[auntybiotic]

I reread your posts. Please explain going from 10 Mg of paxil for 10 years to the lexapro.

How did you switch? Did you taper off of the paxil and then slowly start the lexapro or just one day went from Paxil to lexapro. So many doctors fail to realize that "switching" frrom one SSRI to another does NOT PREVENT withdrawals from the previous SSRI>

I am wondering if ALL of your symptoms, including the lexapro never working is due to the withdrawaling from long term use of paxil. Please explain symptoms after switching paxil to lexapro. Did you wait inbetween, taper, etc. i

When did the Paxil quit working? What symptoms?Were you started on 10 Mg paxil or slowly work up to 10 MG?

Often times when someone is on SSRI's for long term............others will not work and the body become desensitized. You may wish to purchase Dr. Anne Blake Tracy's book to understand this.

This is all making more sense as to why you are having such problems with the short term lexapro use and now trying to get off of the lexapro. It may be paxil withdrawal that you are experiencing.......................the site paxil progress will enlighten you as to how difficult long term use of paxil is.

Again I am not a doctor. Please visit Paxil Progress for a better understanding of why you may be suffering.

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by kimberoo

Hello All!
After reading so many posts I feel that I've gotten to know many of you already. This is my first time in any forum so go easy on me guys!
I am here for my husband. He was first prescribed Paxil in 1994 when his father died. It really helped as he has always been a bit high anxiety and has more than his share of stress (we own restaurants). In 2001 the Dr. put him on Paxil CR, but he started having severe reactions. Instead of weaning him off (which I wanted, who said this was to be a lifelong commitment to one pill?) he switched him to Lexapro. It took away whatever was causing the harm from the Paxil CR and we went along happily until October 2005. He'd had a tooth infection and was put on antibiotics, within a week or so he had a sinus infection and the antibiotic was changed to Penicillin, within a few days he had n episode at work where he thought he was dying (red face, eyes popping out, choking, lack of oxygen). He was brought to the ER and they surmised that he had an allergic reaction to the Penicillin. Since that day he has had too numerous to count episodes of extreme dizziness. We decided that he needed to get off Lexapro and unfortunately we can't remember exactly when he started tapering but it has been around a year I suppose. He used to take 20mg. per day. At the present he is taking 2.5 mg. every other day which we justed started this week. Previous to this he was taking 2.5 for 2 days and 1 day nothing. Previous tho that he was taking 2.5 for 3 days and 1 day nothing, usually for 3 to 4 weeks per taper or more if needed. I've learned so much from you all, but PLEASE help me to understand how long we can expect for him to be miserable. Here are his most recent symptoms:

Extreme Dizziness
Vertigo, BUT not the room spinning, inside his head spins!
His brain trembles
headaches
blurred vision
electric shocks in head
brain feels like jello, he can feel it move he says
near passing out, becoming the worst of all symptoms at this point

Today in the bank he ran out into the car to throw water on his head! He carries a bottle of water with constantly in case he feels he's going to pass out. I'm having to drive him everywhere because he's afraid to be alone in the car in case he faints. His fear of fainting is becoming his worst obstacle now. He is not a depressed person, high anxiety, high stress, yes, but these withdrawal symptoms are making him depressed now because he can't function. He's a wonderful father of 3 who has always been the planner, the "let's jump in the car & do something on the spur" kind of dad and he feels that he's neglecting them and putting me through hell. Patience and pity is what is keeping me sane, yes I'm stressed to no end right now, our life has changed dramatically, but I love this man and want him well.

Have any of you heard of anyone being on SSRI'S for 13 years and actually getting off of them for good? The longest I've seen so far is 4 years. Please give us some hope and ideas of what to expect soon. He also takes 200 mg of Sectral for heart palpitations and a baby aspirin, vitamin D and a multivitamin daily. We have been getting through the rough times with 2.5 to .5 mg of Klonopin every few days, although it's beginning to be a daily dose anymore.

He's been to a Neurologist, Cardioologist, Physical Therapist, Internist, Orthopedic Surgeon, ENT.
He's had EKG, STRESS TEST, BRAIN MRI, NECK MRI, NECK XRAYS, BLOODWORK (FULL MATABOLIC), EEG,VNG, ADRENAL URINE FAST, ENT, HEARING TESTS.

All said and done, only things found were high cholesterol, 2 large bone spurs on his neck, arthritis in the neck and crystal in the ears which were taken care of. Other than that, his Dr.s all think that he's crazy and needs anti depressants! His internists pulled out his little PDA and checked the half life of Lexapro and said that it should be out of his system in 36 hours so just stop taking them and then informed us that he thought we should find a new doctor with a fresh perspective because he's exhausted every route possible in my husband and there is nothing wrong with him including the Lexapro, that it could never cause all of these symptoms.

I truly believe that there should exist rehab facilities everywhere for people addicted to these drugs! They are far worse than the withdrawal from heroine! Doctors are not informed properly and neglect to investigate their patients claims about the effects of these medicines.

You guys are our last hope at this point. My husband really needs to know if anyone has been on as long as him and how long before they felt normal again. Sorry for writing a book my first time on here.

Kimbertoo,

Can you research the antibiotic that your husband was on back when all the problems started with reactions to his SSRI. Was it a macrolide such as Biaxin or Zithromax. I need to research the P450 pathways that the antibiotic he was taking used.

I am wondering if this antibiotic compromised the pathways of the Cytochrome P 450 sytem and that your husbands liver is now having difficulty metabolizing drugs that use the same pathways. This could explain his extreme dizziness because as you are aware the sectral and lexapro use the same P 450 Patways. If these same pathways were previously damaged by a antibiotic interaction years ago..............bingo.....................the cause for your husbands current problems.

I am just curious for my own knowledge of the antibiotic he was taking. This is how my daughter's problems started. A interaction between the SSRI and a antibiotic that no one was aware of.

Again this is my opinion, and as you all know I am not a doctor, just a lay person so check with a knowledgeable doctor.

To my knowledge, the genetic testing does not show damage that was done from drug interactions, only the genetics your husband had at birth. You may want to ask Dr. Black if it will show damage over the years with drug interactions........I am also curious of this. It is my understanding that it does not show this, But I may be wrong.

Again Dr. Anne Blake Tracy's book explains this concept in detail.

[SchnauzerTime]

I have been on Paxil off and on since I was 11 or 12..I am now 27. I was started on 20mg, was on that til I was about 15 then went off it altogether. I had no withdrawals that I can remember at that time. Then I went back on it when I was 18 or 19...same dose, 20mg. I stayed on that and had side effects that my doctor told me was Irritable Bowel Syndrome...but was really side effects from the Paxil I came to find out later. I would go through periods of being nauseous, diahrea and weak with chills and flu symptoms. I later dropped my dose down to 10mg from 20mg...no tapering, just one day dropped down. This was when I was around 23 maybe? I can't remember that well. If I had withdrawals, I thought it was IBS so didn't pay it any attention. I also was put on Wellbutrin 350mg for the sexual side effects ...was told it would help that. I quit smoking soon after that ...the Wellbutrin did help with quitting smoking. I went off the Wellbutrin altogether about the same time I started Lexapro...5-6 months ago. I had to withdrawal from going off the Wellbutrin.

When I went on the Lexapro I did not taper the Paxil...I was told by my lovely doctor that it would be fine to just one day up and switch. So I went from the 10mg Paxil to the 10mg Lexapro in one day...cold turkey. Needless to say, I was terribly sick in bed for about 2 weeks...couldn't eat, lost 15 pounds in a week. Then the Lex started to kick in...I got the side effects from starting the Lex...the muscle aches, bad dreams, restless legs and so forth. But the flu-like symptoms from stopping the Paxil gradually went away. It took me a full 2 months to get used to the Lexapro but finally I did and had minimal side effects...still had the dizziness a little but not bad.

The reason I switched was because out of the blue (after I had gone from 20 to 10mg), about a year or longer after I had gone down in dosage...the Paxil was making me really dizzy and hot flashes. This is why I changed to Lexapro...I went to the hospital and was told by a counsler there that the Paxil could be making me dizzy and Lexapro had fewer side effects.

The Lexapro has been WORSE by far...i still get the dizzy/hot flashes at times like I did the other day...unless by what you are telling me it could be the Paxil withdrawal I'm going through still.

After I was on the Lex for 2 months I got poison ivy and was put on a steroid for it...it brought back teh Lex side effects again and I was sick till I went off the steroids. Then I decided to go off the Lex and doctor told me to do it fast so I did and got sick this past time pretty bad.

I feel like i've been sick FOREVER...I am DESPERATE to feel better. Today I am SO nauseous I can't eat...feel like I'm going to throw up any minute. PLEASE help...I'm about to go insane...I have no one to turn to. My husband said to go to the doctor but they don't believe in withdrawal symptoms. PLEASE Aunty, what should I do?

[HelpMe58]

Aunty.
I have been off Lexapro for over a month. In your experience what are the most common withdrawal symptoms and when do they set in after you have stopped taking it? How long does the withdrawal last?
I am having flu-like symptoms but I could just have the flu since it has been over a month, other than dizziness, this is all I have had.
Thanks,
HelpMe

[HelpMe58]

Originally Posted by skyer

Hi EM: How are you doing? Any changes? I got through that really horrible stomach mess that went on for three weeks and my stomach has been feeling really good for three days now. I started to get better Sat and by Sun I was pretty good. They say after a really bad spell you often come out better than before. I guess some major healing was going on. I really hope you get some windows soon! I noticed some major change around month nine, I think. Anyway, am posting today to check up on you and to list my current and post symptoms for anyone who might be following my progress. I think when people get better they stop posting on these sites and it's hard for those us in the thick of it when we can't find posts detailing progress/success. I guess I feel about 70 - 75% through this. Still struggling, though. But much better than six months ago, even three months ago!

It's been almost 10 months since I stopped Lexapro. Took the poison for only six weeks; 10mg.

Current symptoms:

depersonalization (50% better)

slight dizziness at times

black floaters in eyes (50% better)

tired/fatigue (probably from REM sleep disturbance)

vivid dreams

anxiety (better, but still have when under stress or in the morning/evening)

sensitive nervous system (hard time in crowds, traffic, big stores, etc.)

hormone changes

still too hard to go far/drive/go places on my own (mostly due to anxiety/depersonalization/fatigue/ fear of getting hurt because I think my immune system is weak due to this withdrawal)

Despite all those symptoms, I have very little depression and am healthy enough to get a lot done during the day now. Am even working on my business with help of fiance and a friend. I even felt well enough to go out to dinner last night. And I enjoyed it and was calm the whole time. May sound like a small accomplishment, but I have been so sick -- especially in the evenings -- that there was no way I could do this for months.

Symptoms that have (or mostly have) resolved:

headaches

bad eye pain

sinus/cough

chapped lips

tingling

buringing under skin

very bad depression/apathy

severe weakness

severe stomach cramping

inability to handle ANY stress

severe fear

anger

manic/racing mind and thoughts sometimes

23-day cycles

sweating/severe hot flashes (and I'm only 32 yrs old)

Hi, my name is HelpMe and that is what I need ..help! I have been off Lex for over a month and have been doing fairly well until lately. Now I have headaches, weakness, body aches, etc. Is it possible to get this reaction after this long being off Lex? I was doing very well.

[kimberoo]

Aunty

Here is a link that mentions a possible interaction between Lexapro and Erythromycin AND metaprolol ( Toprol)! I've never seen anything mentioning Toprol before.

http://www.mentalhealth.umn.edu/medi...wf/lexapro.swf

Yet, when you check the drug interaction here on this site it states that Toprol is minor, the Sectral was listed as moderate.

Here is exactly what transpired in those 2 months of 2005:

I called his dentist today. She said that on 10/20/2005 he was prescribed Penicillin VK 500mg (TiD #30). (I'm sure you understand it better than me but I think that it means twice a day for 30 days). He was also given Vicodin. I can't imagine that Benny took that as prescribed as he was always wary of pills that put him to sleep. Knowing him he may have taken 1 or 2 and then stopped. At that time he was taking Lexapro 20 mg and Toprol XL 25 mg daily.

He went to the ER via ambulance on 11/3/2005 where they said that he had an allergic reaction to the penicillin.

He must've called the dentist after this and had the Rx changed to Erythromycin because in their records the next time that he went there was on 12/20/2005 and it was written that he had had the reaction to the penicillin and that he was on Erythromycin (Tid #30) at that time. There was no notation that Benny had called in for the Rx, though, before that. I know that it had to be the dentist because the doctors notes stated on 12/16/2005 as follows: "Dizziness aggravated by movement of head. Has an infected tooth but seeing dentist. On Erythromycin for this." He then prescribed Zrytec 10mg for 30 days and again Vicodin 7.5mg for tooth pain. (I'm not sure that he took it though.)

Then on 12/23/2005 the doctor writes, "Erythromycin not helping tooth. Begin Cleocin 150mg/day for 1 week."

On 12/27/2005 the doctor writes, "Pt wife called - pt almost passed out, face is bright red and told to take to ER"

I checked the interactions here first between the penicillin, lexapro and toprol xl...all minor, when I added vicodin there were interactions but I still can't be sure that he took it or not.

I then checked the erythromycin, lexapro, toprol xl and zyrtec.....again all minor. That was surprising as you & I both know that erythromycin and lexapro should have at least something show up.

I then checked Cleocin, Lexapro, Toprol XL, and Zyrtec. Minor interaction between toprol and lexapro. Nothing noted about the Cleocin (Also a macrolide, right?).

Today is his 4th day on 20mg with no relief and new symptoms. Excess saliva for one. I checked his old records that thankfully I wrote down. Turns out that 2 weeks after going on Lexapro 20mg for the first time he complained of this also. Palpitations are worse now at 20mg then they were for the past one and a half months. (Lexapro certainly does cause palpitations). This am-excessive itching of the extremities, he thought that he had bug bites, there were none. That has gone away since this morning.

I appreciate all that you're doing. It looks like you've come across two people at once (my husband and SchnauserTime) who are not reacting the way they should after going to their original doses. I've always felt as though something changed in his system since he supposedly had the allergic reaction to the penicillin, he has never been the same since. Your guidance, advice and compassion are appreciated more than you'll ever know. Thank you!

Kimberoo

[KEITH L.I]

OK here's the deal..I was on 10 mg of Lexapro for 4 years,went cold turkey in March..I finally thought a few weeks ago I was over with this nightmare,as my dizziness went away for about a week..also the neck pain which I have been having(my neck cracks when I move it) started to lessen,well here I am this week and the dizziness has retuned with the neck pain..any idea when I will be over this..is it common for the symptoms to tapper off and reappear?I figure maybe I have something seriously wrong with me..anybody who could help..thanks

[Mesmerize]

I went from 20 mg to 10 to 5 to 0. The most noticeable effect is that it takes me five hours to fall asleep.

[HelpMe58]

I thought I was over the withdrawal too and now I once again have flu symptoms and the neck and headache issues!

[KEITH L.I]

Originally Posted by HelpMe58

I thought I was over the withdrawal too and now I once again have flu symptoms and the neck and headache issues!

wow,join the club..how many months?.I heard that sometimes it takes more than 6 months..is that right?

[KEITH L.I]

Anybody know what causes the cracking of the neck? Are they joints?

[kimberoo]

Aunty

I also wanted your input about something. Today, being his 4th day on 20mg, he feels worse than better. He almost passed out and had to put water on his head to keep himself conscious. His has pressure in his face, he is having a hard time walking straight & klonopin didn't help him for the first time today. These effects seem to start happening a few hours after he takes his Lexapro at 1:30pm. These episodes happened in the past during tapering, not something that we expected at this point. He wants to begin tapering to 17.5mg tomorrow, he thinks that the Lexapro is too strong for him now. I think it is too soon, that even though he may be having adverse reactions to the Lexapro at full dosage now, that the tapering withdrawals will be too much for his system to handle.

I wish that we had never let him go up to 20mg, it was the whole 6 week window that scared us, the fear that maybe he'd be stuck like this for a long time. I honestly thought that he'd have some measure of relief. Is tapering a good idea right now?

Kimberoo

[HelpMe58]

Originally Posted by KEITH L.I

wow,join the club..how many months?.I heard that sometimes it takes more than 6 months..is that right?

I have been off for over a month,,,,my neck cracks and my ears crackle.

[tavee]

Help Me- How Are U Doing??

Did U Stop After 1ml?? U Didnt Go Lower After That? U Just Stopped??


How Long Ago Was This? Can U Explain Ure Taper?

I Am At 1ml Right Now. On Saturday It Was 8 Days So I Started Feeling The Tapering Effect. I Had A Lot Of Fogginess And I Was Sooooooooo Tired. I Also Have A Lot Of Anxiety. I Am Exactly The Way I Was Before Lex.

I Hope All Is Well With U.

Take Care
Tavee

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by SchnauzerTime

I have been on Paxil off and on since I was 11 or 12..I am now 27. I was started on 20mg, was on that til I was about 15 then went off it altogether. I had no withdrawals that I can remember at that time. Then I went back on it when I was 18 or 19...same dose, 20mg. I stayed on that and had side effects that my doctor told me was Irritable Bowel Syndrome...but was really side effects from the Paxil I came to find out later. I would go through periods of being nauseous, diahrea and weak with chills and flu symptoms. I later dropped my dose down to 10mg from 20mg...no tapering, just one day dropped down. This was when I was around 23 maybe? I can't remember that well. If I had withdrawals, I thought it was IBS so didn't pay it any attention. I also was put on Wellbutrin 350mg for the sexual side effects ...was told it would help that. I quit smoking soon after that ...the Wellbutrin did help with quitting smoking. I went off the Wellbutrin altogether about the same time I started Lexapro...5-6 months ago. I had to withdrawal from going off the Wellbutrin.

When I went on the Lexapro I did not taper the Paxil...I was told by my lovely doctor that it would be fine to just one day up and switch. So I went from the 10mg Paxil to the 10mg Lexapro in one day...cold turkey. Needless to say, I was terribly sick in bed for about 2 weeks...couldn't eat, lost 15 pounds in a week. Then the Lex started to kick in...I got the side effects from starting the Lex...the muscle aches, bad dreams, restless legs and so forth. But the flu-like symptoms from stopping the Paxil gradually went away. It took me a full 2 months to get used to the Lexapro but finally I did and had minimal side effects...still had the dizziness a little but not bad.

The reason I switched was because out of the blue (after I had gone from 20 to 10mg), about a year or longer after I had gone down in dosage...the Paxil was making me really dizzy and hot flashes. This is why I changed to Lexapro...I went to the hospital and was told by a counsler there that the Paxil could be making me dizzy and Lexapro had fewer side effects.

The Lexapro has been WORSE by far...i still get the dizzy/hot flashes at times like I did the other day...unless by what you are telling me it could be the Paxil withdrawal I'm going through still.

After I was on the Lex for 2 months I got poison ivy and was put on a steroid for it...it brought back teh Lex side effects again and I was sick till I went off the steroids. Then I decided to go off the Lex and doctor told me to do it fast so I did and got sick this past time pretty bad.

I feel like i've been sick FOREVER...I am DESPERATE to feel better. Today I am SO nauseous I can't eat...feel like I'm going to throw up any minute. PLEASE help...I'm about to go insane...I have no one to turn to. My husband said to go to the doctor but they don't believe in withdrawal symptoms. PLEASE Aunty, what should I do?

I know you feel like you have been sick forever because of the Paxil, Wellbutrin and then Lexapro causing chemical changes in your brain receptors. With each switch, you brain tries to readjust to the new medication and often it is not easy.

Because of the several drugs you have changed in the last six months, may I suggest that you go to WITHDRAWAL and RECOVERY at Yahoo. Catherine has a forum there that you need to apply to join and be accepted to. Once accepted, she does phone consulations for people that have a complicated history involing tapering off of two or more drugs. She may be able to offer you more guidance then I because she has been doing this for 20 years.

I honestly do not know if your symptoms are caused by the Paxil withdrawal still occurring or from lexapro side effects.

Catherine may be able to tell you right away from her experiences why this is occurring after you reinstated the lexapro.

Please let le know if your membership is accepted at the Withdrawal and Recovery Group. I am so sorry that I cannot be more helpful but I honestly do not have any idea but suspect it may be prolonged withdrawals from paxil.

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by kimberoo

Aunty

I also wanted your input about something. Today, being his 4th day on 20mg, he feels worse than better. He almost passed out and had to put water on his head to keep himself conscious. His has pressure in his face, he is having a hard time walking straight & klonopin didn't help him for the first time today. These effects seem to start happening a few hours after he takes his Lexapro at 1:30pm. These episodes happened in the past during tapering, not something that we expected at this point. He wants to begin tapering to 17.5mg tomorrow, he thinks that the Lexapro is too strong for him now. I think it is too soon, that even though he may be having adverse reactions to the Lexapro at full dosage now, that the tapering withdrawals will be too much for his system to handle.

I wish that we had never let him go up to 20mg, it was the whole 6 week window that scared us, the fear that maybe he'd be stuck like this for a long time. I honestly thought that he'd have some measure of relief. Is tapering a good idea right now?

Kimberoo

The six week window is ONLY if you quit lexapro for six weeks ( no lexapro at all in the sytem) and then tried to reinstate. Your husband had lexapro in his system so the six week mark would not have made a difference.

How long has he been on the 20 MG? Have you had a phone consult with Catherine from Withdrawal and Recovery? She has 20 years of experience and may be able to explain what may be occurring.

It does sound like your husband may be right that his current dose is too strong since the reactions begin about 1 1/2 hours after his dose of lexapro.
I am so afraid with the sectral and the high dose of lexapro he is taking of drug interactions. Could any physician get him in sooner to evaluate his medications?

As I said his liver may not be metabolizing the lexapro due to a drug interaction with the sectral. I am not a doctor, so please check with a physician who is aware of the Cytochrome P 450 sytem. Possibly Dr. Black can recommend a doctor in your area who has knowledge of drug interactions.

[HelpMe58]

Tavee,
I tapered at 10% with the liquid until I got to 1 mg then I just stopped. It has been over a month and my only withdrawal was some dizziness and one day of flu-like symptoms. I can take that as long as the Lexapro is gone. It is not near as bad as when I went off 10 mg in two weeks!
Keep in touch!
HelpMe

[SchnauzerTime]

I applied for the Withdrawal and Recovery group. How long does it take to hear an answer/ to get accepted? Do you think Catherine will give me a phone consultation? I feel even worse today.

[tavee]

Helpme- Do U Feel At All Like U Are Depressed? Like U Are Not Ureself??
I Have Noticed A Big Difference In Me. I Have A Lot Of Anxiety, I Get Irritated Easily(this Is How I Was Before Lex). My Real Self Is Back.

I Dont Want To Say That I Am Depressed, But I Know It Doesnt Feel Like I Was When I Was On Lex. I Get Sad.
I Am Just Worried That If I Am Done Completely That I Will Be Depressed Especially When We Decide To Get Pregnant Again.
Sometimes I Wish That I Would Be Able To Take The Lex Without Any Side Effects In The Future. It Is Such A Bad Drug And With All The Things That It Has Done To Us Who Knows If It Is Longterm.

That Is Another Thing I Am Dealing With Is Worry. I Always Worry. I Worry About Dying, About Pains That I Have, Etc..... I Worry That I Will Die In The Car When I Am Driving. I Seriously Can Feel The Weight On My Chest From The Anxiety. I Am Sooooooooooo Not Patient. Go Figure. I Dont Know How I Taught For 11 Years!!!!!

So Thats Pretty Much It On My End.

How Is Ure Mother Doing? How Are U Doing????

Keep Me Posted
Tavee

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by SchnauzerTime

I applied for the Withdrawal and Recovery group. How long does it take to hear an answer/ to get accepted? Do you think Catherine will give me a phone consultation? I feel even worse today.

The Withdrawal and Recovery Forum has limits to how many new people will be accepted and still be able to give them individual attention. Not sure what Catherine's limits per week are. You should here in about two days if you were accepted. If you are, then follow the links you will be emailed.One is a link explaining a phone consulation, she is usually able to schedule within a few days.

There are many people there trying to get off of many various drugs such as SSRI's, antpyschotics, xanax, valium etc. many have been on drugs for MANY years and are on a combination of drugs. basically they are also slowly tapering with supplements added. Catherine may have more experience as to why you are at a rough patch with the lexapro.

Good Luck and let me know.

[kimberoo]

Aunty

He has taken 20 mg for 4 days. I haven't had a phone consultation with Catherine yet, but I wrote on the list yesterday and I emailed it to her also. She wrote back and said for him to go down to 15mg immediately because he is a slow metabolizer of the medicine, she can tell from his reaction. I am still getting used to how the forum works, she told me that she can only respond to the list once a week, but so far she has been great with answering my emails.

He woke up yesterday and today itching on his extremities like crazy. It is almost like an allergic reaction. I'm hoping that he doesn't get any additional withdrawal from tapering so fast, but he has no choice at this point.

I haven't been able to call Dr. Black yet, I'm hoping to do it today. As soon as I do, I'll post here. Thank you Aunty.......for everything!

Kimberoo

[SchnauzerTime]

How long did it take you to get accepted to the forum? I know Aunty said a couple days usually but am just wondering how long it took for you. I feel like I would rather die than go through this...that's how bad I'm feeling right now. And I know your husband feels that too...I'm not trying to whine about how I feel, but I know I am lol. I'm sorry he is going through all this but at least you know WHY now and can do something. I am wanting to know what is wrong with me and go ahead and get a step in the right direction going. I can't eat at all and this past couple days I've just been trying to sleep all day and all night to not feel the sickness when I'm awake.

Also, how long was it before she contacted your email? Sorry again for seeming like a baby complaining about this but I know you understand since you are there with your hubby and see him going through pain too...I just need to complain sometimes . I hope your hubby does good going down to the 15mg and tell him to hang in there.

Thanks Kimberoo

[SchnauzerTime]

Sorry to keep bothering you. I was just wanting to know if there is anything I can do to feel remotely better while waiting for an answer from Catherine's group? I think you said Dramamine helps dizziness...but does it help nausea too? I need something over the counter for the nausea...and something that doesn't interact with the Lexapro of course. I feel like I'm at my wits end and can't take this emotionally anymore.

Sorry also for whining...I know there are people worse off than I am right now probably, but I'm just at the point of giving up on everything.

[SchnauzerTime]

Forgot to say, sorry...I just started my period too. Could that be making my symptoms worse? Forgot to mention it.

[elizabethmaria]

Hi Schnauzertime,
I am so sorry that you are going through this - I just wanted to say that I'm praying for you, and it will be ok -- I know how rough it is! Also, as I still have trouble from my bad reaction 7 months ago - it does get harder during your period... sometimes it's really bad, for some reason - so hang in there, and hopefully in a few days you'll be feeling much better. Take care - even though it's really hard right now, you are on the right track to truly feeling better and getting the help you need - these people are wonderful, and together with them, and Catherine and the other group, you are going to be well on your way.. some people never find any help! I'm doing much better, except when I overdo it, and I truly thought I was going to die so many times .. so, hang in there, it does get better!
lots of love and blessings,
Elizabethmarie

P.S. Oh, just remember to keep eating - I know it's like impossible when you 'can't' and have no appetite, but it really makes things a lot worse - low blood sugar really escalates the symptoms, especially around your period.. also, drink lots of water too, and taking a real short walk can ease symptoms for some reason. but, yes, make SURE you eat, ok? as best as you can...

again - exactly when did you stop the paxil? it's hard to tell from your post - was that 2 months ago, or 3-4? or more?

[humboldtdan]

Sorry to chime in but I have a quick question. I was on 10 mg of lexapro for about a year, then went to 20. I weaned myself from 20 to nothing over about 6 weeks and got very very sick. I was terribly anxious, and started having panic attacks at a rate of about four a day, each lasting until I gave in and took xanax. My blood pressure was through the roof, and it became unbearable. After 18 days I went back on 10 mg of lexapro. Since then, it has been about 2 months, the medicine never started to work like it used to, My anxiety is pretty bad, but nothing like during those 18 days. I went to a doctor and he said paxil would be better for my anxiety, and prescribed it. He gave me 10 mg of paxil. He told me to just start taking the paxil, and there would be no problem. he said they are both ssri's, so the paxil will just take over, and I won't withdrawal from lexapro. Does anyone have any information on this?? Can I really just take paxil tomorrow, and stop the lexapro, with no washout period or weaning off the lex and on the paxil?? I start school in three days, and cannot be terribly sick, is this really a safe and good way to switch? I feel like doctors don't know anything about these drugs.

[elizabethmaria]

Humboldtdan,
Please do NOT take paxil, ever.. please explore the website www.paxilprogress.com before you even think of that drug -- there are SO many lawsuits regarding paxil, it's insane that your doctor even prescribed it. Truly, explore that website for a while, and you will be saved so much pain!

It seems pretty clear that you were going through lex withdrawal, from too fast a taper, and so you never stabilized, thus resulting in anxiety, panic attacks, sky high blood pressure, etc. - very common... If you are on 10mg now, but had been on 20mg, you might need to go up again in order not to experience the withdrawals.. if it has been 2 months with not much relief from 10 mg, that usually is a sign that you have to up the dose again, before you will stabilize and can comfortably begin tapering...
Aunty ? should he go up? it's been more than 6 weeks.. will that still work if it's still in his system?
How did you react on 20mg? perhaps 15 would be a good start...
take care,
EM

[kimberoo]

Aunty

I spoke to Dr. Black's secretary. I briefly (I hope) explained Benny's situation including the reaction that he had to the antibiotics in 2005. She said that she would normally have me speak to him immediately but he is out of town for two weeks and that she could tell that I needed answers sooner. She gave me a phone number that my physician can call to ask about the Cytochrome p450 genotyping test, how to have the test done, where, and how to interpret the results. I will put the number here if you think it is a good idea to do so. I'll wait for your reply first though.

She then gave me the number for Dr. O'Kane who is an associate of Dr. Black's and works closely with him in regards to the Cytochrome p450 pathway. She transferred me to him but he wasn't in the office and had to be paged. She took my name and phone number to have him call me back when he receives the page. She said that he would be able to answer any questions that I may have in the interim.

I feel really hopeful now. Benny took the 15mg at 1:30, so now it is just "wait & see". Hopefully after being on 20mg for only 4 days, the withdrawals if any will be minimal. Thank you...have I said that enough yet? I'll write later as I receive new information.

Truly,
Kimberoo

[kimberoo]

Em

I saw that you were on and was thinking about you. You said in previous posts that you were going to get the testing done, have you done it yet? And if so, what did you find out? If you haven't, I hope that my experience with my husband will help to push you to do it also. I will keep posting as I go so that you know how to do it for yourself. It's like a diet, we do better when we have someone to push us, I was scared to make that phone call for the fear of sounding stupid on the phone, I think I'm past that now. I just want him BETTER!! I hope that you're doing well, hang in there girl!! God knows, you have a lot of support here. I look at all of you who are Lexapro free and still helping those of us just going through it and learning. We sometimes are so involved in our own drama that all we do is ask questions and beg for help. I hope to one day be someone on here who is the helper and not the seeker. Take care of yourself.

Kimberoo

[elizabethmaria]

Just another little saying, inspirational, for anyone who needs it today!

I asked God to take away my burden.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole. His body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations. It isn't granted. It is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares & brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own. But I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.


THIS DAY IS YOURS! DON'T THROW IT AWAY!
To the world you might be one. But, to one person you might be the world.

Take care,
love, EM