[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by Julia77

Hi Aunty,

Good news about your daughter. And how is she doing on being that low? I remember you wrote about her having troubles on decreasing even a little bit.

She has decreased her dose by over 70% and is still having withdrawals with each taper. She only decreases by about 1 or 2 % at a time. She gets moody, stomach pain, inability to sleep, back pain.

Lexapro is horrible. The withdrawals last about a week. She is also having no appetite and doesn't want to eat. She is still on 6 Mg so has a ways to go but 70% of 20 Mg is a accompishment.

She is amazing. She works two part time jobs, is in three college prep courses in addition to high school subjects and is in the honor society. She still is managing to get almost all A's (maybe one B).

She is stressed out and exhausted due to the lexapro withdrawals............... but is determined that IT WILL NOT HOLD HER BACK. Positive thinking does really help. She does not care to read this forum and find out how many others are having trouble stopping lexapro. If I mention how many visits this "thread" gets........... She teases me and says that I should write a book about lexapro withdrawals. The week after I taper there is a definate moodiness and irritability.
I have a tough skin because when she calls me "names" and wants me out of her room, I try and realize that it is the taper causing this. It has not been easy on either of us. Also the week of the taper she goes on buying sprees.

Thank you for asking.

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by SL500

Hey...I have been on this dose for a while - since the beginning of July (from what I got out of my journal - I checked it after I posted that). I took .5 for only a few weeks and then stayed on .25 and took .5 when I felt I needed it.) I actually tried to take a 1/4 more than .25 last night to see if it would eliviate any of the symptoms, but it really didn't do anything. I think it might be too late to go back up. As for the effexor, yes, I did a very fast taper and then just stopped the effexor. I never knew that even though you go off of one and right away start another it would be the same type of withdrawals.....I can't get over that! And for about two months after that I was on the lex for about a month and then switched to zoloft for a week and then back to lex! So as I said previously, I would be considered in my 6th month w/d of the effexor.

How are you feeling????

Hmm ok...it sounds like then since you were pretty much on a stable dose of the .25mg of Klon and are still on it that it has just been the abrupt drop of Lex that has put you into these withdrawals. Also switching cold turkey from one med to another can make things worse. But sometimes switching different brands of names doesn't affect people. How were you when you switched from Effexor to Lex? If you didn't have any problems the first couple weeks or after a month or so then that probably isn't a problem for you. For me when I switched from Paxil to Lex cold turkey I was sick for about a month straight the first month with bad nausea and a weak feeling of having the flu. I think for you it's just probably that you tapered way too fast and your body is still catching up. Just keep on the dose you're on and you should start feeling better....are you feeling any slight decreases of symptoms yet?

I'm doing OK...thanks for asking . Me and my husband are thinking of moving so I've been frantic about that and nervous so that's making me have a little more anxiety with the withdrawals than normal but I know what it's from so it doesn't worry me. Other than that I'm doing fine. I still feel a little nauseous at night. This past week when I thought withdrawals might be coming on...I may actually be going through them now but they just aren't that bad. Who knows. I'm just grateful it's nothing like that month 4 I went through...I think that was my worst withdrawal time and hopefully it won't be that bad again. Hope you feel better soon and let us know how you're doing .

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by august029

I have been on Lexapro now for over three years and am taking it for anxiety. I may be unusual, but right now I have no desire to go off of it because I really have had no side affects at all while on it and it has helped me immensely. However, I realized that someday I may change my mind and want to go off of it. The withdrawl side affects I read about sound awful and I would not look forward to that part. My question is this: if I had an easy time going on it, could I look forward to an easy withdrawl? Has anyone out there been an exception to the horrific withdrawl details I've read in this forum?

How bad withdrawal will be generally depends on how long you've been taking it (the longer you take it the harder it is to get off it), what dose you're on (the higher the dose the harder it is to stop), if you've taken any other antidepressants before (the more you've taken in the past, the harder it is because every one you take changes the pathways in the brain), if you are healthy in eating and exercise, and alot of other things.

But the MOST important thing if you ever do decide to stop taking it is to do it SLOWLY. NEVER stop cold turkey or a fast taper over a month or 2. Go by the not more than 10% at a time rule. Taper no more than 10% of your current dose and NEVER taper if you are still having withdrawal symptoms.

Some people do get lucky but they are few and far between , so in general, the longer you're on it and the higher dose you've taken will make withdrawals more difficult. But no matter what as long as you taper slowly that is what matters the most out of everything.

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by SL500

ST/Aunty or anyone else that takes these vitamins- Ok so I bought the carlson's "super omega 3" which is what they had and magnisum maltate by source naturals. How should I take it and how many should I take. I am also going to start taking a multi vitamin - Centrum (I have these already).

Oh, and I went to see my pharmacologist last night - he told me that all of my symptoms, in his opinion, are not from the medicines but are psycosymatic. And that when it comes time to get off of the lexapro, it could take only one month - I almost laughed in his face. I am going to give him another two tries and then hes a goner.

Tavee - what is the product that you are taking?? - I previewed the show and I didn't catch anything that has to do what we are dealing with - maybe I missed it....

With the fish oil if you got the capsules, start out with just one or 2 a day. Some people are sensitive to it (I am) and it may make you burp fishy taste or may make you feel a little yucky. You'll know because it will happen about 30 minutes after you take one. Take both the fish oil and magnesium with food. Don't take the fish oil after 4-5pm. Take the magnesium one caplet 3-4 times throughout the day with food. I take mine with breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner. Don't take the magnesium close to bedtime though because with some people it has an energizing effect.

Also, think about switching your Centrum vitamin to a whole foods vitamin or the Freelife one I told you about earlier. Centrum has synthetic junk in it...also when picking a vitamin make sure to get one that does NOT have tryptophan, 5HTP, herbs like St. John's wort or SAM-E...hmm I think that's it. Aunty did I cover everything?

As for your doctor , that's to be expected most of the time. They will want to diagnose you with another "disease" instead of thinking...hmm it could be the medicine. If I start in on this subject I'll never stop, LOL! Just be wary in the future.

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by jdavis46

I haven't been back on after reposting the other day. Thanks Schnauzer for your advice. So far I have been off the meds for a week and a half. It has not been easy, as I was on the 10mg of Lexapro. Every day is a constant battle to control the anxiety and hopefully catch a panic attack before it becomes full blown. I do take that passion flower at night, it has been working well. I will definitely try those other supplements you listed, the fish oil for crying...thank God! If that works for me, that would be awesome. I feel like I have no control of my emotions anymore and crying is one of them. Also, I had never had a charlie horse before, when you muscle cramps up to where you can't move, goodness, it was not pleasant. But I have noticed a lot of cramping in my muscles, I assume from built up tension and anxiety so I will def try the magnesium...as well as the calcium and multivitamin..

It's hard, I am 22 years old. Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine I would have a problem like this..I was always such a laid back and calm person. Not really the worrier type so I dont know..hopefully one day this will all be over with..

I can't tell you how much I think you need to get back on the full dose and go slower with the 10% tapers, but it's your decision , I know . I just hate seeing people go through this when they don't have to. People get in such a rush to be off the medicine, but they dont' realize they will be sick for months afterwards instead of going slowly off without being that sick.

Anyway, I'm sure you're tired of my preaching, lol! The magnesium malate will help alot for the muscle cramps ( I had those too). Take about 200mg of the magnesium with every meal and it should help alot. Good luck with everything and give the vitamins time to kick in. The fish oil should be good...some people are sensitive to it so start out just taking one or 2 capsules a day with a meal (not after 4-5pm) then work your way up to a combined EPA/DHA of 1000mg or so. But start with one or 2 capsules a day for like a week and see how you do. If you start feeling nauseous (remember to take this and the magnesium with food) then you may be sensitive to it...also you may get a fishy taste too.

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by auntybiotic

She has decreased her dose by over 70% and is still having withdrawals with each taper. She only decreases by about 1 or 2 % at a time. She gets moody, stomach pain, inability to sleep, back pain.

Lexapro is horrible. The withdrawals last about a week. She is also having no appetite and doesn't want to eat. She is still on 6 Mg so has a ways to go but 70% of 20 Mg is a accompishment.

She is amazing. She works two part time jobs, is in three college prep courses in addition to high school subjects and is in the honor society. She still is managing to get almost all A's (maybe one B).

She is stressed out and exhausted due to the lexapro withdrawals............... but is determined that IT WILL NOT HOLD HER BACK. Positive thinking does really help. She does not care to read this forum and find out how many others are having trouble stopping lexapro. If I mention how many visits this "thread" gets........... She teases me and says that I should write a book about lexapro withdrawals. The week after I taper there is a definate moodiness and irritability.
I have a tough skin because when she calls me "names" and wants me out of her room, I try and realize that it is the taper causing this. It has not been easy on either of us. Also the week of the taper she goes on buying sprees.

Thank you for asking.

Buying sprees....weird. My brother is a schizophrenic and he is horrible with money issues. I have to warn him constantly. If he gets any money it's gone in no time. I wonder if Lexapro withdrawals bring on that sense of spending money with no thinking of ..."hmm, this will make me broke". There must be a technical name for it. My memory is so screwed up through this withdrawal I just can't remember squat sometimes! Anyway, just thought I'd ask if you knew if that was from withdrawal.

I hope she doesn't quit the Lex cold turkey. Maybe she is just frustrated and stressed about starting college? Hopefully she is just "talking" and doesn't really mean it...I know you'll do everything you can to keep her from doing that.

And yes, she has made a HUGE leap of getting off this medicine. She is doing so well and she just needs to keep going, one step at a time. She is so amazing doing all those things..NO way I could do all that and be sick too. Every day it amazes me about people that are so positive through this like she is and still willing to carry on with daily life things like jobs and taking care of children and school. It is so inspiring to me and I pray for her and she DESERVES to get through this!

You are such a good mommy Aunty....sometimes it almost brings tears to my eyes knowing you are doing so much to help your daughter. It makes me reminiscent of my own mommy...she was my best friend and I know if she was alive today she would be just like you are, doing whatever it takes to help me through it all. You are a great person and I just wanted you to know that!

[carolleah]

Originally Posted by Hopeful 285

Terry,
It is very dangerous to quit cold turkey. I believe you can reinstate up to 5 weeks. If it has been 4 weeks, you need to get back on them and taper very slow. I believe it is something like 10 percent every 2-3 weeks. You can read Aunty's and other info that know about tapering.

I quit cold turkey in November of 2006 and still have not recovered. I have a movement disorder, falls, high blood pressure, and the list goes on.

I don't want to scare you. You just need to be informed of the dangers of quiting cold turkey.

It strangely gets worse at about 4 to 5 months off when quiting suddenly. You think you are getting better and things get worse. Then you start getting better again and then you get worse again.

I am having a few better days right now and I believe I am going to get better but when you quit cold turkey, it is like having a stroke and it takes a very long time to recuperate.

Please, please, please read the posts and learn how to taper also go to this site to learn more.
http://www.theroadback.org/

Read withdrawal side effects as posted by Aunty: http://www.drugs.com/forum/featured-...-24681-40.html

Other sites:
Books and links:

www.breggin.com/Fromprozac.pbreggin.2001.pdf

www.breggin.com/brain-disablingch1.html

www.breggin.com/braindisabling.pdf

www.breggin.com/courtfiling.pbreggin.2006.pdf

www.antidepressantsfacts.com/scientists.htm
(Probably some of the most accurate info available today)

www.thomasjmoore.com/pages/depress.shtml
(the truth about the drug industry)

http://www.chaada.org/plog/index.php...d=212&blogId=1

http://www.chaada.org/plog/index.php...d=216&blogId=1

http://www.medicine.plosjournals.org...l.pmed.0020392

http://www.medicine.plosjournals.org...l.pmed.0020124

http://www.medicine.plosjournals.org...l.pmed.0030185

http://www.medicine.plosjournals.org...l.pmed.0020138

http://www.observer.co.uk/magazine/s...706297,00.html
(Part 1 -- The Chemistry of Happiness)

http://www.observer.co.uk/magazine/s...706299,00.html
(Part 2 -- The Chemistry of Happiness)

http://www.network54.com/Forum/28184...itus+Professor
(A revealing lecture about the recent history of psychopharmacology by a retired doctor)


About Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Serzone,
Vestra, Celexa, St. John's Wort - by William S. Appleton

-- Prozac: Panacea or Pandora?- by Ann Blake Tracy, Ph.D.
A treasure trove of information you will not find elsewhere.
Ann is a pioneer in revealing the true nature of antidepressant
drugs.


_life.html



-- HEALTHY SKEPTICISM
http://www.healthyskepticism.org/

ALLIANCE FOR HUMAN RESEARCH PROTECTION
www.ahrp.org


Take Carlson's Fish Oil to make sure you get the purest. This helps side effects.
Take inositol
Take Body Calm
I have found that honey is good for insomnia and restless legs.

Read the posts. You really need all the knowledge you can get.

Take Care,

Hi Hopeful!

Your list is amazing! And I would like to add one more to it:

Undoing Depression by Richard Oconnor

Oconnor is a therapist that suffered and suffers from depression after experiencing an early loss in his life. He writes candidly about what is depression and most importantly how to overcome it. I recommend to read the last few chapters first on how to undo depression. The first strategy is to be able to voice the words "I need" to others. People that are subject to depression are those that cannot recognize or state their needs to others. Inassertiveness is a sign that you may fall prey to depression. Isolation and no support system are also factors that have to be overcome. ...How does one overcome these? Volunteer at your local library as I do. You will meet others, surround yourself with resources and start to develop a network of friends which can be built over time.

As you can see, I am back to my preachy self! But I am a firm believer that you can't successfully get off these drugs without looking at why you took them. We so desperately need compassion in our lives, but many times the people that we love and care about us are not there to give it or are just unable to give it. If we accept that there will be parts of our lives when we will suffer then suffering is just a little easier to accept, as is taught in Buddism. In order to get through the time of suffering we need methods of coping, and those skills become extremely important. Buddism also teaches to live in the present and look to the future. It teaches hope for happiness. And you can find happiness after experiencing so much sorrow in your life. It is there. Fortunately, time heals. But you really need to find ways to cope in order to have the passage of time heal. "Every day if you force yourself to look for the good then it is there. If you see the bad, then that's all you get." That is my mantra.

I could be a poster child for everything that went wrong with these antidepressants: knucklehead doctor prescribing Zoloft not knowing that you have to be off St. Johns wort for 3-6 months before prescribing, returning to my doctor when I was blacking out from the drug interaction only to be told that it will go away, misdiagnosis of what was going on with me, and my own idiot behavior of not doing enough research and tapering too quickly. I have now suffered with all of this and it is going on two years. Prior to this I was working, going to school, taking care of my family and living life well enough....Anyway, I am a firm believer that in future years that we as intelligent human beings will understand that when going to a doctor you need to be an informed consumer because they will only give you pills to cure you and those pills may cause more damage then good. I think that understanding the nature of what doctors are able to do is pretty important. And I hope that doctors will eventually see that they can't prescribe drugs without being fully informed of what the drugs are.

I fully believe that depression can be prevented and dealt with when it does happen without medication. Look to those that can provide compassion to you. Your friends, family, priest, and if you don't have any of those then depression support groups. Untreated depression can go away within six months, but you really have to work for it. Every single thing that you do has to be against depression, and sometimes it is just about going through the motions. And that is okay.

Well, that's about all I have to say for today. I know that this forum is supposed to be about withdrawing from drugs, but we have all turned to these drugs because of depression. I think that when coming off we need compassion and hopefulness and if it needs to be drawn from this forum then that I believe is okay too. Having struggle buddies is pretty important. I mean, we don't have to reveal or delve into our personal tragedies, but knowing that we have all come to this site because we have suffered much and are now looking to refind our happiness makes it alot less lonely. And pretty hopeful (as the name above suggests!)

Hope for today:

Seven months off after a two month taper for those knuckleheads like myself that just wanted the stuff out of my body quickly only to find that withdrawals flare up:

It does get better. The anxiety waves have passed. I am starting to experience more windows of being myself. But I have needed to be more assertive, eliminate as many interactions in my life that take away my positiveness, set limits, work to be happy and really, really take care of myself. It is a spiritual journey besides one of medicinal healing. I would recommend to all to study Buddism and martial arts. Martial arts teaches you to be a spiritual warrior and protect your spirit. And most importantly, letting go of the past and seeing that there is a future out there for you!

[carolleah]

Just needed to say hi. Where is EM? I am a little worried because she hasn't posted. Are you out there EM, or do we need to start a search party?

Please post. Your posts are important.

[SL500]

Originally Posted by SchnauzerTime

Hmm ok...it sounds like then since you were pretty much on a stable dose of the .25mg of Klon and are still on it that it has just been the abrupt drop of Lex that has put you into these withdrawals. Also switching cold turkey from one med to another can make things worse. But sometimes switching different brands of names doesn't affect people. How were you when you switched from Effexor to Lex? If you didn't have any problems the first couple weeks or after a month or so then that probably isn't a problem for you. For me when I switched from Paxil to Lex cold turkey I was sick for about a month straight the first month with bad nausea and a weak feeling of having the flu. I think for you it's just probably that you tapered way too fast and your body is still catching up. Just keep on the dose you're on and you should start feeling better....are you feeling any slight decreases of symptoms yet?

I'm doing OK...thanks for asking . Me and my husband are thinking of moving so I've been frantic about that and nervous so that's making me have a little more anxiety with the withdrawals than normal but I know what it's from so it doesn't worry me. Other than that I'm doing fine. I still feel a little nauseous at night. This past week when I thought withdrawals might be coming on...I may actually be going through them now but they just aren't that bad. Who knows. I'm just grateful it's nothing like that month 4 I went through...I think that was my worst withdrawal time and hopefully it won't be that bad again. Hope you feel better soon and let us know how you're doing .

Hey....I was a disaster when I switched - crying, anxious, weak....That lasted for about two - three months. I think maybe it might be from the drop in lex. I have my days now - like this morning was a bad morning for me - I woke up with the worst anxiety/feeling in my chest and called my best friend on my way to work crying. I have the lightheaded pass out feeling a little too (I associate that with the anxiety). I am sitting at my desk all teary feeling horrible. But yesterday, I wasn't that bad at all (I also took a benadryl before I went to bed the night before, so I feel that it might have helped). The doc I spoke to thinks I should go on 15mgs of lexapro because it might help. I don't know what to do. I am going to wait a few weeks to see how I feel.


I'm glad you are doing ok. Moving could definitly be nerve racking. I never had to do it but I went through it with my boyfriend when he bought his house. It was such a pain - especially that you have to uproot yourself and move to somewhere completely new.

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by SL500

Hey....I was a disaster when I switched - crying, anxious, weak....That lasted for about two - three months. I think maybe it might be from the drop in lex. I have my days now - like this morning was a bad morning for me - I woke up with the worst anxiety/feeling in my chest and called my best friend on my way to work crying. I have the lightheaded pass out feeling a little too (I associate that with the anxiety). I am sitting at my desk all teary feeling horrible. But yesterday, I wasn't that bad at all (I also took a benadryl before I went to bed the night before, so I feel that it might have helped). The doc I spoke to thinks I should go on 15mgs of lexapro because it might help. I don't know what to do. I am going to wait a few weeks to see how I feel.


I'm glad you are doing ok. Moving could definitly be nerve racking. I never had to do it but I went through it with my boyfriend when he bought his house. It was such a pain - especially that you have to uproot yourself and move to somewhere completely new.

Are you on the regular dose you were on before you started tapering? If so, DON'T go up to 15mg! It won't help. Your body is just trying to play catch-up right now with all the withdrawals you brought on from tapering too fast. Also, it sounds like you're going through the same thing I went through with switching SSRIs. I tapered the Lex too fast after I switched from Paxil to Lex too and after going back up to my original dose of Lex it took me about 3 weeks to feel better.

So just stay on the dose you're on now...don't increase it to more than what you were on before (wasn't it 12.5mg?). I don't care what the doctor says...it's not necessary and will just be harder to get off later if you increase the dose. It'll take awhile for you to get through this since it was an abrupt change but it will happen...give it another week and let us know.

We are going to the loan officer today so wish us luck!

P.S. You said yesterday you weren't that bad...so you're already seeing "windows" of improvement. Stay on the 12.5 and don't increase it. The improvement will come slowly.

[SL500]

Originally Posted by SchnauzerTime

Are you on the regular dose you were on before you started tapering? If so, DON'T go up to 15mg! It won't help. Your body is just trying to play catch-up right now with all the withdrawals you brought on from tapering too fast. Also, it sounds like you're going through the same thing I went through with switching SSRIs. I tapered the Lex too fast after I switched from Paxil to Lex too and after going back up to my original dose of Lex it took me about 3 weeks to feel better.

So just stay on the dose you're on now...don't increase it to more than what you were on before (wasn't it 12.5mg?). I don't care what the doctor says...it's not necessary and will just be harder to get off later if you increase the dose. It'll take awhile for you to get through this since it was an abrupt change but it will happen...give it another week and let us know.

We are going to the loan officer today so wish us luck!

P.S. You said yesterday you weren't that bad...so you're already seeing "windows" of improvement. Stay on the 12.5 and don't increase it. The improvement will come slowly.

Thanks...It does make me feel a lot better knowing that you went through this too and are giving me some guidance....I don't want to go up and yes 12.5mg is my original dose. It'll be 2 weeks on this dose on Friday. It's just so frustrating - and you know what I mean. I definitly will keep posting on how I am feeling - it's a good way to vent too It definitly helps.

Lots of luck today!! Are you guys buying a house? Condo?

[Hopeful 285]

Hi Aunty,
When I quit cold turkey I had been on 20 mgs for about a week. Just before that I took 10 mgs for about 3 weeks and the rest of the time I was breaking the 10 mgs in to 1/4 to 1/2.
The doctor was encouraging me to take more and ignorantly I did. I broke little piece off for about 3 days and then just quit because the doctor said it wouldn't hurt me and I would just be sick a few days. Of course I thought I could handle that. Little did I know the dark evil monster that I would encounter. Those were some very dark days. I have a long ways to go but thank God I am here and a survivor. I realize this is worth it when I am able to intervene and get someone else to not take the drug. I have been very blessed to have been told by others just starting to take it.

Aunty, that makes me laugh that you say that. Everything I know I learned from you and others on this site. These are sites you guys have given and links that I found after going to the sites. I am amazed at everything you give to this forum. You should have been a doctor.

I am taking:
multivitamin
fish oil
flaxseed oil
calcium w/ magnesium & vitamin d
magnesium 250
vitamin c
iron

To relax at night about 2 hours before I go to bed I take the calcium and magnesium & I drink tension tamer or camomile tea with honey. I take a couple more teaspoons of honey in addition. I read in a health book that honey helps you sleep. When I took it while having the restless legs I noticed my legs were calming down. Each time I used it during the restless legs I realized it was not a fluke. I googled honey and restless legs and there are recipes out there for the purpose of calming restless legs. They have other ingredients like vinegar but it works without it.



Have you read the book 'Natural Cures' by Kevin Trudeau? I have the 2nd book and it is great. I am ordering the 1st one.
I have some Ebooks that are by Kevin Trudeau that I will share with anyone who wants copies. If you want them email me at cmackan@yahoo.com. Put ' Never Get Sick' so I won't delete it thinking it is junk mail.


Everyone,
Stay away from transfats. This is not good for your brain and you will not lose the weight if you're eating it.
To lose weight eat a tablespoon of organic, unrefined, virgin coconut oil in the morning and late afternoon. Eat salsa on everything, take a tablespoon of raw organic apple cider vinegar before each meal, eat breakfast, do candida cleanse, take digestive enzymes. These are author Kevin Trudeau's natural cures.


For those with movement disorders:
I have a problem with iron deficiency and I read an article (Elizabethmaria posted) showing you are more vulnerable to tourettes when you have this issue. I do have the tourettes-like symptoms (sudden gasps, voice uncontrollably gets louder). I believe this goes hand in hand with the dyskenesia. I am taking liquid iron now and the tics, falls and gait have improved.
Even if you have iron stores that are normal but in the low range, you can have issues.
I believe the iron link may be the reason more women seem to be affected with movement problems than men.


Take care everyone,

[tavee]

Hi Guys!!

How Is Everyone Doing??
I Hope U Guys Are Feeling Better Every Day That Goes By.

I Started .25ml And I Am Doing Ok So Far.

I Am Almost There. I Cant Believe That A Year Has Gone By Since My Tapering.

I Think It Is So Worth It U Guys To Slowly Taper. I Have To Admit That It Wasnt As Bad Except For A Few Tapers Back. One Year Wowowowoow.

I Just Hope That I Never Ever Have To Take This Drug Again.


Thanks To My Angel On This Forum (aunty) I Have Survived. If It Wasnt For Her I Dont Know Where I Would Be. I Probably Would Still Be On Lexapro!!

Thanks To Everyone On This Forum For Your Support Thru This. Im Not Done Yet, But I Am Almost To The End.

I Love U Aunty!!
Thanks For Guiding Me Thru This.

Love
Tavee

[CrashNBurn]

I took Zoloft about 4 weeks ago at only 25mg for 4 days. I couldn't take the side effects so I quit and felt fine for 2 weeks then suddenly out of nowhere I was hit with anxiety and depression worse than I have ever had. It was as if someone had hit me with 1000 whips all at once then peeled off all my skin with an apple peeler (sorry to be so graphic). I fell to the ground crying and wanting to die. The next day I went to my doctor and he gave me Lexapro telling me I'll do fine on it. I also asked my psychiatrist what he thought happened to me and he just said "You spooked yourself." What a lier! I took the Lexapro for 5 days at 2.5mg but felt like my flesh was burning and I couldn't sleep so I stopped. I stopped last Sunday so today is day 3 and my skin feels better and my headaches have gone away but I feel weak and slightly unable to concentrate. I'm now sure that the major depression attack I had was due to the zoloft and I should have just rode it out but I couldn't think clearly at all. I just wanted relief or to die. Has anyone had an experience like this? How long did you have to endure the pain until some relief came back? I haven't been able to read all the posts here so I'm sure someone has. Any advice would also be appreciated!

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by CrashNBurn

I took Zoloft about 4 weeks ago at only 25mg for 4 days. I couldn't take the side effects so I quit and felt fine for 2 weeks then suddenly out of nowhere I was hit with anxiety and depression worse than I have ever had. It was as if someone had hit me with 1000 whips all at once then peeled off all my skin with an apple peeler (sorry to be so graphic). I fell to the ground crying and wanting to die. The next day I went to my doctor and he gave me Lexapro telling me I'll do fine on it. I also asked my psychiatrist what he thought happened to me and he just said "You spooked yourself." What a lier! I took the Lexapro for 5 days at 2.5mg but felt like my flesh was burning and I couldn't sleep so I stopped. I stopped last Sunday so today is day 3 and my skin feels better and my headaches have gone away but I feel weak and slightly unable to concentrate. I'm now sure that the major depression attack I had was due to the zoloft and I should have just rode it out but I couldn't think clearly at all. I just wanted relief or to die. Has anyone had an experience like this? How long did you have to endure the pain until some relief came back? I haven't been able to read all the posts here so I'm sure someone has. Any advice would also be appreciated!

You never mentioned why you had been put on this medication. What was the initial reason. Those meds do take some time to start working within your system, and it's a bad idea to stop them abruptly. You will experience severe withdrawals which at times can be worse than the initial symptoms.
Wait for veterans of the forum to advise you.....I would go back on them, stabilize and then taper slowly.. 5% or max 10% of tapers.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by auntybiotic

She has decreased her dose by over 70% and is still having withdrawals with each taper. She only decreases by about 1 or 2 % at a time. She gets moody, stomach pain, inability to sleep, back pain.

Lexapro is horrible. The withdrawals last about a week. She is also having no appetite and doesn't want to eat. She is still on 6 Mg so has a ways to go but 70% of 20 Mg is a accompishment.

She is amazing. She works two part time jobs, is in three college prep courses in addition to high school subjects and is in the honor society. She still is managing to get almost all A's (maybe one B).

She is stressed out and exhausted due to the lexapro withdrawals............... but is determined that IT WILL NOT HOLD HER BACK. Positive thinking does really help. She does not care to read this forum and find out how many others are having trouble stopping lexapro. If I mention how many visits this "thread" gets........... She teases me and says that I should write a book about lexapro withdrawals. The week after I taper there is a definate moodiness and irritability.
I have a tough skin because when she calls me "names" and wants me out of her room, I try and realize that it is the taper causing this. It has not been easy on either of us. Also the week of the taper she goes on buying sprees.

Thank you for asking.

I think you're amazing. It's not easy when it happens to you, let alone when it happens to your child. And she IS still a child. Look at the age of people in this 'thread'. When I was put on this med, I was ashamed to let anyone know: in my thinking only old pessimists took this drug. Look how wrong I was.

And I am so scared to quit. I am tapering of 0.1 making liquids and now am at 0.08. I feel very, very mild withdrawals, or may be do not feel any - after all, it's normal for a human nature to be sad from time to time. Which I was on Sunday - sad and tired for no good reason. But most of the days I am fine. I hope and pray I will be fine when I stop. Schnauzer girl says I will - and I trust her
I think I almost stopped: isn't taking 0.08 liquid close to nothing?

[Julia77]

Let me ladies tell you something: I was big when I was on 10 mg of this drug. Close to 172 pounds or smth..... I am now 157, so how much have I lost? 15 pounds. What did I do? Nothing. This weight just keeps coming off. I just eat properly and attend my yoga classes, I eat fruit when I am hungry at night - it may be even close to midnight! The weight falls off... Amazing, isn't it?
I was desperate about the way I looked when I was on Lex. Especially when they didn't know I had put on weight - hearing them exclaiming, 'Oh, how lovely!' - when you are not pregnant.
I am mentioning this for those who try to shed off weight - it will fall off on itself when you stop or start to reduce the dose.

[CrashNBurn]

I was put on this medication for GAD and depression. I wasn't able to stabilize on either Zoloft (4 days @ 25mg) or 3 weeks later Lexapro (5 days @ 2.5mg) because the side effects made me so sick I thought I was going to die. I live in Canada and there is no liquid form of this drug here. I'm just guessing that it takes approximately 14 days for a drug like Zoloft and it's effects to completely leave the body due to it's half-life and it was at that point I saw a lot of crushing emotional side effects.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by CrashNBurn

I was put on this medication for GAD and depression. I wasn't able to stabilize on either Zoloft (4 days @ 25mg) or 3 weeks later Lexapro (5 days @ 2.5mg) because the side effects made me so sick I thought I was going to die. I live in Canada and there is no liquid form of this drug here. I'm just guessing that it takes approximately 14 days for a drug like Zoloft and it's effects to completely leave the body due to it's half-life and it was at that point I saw a lot of crushing emotional side effects.

I am also from Canada, Toronto. Whereabouts in Canada do you come from?
4 days or 5 days is definitely not enough to stabilize.....And you do not need a liquid form to go on this medication, you will need liquids to taper..But if I understand it right, you do not taper until you feel fine on the med.
So it's Cipralex here. It took me 3 weeks to get used to it until I finally wasn't feeling any side effects, and I was bedridden all that time. It's not 4 or 5 days, your doctor should have warned you about it. After you've reinstated, you taper, and you can make your own liquids.
I learned a lot from this forum. There are real specialists here. Wait and they will advise you better.

[lov4k9's]

Originally Posted by CrashNBurn

I took Zoloft about 4 weeks ago at only 25mg for 4 days. I couldn't take the side effects so I quit and felt fine for 2 weeks then suddenly out of nowhere I was hit with anxiety and depression worse than I have ever had. It was as if someone had hit me with 1000 whips all at once then peeled off all my skin with an apple peeler (sorry to be so graphic). I fell to the ground crying and wanting to die. The next day I went to my doctor and he gave me Lexapro telling me I'll do fine on it. I also asked my psychiatrist what he thought happened to me and he just said "You spooked yourself." What a lier! I took the Lexapro for 5 days at 2.5mg but felt like my flesh was burning and I couldn't sleep so I stopped. I stopped last Sunday so today is day 3 and my skin feels better and my headaches have gone away but I feel weak and slightly unable to concentrate. I'm now sure that the major depression attack I had was due to the zoloft and I should have just rode it out but I couldn't think clearly at all. I just wanted relief or to die. Has anyone had an experience like this? How long did you have to endure the pain until some relief came back? I haven't been able to read all the posts here so I'm sure someone has. Any advice would also be appreciated!

Crash~

Unfortunately, I don't have answers for you but wanted to respond because I had a similar reaction to Prozac.

Abridged Version:

Let me start off by stating by way of background that I've never suffered from GAD, panick attacks or severe depression before my adverse reaction to Prozac. However, I have experienced the normal mild depressions one would experience due to having one's heart broken from a break-up and the death of a loved one.

I started on Prozac due to being in a funk after suffering a miscarriage. I had a severe adverse reaction to the medication, the worst symptoms being: akathasia, severe anxiety, mild panic attacks, suicide ideation, crying jags, insomnia, confusion, impaired cognitive abilities, stomach pains, the list goes on. Anyway, I quit after 3 weeks because the side effects were getting worse. I slowly started to feel better within a couple of weeks after discontinuing the drug and a couple of weeks after starting to feel better I was hit with a depression that brought me to my knees (sound familiar?).

Like you, if I had been thinking straight I would have just rode out the depression. But I was scared and I did not have the mental capacity to realize that the depression was the result of my exposure to Prozac. I too wanted relief or to die, so sought my doc's advice and she suggested trying the Prozac at a much lower dose, but my body reacted even more violently the second time.

Since you exposure to the SSRI's were relatively brief, the chances of a quick recovery are fairly good. Hang in there.

How would you describe your depression before starting Zoloft and how would you describe it today?

lov

[CrashNBurn]

Thanks for your reply. My depression before the zoloft was bad but never to the point where I wanted to kill myself. I mostly felt physically weak and had body aches, pains, dizziness, and sometimes heart palpitations - probably due to my anxiety disorder. 2 weeks after the zoloft I was hit with searing pains in my head, face, and parts of my arms as well as the darkest depression and thoughts I've ever had. I ran out of my apartment and fell down in a field and started crying and writhing in pain. It was scary as hell. That's why I got on the Lexapro. Right now I feel anxious, afraid, and woozy but not depressed. It's easy to say right now that I'll ride out the depression but when it hits, as you know, it changes a person's thinking pretty fast.

I guess I'm looking for some hope that if the depression does come back and it's due to the withdrawal it won't be permanent. I know there are no answers just others with similar experiences to compare to.

[carolleah]

Originally Posted by CrashNBurn

Thanks for your reply. My depression before the zoloft was bad but never to the point where I wanted to kill myself. I mostly felt physically weak and had body aches, pains, dizziness, and sometimes heart palpitations - probably due to my anxiety disorder. 2 weeks after the zoloft I was hit with searing pains in my head, face, and parts of my arms as well as the darkest depression and thoughts I've ever had. I ran out of my apartment and fell down in a field and started crying and writhing in pain. It was scary as hell. That's why I got on the Lexapro. Right now I feel anxious, afraid, and woozy but not depressed. It's easy to say right now that I'll ride out the depression but when it hits, as you know, it changes a person's thinking pretty fast.

I guess I'm looking for some hope that if the depression does come back and it's due to the withdrawal it won't be permanent. I know there are no answers just others with similar experiences to compare to.

Dear Crash,

My experience was similar to yours. I have struggled for two years with all of the antidepressants effects along with withdrawal. It has been seven months of withdrawal symptoms after tapering over two months. At six months many of the symptoms have improved, but I still struggle. Though the waves of depression and anxiety are much less and I seem to have recovered much of my happy go lucky attitude. It comes as windows at first, but then the windows get longer. Dealing with the first six months was the worst, but I guarantee you that it all will get better. There is hope and I am existing and writing to prove it. But it is hard long work and you will need as many people as you can find to support you through it. But it is doable. Coming to this forum is a step in the right direction. It is really important to educate yourself and listen to what others have gone through. What they have to say is invaluable to you getting better.

[lov4k9's]

Originally Posted by carolleah

Dear Crash,

My experience was similar to yours. I have struggled for two years with all of the antidepressants effects along with withdrawal. It has been seven months of withdrawal symptoms after tapering over two months. At six months many of the symptoms have improved, but I still struggle. Though the waves of depression and anxiety are much less and I seem to have recovered much of my happy go lucky attitude. It comes as windows at first, but then the windows get longer. Dealing with the first six months was the worst, but I guarantee you that it all will get better. There is hope and I am existing and writing to prove it. But it is hard long work and you will need as many people as you can find to support you through it. But it is doable. Coming to this forum is a step in the right direction. It is really important to educate yourself and listen to what others have gone through. What they have to say is invaluable to you getting better.

Carolleah~

It has been 5 months since my last dose of Prozac and have sufferred from severe depression and apathy with no windows. When did your windows start? I know that Skyer's depression/apathy lifted, but I sometimes wonder if I will ever see the light.

lov

[Shakespeare]

I just found this forum. I am uncertain... it makes me both scared and relieved to have discovered that many others have the same symptoms as I have been struggling with now for the past 4 monhts and 3 weeks after I tapered down rather quickly from 10mg of Lexapro. My worst symptoms during those 6 weeks I was on Lexapro was fatigue and tiredness, often it felt like it was settling in my forearms. One time I actually collapsed in the bank and went to the E.R. This was one week after I started tapering down from 10 mg to 5mg. Since then I have been slowly improving (from horrific nightmares, sweating, zaps, hot flushes, frequent urination, bad sleep, extreme fatigue to good days with not so much fatigue and fewer zaps and not so strong hot flashes). Been ok now 2 weeks, but 3 days ago the fatigue started to sneak its way back and a couple of hot flashes really made me depressed. Is this "normal"? After 4 months and 3 weeks?

[carolleah]

Originally Posted by lov4k9's

Carolleah~

It has been 5 months since my last dose of Prozac and have sufferred from severe depression and apathy with no windows. When did your windows start? I know that Skyer's depression/apathy lifted, but I sometimes wonder if I will ever see the light.

lov

lov,

I started to see windows around the sixth month and started to get some of my motivation back. You will really need to push yourself in these severe bouts of depression. Make sure that you connect with others, exersize and eat right. The fifth month was the hardest for me. You can get through it. Do whatever you can to make yourself feel good. You also need to take a hard look at your life and make any changes you can to feel better about life. You need to keep repeating to yourself "see the good, for it is there". Everyday make a gratitude list and focus on that. It is really important to do things that help you psychologically. Have one friend you can call on every day to touch base and see how you are doing. If you read my prior posts I listed daily therapies to help me cope. One of the most important was getting out of my house each day....I still struggle each day with withdrawal symptoms at seven months out, but they are much less than what I started with. I wish I were at one year, which is a real landmark, but I see that through all this struggling, I have grown. Just when you think that you have struggled enough in life, you get to struggle more! But when I connect with others who have been through much worse hardship and that they are still standing, it gives me hope. There was one person in particular that helped me tremendously, her name is Brenda. It is a real privilege knowing her. She supported me over the course of the last couple years by talking to me on the phone whenever I needed it. She is the heart of my town. She has given me her time and care. She taught me to "pay it forward" by helping others just like she helped me. It was an important concept to learn and is partially why I come to this forum to help others in any way I can. I am no expert, but I am able to give kind words, hope and encouragement. I desperately looked for others to help me and found that so many just couldn't give their compassion. And I brought alot of it on myself....You see, depression makes you self absorbed, unable to care about others, make poor decisions, make you sleep horribly and be irritable, see the negative instead of the good, lash out at others, so on.. I mean, who really wants to be around someone depressed? So isolation is a by product of depression. How do you break out of being depressed? First, by expressing your needs. Just like I can say " I need this forum to be there for me, even if it is the only chance I have to connect with others that accept me". And at one time it was. And sometimes I feel like it still is. You see, when doctors tell you that there is no possible way for withdrawal to occur after a couple months, and best friends don't believe you and don't always want to be around you, and you are suffering from the aftereffects of anxiety and depression, it can really get the best of you. It got the best of me. I had no psychiatric history prior to these meds. Absolutely nothing. Eventually, I started to understand that the only way out of all of this mess was by believing in myself. I lost many relationships and respect from others. And picking up the pieces was hugely difficult. Even now at two years out, I had to start from scratch with everything. It has been extraordinarily difficult....I say to you that you will get through this. I don't know why you turned to these antidepressants, as I did too. It makes me hugely sad to know that probably all of us took them because we were desperate for compassion in our lives and were only given a quick fix pill from our doctors. It certainly made me reflect on what happenned in my life. This year is a year of reflection and renewal for me. Each day I try to renew myself by good deeds and showing/telling people of my gratitude. It has been difficult because my mental functions still aren't completely there yet. All I have to believe in is what is told in this forum, that after a year and a half I will be better or as better as I am going to get. I still have about a year to plough through. I will be here in this forum with you fighting to get well. We don't have to go through this alone. We can be there for each other, comforting and caring. The more you contribute the more support you will get. I know that this forum is mainly for the topic of withdrawing, but the caring and kindness goes beyond the rational facts.

lov, if there is any way that I can be of service to you please let me know. I have given some insights above as to what I went through and am going through. I can't guarantee that it will be exactly the same for you, but I suspect that it may. I track what is going on with my struggle buddy who is a couple of months behind me. Her symptoms seem to be following a similar path and time line. My trusted and knowledgable therapist told me that the six month mark is when people start to feel better. She also told me that people do recover from depression and move on with their lives. This was absolutely important for me to know because all I have been told is that if you have one depressive episode then you are prone to another. This is probably true if you don't make changes in yourself and your life so that it never happens again. Also you need to know how to undo depression. The book I recommend time and time again is Undoing Depression by Richard Oconnor. You have to know why you fell prey to being depressed, then do everything you can to undo it. And as I said, the first is being able to say "I need". Addressing your needs and then you can see who respects those needs....Also, another thing is stay away from alcohol, it is highly addictive and only makes matters worse. Anyone who needs it shouldn't be drinking it.

Well, that's my thoughts for today. I hope that I have helped you, even in a little way. Please let me know if I have and how. I need feedback which gives me motivation to keep writing about depression and the role it plays in withdrawal. I take a much more expansive angle about getting off these drugs. The severity of the waves of depression and anxiety can be debilitating and drives people to go back on the drugs. You can make it through it all, it is just a really tough road. Staying busy is one of the best coping methods I have. Even writing to this forum is part of it.

Listen, take care. You'll be okay. Take each day by day....I wish there were clinics to get off these drugs. It would be much easier that way!

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by tavee

Hi Guys!!

How Is Everyone Doing??
I Hope U Guys Are Feeling Better Every Day That Goes By.

I Started .25ml And I Am Doing Ok So Far.

I Am Almost There. I Cant Believe That A Year Has Gone By Since My Tapering.

I Think It Is So Worth It U Guys To Slowly Taper. I Have To Admit That It Wasnt As Bad Except For A Few Tapers Back. One Year Wowowowoow.

I Just Hope That I Never Ever Have To Take This Drug Again.


Thanks To My Angel On This Forum (aunty) I Have Survived. If It Wasnt For Her I Dont Know Where I Would Be. I Probably Would Still Be On Lexapro!!

Thanks To Everyone On This Forum For Your Support Thru This. Im Not Done Yet, But I Am Almost To The End.

I Love U Aunty!!
Thanks For Guiding Me Thru This.

Love
Tavee

Tavee,

Helping you get off lexapro has been my pleasure, WOW!!! Almost off, congrats.

Now may be a good time to start taking prenatal vitamins and in about 4 months possibly think about making your dream of conceiving come true. You have my email address, please let me know how you do after you are off. You are actually the first person here that tapered so slow and I am hoping that you will not have any after effects. Don't forget to check in at least once a month and give me a progress report.

Sincerely,
aunty

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by Julia77

I think you're amazing. It's not easy when it happens to you, let alone when it happens to your child. And she IS still a child. Look at the age of people in this 'thread'. When I was put on this med, I was ashamed to let anyone know: in my thinking only old pessimists took this drug. Look how wrong I was.

And I am so scared to quit. I am tapering of 0.1 making liquids and now am at 0.08. I feel very, very mild withdrawals, or may be do not feel any - after all, it's normal for a human nature to be sad from time to time. Which I was on Sunday - sad and tired for no good reason. But most of the days I am fine. I hope and pray I will be fine when I stop. Schnauzer girl says I will - and I trust her
I think I almost stopped: isn't taking 0.08 liquid close to nothing?

Julia,

Thanks for the compliments, it is so nice to hear.

Continue tapering by .01 of a ml till down to nothing and you should be fine. I would not suggest quitting even at that low dose. Drops mean something with this lexapro withdrawal, some have had withdrawals even going off of three drops!!!.

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by Hopeful 285

Hi Aunty,
When I quit cold turkey I had been on 20 mgs for about a week. Just before that I took 10 mgs for about 3 weeks and the rest of the time I was breaking the 10 mgs in to 1/4 to 1/2.
The doctor was encouraging me to take more and ignorantly I did. I broke little piece off for about 3 days and then just quit because the doctor said it wouldn't hurt me and I would just be sick a few days. Of course I thought I could handle that. Little did I know the dark evil monster that I would encounter. Those were some very dark days. I have a long ways to go but thank God I am here and a survivor. I realize this is worth it when I am able to intervene and get someone else to not take the drug. I have been very blessed to have been told by others just starting to take it.

Aunty, that makes me laugh that you say that. Everything I know I learned from you and others on this site. These are sites you guys have given and links that I found after going to the sites. I am amazed at everything you give to this forum. You should have been a doctor.

I am taking:
multivitamin
fish oil
flaxseed oil
calcium w/ magnesium & vitamin d
magnesium 250
vitamin c
iron

To relax at night about 2 hours before I go to bed I take the calcium and magnesium & I drink tension tamer or camomile tea with honey. I take a couple more teaspoons of honey in addition. I read in a health book that honey helps you sleep. When I took it while having the restless legs I noticed my legs were calming down. Each time I used it during the restless legs I realized it was not a fluke. I googled honey and restless legs and there are recipes out there for the purpose of calming restless legs. They have other ingredients like vinegar but it works without it.



Have you read the book 'Natural Cures' by Kevin Trudeau? I have the 2nd book and it is great. I am ordering the 1st one.
I have some Ebooks that are by Kevin Trudeau that I will share with anyone who wants copies. If you want them email me at cmackan@yahoo.com. Put ' Never Get Sick' so I won't delete it thinking it is junk mail.


Everyone,
Stay away from transfats. This is not good for your brain and you will not lose the weight if you're eating it.
To lose weight eat a tablespoon of organic, unrefined, virgin coconut oil in the morning and late afternoon. Eat salsa on everything, take a tablespoon of raw organic apple cider vinegar before each meal, eat breakfast, do candida cleanse, take digestive enzymes. These are author Kevin Trudeau's natural cures.


For those with movement disorders:
I have a problem with iron deficiency and I read an article (Elizabethmaria posted) showing you are more vulnerable to tourettes when you have this issue. I do have the tourettes-like symptoms (sudden gasps, voice uncontrollably gets louder). I believe this goes hand in hand with the dyskenesia. I am taking liquid iron now and the tics, falls and gait have improved.
Even if you have iron stores that are normal but in the low range, you can have issues.
I believe the iron link may be the reason more women seem to be affected with movement problems than men.


Take care everyone,

Hopeful,

Well even if you learned everything from this site, to have you take the time to put all the links in one place to save someone hours or days of reading is great!!

Thank you for refreshing me on your lexapro experience and the vitamins that you are taking.
It is horrible that one week on lexapro could do this to you, it shows you how strong this drug is.

Please continue to post as your knowledge is so helpful to so many.

[auntybiotic]

I believe in KARMA, and for all the good that you do for so may on this forum.................I am certain that you will get off the lexapro when the time is right.....with miminal withdrawals. Of course you will taper SLOW and that is the answer.

You are so dedicated and so knowledgable, you have given so much info to thousands..........Thank you and others that post here.

aunty

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by SL500

Thanks...It does make me feel a lot better knowing that you went through this too and are giving me some guidance....I don't want to go up and yes 12.5mg is my original dose. It'll be 2 weeks on this dose on Friday. It's just so frustrating - and you know what I mean. I definitly will keep posting on how I am feeling - it's a good way to vent too It definitly helps.

Lots of luck today!! Are you guys buying a house? Condo?

Ok, good..just don't give up . We're going to buy a house, hopefully one out in the country. We're waiting to hear from the loan officer today to see what price we will have to work with so I'm sitting on pins and needles until I hear something, lol!

You will even out and get better, just look for the little improvemtents here and there.