out there can suggest from the experience of cold turkey, speak up, before she gets back on the poison.
I'm heading to the vitamin store tomorrow after reading the other posts about natural help. I'm having tuna now, 100 mg of Omega 3. They say not to eliminate this fat from your diet now, you need it. If you are like most of us, you are trying to diet to loose all of the Lexapro weight gain. But careful not to eliminate something from your diet that you need.
Good Luck to both of us!

[bodyelectric]

Not depressed,

Muscle soreness can be a symptom, or you might have pulled it, which (possibly) might be easier to do while withdrawing. See page 31 for some things that could help. As for the sex, give it a week, and by then your neighbors might start calling the police. As my wife says, "GOODBYE LEXAPRO!"

wendyk,

Both ways work, and the symptoms [u]should</u> start going away soon, but there's no guarantee there. It can last 6 weeks or more. I'd say wait it out a little longer, but if the symptoms are unbearable (to you or your family), go back to a dose with no withdrawal symptoms -- you might try half or full dose -- then come off more slowly. My symptoms went away in a little over two weeks. Everyone is different.

[Not depressed]

Dear bodyelectric,
Thanks for the quick response. If I read what you suggested, it would be Lecithin that I need? I used to buy malted to add to ice cream for malts, contains lecithin. I guess I shouldn't do that though as I am trying to loose weight. I'll look at the vitamin store for it in pill form.

Also, someone had suggested watching Dr. Phil that Weds. last week. I missed it. Was that the show that he had been talking about with David Letterman the week before, where 1000 women all have the same problem? Did anyone see it? Was getting off Lexapro the subject?

NOT depressed!in Texas

[bodyelectric]

Yes, plus magnesium, calcium, vitamins C and E. You might also look into potassium and vitamin K. I don't know about those last two, but it would make sense. Not surprisingly, a lot of the chemicals we need for mood also affect other systems and pathways, like muscles and nerves.

[bodyelectric]

I can't stand Dr. Phil, but I still planned to watch the show. Had a conference call and missed it. I, too, am curious...?

[anxiousbabe]

Not depressed,

Rest assure that your sex drive should come back shortly. I am 7 days off lex and my sex drive has returned with a vengeance. I think about my husband and his sex all day. I can't wait to come home from work just to kiss him. It is amazing. It's like brand new love all over again. We always were this passionate even after 3 kids, but after the lex a year and a half ago I never felt like I wanted it or never ever initiated it. Now I am back to my old ways and it feels so good to feel alive again.

I, too would have never started taking this **** if I knew all of this. I gained 32 pounds and went from a size 6 to a size 12-14 Discusting I know. I don't even wear jeans anymore because I am not like a normal person who is a size 12-14 my body is so out of porportion. My waist is so small like always, but my stomach is like I am 3 month pregnant and my butt is huge and my thighs are just as bad. The only good thing from the weight is I went from a B cup to a nice C cup, but I would give that up to get back to normal size.

I started taking this med for anxiety and panic with no depression, however I started getting depressed from the person that it turned me into....FAT and Miserable, moody and just not my happy fun self.

Well good luck and keep posting.

Florence

[MelodyGal]

I have been off Lexapro for three weeks now. Hooray! The dizziness stopped at about two weeks. I have lost about 3 pounds and my mid section has gone down considerably. I can wear some clothes that I have not been able to wear for over a year. I am not very hungry and have reduced calorie consumption to lose weight. The scale never went down while on Lexapro no matter how hard I tried, so I am happy to see results already.

When I first stopped the Lexapro (for about the first three days), I was dizzy, hyper, could not sleep and was starving for sweets. All that stopped, and I feel very normal. It was well worth the withdrawal struggle, but I withdrew very, very slowly.

After you cut the pill in half again, I'd suggest taking it every other day for a while before stopping. You may still suffer from withdrawal symptoms but they won't be too bad.

Good luck to everyone.

MelodyGal

quote:Originally posted by anxiousbabe

Hi,
Does anyone have any success with taking some of the Lexapro weight gain off after withdrawing completely. I know what you mean about the belly fat, it is terrible. I am almost at the 2wk mark of cutting the dose in half so on Wed. I will cut it in half again and do that for another two weeks.
I hope that is a long enough withdrawel period before going off of it all together.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[auntybiotic]

Body Electric.

Thanks again for your dedication to the supplement list being constantly updated and for being so active at supporting everyone. YOU ROCK!!!!!

A note regarding the o
mega 3 Fish Oils. There are many fish oils that have a lemon additive so that there is not a fish after taste. Also do not buy a CHEAP brand. Carlson's is recommended because it is mercury free. Don't want to add mercury to our bodies by taking a cheap "walmart" brand of Omega 3's. If you go to a Vitamin Shoppe...........they can direct you to a quality mercury free fish oil with no after taste.


Also Body E added that our bodies need the good fat to heal. I can highly recommend coconut oil.(can be ordered online) to use in salads or just taken by the teaspoonful. It has excellent healing qualities and builds up the immune system. When I get a chance I will post more on it.


Body E.

If you may be interested in a excellent book on antidepressant withdrawaland and the dangers of SSRI's .... I can mail it (as a thank you) to a address or PO Box. I ordered two copies by accident. It is by Anne Blake Tracy......excellent informative book. I actually read it three times. She also has a CD entitled "Help I can't get off my antidepressant" she talks about why SSRI's are addictive, the dangers of using them and how to heal the body after slowly tapering off of them. By the way, Lexapro and celexa are two of the "most difficult" to get off of due to their "selected serotonin uptake".

You are so good at expalining things ............. you could educate us on the contents of the book Chapter by Chapter.............like a online course in Lexapro withdrawal! (Smile). Actually you are already doing a fine job of that!!!!

If you are interested in this free gift from me, e-mail me and let me know. I can send it to a P&gt;O&gt; Box or anywhere at all. If you are too busy to read it ...............I understand that also.

Won't be posting in the next day as I am going out of State till Sunday.

HUG

[bodyelectric]

I'll be gone for a week, too, but will check in when I can. Got some business in FL next week and padded it with some beach days. Here's my info...he hesitates for a moment...will he really put his address on a post with over 1,000 hits a day? He thinks about it...YES he does it, if just for the fan mail, the glory, not to mention money falling like manna into his clutches...but he will probably delete it later when he comes to his senses...

[DELETED]

Thanks, Aunty. We got about 1200 hits today, and this post comes up in 3rd place on a Google search for "Lexapro Withdrawal." Who knew? You've started quite a public service project.

[bodyelectric]

Almost [u]any</u> fat will do. Except the artificial ones (transfat), because they're made of plastic. I'm not saying you should drench everything in grease or deep-fry everything (will cause your arteries to clog, but at least you won't die a porker). There's flaxseed oil (have to keep it in the fridge), olive oil, and as Aunty mentioned, coconut oil. In that order for health.

Yet again, it is successful marketing hype that low-fat or no-fat foods are better for you than the foods of our forefathers -- I doubt seriously your great-grandparents were fat (or depressed, for that matter) a day in their lives (Americans were actually healthiest during the Depression and WWII when they ate veggies, carbs, whole dairy products and either sent the meat to the boys overseas or simply couldn't afford it). It's not a real surprise that how you eat can improve your mental health considerably. Healthier school lunch programs in places like Brooklyn have caused a dramatic decrease in ADD and raised test scores, just as one example.

Drink whole milk if you want. Get the really yummy yogurt. Use real butter, real sour cream, real cream cheese. Eat the skin. Chew on the fat of the lamb, so to speak. [u]Fat does not make you fat.</u> If your body doesn't need it immediately for one process or another, it goes straight out with a nasty splash. You will notice that these old-school foods are slightly more expensive. Even though they are easier to make, demand for them has dropped, decreasing supply and raising the price. The more people you convince to make healthy buying choices, the more chance that the price will drop.

Sugars are to blame for fat -- they are not sent out of the body when they're not needed. Sugar is saved as energy in the form of body fat for hard times ahead (change of seasons, crop failure, etc, things that don't affect us so much anymore, at least here). Sugar is fairly new to the human body, at least in the amounts we take in through sodas, etc, and we are not equipped to handle it. It is an evolutionary glitch that might work out in a few millenia if we don't kill ourselves off first, or maybe we'll have a good healthy famine to slim us down -- and though I'm not particularly against them, who knows how our new genetically modified crops will resist disease over time (here we go into politics, so I'll leave that one alone).

We simply weren't designed to eat this way. So go easy on junk food (simple carbohydrates are just sugars, afterall) and sweets. And make sure you're taking omega-3 to counterbalance the omega-6. The ratio should be around 10:1 or in that ballpark, omega-6 to omega-3. Most Americans have a ratio more like 125:1.

I didn't intend to go off on a rant here, but we should really be angry. Angry at ourselves for falling for the marketing hype when we should know better. Angry at the school board for giving school lunch contracts to the lowest bidder and allowing vending machines. Angry at local government for cutting school budgets in the first place, making such things necessary, not to mention editing out gym class so our kids can go stir-crazy in another class where they won't learn anything (at no fault of the teachers if the kids are too wired on sugar to listen). We have the most obese children in the world. They will not grow up to be healthy adults, physically or mentally. They will have to medicate on drugs like Lexapro just to get by. We are to blame. (If this offends anyone, let me know and I'll delete it -- no particular political party is to blame, it's on all of us.)

Happy porking.

[anxiousbabe]

aunty,

I bought my omega-3 from my natural doctor and she suggested this one because it didn't contain Mercury and all those other harmful things. It does have lemon in it so we will see about the fish breath. It cost me $20.00 for the bottle. It that too cheap or about right for good fish oil.

Thanks for all your knowledge....body electric you too!!! You guys are my inspiration. I have never been on the computer so much since I have found this site. Something on this forum helps me cope with the lex withdrawel everyday and I thank you again.

[Not depressed]

Thanks for the advise on eating fats. On that note I ran to the fridge and had a couple of slices of that delicious looking Hickory Farms cheese that was left over from the Hurricane Rita supplies (not needed for long here in Houston) Ooohhh, that was goooood! But you know what, it actually eased the nausia I have had all morning. Don't know if it was the fat, or just eating something that tasted sooo good. Now if I could just get rid of the dizzies, and the feeling that someone has their heavy hand on my head.
Also, I reread the nutrients in a can of Slim-Fast. I have relied on that as my usual morning meal and thinking it provided most of the vitamins and minerals. I see I still need to get lecithin and Omega 3 from another source, but do you think that this is a healthy, proper source for the rest?
Still waiting to hear what the Dr. Phil subject matter was that we discussed earlier in this forum.


NOT depressed!in Texas

[bodyelectric]

Newsflash: After not having any symptoms for a few days, I forgot to take my supplements yesterday. Experienced 3 mild brain zaps last night. That is enough evidence for me that they work.

(Had to change plans so I'm not out of town till Tuesday.)

[bodyelectric]

In answer to your question, don't run out and buy a bunch of fatty foods -- it's not good to overdo anything. But when you are doing your normal shopping and have a choice of "original" versus "low fat," go with the good stuff. I actually like Slimfast and will drink it occasionally for a boost or to keep from snacking. I've never used it as a replacement for a meal -- you need fresh veggies (steamed, blanched, sauteed, you know the rest). Raw is no good for IBS. Eating oatmeal or another whole grain for breakfast might be a better idea -- get the kind with no added sugar, then add your own fruit. (Again, high fiber is bad for IBS -- whole grains and many fruits are high in fiber.) Fruit has a lot of sugar (fructose), but you get a lot of other stuff, too, and it doesn't strip nutrition from your system like refined sugar does (glucose, sucrose, dextrose, and all the other ways you can be conned from knowing it's just sugar). Does that answer the question? I'm not sure. I hope so.

[Not depressed]

Don't worry, I really don't plan to eat just fats now. [] But I had not looked at my diet plan to include as much fat as you had said might be okay. I used to be hypoglycemic when I was a teenager, then neutralized when I had my first kid. So I was accustomed to eating high protein, low carb, but I had never really watched my fat intake carefully, as I never broke 100 lbs. untill I got pregnant (In my early thirties) Then I had to start watching fat a little more carefully, but found that I could eat carbs without much side effect. When I got pregnant with #2 I developed gestational diabetes. Had too really watch everything. They tell me I am normal now, but since being on SSRI's found that it didn't seem to matter what I did or didn't eat, I gained and gained. So I usually eat all of the right veggies and healthy foods to nurish me and my family, hoping a good solid foundation of the right foods will help prevent cancer and the like. Since my Mom has Alzheimers and my Dad has Parkingson's, I also take Vit E supplements, as suggested by the same nueroligist that put me on SSRI's for migraine headaches .
Anyway, have started feeling physically better since I ate the cheese, still don't why, but when I get dizzy, I slice another piece or 2, and start feeling better again. Weird, huh. I have since my last post eaten about half of that brick of cheese. But feeling sooo much better. [?] Well, lets see what the scale says tomorrow morning about that.[:0]

NOT depressed!in Texas

[bodyelectric]

Geez! Careful on the calories! You still have to watch those -- I'm just saying fat should be part of a balanced diet and not avoided like most people try to do...was that clear or do you think I should rewrite it?

[Not depressed]

I thought your message was a very good lesson on the subject, you just reminded me of things I had actually forgotten about the right fats are okay. I do buy real butter, because I know that is better than the fake stuff. When I went back just now and reread your post, it seems that you may of added some text.
I certainly agree about the school lunches, but our district has gone to the extreme of making unappitizing healthy food that most of the kids won't eat. I guess they now need to hire cooks that can make 'good for you food' taste good too. My 10 yr old won't eat it, I have to make his lunch everyday. My 17 yr old will eat anything and does, but he is in excellent health, athletic, his school still offers a reasonable variety. But they do need to remove the soda machines and replace them with Power aids and Gatoraides instead. Chips and candy should be replaced with nutritious snacks. Okay, another band wagon I can jump on.
Don't worry the cheese and crackers were all I ate today (besides the Slim Fast), so not too too many calories. I haven't had any cheese in so long, maybe it's just what my brain needed to feel better today. I'll probably regret it horribly tomorrow when I get on the scale though. But I am still happy to report that the naseau is in check and the dizzies are lessening.

NOT depressed!in Texas

[auntybiotic]

hi all,

I am away and using a courtesey computer so I will keep this kinda short.

Body Electric,
I never wanted you to put your address on this forum. I had e mailed you privately regarding the "User" post. Did you get my email? I thought if you wanted the book you could email me with a PO Box or somewhere to mail it. My God, I really hope you didn't actually put your address on here for even a second.

Now for dizziness.................

Go out and purchase BONNIE or Draminine and take as directed.

If you have naseau and dizziness.......go to the drug store and purchase the "SEASICK PATCHES" I really do not recall the name brand but if you were going on a cruise or get car sick, you apply a patch and the medication is slowly absorbed thru the skin. These work very well for the naseau and dizziness and anything to do with the inner ear being off balance.

Slimfast is better then coffee but the number one choice in a pinch is ENSURE Nutritional Supplements at the Drug Store..in the hospital we would use these when patients could not eat at ALL!!!!!

Next............why cheese is making you feel better.

Most of Lexapro withdrawal symptoms come from the blood sugars in the body being off...............Lexapro and it's withdrawal and what it has done to our bodies cause this.

Try this experiement/ Buy Walnuts. Whenever you are not feeling well take at least ten walnuts (best to buy the unsalted if you can find them). The walnuts will keep you blood sugar levels stable for hours (similiar to the cheese) and you will feel better.
The walnuts are great for those that feel worst in the morning......take the walnuts before bed(and then brush your teeth).

I think you will see a difference in how you feel from dizziness, naseau and even moods. Try and let know.............it has worked for many others.

Another good item to eat are Kiwi (not sure if I spelled this correct).These small green fruits contain a powerhouse of vitamins.
Stay away from broclloi if you are withdrawaling due to the P450 interaction with the liver enzymes as per Dr. Flockhart chart.

I am so glad this TOPIC has become a HOT ITEM. I am happy it is helping so many and hopefully it will have a ripple effect and help other never to start the Lexapro Poison..............Gotta run. I have a six hour drive ahead of me.

One last thing..............regarding the Fish Oil Omega 3's. I am sure it is fine if you bought it from a natural doctor. It's just the Carlson's Liquid Fish Oil has had a proven record as working so well in withdrawal.What na,e brand was your Omega 3??

Now I really have to run.

Body E,

Have a safe trip and enjoy the sun...........don't forget to pack those vitamins.

HUG
Aunty

[Not depressed]

I have not had the time to read the entire 34 pgs of post, but have skipped around through it here and there. Found where someone had suggested that we merge our anger and think about a lawsuit. This is my opinion:
I do not believe in lawsuit abuse. I think we should all make it a point to educate our own personal Dr's on what we are going thru and suggest they read this forum, if they need more testimonies. Agreed, some Docs won't listen to us, but if one of them does, maybe that Dr. won't prescribe it the next time so freely. If someone, some intelligent one, can create a good letter that could be sent to the proper corps. to present these testimonies to the powers that be, I would certainly, add my name, and stand behind you, to educate them to the possibilites that there are a great number of us that are experiencing horrible withdrawal symptoms from a drug that they said "had none". I do not feel that Lexapro should be pulled off the market because some of us have had (or having) this problem. It has genuinely helped allot of people, and allot of people have had no problems getting off of it. But we unfortunate ones should be heard, to help educate and protect the unsuspecting new users. We should also make known the weight gain that most of us have experienced. I was told, "and this one does not make you gain weight", ha! I was not depressed before I took the SSRI's but it's hard not to be depressed when you put on so much weight, that your friends ask you "Are YOU pregnant [:0] [?] " and strangers ask, "When are you due?" I can't afford to keep buying new clothes, IT IS DEPRESSING TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR [V]. It is also unhealthy to not be able to reach your toes anymore! among other things.
To re-iterate my point, I do not think we should file a class action suit, but we should make ourselves heard. Start by telling your Doc, then your friends, especially anyone that might be considering starting on an SSRI. (They should make darn sure that it is essential to their health.) And if any one of you reading posses the skills to generate a great letter and would know how to direct it to the right people, let me know. I bet we would all copy it and send it with our own names to be heard!
Okay, I'm jumping down from my soap box now, thank you.
Thanks for the advice from everyone, I'm on my way out to buy walnuts, Omega 3, etc.etc.etc.

NOT depressed!in Texas

[auntybiotic]

Not Depressed,

II have already spoke to Forrest Labs andI mightas well spoken to the wall................they will not even entertain the fact that their money maker lexapro has problems.

Most doctors also do not care...............they are given perks by the drug companies and that is where their interest lie.

I am curious who the people are that have gotten off of Lexapro without a problem.............I would love speak to just a few (if they exist).

Most people go from Lexapro to another SSRI and do not really experience withdrawal. So many Lexapro users are not yet trying to quit.
Look at the number of "lexapro victims" just on this forum..............Lexapro is poison...........label it any other way and you too are brainwashed by the drug company.

Even if a very selectfew maynot have seriouswithdrawal effects..........that doen not take into consideration the long term damageLexapro andall SSRI's inflict on the human body.

Wake upandsmell the coffee.............ForestLabsis well aware of the sucides and damage that Celexa and Lexapro causes................they will not disclose the information unless they are made to by the FDA.........it's all a big scam!!!!!!!!!

[Not depressed]

Then it sounds like we need to approach the FDA with our complaints. Or maybe if enough of us make noise to the drug mfgr. they will listen. It sure sounds like there are enough us.
Also, just a note. I was speaking with one of my son's friends last night, telling him about what I am going thru. Then he told me he used to be on it for over 6 months [:0]. He is only 17 now! So asked him how he got off of it. He said cold turkey and no side effects. I told him how very lucky he was. Then in my Sunday school class this morning, I told my class what I was going thru. After class, a very, very, very, nice (teaches special ed youth) lady told me she had been on Lexapro also. She had no problems getting off though. This lead me to think, okay some are lucky, and then there are us! [V]

NOT depressed! in Texas

[madatlex]

I have been trying to start the weaning, and it is already horrible. My main problem is irritatability and headaches. Really, I want to act out like a tantrum-throwing five-year old, which I only rarely feel like, and usually is PMS-y.

I have been doing my usual 10mg, then two days 5 mgs, then 1 day 10 mgs, then two days 5 mgs. Is this approach a good idea?

As for the informing doctors, I agree with that completely. And this is lawsuit material. It is not right for such deceptive business practices to occur. not clinically significant weight gain my big fat stomach!

[Miss Lee]

This is my first post, But I have been reading this site for 4 weeks. Here is my situation. I have had panic attacks in the past, but mild and always recoverable without any medication. I had a grand mal panic attack after moving away and taking a new job and went to the doc. They prescribed me Paxil (then two days later switched me to LEXAPRO) and gave me some Xanex and sent me on my merry way. I took this for about three days and called the doc to tell him that I felt like I was on crack. He told me to up my xanex (thanks) After twelve days of hell, I finally stopped taking it and went to a therapist. He told me from me being on the drug for such a short time I shouldn't have any withdrawal symtoms. I was allergic to SSRI's and should have been let on to this on about day 7 when I called the doc again to tell him that I felt completely out of control. 3% of the population are allergic (awesome that I could fit into this neat %) Well guess what? I started to go through withdrawal on about day 7 off the meds. My tolerable level was soooooo low it was like I took this drug for months on the dose I was on. Here is my major question. I am on week 5 and have never even known what axiety was till this. Could I still be experiencing withdrawal? Or just major side effects of being allergic? I am taking B's, but might stop after the previos posting about loud noises. I am ready for this to be over. The crying is constant and the waves of anxiety unbearable. Please help me out here. I NEVER felt like this before the meds. I have also lost over 20 lbs. I have never had any symptons of depression or anything else (except mild panic) until LEXAPRO. I feel totally out of control of my body. ANY takers?

[bodyelectric]

How long ago was your last Xanax? How much were you taking and how long? Very addictive for some folks, and you could be withdrawing from that, too, compounding the other problems you mentioned. Anyone know about a possible drug-drug interaction? Anyone had the same experience?