[auntybiotic]

http://psy.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/.../full/46/5/464

[auntybiotic]

Please get a second opinion on taking Sctral with such a low blood presure and possibly low pulse. This can be dangerous.

Who should NOT take Sectral?
Acebutolol should not be taken by anyone with:

an allergy to acebutolol or any ingredient of the medication
a severely slow heart rate
serious heart block (second- and third-degree AV block)
heart failure
right ventricular failure secondary to pulmonary hypertension (excessive blood pressure in the lungs)
cardiogenic shock

http://chealth.canoe.ca/drug_info_de...nd_name_id=121

[auntybiotic]

The lab codes for the P 450 testing were as follows #83639 for the CYP219 and
#83180 for the CYP D6.

The cost for the Venipuncture referral genetic testing of the P 450 DNA was C19 $150 and CyD6 was $225.

Still can't understand why the high prices you quoted?? Did the hospital have a account status with Mayo Clinic.......this would ensure the lower prices. Please make sure you were not overcharged as I think you were. I have never heard of $5000 price for these tests.

[tavee]

I Am Glad Ure Phone Conversation Went Well. Dont U Feel Better Now That U Know What Exactly It Is And What U Should Do??

Hang In There And Take It One Day At A Time Girl!! We Will Do It Together Cuz I Know Im Not Going Anywhere!! Lol

So What Supplements Did She Tell U To Take?? What Food Should U Stay Away From And What Should U Eat???

I Am Doing Well Today Except For This Damn Cold That I Caught. If It Is Not One Thing It Is Something Else!! I Cant Stand It!! At Least Im Not Dizzy!!

We Went To A Barbecue Today And It Was Nice To Get Out And Converse.

Now I Am Wondering If I Should Start My Next Taper Since Everything Is A Little Normal. I Havent Coffee In 3 Days Too!!

Anyhoo, Have A Good Week And Try To Rest If U Can.

Good Night!!

Tavee

[HelpMe58]

Tavee,
How are you? Have you heard of a withdrawal symptom involving itching? My skin feels so itchy and not the dry skin type.
HelpMe

[Hairyarmadillo]

Tavee, I swear, I don't know if I will ever be able to drink coffee again. Maybe decaf but I never really drank coffee for the taste as much as I did the caffeine kick. Now the caffeine kick really kicks my butt. I can be having a wonderful day and after drinking coffee or soda I turn into someone else. Hmm, maybe I could create a superhero similar to the Incredible Hulk, except the transformation is based on caffeine and Lexapro side effects Every so ofter I get cocky and thinkI can make it without supplements or that I can have a little caffeine but I pay the price.

SchnauzerTime Paxil withdrawal alone was pure torture for me. It was 1000% times worse than Lexapro. Of course back then, I had no idea there was such a thing as withdrawal symptoms from SSRIs and blamed all the side effects on everything else. I started taking a diet pill several months after I stopped the Paxil and when odd symptoms cropped up, I blamed it all on the diet pill. After all,my doctor gave me this neat way to taper-a day on, a day off and extend the days between for a month, then it would be out of my system-ah ha ha ha ha! Depersonalization BIG time, brain zaps and dizzy spells. I would be walking students to buses (not a big task) and feel like I was going to topple over. At one point my blood pressure dropped significantly, the school nurse had me rushed to the local doctor, thinking it was something major-got there and all was well. Another time it sky rocketed and I was on blood pressure meds. They told me it was my weight. Sleep was non existent (well, after the first couple of months where I slept around the clock). I had vivid dreams and had difficulty discerning reality between dreams. My husband noticed something wrong with me, and I even went to see a psychiatrist for a couple of times. He put me on Seroquel to aid with sleep and was ready to put me on lithium and something else, thinking I was having manic episodes. I knew better than that and didn't go back, but then got hooked on the Seroquel-hard to get off that as well. Then, got over most of that but had bouts of anxiety and depression and got on Lexapro. The rest is history. But hey, if your symptoms were from Paxil withdrawals alone, that would be enough. I can only imagine adding in Wellbutrin.

[tavee]

Thats Funny That U Say That About Caffeine. Today I Am Thinking Like That. I Want To Have My Dunkin Donuts Coffee And Im Thinking Maybe I Can Have A Couple Sips. I Dont Know, But I Might Experiment In A Couple Days Just To See Because The Other Days I Was Having Withdrawals And I Suffered With The Coffee.

I Have Been Taking 3 Omegas The Last Few Days. I Hope I Dont Turn Into A Fish Or Anything!! I Mean That Is About 3400 Mg. Lol

Anyhoo, Gotta Take My Kid To The Park This Morning!! Too Bad I Cant Drink My Coffee While Im Doing That!! Lol
Ok Ill Stop Now!!

Love Ya Hairy
Tavee

[SchnauzerTime]

Don't feel bad Tavee! I have to take SIX Omega 3s . NASTY!!! To answer your question, Catherine wants me to start out taking Carlson's Omega 3 fish oil , 3 tablets in the morning 3 in afternoon...Magnesium (she said glycinate is the best cause is easy on stomach), 4 throughout the day and I'm not suppossed to take any after supper...500mg Coral Calcium at night before bed to help me sleep..."Buried Treasure" VM 100 Complete liquid multi-vitamin...and "Buried Treasure" colloidal trace minerals.

The bad thing is most of this stuff is liquid (to absorb into your system better) and I've been organizing everything in a pill box. Now I'm just going to have a load of bottles sitting around,lol! Also...I'm worried if they will taste bad, yuck!

About eating...she didn't go over it but there is a file on it on Withdrawal and Recovery site...go read it, it's good. I've been trying to eat stuff like that since I've been sick and it's helped me not have diarea as much. Basically it's just healthy eating...no sugar, no caffeine, no bad white carbs, plenty of green veggies, lean meats, and whole wheat, and WATER...tons of water.

Glad you are doing better but sucks you have a cold. If I were you I'd wait til the cold is gone before you taper again cause it's taxing on your body. I know you are anxious to get off the Lex faster, but if you have another bad withdrawal it will just take longer in the end and you'll feel like ********************.

Take care Tavee!

[SchnauzerTime]

It sounds like you went through hell and back on the Paxil withdrawal...I'm sorry for that. When you started Lex did it ease the withdrawals any? It's been 6 months since going off Paxil and switching to Lex and I still have withdrawals...but I guess I have to take into consideration stopping the Wellbutrin 300mg cold turkey too. AND all the problems with Lex , like doing the too fast taper a couple months ago. It's probably all just built up. Hopefully since I'm on the Lex it won't be that bad and I'll heal a little faster. Paxil is an evil drug for sure...I've heard some scary stuff. I'm glad you're off it.

I have been having some of those withdrawals you did too...not the brain zaps, thank God, but other things. I normally feel like I'm getting better then get sick again, like back and forth. My period made things worse this week...I was so nauseous I couldn't eat for 2 days. After the nausea faded now I am going through anxiety...I'm jittery all the time and have "vibrations" in my chest and can't sleep well at night. I'm not full-blown dizzy but my head feels light and my ears feel pressure on them. When I lie down everything gets worse so is hard to sleep at night.

Hopefully, when my vitamins come in the mail that will help some. Take care Hairy .

[SchnauzerTime]

Why is it considered a "cold turkey" withdrawal when switching from one medicine to another? Like when I switched from Paxil to Lexapro.

Also, I guess I'm not a slow metabolizer because Catherine would have said something about that I think. She just said I am going through 2 cold turkey withdrawals and it would take time to get better. And if I was a slow metabolizer wouldn't it hurt me to increase doses? I've had the "normal" side effects from increasing the dose but never anything like what Kimber's hubby went through. What do you think?

Thanks Aunty!

[carolleah]

Again thank you so much for the words of encouragement, coming from someone who has suffered so much, it means alot to me. It shows much about a person when they can be giving and helping others when they have suffered much themselves. And the only people that would understand and BELIEVE them would be those who have experienced the same sort of thing. My doctor, surgeon sister, husband and others who tapered off with ease couldn't believe that I was going through withdrawals. It's bad enough to have to go through it all, believing in yourself, without others understanding. Or caring. Or believing. Anyway, the good thing is, that all of this has been quite humbling and as hard as it is, it makes you grow spiritually and become more compassionate to others hardship. On my journey through this, I have become a more loving and giving wife, a more understanding mother, and a better person. Each day I remind myself that if I can behave kindly, do good deeds for others and be positive then I am okay. I have a mantra: I cannot change the past, but I can change the future. Each day I try to do a good deed and try to rebuild bridges that have been destroyed in the past. (Sorry this is so long and wordy, I tend to be a wordy person.) I believe that most of us here on this forum had been through so much in our lives that the only solace we could find was turning to doctors for drugs to ease our pain, only to find that the medication was just a patch, nothing more. And to make matters worse, many of us including myself suffered from toxic drug side effects, possibly debilitating. We have turned to this forum for others that believe that these problems exist and for emotional support to get through it all. I am truly grateful for it because through it all, it's the connections that you make through life that matter. How many people that care about you, that make you happy throughout. Many times we are not taught how to care about others properly and appropriately. And sometimes even if we do, they just don't care back. Why not? Why can't they. Here in Maine, it is an extremely difficult place to connect with others if you are from out of state. BUT I have found that you can connect with others via online, phone, email whatever the source may be, but it's important to be able to connect with others. THAT is the key to happiness. It is not the money we make, the house we live in or even the education that we receive (unfortunately I didn't realize this until too late, for my son. We moved to be in a certain school district, BIG mistake....F---- the education that he receives. It's the people in his life that matter. He wants to grow up to become a snake breeder, which I fully support, in a community that only grows doctors, lawyers and other high professionals. I tell him that the most important things in life are the people that care about you and finding someone that you love and that loves you back....Why on earth did I decide that education was so important???? Big mistake.) Anyway, sorry about the rambling to everyone. Please skip over this email if it gets too intense or discombobulated! So there you have it......Anyway, as you all can see I have much on my mind. It may be a very long next six months of recovery of reading and/or skipping over my emails. To make a long story short, I was once a really wonderful, gentle, kind and caring person. I only asked that people care about me back. That's all. I would like to return to that gentile person that I once was and am on some sort of spiritual journey while recovering from these horrific drugs. I am hoping that I can make a difference in this world by doing good deeds for others and by chipping away at informing others of the shortcomings and hardship of being on antidepressants. These are not a replacement for the kindness of others. I have many more stories to tell, but cannot tell them now. As I continue on my spiritual journey I would like to post them for others on this forum to read if they would like to read them. To all of you out there, if you can't turn to your priest or rabbi for comfort and consolation, then they have failed their job, fire them and turn to another priest or rabbi. They are out there for you, you just need to believe. It shouldn't be such a sad and lonely world. It needs to be a place where we really like to live and really a place that is wonderful for our children. They need it to be different....If anyone out there sees what I mean please answer. Your words of understanding mean much to me and give me encouragement to continue writing my story for others to hear.

[antidote]

Wow, when i saw your recent posts i did a double-take. i have not posted here for some time because to be honest i was starting to question whether i could really continue to blame my symptoms on Lex withdrawal or whether it was other factors.

i am also at around 5 1/2 months off of lex and feeling many of the same things you described - it was like you were talking about me! i get the tingling in my hands- usually in the morning when i wake up. i also feel anxious about things where there is really no basis for anxiety at all - and i too never used to be like that!! i could always handle a huge number of problems at the same time - even when many of them were serious things that would make anyone anxious!

One thing you guys did not mention that i do experience is the "feeling" of rapid hear rate. Much of the itme it feels like my heart is pounding in my chest but my pulse rate and BP are actually normal if not below normal.

My theory about all of these symptoms is that the Lex knocked out some of the serotonin receptors and even though there is a normal amount of serotonin now in the synapses, it cannot be used by the brain due to the lack of receptors. The net effect is tantamount to what one would experience with low amounts of serotonin - you can call it the "effective" serotonin (i'm not a doctor either and this is complete speculation based on some books that have been shared in this forum).

i will say that in my epxerience things have DEFINITELY improved from month 3 (bad) to month 4 (REALLY bad) to month 5 (improvement). BTW, i do try to take a glass of wine every now and then but every time i do i get this depressive effect for the next day so i'm just trying to stay off the alcohol.

One thing that has me wondering though is that when i was on vacation last week (wilderness camping with family in the adirondacks) i felt so normal it was like going back in time to pre-lex and now that i'm back to the grind the symptoms start coming back! i guess normal stress exacerbates the symptoms that we have and low stress conditions cause them to abate. Guess we should try to reduce stress in general for a while :-)


Anyway, thanks so much for sharing and please continue to send the updates, it really helps to see what others in this phase are experiencing and how they continue to deal and cope with the situation.

[KEITH L.I]

5th month cold turkey..have noticed some improvement in the last week..my digestive system is back to normal..soft loose stools are gone,started having them a week after I stopped.At times my neck pain is almost gone..comes and goes and definately not as bad..also I have more time when I don't feel dizzy,so I am praying this is a breakthrough

[SchnauzerTime]

I too get the "hard" heart beat thing. It feels worse when I lie down and it's like it's just beating hard and fast. Also, I get a "vibration" type thing in my chest...it's very strange. I was told it's all anxiety so what you are going through is the anxiety from the withdrawal.

Are you on magnesium and calcium? These 2 things help with anxiety...take about 600-800mg of magnesium citrate or glycinate throughout the day...one pill of 200mg or less every 2 to 3 hours. Don't take it after supper though. And take about 500mg of coral calcium right at bedtime. Take the magnesium with food such as a meal or snack. This is what I was told to do for my anxiety...I've taken more magnesium today and it has helped some. You have to be patient though cause I've heard it takes magnesium awhile to build up in your system (couple months) so it may not be a huge difference at first.

I've been off Wellbutrin cold turkey for 6 months and switched from Paxil to Lexapro cold turkey at that time also. I have periods of ups and downs...like I'll feel better for a week or so then bad again...do you have this also?

Oh also...I bet it was your vacation that brought back some withdrawals when you got home...alot of times when you do things you don't normally do that are physically taxing it won't "hit" you till a day or 2 later. Just try to relax and don't do anything you wouldn't normally do...like push mow the lawn or something .

[SchnauzerTime]

That's great you are getting better! Are you taking any supplements? A liquid multi-vitamin and a good collioidal trace minerals are good and if you are having anxiety magnesium and calcium (read my post to Antidote). Also take Carlson's brand fish oil in the liquid form...aim for around 600mg DHA and 1000mg EPA every day.

Great you are feeling better and I hope it continues .

[SchnauzerTime]

Kim's response to a question on the list:


I would like to remind you and everyone that one of the most
frustrating things about recovery is that it is not a linear process.
People don't feel a little bit better, then a little bit better, then a
little better still until they are one day completely healed.


Instead, people feel a little bit better, and then worse. Then they feel
quite a lot better, and then they feel awful. When they get through the
awful, they feel a LOT better, and then worse again, and so it goes.


The brain and body are very complex systems, with incalculable numbers of
chemical processes going on all the time. As one part of the system starts
to heal, other, still-damaged parts react to the new activity, which throws
the whole thing off for a while, until all the different parts get used to
each other again. This happens over and over, as all the little systems
attempt to come back to functionality.


Often, a period of feeling terrible is actually a time of considerable
healing. This can be comforting thought during the bad times.

Got this from Withdrawal and Recovery Group on yahoo. Hope this brings comfort to people going through a "rough" patch. It did me.

[carolleah]

Hairyarmadillo

Thanks for being so open about what happenned to you. It was quite similiar to what happenned to me. Doctors don't ask if someone might be having a reaction to a drug. They just like to diagnose you as whatever and prescribe more medicine! Trust me, that's what my own sister did to me and did with her patients. She has been practicing as a surgeon for over ten years and prescribing antidepressants including Lexapro and telling them that they can just stop taking them whenever they feel like they need to. How do you like that? She also went to one of the top five medical schools. The nutbrain that she is is too arrogant and stupid to do research on these drugs. Doctors need to educate themselves to be adequately informed about these types of drugs. Needless to say, she was the first target of mine to be reformed. I had a passionate conversation which ultimately convinced her to stop prescribing Lexipro altogether. She asked me what could be done in place of it. I said 1) Get them involved in a support group so that they don't feel alone in their problems 2) Give them a list of books to educate themselves 3) Call their priest or rabbi to call them for consolation

Gotta go, will write more later if there are people out there that are interested in listening!

[SchnauzerTime]

It's great that you made a difference in one person (your sister)...just ONE person that will listen about these drugs and the side effects of them is great. That is totally awesome that she is not going to prescribe the Lex anymore...unbelievable. I wish more doctors' families would get involved like you have.

[Aussiegirl]

Originally Posted by Newtome

My daughter is 8 and has been put on Lexapro. 2.5mg for a week then 5 mg for the next 9 months. Does everyone w\ho takes this drug experence these severe withdrawl symptoms or might she have none at all?

Newtome - Hi, I can't believe your little girl has been put on Lexapro at 8 years old! In my opinion NO child under 18 should be on this drug. I understand that everyone's situation is different but I heartily agree with Schnauzertime that there should be no reason for a child this young to be put onto such a strong drug.

The more research I do into this drug the more I realise how completely clueless the doctors are as to its prescription as well as its side effects and withdrawal symptoms. Either that or they are hand in glove with the drug companies and the more they prescribe, the more perks they get! Its bad enough for us adults to have to deal with this sort of withdrawal angst without it happening to a poor little girl! Please change doctors...

Best regards

[Hopeful 285]

Hi Elizabethmaria, Skyer, Aunty, and everyone,
Just checking in. I'm at 9 months cold turkey on the 9th and I feel like I'm on month 4 or 5 again. I have extreme fatigue and want to sleep long hours again. I was back to my normal hours of getting up early. This stuff seems to wax a wane forever.
I still have the movement disorder although it has been a little better for about a week and a half. I don't know if I told you but I shake my hips and shoulders. This is so embarrassing. I must appear to be crazy. It was mostly head bobbing and jerking, falling, strange facial expressions etc.
I got a headache that lasted for days and after that, it left me with the hip and shoulder moves. They are less frequent right now.
I haven't been to the movement disorder specialist yet. It takes forever to get into the specialist. The nurse gave me the doctor's name and still hasn't given me a date.


Keith and Helpme,
I took lexapro for 2 years and my neck cracks. An MRI shows that I have cervical radiculopathy which is disc protrusion. My sister-in-law who has taken antidepressants for years had this and had surgery on it a year ago. SSRI's affect every single system in your body. You need to have your neck checked. Cracking is not normal.
I have to see a spine specialist. I was told that it is serious. There are several protrusions on the front and back side of my neck bone. There are protrusions pushing on my spinal cord causing it to narrow.


On a more positive note, I have a new grandbaby. She's a girl. This is my 2nd one. My other one is almost 2 and she's a girl. I am so blessed.


Take care everyone.

[Rosalinde]

Several of you have mentioned coffee while tapering. What happens exactly?

I began my taper from 10 mg to 9 mg last Tuesday. I have found a very supportive dr who gave me liquid lex and a schedule for reducing 10% every two weeks. I am praying I will taper without trouble. I'm ready to feel normal again and get these 20 pounds off.

As I come off the lex, can I expect the weight to be coming off as well, or does that only happen when the lex is finished?

Am taking barley, 8 Omega 3s, protein powder, tart cherry capsule, vitamin E every day to counteract symptoms of lex and tapering. Noticed a definite improvement in my clarity of thought and energy.

[carolleah]

Schnauzertime

Thank you for describing the recovery process. It explains why my windows of being back to myself seem to be heavily mixed with periods of depression and anxiety. I try to be positive but sometimes it can be wearing. How do you keep your sanity during those trying times? I try to keep really busy, but that doesn't always help. When I have periods of anxiety it is really hard to go forward......Sorry if I sounded frustrated and negative in my last couple of posts. The last few days I have been out of sorts and it has been really hard. Sometimes just doing the basics is very hard.Does anyone feel that way too? I mean, I am functional, but doing the basics can be quiet difficult at times.

[carolleah]

Originally Posted by SchnauzerTime

It's great that you made a difference in one person (your sister)...just ONE person that will listen about these drugs and the side effects of them is great. That is totally awesome that she is not going to prescribe the Lex anymore...unbelievable. I wish more doctors' families would get involved like you have.

Schnauzertime

In response to your post about complimenting me on reforming my sister, I wish you could have heard the conversation. I begged her to educate herself about these drugs. I told her all that I had been through with these drugs should make her see that they are powerful and should not be arbitrarily prescribed. She has a really good heart and I think was moved by my plea. It was surprising and amazing. Initially, she told me to send her the data on Lexapro. She claimed that it helped so many people that the benefits outweighed the negatives involved. I said that between 1-10% of people have serious side effects that can be debilitating. She said that it is a small percentage. I replied "but what if that one percent includes me, your own sister". She paused at that point and it was then that she said she would not prescribe it any more, taking the extreme view, because I know that for many it does help. I cried and laughed at the same time. What happenned that she just couldn't be there for me emotionally when I needed her to be there? And why is it that friends fail to come through when you really need them to? I lost both my father and brother-in-law to unexpected horrible circumstances within a two year period. I can't understand why the people that I had been so outgoing and kind to didn't come through for me. Fortunately and unbelievably, strangers did. Believe it or not, I met a young man who had suffered with anxiety and depression in the psychiatrists waiting room. We bonded immediately. I asked if I could call him because I needed him as a mentor. He said yes and became an immediate support. It gave me faith in humans caring about other humans. He lived despite his mental illness and accomplished much. He was kind and had a wonderful smile. He would talk to me for hours on the phone when he could. He brought me up and back into the world. He was there for me for a brief period of time until he needed to return back to his life. Unbelievable. It taught me that some friends will be there for a short amount of time, but a really important part of time. He took me from point A to point B. He inspired me and gave me hope, as do most of the people in this forum do....As you all can see, I can be lengthy with my words and have a big story to tell. I am hoping that my story will serve others because I see that we are on this earth for a very short amount of time and the key is to make it better for our children while we are here and if you are one without children, then just make it a better world in general.....Much of this forum has been about Lexapro, tapering and what's involved. I don't think that it can be discussed in a vacuum. All of us turned to drugs because we didn't have what it takes to cope. It was depression that we were and are dealing with. That too I believe needs to be talked about candidly. Had I known what depression is and how to deal with it, I wouldn't be in the situation I am in now. Depression is black and white thinking. It is hardship in getting out of bed. It is expecting friends to suddenly be there for you even if it means chronically being there for you. It is debilitating at its worst. It is not being able to see the good. Knowing and understanding how to cope with it can mean the difference between suicide and deciding to live......I have a young son that means the world to me. When I was depressed, I made depressed decisions that effected him. Please tell me how to win him back.....Do not make decisions while depressed. And grief is depression or a form of it. Everyone will experience grief at some point in their lives when their mother or father dies. Everyone. Will you be able to get through it? You don't know until you are there. I do know now what I need to do when facing such horrible types of problems. Find compassionate support people. Turn to your church or synagogue. Find one and maybe it will be only one friend that will see you through. Do not turn to drugs, because if you do, it may be a lifetime affair and the side effects and impact on your body may do more damage then you ever wanted. Find G-d and get to know him. Find an exceptional therapist, not a head nodder! .....Anyway, as you can see, I am a firm believer that you can't talk about getting off of antidepressants without talking about why you went on them in the first place and how you will cope without them. These issues cannot be separated. I mean, we are humans with stories to tell and that is what is important. Our stories need to be heard. I am hoping that this forum becomes more personal because in a support group it is nice to know that you can talk about anything that relates to the support group topic and that makes you seem more human. All of us didn't turn to drugs because we like drugs, we resorted to them because we were dealing with hardship, loss, loneliness and all sorts of things. I am hoping to talk more in this forum about depression in relation to getting off these drugs. Because once we finish the withdrawal process there still exists the underlying problems. And will we rush back to taking the drugs in order to cope. What about using eachother as a support system in coming up with ways to deal with hard issues? Or at least expanding it so that we feel comfortable in asking for advice as long as it is reasonable? What do you guys think about it? ...Anyway, this too is another lengthy post. And I suspect that it may be a long six months ahead for those of you that don't like long posts, but remember that you always have the option of not reading my posts!:-) I could really use more friends right now in my pursuit of happiness and would happily return the support. Please, please keep that in mind. It just feels so good to know that I am not alone.

[anna bella]

Hi Rosalinde

In My experience i have not dropped any lexapro weight, i have tappered from 20mg to 4.5 and have not seen a decrease in weight, even with the addition of exercise but i am hoping i will see a change soon and i hope you do to.

Also suffering migraines again.....I guess now i know it's from lexapro withdrawals and not the pill.

[SchnauzerTime]

Did you get my post from yesterday? It's on this page...can you answer when you have time? Thanks

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by carolleah

Schnauzertime

Thank you for describing the recovery process. It explains why my windows of being back to myself seem to be heavily mixed with periods of depression and anxiety. I try to be positive but sometimes it can be wearing. How do you keep your sanity during those trying times? I try to keep really busy, but that doesn't always help. When I have periods of anxiety it is really hard to go forward......Sorry if I sounded frustrated and negative in my last couple of posts. The last few days I have been out of sorts and it has been really hard. Sometimes just doing the basics is very hard.Does anyone feel that way too? I mean, I am functional, but doing the basics can be quiet difficult at times.

Carolleah,

I am anxious ALL the time so I know it is hard. The thing that helps me the most is reading a good book...I get lost in the storyline and it pulls me away from my real life. Reading has always been one of the loves of my life. But if you don't like to read, just find a hobby that you love...whether it be knitting, bird watching, whatever. Some things to keep in mind...keep eating healthy food, take your vitamins, keep away from stimulation like too much TV, computer, etc., and loud noises like a crowded public place.

Yes it is hard for most everyone to keep up with their chores and everyday things going through withdrawal. If you don't feel like doing something, don't do it. Don't push yourself...it will get down eventually. That's how I look at things at least. And just keep telling yourself it will get better .

[SchnauzerTime]

Does anyone else get a bad fishy/metallic taste in their mouth from taking fish oil? I'm on the Carlson's brand and it didn't bother me at first...but since I started taking more (I took 3 this morning), that nasty taste is back. Anyone else get this?

[KEITH L.I]

Originally Posted by Hopeful 285

Hi Elizabethmaria, Skyer, Aunty, and everyone,
Just checking in. I'm at 9 months cold turkey on the 9th and I feel like I'm on month 4 or 5 again. I have extreme fatigue and want to sleep long hours again. I was back to my normal hours of getting up early. This stuff seems to wax a wane forever.
I still have the movement disorder although it has been a little better for about a week and a half. I don't know if I told you but I shake my hips and shoulders. This is so embarrassing. I must appear to be crazy. It was mostly head bobbing and jerking, falling, strange facial expressions etc.
I got a headache that lasted for days and after that, it left me with the hip and shoulder moves. They are less frequent right now.
I haven't been to the movement disorder specialist yet. It takes forever to get into the specialist. The nurse gave me the doctor's name and still hasn't given me a date.


Keith and Helpme,
I took lexapro for 2 years and my neck cracks. An MRI shows that I have cervical radiculopathy which is disc protrusion. My sister-in-law who has taken antidepressants for years had this and had surgery on it a year ago. SSRI's affect every single system in your body. You need to have your neck checked. Cracking is not normal.
I have to see a spine specialist. I was told that it is serious. There are several protrusions on the front and back side of my neck bone. There are protrusions pushing on my spinal cord causing it to narrow.


On a more positive note, I have a new grandbaby. She's a girl. This is my 2nd one. My other one is almost 2 and she's a girl. I am so blessed.


Take care everyone.

oh great, I thought neck pain and cracking were part of the withdrawal process. By the way the popping and neck pain is getting better in the last week.I hope this is not longterm

[elizabethmaria]

Dear Aunty,

I had written before, but my computer has lost all the posts, or something, so I'll try again!

I still can't walk Aunty - it's the parkinsonism/dystonia/dyskinesia stuff - my legs don't move - I can hobble, sometimes better than other days, but it's real hard - I was just wondering if you know more about the course of these things - I've always had movement problems during recovery, but not like this... it's been over a week now and is quite painful.. I sent an email to Hopeful, who has had trouble too - but I think she's not on very much..
other things are getting better, so I'm ok here ('cept yesterday, pms /period made everything AWFUL, but am ok now).. it's just been getting worse, and was wondering if you know/heard anything about the fluctuations with this - it's not like muscle cramping, it's from my brain, it doesn't signal the legs, etc to go where they are supposed to.. they just literally don't work!
am at work now, and sitting down is ok, but it takes forever to get up, walk across the room, so I don't do that - it hurts quite badly too..
Anyways, if you have any knowledge? or ?
I hope you all are doing well today... take care everyone!

love,
Elizabethmarie

P.S. Carolleah, Hairyarmadillo, Tavee, others - I had written these other posts to you guys, but they all didn't go through! and now I can't remember what I wrote - sooooo, maybe it wasn't that important anyways ... just hope you guys are hanging in there ok...and Schnauzertime THANK YOU so much for that post about the recovery process, it is sooo true - I really needed that reminder, and I printed it off and have it sitting out on the counter! thanks!!!
blessings,
EM

[HelpMe58]

Originally Posted by carolleah

Schnauzertime

Thank you for describing the recovery process. It explains why my windows of being back to myself seem to be heavily mixed with periods of depression and anxiety. I try to be positive but sometimes it can be wearing. How do you keep your sanity during those trying times? I try to keep really busy, but that doesn't always help. When I have periods of anxiety it is really hard to go forward......Sorry if I sounded frustrated and negative in my last couple of posts. The last few days I have been out of sorts and it has been really hard. Sometimes just doing the basics is very hard.Does anyone feel that way too? I mean, I am functional, but doing the basics can be quiet difficult at times.

Carolleah,
I am feeling exactly the same way. When I lie down to go to sleep I start thinking of all the sad things that ever happened or ever will happen. I am functional too but my mind will not shut off or stay stable. I am slowly going crazy. This is month 3 completely off Lexapro. How long have you been off this stuff?
HelpMe