[neveradullmoment]

Amarie968,Sheez If ya just started Friday then stop.Go back to the docter and tell It what you just told us.
Ask and get a answer why,AND in detail why or what they scripted the pills for.
Whatever withdrawl there may be from Friday, it has to be minimum at this point.
Good luck

[elizabethmaria]

Oh my gosh Tavee! I'm sorry, but your post made me laugh so hard! That guys is completely ridiculous! Wow, is he out of it...! My mom is a very very good nutritionist/dietician and keeps up with all the latest research, and diet has SO much to do with emotions, depression, etc.. wow, she is always telling the family that... that is just too funny! being low in this or that, can all contribute - they are finding out so much.. like now they know that some people who have schizophrenia/psychotic problems, actually have celiac disease - because they don't absorb the right nutrients in their gut (celiac does that) it messes up the brain chemistry's balance.. so when they fix that, the other goes away too! but they used to think many of them were just crazy... There is so much they don't know.. I can't WAIT until we don't have to defend or explain ourselves anymore, but it may be a long time yet... GOODNESS, what about all those ads on television for legal claims about babies born to moms having been on paxil? doesn't he know about all that?
ah! oh well.. just keep on doing what you are doing! you're doing great, almost there!!

Schnauzertime,
Wow!! thank you so much for those teas and tips and things!! I really want to try the muscle aches things, as that is what I have most right now, especially my legs.. that sounds sooo good, I wish I didn't have to wait to get the stuff, .. thank you for all of those contacts and everything, that is AWESOME!.. I've been getting massages for my aches and legs, and she has a eucalyptese (sp?) rub, I haven't tried it yet, but I think I will along with the one that you mentioned... thank you!!
Hope you are still feeling good there ... I am so glad that you passed that rough spot, I don't think it will ever be that bad again for you..
take good care, talk more later
love, EM

[elizabethmaria]

Aunty

Well, I went to the neurologist today.. they don't have any idea what is happening, of course ..

I do have very extreme hyperreflexia in my lower legs.. hee hee.. I nearly kicked him where it counts, you know what I mean (I was kind of embarrassed!) .. he was so surprised because he barely touched my knee cap - ok, but if you are a neurologist, WHY would you sit on a 1 foot stool, with legs split, in front of a patient sitting up on the bench, and tap their knee cap, not knowing what to expect ?! he was asking for it, honestly! but anyways, I guess it is something.. and then my feet don't work very well, and trouble walking. They want to do a spinal MRI.. but don't have a clue really as it is 'unusual'... then he did the line about wanting to do testing in this and that, but then also mentioned along Tavee's lines.. that things could be some psychological deep thing that is coming out in my legs!..

Aunty, what do you think? when I spoke with the ssri expert (neurologist/psychiatrist), he said all my stuff was normal reaction /recovery stuff, although bad, the seizures as well.. but that was before this happened. He told me that as I never had anything mental problems/etc before, that my symptoms were due to neural toxicity damage... and would go up and down, even for years... especially the movement problems...I guess I just feel bad when this neuro mentioned that, as it makes me start to second guess myself, question everything, etc... it has been so hard not to be able to get around very well. I feel like they now look down at me for using a cane, which helps soo much, because they think I'm trying to get attention or something - he kept asking how I felt about it, how long I've been using it, etc.. I was like, what do you want me to do, fall over?... sorry, I just feel really bad afterward, even though he didn't really say much at this point.. just the idea hurts so very badly. I went there for help, and it hurts, and then they mention this, and I don't know what to think... he didn't say that's what he thought, but, I don't know, you can kind of tell by the look in their eyes, you know?? I'm sorry Aunty, I just feel really bad now, like getting kicked when you're already down... and I've been here so long, and everyone else is better and on to other things, and and... I just don't have the ability and mental strength to go on to more testing, doctors, etc.. it HURTS and it is very hard to walk even a few steps at this point. It is hard to get in and out of the car, I just can't keep going around trying to find answers, I'm too busy trying to be able to get up to eat some food and change my clothes each day... so many months.. I'm at over 9 months now..

ok.. I know no one can do anything, but I just felt so bad and awful, it has been so hard lately.. I'm sorry to complain, but sometimes it just has to come out somewhere!!

please keep me in your prayers, you are all in mine..
love, EM

[Danx]

Well I posted a while back, but will do it again. I have been on Lexapro 20mg for about a year and am ready to quit. I decided like an idiot to just stop cold turkey. After a couple days I was having heart palpatations and it scared me so much I would go into major panic attacks and cause it to happen even worse. I didn't realize it could have been from stopping the Lexapro. I was off it for about 2 weeks when I started reading this forum and went back on it and am taking 15mg a day. Some of the symptoms have settled down some, but today I started having bad palpatitions again.

I know I should have just went back to 20mg and tapered slowly, but I've been at 15 for a couple weeks now and thought I was through the worst of it and would be able to start to taper down more soon. But after today's problems I don't think that will be happening.

I suffer from a lot of other side effects, shaking, anxiety, cold sweats, hot sweats, etc. But the heart problem is what really scares me. I always wonder if maybe it's not the Lexapro and it's a real problem.

I know I should see a doctor and get checked out to make sure, but I am agoraphobic and totally housebound, and no doctors are willing to make housecalls. I guess if it is something major wrong and not just withdrawls I will die at home.

[Danx]

Originally Posted by Danx

Well I posted a while back, but will do it again. I have been on Lexapro 20mg for about a year and am ready to quit. I decided like an idiot to just stop cold turkey. After a couple days I was having heart palpatations and it scared me so much I would go into major panic attacks and cause it to happen even worse. I didn't realize it could have been from stopping the Lexapro. I was off it for about 2 weeks when I started reading this forum and went back on it and am taking 15mg a day. Some of the symptoms have settled down some, but today I started having bad palpatitions again.

I know I should have just went back to 20mg and tapered slowly, but I've been at 15 for a couple weeks now and thought I was through the worst of it and would be able to start to taper down more soon. But after today's problems I don't think that will be happening.

I suffer from a lot of other side effects, shaking, anxiety, cold sweats, hot sweats, etc. But the heart problem is what really scares me. I always wonder if maybe it's not the Lexapro and it's a real problem.

I know I should see a doctor and get checked out to make sure, but I am agoraphobic and totally housebound, and no doctors are willing to make housecalls. I guess if it is something major wrong and not just withdrawls I will die at home.

Forgot to mention after about 2 weeks cold turkey I started to have major strange thoughts and feelings. I've never been suicidal/homicidal ever. But that day my thoughts raced, I could see myself hurting someone or myself. That scared me. They were gone within a couple days of being back on the Lexapro.. Oh, and I have very vivid dreams every night. Normally I don't remember dreams, maybe a couple times a year I will, but now it's a nightly thing. At least they could be sex dreams or something, but no, they are always really stupid..

I'm 32 years old and never had any real medical problems in the past. My family has no history of heart problems. I am the youngest of my siblings and in my lifetime, no one in my family has died. My parents are mid 70's and still in good health. All thoes things make me think it's not a real heart problem, but there is always that little voice that tells me I'm going to die.

[carolleah]

Originally Posted by elizabethmaria

Aunty

Well, I went to the neurologist today.. they don't have any idea what is happening, of course ..

I do have very extreme hyperreflexia in my lower legs.. hee hee.. I nearly kicked him where it counts, you know what I mean (I was kind of embarrassed!) .. he was so surprised because he barely touched my knee cap - ok, but if you are a neurologist, WHY would you sit on a 1 foot stool, with legs split, in front of a patient sitting up on the bench, and tap their knee cap, not knowing what to expect ?! he was asking for it, honestly! but anyways, I guess it is something.. and then my feet don't work very well, and trouble walking. They want to do a spinal MRI.. but don't have a clue really as it is 'unusual'... then he did the line about wanting to do testing in this and that, but then also mentioned along Tavee's lines.. that things could be some psychological deep thing that is coming out in my legs!..

Aunty, what do you think? when I spoke with the ssri expert (neurologist/psychiatrist), he said all my stuff was normal reaction /recovery stuff, although bad, the seizures as well.. but that was before this happened. He told me that as I never had anything mental problems/etc before, that my symptoms were due to neural toxicity damage... and would go up and down, even for years... especially the movement problems...I guess I just feel bad when this neuro mentioned that, as it makes me start to second guess myself, question everything, etc... it has been so hard not to be able to get around very well. I feel like they now look down at me for using a cane, which helps soo much, because they think I'm trying to get attention or something - he kept asking how I felt about it, how long I've been using it, etc.. I was like, what do you want me to do, fall over?... sorry, I just feel really bad afterward, even though he didn't really say much at this point.. just the idea hurts so very badly. I went there for help, and it hurts, and then they mention this, and I don't know what to think... he didn't say that's what he thought, but, I don't know, you can kind of tell by the look in their eyes, you know?? I'm sorry Aunty, I just feel really bad now, like getting kicked when you're already down... and I've been here so long, and everyone else is better and on to other things, and and... I just don't have the ability and mental strength to go on to more testing, doctors, etc.. it HURTS and it is very hard to walk even a few steps at this point. It is hard to get in and out of the car, I just can't keep going around trying to find answers, I'm too busy trying to be able to get up to eat some food and change my clothes each day... so many months.. I'm at over 9 months now..

ok.. I know no one can do anything, but I just felt so bad and awful, it has been so hard lately.. I'm sorry to complain, but sometimes it just has to come out somewhere!!

please keep me in your prayers, you are all in mine..
love, EM

EM,

It will get better, you'll see. I had some of the tardive dyskinesia things going on with me. Involuntary movement of my toes. Weird huh? I would sit and watch my toes move before me. It improves very, very slowly. I do believe that the brain can heal itself, but it is probably important for you to make sure that you do get up and move around to keep your mobility. Don't worry about what others think....I have had so many weird symptoms that have improved slightly, but it has taken it's time.

You'll get there. I will absolutlely keep you in prayers.

[tavee]

I AM GLAD I DID THIS AND SAW THIS MORON CUZ I NOW I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT PSYCHIATRISTS ARE JUST TRYING TO SELL MORE PRESCRIPTIONS. THEY ARE IDIOTS!!

MAYBE THERE ARE A FEW OUT THERE THAT KNOW SOME THINGS THAT WE ARE GOING THRU, BUT Maaaaaaaaaaaaan what an appointment that was.

anyhoo, that just shows u. i wanted to tell him off so bad. i mean i was asking him questions to see what his views are on certain things and i knew when those red flags came up, he had noooooooooo clue.

how can be a slow metabolizer??? if i was, then i would have severe side effects when i went on this STUFF 4 years ago duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

HAIRY- ure post made me laugh with the baby syringe!! lol

i am on day 6 on .6ml. so far so good!!

AUNTY-- do u think i should take anything else right now even though i am taking the fish oil and multivitamin. i am wondering why the moron told me to take calcium and folic acid right now??? why calcium if i can drink 3 glasses of milk a day???? do i need that now???

THANKS FOR LISTENING U GUYS.

PS OH YEAH I FORGOT TO TELL YOU GUYS THAT I TOLD HIM I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ON ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND ALL THAT STUFF, AND HE GOES, WHATEVER U READ ON THE INTERNET IS ********************!! IF IT WAS ******************** JERK, I WOULDNT HAVE FOUND WHAT IM DOING RIGHT!!!
OH MY GOD I ALMOST LOST IT U GUYS!! I JUST LISTENED AND DIDNT SAY ANYTHING TO HIM.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE DOCTORS??????????????????????????? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH IM GONNA SCREAM!!

TAVEE

[SL500]

Thanks ST and everyone - So I went to my pcp last night and he told me that he has never seen anyone withdraw from Lexapro the way I am. He said that people just stop it and are fine!!! I was soooooo pi""ed! He also told me that I should go to the pharmacologist and see what he says - cause my pcp doesn't deal with this all the time. He also told me that if I feel necessary, to go back up to 10mgs on lexapro (since it was the last dose I was on - about 4 weeks ago) and we can taper slower from there...but its still scary!! I actually took 10mgs last night to see how I feel today....I'm just so frustrated!

[neveradullmoment]

Danx,Sorry to hear your discomfort.Your chatter is worrysome in nature.
I am going to say this and I mean No disrespect in anyway.

We should not diagnois ourselves.It is a proven fact.
Yes there may be something else causing heart or vascular troubles.

Talk to or call a Seasoned Vetrinarian(sp)and they will do housecalls.
They have unique talents people Doc's may not see or know.
Also the education factors are much broader.

Be Safe.

[elizabethmaria]

Hi Tavee,
..
I've been told that before too -- about the internet -- how 'foolish' it is for us to do our own research..! I think that is so funny, because in health magazines and everything, even other sources, always say to do your own background research b/c doctors don't know everything and you should be prepared...But I was told exactly the same thing.. even that they were 'disappointed in me for having chosen to go that route' ie doing my own research... It's like they think that because they are doctors, they are the only ones who know how to do research.? that is so weird... it's not rocket science..! I find it so strange, I mean, we go to the doctor, they tell us that they can give us NO answers, and NO advice, and yet we are supposed to not seek out any help at all? that is really messed up! We've all learned now what helps, what doesn't help, what is going on, etc... seems like poor counselling to me to put someone in an isolated box with no answers, and prevent them from getting any help at all!

I know this is bad, but when my doctor mentioned about perhaps things being repressed and coming out in my legs or something ridiculous like that, I nearly said -- something like ' the only thing that is truly being repressed at this time, is my little fist landing between your eyes right now'... that would have gone over real well I'm sure...(and I am NOT a violent person, but boy do they stretch the limits!)

take care tavee ...
love, EM

[Return2Homeostasis]

There needs to be a "www.lexaproprogress.com" like the paxil one.

[Return2Homeostasis]

For those who are battling a protracted withdrawal (whether from tapering too fast or not), what else can really be done besides waiting until the storm passes???

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by AMarie968

Thanks for the replies to my concerns. To answer your question, she has only been on these pills since last Friday. Another concern of mine is that her doctor told her that she should take one of the clonazepam pills at night...but if she felt like she needed more she could cut the pill in half and take half of one. However, from everything I have read, it specifically states to NOT crush, chew, or divide those pills ever. So I have told her not to do that. I wish her doctor hadn't put her on these meds. I feel like it was a very drastic decision. She didn't go in saying she was depressed or anxious or anything. So I personally think that her doctor jumped the gun on this one. Now I'm just frustrated and worried about what these meds could do to her. Thanks a lot for the help!!
~Andrea

Hey there,

She should have never been put on these pills. It's only been 5 days so I think it would be safe for her to just stop taking them cold turkey. I wouldn't suggest this if she'd been on them longer...but the medicine isn't fully in her system yet so I think it should be fine to just not take them. If she has any bad side effects or withdrawal after awhile though put her back on them and taper more slowly.

Aunty

What do you think? Since she's only been on them 5 days would a cold turkey be o.k. at this point?

[SchnauzerTime]

[QUOTE=neveradullmoment;186029]SI500,

These folks that are talking 16-18 months to regrow or renew the receptors in the Beaner are making me real nervous.

I know it's scary but if you've cold turkied or tapered too fast it MAY take 12-18 months for your brain to heal. It doesn't mean it WILL take that long for everyone. That is just a "in general" time-frame. It may not take you that long...or it may take longer.

To answer your question about who has gotten off this succesfully...Hairyarmidillo has. She did a slower taper (not 10 percent) but she didn't go cold turkey and she waited between each taper to make SURE she was feeling better and over withdrawals from the previous taper before she tapered again. She is off the drug for 6 or 7 months now and is doing GREAT. So it CAN be done...the advice you gave on supplements, eating, etc. was awesome. Just keep following your advice and it will pay off. And like I said the 12-18 months is just a general time-frame. Hairy is doing awesome just after 6-7 months so it's different for everyone (but she did do a slower taper). Generally...the people that do a slower taper don't have as many severe problems and heal faster than people that cold turkey or fast taper. This is because when you go to fast you send the brain into a shock mode...instead of taking the medicine that it's used to away gradually, taking it all at once is making the brain go "what the heck?". So anyway, it takes the receptors longer to heal this way...but it may take longer yes, but you will STILL get through it .

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by neveradullmoment

Danx,Sorry to hear your discomfort.Your chatter is worrysome in nature.
I am going to say this and I mean No disrespect in anyway.

We should not diagnois ourselves.It is a proven fact.
Yes there may be something else causing heart or vascular troubles.

Talk to or call a Seasoned Vetrinarian(sp)and they will do housecalls.
They have unique talents people Doc's may not see or know.
Also the education factors are much broader.

Be Safe.

I hate to contradict Never, but I'm sure your symptoms are from withdrawals and because you only went back to 15mg and not the whole 20mg. Since tapering from 20-15 is OVER a 10 percent taper then of course your withdrawal will be worse. It's been a couple weeks and your body should have gotten used to the 15mg if that was going to be enough for it. But since you're still in withdrawals...go back up to 20mg and taper at 10 percent intervals , so your first taper would be 18mg. Don't start tapering until you are feeling good again though...it may take a couple weeks or more to get stable again but just hang in there.

As never said...you COULD see the doctor to make sure it's nothing else if it will give you peace of mind. I'm certainly no doctor...but just from my experience on these boards and from what I've seen , I'm positive it is withdrawal you are feeling. But if it will put your mind at ease then get whatever tests you feel you need to do...in the meantime, get back on 20mg and stay there until you feel fine again.

With withdrawal from these drugs, most doctors just don't get it..there is teh RARE one who will understand but most just don't as of yet. I'm sure it will happen in the future as more and more people go through withdrawals (which is sad thinking it takes more hurt to make them realize something is wrong), but in the meantime most just don't understand.

Also, if you tell your doctor you are trying to get off Lex, he will more than likely give you a fast taper to do...like cut your pill in half for a week or 2 then stop taking it. That's WAY too fast...just take our advice about tapering slowly on here and it's the safest way to do it. Take care .

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by Return2Homeostasis

For those who are battling a protracted withdrawal (whether from tapering too fast or not), what else can really be done besides waiting until the storm passes???

I'm in that battle right now...besides taking vitamins and eating healthy to help your brain heal, and also having people to talk to that will support you and gentle exercise like walking, you just have to wait. I know it's frustrating just waiting...but that's what this needs, time. It takes time for your brain to heal and there is no telling you how much time it will take. It's different for every single person out there going through this. I am in 2 cold turkey withdrawals so I'm sure it will take me a long time...but the MAIN thing is don't give up. It's better to accept that it MAY take a long time to get through this so you can be in that mind-frame. And if it only takes a couple months or so and you heal alot faster than normal, then that's great and will be a wonderful surprise. But set your mind for the "long haul" just in case and keep doing good things to speed up your recovery like eating right and vitamins and gentle exercise.

We're all in this together...I know at times it's overwhelming. Last month I thought I was going to die...seriously. But I'm through it now and can enjoy the next couple weeks or month or whatever of feeling good again. It will come in "waves"...you will have ups and downs but the downs will keep getting less severe in general as you go along. Post on here if you have yucky days and get support ...it's so important to share how you're feeling and to get positive feedback and support through this. You WILL get through it .

[SL500]

St - what type of vitamins do you take on a daily basis?

[VLL]

Hello again everyone.
I am still feeling better taking a half of Lexapro each day than I did when I was taking a whole one every other day.
My dizziness is gone and my nightmares are gone. My moodiness seems to be a lot better. I still have the numb right arm that shoots down into my hand. (but I'm still not sure if this has anything to do with Lex withdrawls or just a pinched nerve or carpotunnel (sp) ). I am sleeping okay I guess. At least the nightmares are gone, but I am only getting about 3 - 5 hours of sleep at night, when I am used to 6 - 8. I fall asleep good, but I wake up around 1:00 or 2:00 am and I just lay there wide awake! I'm just so not used to this because sleeping has never been a problem with me, ever! In fact, I live in Michigan and in the cold months I kind of sleep like a bear!

I let my husband read some of your stories so that he would be more understanding as to what I have been going though, I didn't want him to think I was making all this stuff up. He wants me off these meds like right now! He thinks it is a conspiracy or something that eventually all of us will be on some kind of drug and we will be so addicted to them that we will never be able to get off! This way all the big drug companies will keep getting money from insurance companies for this extremely high priced drugs!
Did that make any sence? Maybe my husband has been watching too much Si fi !!!

Also, I think that I will try some chamomile tea or maybe a glass of wine before I go to bed and see if that will help me sleep.

Oh, and I also started going to Curves each morning before I go to work. I thought that getting exercise would help with the depression (and to help get all of this weight off). God bless you all! VL

[Return2Homeostasis]

What credentials does "Catherine" hold? (PhD,MD,DO,etc.,etc.) Thanks again for your time. God Bless!!!

[VLL]

By the way Elizabethmaria, I am praying for you.
I will continue to pray for all of us!

[VLL]

I went back to the begining of this forum and was reading all of the different posts (not all of them, but a lot of them anyway).

It is really interesting to read so many similar stories. I did notice that a lot of the people that used to post don't post anymore. I wonder how they all our doing. I truely hope that they are all doing better now then they were at the time they were posting.

I just can't help but wonder just how long it will take for me to be normal again. And I wonder that when I am finished having "withdrawls" from the Lexapro, will I be all depressed and feel like I did before I ever started the meds. After all, that's why I started them in the first place.

I can't believe all of the people that talked about the weight gain! That is another thing that my husband has said all along, that he thought most of my weight gain started shortly after I started taking the anti-depressants.
I really didn't think that was why.

I also read in a past post about someone having the tingly numb fingers, just like me! Also, a lot of posts about the nightmares and not being able to sleep at night! Of course I think we have all had the dizzy spells!

I just wish that any person that is put on Lexapro would visit this site before they ever, ever, ever take their first pill!

I'm sad for all of you to have to be going through what you are going through, but I do feel better just knowing that I am not going through this alone.

Oh, another thing that I read in a past post.....that drinking tons and tons of water will help get the Lexapro (and other nasty stuff) out of your system faster. This makes sence to me! I drank a big glass right after I read it!

Again, good luck and God bless you all!!! VL

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by SL500

St - what type of vitamins do you take on a daily basis?

Vitamins are different for everyone but a good basic start is a good multi-vitamin with no synthetic stuff in it. I take a whole foods one. Another good thing is fish oil ( I dont' take it personally though because right now through this bad withdrawal my system doesn't tolerate it and makes me nauseous). A good brand is Carlson's fish oil. Normally, it doesn't upset people's stomachs...just mine, lucky me . Magnesium Malate is good for anxiety and muscle aches...I take it one tablet with every meal throughout the day. Take it with food. And I also take 500mg of Coral Calcium at night to help me relax. I'm dealing with bad anxiety right now so I take alot for that...I take Calms Forte, it's a passionflower based homeopathic remedy. It helps alot with nervousness/anxiety for me at least.

Alot of times you have to experiment and see which vitamins do well with your body. But this is pretty much a basic idea to follow...the most important thing is get a good multi-vitamin really and the fish oil is very good for depression/mood.

*I'm not a doctor so ask your doctor before you take anything extra.

[SchnauzerTime]

Yeah...we are all in this together . I wish I would have found this site earlier too...but it does help to know others are fighting the same battle. All those symptoms are sooo common for withdrawal from this junk! It's almost comforting to know...hey, I'm not the only one.

And yes water is GREAT for helping through it all...Aunty says some lemon in it is very good for detoxing the system too. I got some lemon water the other day from Nestle water and it was NASTY though! LOL...from now on I'll just squeeze some darned lemons in my water instead of the unnatural flavoring..now I know .

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by Return2Homeostasis

What credentials does "Catherine" hold? (PhD,MD,DO,etc.,etc.) Thanks again for your time. God Bless!!!

I asked her this just today as a matter of fact! She says she has education in neurology, biochemistry and other alternative medicines. She said she has several degrees but doesn't go around telling people because she doesn't want them to come to her site because of it.

Catherine is very knowledgable on coming off of several meds at a time and knows her stuff...but I will say she is quite blunt and if you are looking for more moral support then keep that on this site. But if you're looking for a regime to stick to like what vitamins to take, food to eat , etc. her site is good for those specifics and how to get off the meds. As far as support and positive feedback this site is great .

[neveradullmoment]

VLL,Congrats.
Try some white meat chicken and warm milk snack before crashing at days end.

You mentioned will we return to our old need for the attitude adjustment pill in the first place.Some may have a need,heck if the Doc's dont know and the
legal drug peddlers wont tell us because more than likely they dont know.
Makes me nerious just thinking about.hehe
Back to the point of sliding back in our ditch,we have to make sure we go out of our way(IT IS MANDATORY)to give our bodies what it's normal need would be.Not our learned behaviour traits.
Changing That is much harder than it sounds.It is actually breaking another vice.
Darn this is challanging!

[SchnauzerTime]

Forgot to mention about your first post: Stay away from the wine right before bed...I would take the chamomile tea personally. I HAVE taken it before actually and it was very calming...I"m just lazy when it comes to making tea, lol! Another thing about the insomnia...that's a totally common withdrawal symptom. I take Calms Forte...you can get it on www.vitacost.com . It's basically passionflower and it really helps me get to sleep. I know what you mean about waking up through the night...but if I take 3 tablets about an hour before I go to sleep of the Calms Forte it really helps..it's totally natural and very safe to take throughout the day too for anxiety.

Also you could try some coral calcium supplements. I take 500mg before bed and it seems to help. I used to take a liquid form which is more easily absorbed by your body than pills/tablets...and it helped alot better than the tablet form it seems. But it just tasted so nasty I couldn't stand it . So now I take a tablet form of that...but if you can stand to mix the liquid with juice it DOES work better...that goes for any vitamin really. The liquid vitamins are better absorbed in general...I just get alot of nausea through my withdrawal personally, so it's hard to take something that tastes gross to me and not get nauseous.

[Danx]

Originally Posted by Return2Homeostasis

There needs to be a "www.lexaproprogress.com" like the paxil one.

I'll start a website. Lexapro has ruined my life and I'm willing to spend the time and money to start a website to help people. I will need volunteers to help write some articles about their stories and ways to get off Lexapro as well as ideas, tips, etc for easing withdrawls, etc. And of course forums, and maybe chat. I could use a new project to try to keep my mind busy so I don't worry so much about my own problems.

Anyone interested in helping e-mail me danx@charter.net

[Danx]

Originally Posted by SchnauzerTime

I hate to contradict Never, but I'm sure your symptoms are from withdrawals and because you only went back to 15mg and not the whole 20mg. Since tapering from 20-15 is OVER a 10 percent taper then of course your withdrawal will be worse. It's been a couple weeks and your body should have gotten used to the 15mg if that was going to be enough for it. But since you're still in withdrawals...go back up to 20mg and taper at 10 percent intervals , so your first taper would be 18mg. Don't start tapering until you are feeling good again though...it may take a couple weeks or more to get stable again but just hang in there.

As never said...you COULD see the doctor to make sure it's nothing else if it will give you peace of mind. I'm certainly no doctor...but just from my experience on these boards and from what I've seen , I'm positive it is withdrawal you are feeling. But if it will put your mind at ease then get whatever tests you feel you need to do...in the meantime, get back on 20mg and stay there until you feel fine again.

With withdrawal from these drugs, most doctors just don't get it..there is teh RARE one who will understand but most just don't as of yet. I'm sure it will happen in the future as more and more people go through withdrawals (which is sad thinking it takes more hurt to make them realize something is wrong), but in the meantime most just don't understand.

Also, if you tell your doctor you are trying to get off Lex, he will more than likely give you a fast taper to do...like cut your pill in half for a week or 2 then stop taking it. That's WAY too fast...just take our advice about tapering slowly on here and it's the safest way to do it. Take care .

Thanks, that helps make me feel better. I just hate the heart palpatations, they feel so weird, my heart skips a beat, sends a quick jolt of dizzyness and then it's over for a minute or so until it does it again. It does this every minute or two for about 20 minutes then I'm okay for a few hours before it does it again. But it's only been doing this a couple days now. At first they really scared me and sent me into panic attacks which would make it so much worse. But they are not scaring me so much now. They still scare me, but I don't let it send me into panic, I just relax and watch the clock knowing it will only last about 20 minutes. Knowing that I am totally housebound and that I can't physically go to the ER scares me too.

What was this about a Vet coming to see me? I've never heard of such a thing. I've tried every doctor in the area and none are willing to make a housecall to give me a checkup. How would I approach a vet about it? Wouldn't they think I'm crazy just calling and asking for a vet to come give me a checkup? Wouldn't they just tell me to call 911 and go to the ER?

[Hairyarmadillo]

Tavee That opinion of the info on the Internet is something else that gets my goat. I understand people should not blindly accept things written on the internet by just anyone. And anything I find on the internet I always look into. But to say that anything you find online is ********* is close minded. Some of these docs would learn a lot by researching online but instead they believe that if they weren't told it in their research journals it doesn't exist.

I will be glad when the day comes that the medical field realizes that there are problems associated with SSRIs and withdrawal. I think we should keep a list of the doctors who tell us this ********************pola, go back and visit with a copy of that information when it starts cropping up in articles!!

[carolleah]

Originally Posted by VLL

I went back to the begining of this forum and was reading all of the different posts (not all of them, but a lot of them anyway).

It is really interesting to read so many similar stories. I did notice that a lot of the people that used to post don't post anymore. I wonder how they all our doing. I truely hope that they are all doing better now then they were at the time they were posting.

I just can't help but wonder just how long it will take for me to be normal again. And I wonder that when I am finished having "withdrawls" from the Lexapro, will I be all depressed and feel like I did before I ever started the meds. After all, that's why I started them in the first place.

I can't believe all of the people that talked about the weight gain! That is another thing that my husband has said all along, that he thought most of my weight gain started shortly after I started taking the anti-depressants.
I really didn't think that was why.

I also read in a past post about someone having the tingly numb fingers, just like me! Also, a lot of posts about the nightmares and not being able to sleep at night! Of course I think we have all had the dizzy spells!

I just wish that any person that is put on Lexapro would visit this site before they ever, ever, ever take their first pill!

I'm sad for all of you to have to be going through what you are going through, but I do feel better just knowing that I am not going through this alone.

Oh, another thing that I read in a past post.....that drinking tons and tons of water will help get the Lexapro (and other nasty stuff) out of your system faster. This makes sence to me! I drank a big glass right after I read it!

Again, good luck and God bless you all!!! VL

VLL,

I am into my seventh month of withdrawal after a two month taper which I consider cold turkey. For two months after stopping I was fine, then withdrawals kicked in. It have been seven months of really difficult symptoms. The fourth and fifth month being the worst. The sixth month I started to get windows of wellness. The sixth month easing up. The seventh month I have been able to sleep through the night and get about seven hours of sleep. Though I still take one and a quarter tablet of Tylenol PM. My central nevous system is still raw and I can't handle anything intense, sad or taxing. My withdrawals symptoms of headache, lack of focus, memory problems, tingling in my hands worsens as night goes on. By 10:00 pm I need to rest and go to sleep. When I awake my symptoms are at their best. Caffeine of any kind worsens my symptoms. I used to rely on caffeine to give me a boost and now miss it terribly. I take supplements and eat whole foods that include avocado and eggs. I also take tumeric tablets. Periodically, I do a flush with V-8 which gives me an immediate boost. I do a Noni juice flush once a month which also give me a boost. I try to walk or do gentle excersize daily. I educated myself about depression by reading books written by people that have experienced depression themselves and overcome it. Two I would recommend are Undoing Depression by Richard Oconnor and Depression by Wila Styron.....I hope that this helps you and others looking for a time frame and ways to cope and get better. You will need to endure the first six months, but once you pass six months it gets easier. I still have bouts of anxiety and depression into my seventh month, but at least now I don't wake up with it in the morning or night. I am able to sleep through the night. The other thing is that I have overhauled my life during the last six months. And the friends that have not given up on my due to my irratic, tempermental, forgetful behavior have shown me that they will stand by me through thick and thin. Now it is my turn to start giving back to them by caring and being a good friend. Depression makes you self absorbed. People get tired of it. You can easily burn out friendships by overrelying on them.....I know I sound pretty preachy here, but I am a firm believer that you can't get off these drugs without understanding that you have to face your life again. The two are inseparable. We have all turned to antidepressants because we were depressed. The underlying issues don't go away. And I believe that prior to the drugs we were in a much compromised state because we were dealing with losses and hardships in our lives. Learning how to cope is really important because I think that it is only time that will heal us. And it may be a long time. You have to train yourself to start seeing the good because depression makes you see only the bad. ...It is a tragedy that we have suffered so much in our lives and then have to face withdrawals that worsen anxiety and depression. These drugs are a big mistake....Anyway, the good thing is that through struggle and hardship you learn and grow. You find out who your real friends are. You find out how to be a friend. As you recover, you are much more able to see the beauty, color and meaning in people and things. I have learned much about myself in this process. I know now that I have to deal with problems that arise openly and directly. I know my own limits and boundaries of what I can and cannot deal with. I also now really appreciate being in nature, which is really important....So there you have it! My philosophical ramblings for the day! Hope this helped, maybe even a little.--I am trying to contribute to this forum once a day because for so long all I did was read the posts. Now it's my turn to give back after taking so much. I hope others will start to do the same, it would make a real difference.