[auntybiotic]

Back to Flockhart's P 450 Drug Interaction.

Lexapro increases the level of xanax up to 60%. Even if you are on a low dose of xanax..it could be a high dose when combined with the lexapro.

Xanax withdrawals are horrible also. Look at Ashton's withdrawal schedule on how to get off xanax..it is also VERY addictive.

Let us know more about dosing. I would try magnesium for anxiety.

[Miss Lee]

Let me clarify. I have been off Lexapro since August 26th. I took my last Xanex on Sept. 3rd. Here is a schedule of symtoms:

Week 1: OK, no real symtoms of withdrawal- Just extremely fast heart beat due to reaction.

Week 2: Massive anxiety attack (the first I have ever had) extreme dizziness, and a lot of trembling with zaps

Week 3: Dizziness, trembling, IBS, Crying

Week 4: Less dizzy, trembling, IBS, A lot of Crying, irritable

Week 5: No dizziness (except for low blood sugar due to lack of appetite), trembling, another anxiety attack (scary, cried all day, then started to throw up), IBS, crying

Week 6: ?? What's in store?

Question? I thought I was done with the anxiety part of this ****. That is the absolute worst of it. Why would the anxiety attacks space so far apart? and why does it come in waves? I thought I was on the mend, but today I feel disconnected and jittery again (I assume it is the after effect of the attack) This will go away, right? I never had it before the drug and I refuse to accept that it is a little parting gift of LEXAPRO.

[auntybiotic]

Miss Lee,

I have only talked to one other person who had such a severe reaction so quickly. With SSRI withdrawals.it does come in waves. Sometimes a few days feel OK then back to dizziness and anxiety.

I would not say you were allergic to Lexapro but that your liver's enzyme that metabolizes Lexapro is slow. This means that your body is also slow to get this medication out of your system.

Would your insurance pay for acupuncture? If you explained to the therapist that you wanted to detox your liver, the acupuncture is excellent.

If NOT, I would suggest going to the sitght Paxilprogress.org and look up detox methods. Thre is a barley juice that is excellent.

The anxiety and disconnected feeling are common Lexapro and SSRI withdrawal symptoms (as well a xanax).

With my friend, who actually had the Genetic testing done thru the Mayo Clinic, after she had a severe reaction to SSRI'S, also found out that she was a slow metabolizer in two primary enzymes in the cytochrome system. It took her about four months to return to normal. The waves of anxiety and disassociation got longer in between attacks/At first she got the anxiety several times a day. Then maybe once or twice a day. Then a couple of times a week...until she seemed to get better.

Everyone is different, as you can see from reading the posts. I am sure you will get better............are you taking any vitamins?
I know those that have done acupuncture have recovered a lot faster then those that have not.
Were you on 10 Mg of Lexapro??
Are you having any sweats and chills or any nightnares?
When the lack of appetite feeling passes you may get cravings for carbs and sweets. This is usually what happens.

You may want to have your doctor check your cortisol levels. Lexapro, even sometimes one dose, can mess up the adrenal system. If this has happened your cortisal levels would continue to be high at night when normally they would go down at night.

This in itself would cause anxiety. You are lucky that you did not take Lexapro for a longer period of time.

[bodyelectric]

Aunty is right-on in my opinion, of course there's no way to know. I also suspect that Xanax has paid a BIG part in it. Often you don't start feeling the withdrawals for 4-5 days, then it's almost like getting delirium tremens. If your insurance is good, have your liver enzymes checked to see what's up with the cytochromes.

There is a pharmaceutical researcher (also a psychiatrist) in Canada who may be able to explain all this. Click on my alias to the left of this message, then email me from my profile and I'll give you his email address. He's very helpful and doesn't pander to the drug companies, but he doesn't have much time. He deals in short answers.

I hope it passes soon.

[bodyelectric]

Scratch the email idea -- here's what the doc wrote back when I asked about it:

"I think for specific clinical problems, people should first get the advice of their treating physician. Being well informed should help them to get the best from seeing their doctors. Some areas have professionally run health advice lines. A second opinion might be sought, if needed. However, I don't have the resources to act as an electronic health advice line and it would be wrong to set myself up with a duty of care, when I cannot meet the associated responsibilities."

Basically what he's saying is, we should do a lot of research and ask a ton of questions if we want our doctors to perform well, and if that doesn't work, see someone else. I definitely understand the liability issue.

[anxiousbabe]

Today is day 8 of totally being off Lexapro and oh my is it a bad day. I feel like I can literally rip someones head off. I have no patience or tolerance for anyone's bull****. Is this normal???? I feel like I have just had it today. I am sick of taking care of my household today and I normally don't get this way.

I feel like I need some space and time to concentrate on what my body is going through. My husband is an awesome guy, but doesn't take two minutes to understand the withdrawel of this medication. He thinks because I am off of it for over a week then that's it.....pisses me off.
As you can see I have not tolerance for him today and not to mention my poor son. I had to pick him up from school today and called him on his cell phone to see where the hell he was and he was right where he was suppose to be so then I cried for being snappy at him. OH I hope this feeling of NO PATIENCE goes away tomorrow or maybe it's not a side effect and I just need a break from everyday responsibilities.

Well I am done venting for now. Thanks for listening. Any advice is appreciated especially tonight.

Be Well,
Florence

[auntybiotic]

anxious babe,

This is totally normal................did you taper or stop suddenly. At what speed did you taper? It can last for several weeks. The short temper and crying for no reason.This is your body adjusting to changes in serotonin.you may also get insomnia and in another week you may feel depersonalization. Forgot to mention the carb cravings!!!!!!!! It stinks.

The omega 3 Fish Oil should help the moods but it will be time that will help the neurotransmitters in the brain to stabilize. This is where acupuncture helps.

Just realize that the pissy moods are not permanent so don't be too hard on yourself for acting like a child throwing a temper tantrum.

[auntybiotic]

anxious babe,

I was just reading over theposts to see how fast you tapered. Was 5 Mg the higest dose you were on?? How long did you take Lexapro??

[auntybiotic]

Hi,
For those having problems sleeping wile on lexapro or after having recently stopped Lexapro.....you may want to go to Featured Drugs "Lexapro Withdrawals" and read my reply on page 2 from 10-4-05. Don't want to retype it as it is long but information may be helpful to some here. Regarding REM sleep loss.

[Miss Lee]

Thank you for all your support Aunty and Body. Your dedication to this is unreal. I am so glad that I found this site. I can't imagine going through this without this info.
Yes, Aunty I also have the night sweats. I was taking 10 mgs of LEX. It's funny what you forget. I also have the depersonalization (but it comes and goes).
I stopped taking my synthetic B's after the "loud Noise" post. I fit the bill. I went and got vitamins (with very low b's), fish and flax oil (all wrapped up into one really hard to swallow pill) magnesium C, mega-zyme, and PB8.
I have an appointment with the acupuncture @ 5:00p.m. today for liver detox and an appt. on Friday for a blood panel (to check my cortisol levels).
QUESTIONS:
I didn't get the runs from my magnesium, but I did get extremely loopy and tired body. The weird thing is is that my outside body was tired and my inside body is still jittery. Any ideas? When do you usually take your mag? And what is it actually doing for my body? Can I space them out? I took about 275 Mgs.
Second Question: How come the anxiety could lay dormat for a month? I have heard of days, but a month. i feel like I am at square one again? I just can't stand the anxiety. It is what scares me the most. I can deal with all the other symtoms, but for some reason I totally freak when an anxiety attack hits. They always seem BIG and UGLY. I again NEVER had this beofre the drug.
What can I expect after my liver detox?

[bodyelectric]

I'm really glad to hear of everything you're doing for yourself. Good job!

When you feel a little jittery, do you feel like a Xanax would solve the problem? If so, could be that you got addicted. Addictive drugs will sometimes cause the problems they cure so you will take them. That sounds nuts, I know, but in my experience it's true.

You can space out the mg. Magnesium is a mineral that is necessary for all kinds of processes in your body -- muscle, nerve, heart, you name it. Preventing anxiety is just one of many.

Selenium is another mineral that is often overlooked. You can take it as a supplement, or just eat a couple of Brazil nuts everyday. The selenium in our soil has been depleted, and adding it to your diet is just about the only way to get it these days. If you happen to be a smoker, selenium is even more important because smoking keeps your body from absorbing it in the first place. It is important for your brain and your heart.

I don't want to overload you with more pills. It sounds like you're trying a few things already. Take it slowly.

Even if you are back at square one, at least you don't have harmful chemicals in your body anymore. That's progress, though I know you don't feel good.

I have been looking everywhere in my area for tyrosine, and couldn't find it. I found a source for some finally, and I've started selling it on eBay if anyone is interested.

Enough self-promotion. I have a plane to catch. Hope everyone is doing better!

[fitnessnicole321]

Does Xanex in .5 mg cause weihght weight gain? I can not get a straight answer from my Dr.

[auntybiotic]

Xanax does not affect serotonin levels and therefore should NOT cause weight gain.

[Miss Lee]

Acupuncture went well. I was nervous, but it was a great expereince. I did sleep a little better (but I don't know if they are related-or just knowing I went helped me sleep.) He did tell me to stay away from anything spicy, onions, sugar, caffeine, fats/fatty foods, garlic for the reason that they upset the liver function and if your liver is already ticked off-these will not help the matter any.
He addressed my liver and my central nervous system. In chinese medicine, the liver is the root of a lot of issues. Emotion, anxiety, depression and so on. He told me that it will help balance my emotions. Please because I have been walking around with a face so swollen from cryiing I look like a puffer fish!

Aunty-
Your friend that reacted to the meds- How long did it take her to shake it
completely?

Anxious Babe:
When I feel like I want to snap a head off or completely overwhelmed, I listen to the christian music station. For some reason it helps, maybe it is the talk of fighting giants (exactly what we are doing!). Hang in there you are NOT alone.

[Not depressed]

Miss Lee, I too find relief in listening to Christian music. Also, I didn't like my young son singing along with the words from secular music, so now I keep my radio on the Christian station. Here in the Houston area we have a great radio station (KSBJ), but not every town has that blessing. However, anyone can log onto Godlistens.com to get that on your computer. I have also found praying and strong faith that I WILL get through this to be helpful. Whenever the withdrawal induced depression starts, I remember my Lord is with me, and that he will help me overcome this. Just as I feel he led me to this website to find such great supportive angels with their really good advise. Thank you, you all know who I'm talking about. I am looking forward to a near future when I can loose this awful weight and get my life back to better than it ever was, because I know how much I will appreciate feeling 'NORMAL'again.

NOT depressed! in Texas

[auntybiotic]

Miss Lee,

It took her four long months, she is now my friend but her mother found me out of desperation trying to help her daughter, at that time we did not know one another.

Her mother (or the doctors) had no idea what was wrong with her daughter. She emailed me and explained the situation. Her daughter had one month earlier stopped taking a SSRI as well as other medications. No one knew her reactions were from the SSRI withdrawal that because it took about a month for the effects to be really bad.

As it tured out she was a poor metabolizer thru the liver enzymes........she had the testing done to confirm this. It took four months but she went in and out of being OK then she would have a really bad spell. She also used cognitive therapy to overcome the anxiety.

My other friend who tapered off of lexapro 15 Mg for three weeks, then 10 Mg for three weeks then 5 Mg for three weeks then 0............had also about four months till feeling better. He had terrible depersonalization and had to take a few weeks off of work.

Vitamins really do help. Another person took a year and a half to feel better after cold turkeying off of SSRI's but refused to take ANYTHING.
With the grace of GOD we will all get better and these posts are in effect a form of therapy................sharing and comparing notes really does help.

Miss Lee,
Glad acupuncture went well. How many times a week will you be going? Does your insurance cover this.
Gotta run...................

HUG

[gproc]

i have been on 20mg a day lexapro for about a year, My insurance is up, and i could no longer afford the medicine, i thought i would be ok by just quitting taking it. I was very wrong, my brain feels like im getting little electric shocks to it, im sweating alote, but im freezing, im very tired, dizzy, and definately agitated, one little thing will make me flip out. I got a prescription for 6 pills of 20mg, i am going to try to start taking half, but so far, these past few days have been horrible

[Miss Lee]

gproc-
Hang in there! Good for you for wanting to go off your SSRI's! One thing that helps me is to do meditative breathing. Lay on your back and breathe in deep through your diaphragm for the count of 5, and out for the count of 5. Do this for about 5 minutes (or three sets of 10). Panic and anxeity sufferers are most often chest breathers. You have to retrain you body to breathe through your diaphragm.

Aunty-

I am going to acupuncture 1x a week. I do have insurance that only has a $20 co-pay, so it is pretty affordable. I would go everyday if I could. I do feel a bit better today. I realize that it will take awhile to get over this, especially since I reacted so horribly. One minute at a time. I go to the DOC for a blood screening on Friday. Any suggestions to ask or tell the doc?

[Luna Tick]

Dear Auntie & Bodyelectric,
Thank you for all the information. I not been taking any Lexapro for a month, but still have some dizzy days, but that's less and less.
The scale is going DOWN! I'm not eating anything with added sugar. I also don't eat anything with flour. Spagetti squash with clam sauce is good and easy. I've not eaten any white potatoes either.
I stopped the Lexapro because the scale went up every day even though I was active physically. Most of the 20 lb. weight gain is in my abdomen. I never thought I could stop eating chocolate or have coffee without sugar... but the half and half helps.
I agree that this is a horrible drug. If I really feel the need for an antidepressent in the future I 'd take Prozac. Clinical depression is a life robber and we need to embrace every moment.
Hang in there everybody.
Luna

[Luna Tick]

quote:Originally posted by Luna Tick

Dear Auntie & Bodyelectric,
Thank you for all the information. I have not been taking any Lexapro for a month, but still have some dizzy days, but that's less and less.
The scale is going DOWN! I'm not eating anything with added sugar. I also don't eat anything with flour. Spaghetti squash with clam sauce is good and easy. I've not eaten any white potatoes either.
I stopped the Lexapro because the scale went up every day even though I was active physically. Most of the 20 lb. weight gain is in my abdomen. I never thought I could stop eating chocolate or have coffee without sugar... but the half and half helps.
I agree that Lexapro is a horrible drug. If I really feel the need for an antidepressent in the future I 'd take Prozac. Clinical depression is a life robber and we need to embrace every moment.
Hang in there everybody.
Luna

[auntybiotic]

Luna,
Great you are 3o days Lex free!!!
Prozac has a built in tapering method as the half life of Prozac is 28 days. oNce you stop Prozac.it takes 28 days for the medication to slowly leave your system.

A few very experienced physicians use a 10 Mg dose of Prozac as a alternative way of tapering off of Lexapro. The lexapro's half life is 26 hours..............after 26 hours there is half the amount of the dose of lexapro that you took..,,,,,hence withdrawals appear in about 4 days after the last dose of Lexapro.

Supplementing the last dose with a very small amount of Prozac, sometimes ONE 10 Mg of Prozac,allows the brain to slowly have tapering amounts of a SSRI in their system since the one dose of prozac will remain in ones system for 28 days.

On the down side. if you have a BAD reaction to the one dose of Prozac..it will take 28 days for the medication to leave the system.

I know of to four people who have sucessfully stopped lexapro with one to two SMALL doses of Prozac with very little side effects. For those having a extremely bad time of it...this may be something to speak to your doctor about. Check out Dr. Breggins Book,,,,,,,,,the Antidepressant Solution.

Prozac also is very harmful to your body as the other's SSRI but it is the ONLY SSRI with the built in tapering effect since it's half life is 28 days.

[auntybiotic]

Miss Lee,

I would have your physician check your blood sugar levels, as Lexapro can cause LOW blood sugar levels/ hypoglycemia.

Also you may ask to have the stress hormones checked such as cortisol, adrenalin, etc. ( 24 hour saliva tests for cortisol are the most informative) Possibly check for adrenal fatigue, Lexapro causes this to occur in many users.

Depending on your sleeplessness, you may also request a REM sleep study. REM sleep disruption causes personality changes, increased anxiety, irritability, impaired concentration, increased appetite and weigh gain. (Taken from Prozac Panacea Or Pandora page 188 by Dr. Ann Blake Tracy.)

The levels of B3 and B6 should also be looked at as well as having the pancreas checked.

The pancreas controls blood sugar levels. Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, is responsible for controling sugar in the bloodstream.

Does the discussion of brain function and chemical imbalances relate to the pancreas and blood sugar levels? Without the proper blood sugar level the brain is unable to function.

Symptoms of low blood sugar (which lexapro causes) are: headache, cold sweats, mood swings, confusion, anxiety, exhaustion and depression. You can see how adreanal fatigue and malfunctioning of the pancreas can be the cause of the MANY Lexapro withdrawal symptoms.Now can everyone start to see how diet and vitamins can repair the body to help alleviate withdrawals??

If you would like to learn more about how SSRI's affect the body go to www.drugawareness.com and order DR. Ann Blake Tracey's informative book or tapes. The Book this information was obtained from is "PROZAC PANACEA OR PANDORA.

Gotta Run.

[justme100]

Hi there.... I was diagnosed with ptsd, depression and anxiety about 10 years ago. Anxiety and nightmares being the worse problem. I took prozac for about a week and couldn't take the severe anxiety producing side effects. I took zoloft off and on for a few years (lowest dose)and didn't have side effects when not taking it, but sexual side effects (lack of desire) and fatigue while taking even a low dose.
About 3 years ago, my dr prescribed lexapro (10 mg / day). The nightmares never stopped and I didn't like my true emotions being so suppressed. Also experienced severe fatigue during the day and increasing nausea.

So, the reason for my post is to share the painful effects of lexapro withdrawal. I began lessening the dose while on vacation- a three-month planned low stress vacation at the beach at the beginning of this summer. Over about two months, I slowly increased the days between dosages. Should have probably taken less mg, by cutting the tablet, but it didn't occur to me since it was a low dose to begin with (and apparently, serious withdrawal symptoms happen either way). Even after 2 months, I couldn't get past 4 days, without screaming pain... body "shocks", migraine type "shocks", severe motion sickness from just moving my eyes, additional nausea, etc. All this time, I was under little stress, mostly taking beach walks, yoga, reading, etc

After reading all the withdrawal symptoms others were having, I realized it was going to hurt, whatever method of tapering. So, five weeks ago, to the day, I quit lexapro. After 4 days, the physical withdrawals kicked in. The first three weeks were miserable. Took supplements, hoping to ease some of the pain. Finally, the fourth week, the electric shocks started to weaken, the nausea was gone (which is great since it was a problem while taking the meds), and my nightmares became less extreme, more coherent and lucid, and are occurring with less frequency (actually the nightmares started to improve after less than a week- nightmares I hadn't been able to control for 10 years, so I definitely think the lexapro was making my nightmares much, much worse). During this fifth week, I thought the shocks were gone for a couple days, but they returned, but in a very mild form. The main problem I'm now having, is insomnia. I have been a little more tearful and hope this isn't a sign of depression returning. I'm actually enjoying the added emotion, just hope the anxiety doesn't kick in. So withdrawal is possible, but a good four weeks before the symptoms were tolerable. I will NEVER take lexapro again. If I do get anxiety and/or depression again, I will need another method, even if a homeopathic method isn't quit as effective. If anyone has any good suggestions, please share. Tx

[Cyan]

OMG, I can't believe I have come across this site, I thought I was going insane. I stopped taking my 10mg dosage of Lexapro in mid August of this year. I was a clown [)] and went cold turkey. Basically my script ran out, and I just couldn't be bothered renewing it, and the rest is history. Initally I was somewhat dizzy, lethargic and very edgy/jumpy.

Whilst on the lexapro I had problems with low BSL's, low BP ( still is low now ) muscle spasms, dizziness and edginess. So I thought perhaps I'll be better off without them. After about week 2 of being off the Lexapro - I started having that 'floating sensation' I didn't know if conversations and events were real if that makes sense. And I am also having a really hard time losing weight. I started a weightloss program whilst on the drugs ( weight watchers ) and my weight has come off sooooooo slowly. I didn't realise that I could still be having withdrawl symptoms 6 weeks later! [:0]

When will the symptoms go away, and how can I find out if the drug is completely out of my system. I am so mad that none of this is listed on the drug information in the box , and even more furious that my 'trusted' GP has chosen not to disclose this information to me.

Feeling very ripped off and angry right about now.

Cyan [V]

[bodyelectric]

Luna Tick, THAT'S WONDERFUL!

I have much more to say, but gotta run. I'm a little pressed at the moment.

New folks -- welcome! Knowledge is power, and you'll get plenty of it here. The symptoms should start winding down, but it takes awhile. Taking omega-3 seems to keep the brain zaps away. When I forget to take it, I have them. Otherwise I'm totally back to normal -- better, even.

[Miss Lee]

This morning I was already crying! It isn't even 8:00 a.m.! I think it has to do with the stomach distress (for those who are lost- the runs). It seems that if it gets worse, my anxiety goes up. Who knows why? I just want this all to stop. I am at week 6. Anyone else having stomach issues?

Also the crying- WOW I feel like a basketcase. Tears are so close to the surface these days. I very easily get emotional and then that makes me anxious. What a vicious cycle.

Thanks for the info about the DOC Aunty!

[anxiousbabe]

Hello everyone,

I hope this day finds you feeling better than the last. I am now on day 13 of NO Lexapro and it's been one heck of a roller coaster ride. As soon as you think your past the withdrawel another wave smacks you right upside your head. I feel pretty good today other than having a short attention spand. I am still very short tempered, but much more pleasant than I was. I am still waiting for the damn weight to start coming off. This friggin stomach is a joke, again yesterday I was asked if I was pregnant.
I hope all is well and everyone is doing somewhat better today. If we all stick together and share our expericences than we shall all make it through this nightmare.

BE well,
Florence[B)]

[anxiousbabe]

Where did everyone go????
I hope this means that we are all feeling better today and that explains the quietness on this board.

Have a great day,
Florence

[auntybiotic]

Anxious,

It could either means that others are doing better or not up to posting because they feels so bad.I hope it's not the latter.

Glad you are slowly gettong better. How did you taper? Are you having any cramping or naseau?

[anxiousbabe]

HI aunty,

I tapered kind of slow. I was on 10mg the first time I was put on Lexapro and didn't do well on that so my doctor brought me down to 5mg and that is what I stood on for a year and a half. I tried to get off of this stuff twice in the last six months, but didn't even make it two days off without the panic/anxiety attacks coming back and the palps in my heart so I quickly started again, but that was before I knew all the stuff I know now.

Now I am two wks off totally and feeling fine other than the withdrawel effects, but no anxiety attacks or palps and I say it's because of the accupuncture. It has to be. I went from 5mg to 2.5 for 3 weeks and then I started cutting that in half again for a week and then off completely.

I know I say this often, but the weight I put on with this med is the worst part for me right now. My belly which was always genetically flat even after kids is now looking like it is 3 months pregnant. However I am thankful for feeling not so bad today and will deal with the weight. I always excercised and ate well while on the lex, but the scale never moved. Well it moved upward I should say. Now I hope with my diet and excercise that it will at least start coming off.

Florence