[SchnauzerTime]

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

I'm SOOO proud of you!!! I'm proud of you for waiting the tapers out until withdrawal's all gone no matter how bad you want to get off this stuff. I'm proud of you for getting to the point you have without giving up no matter how yucky you feel some days going through all this. And I'm proud of you for sharing your experiences with others on here so they can see it CAN be done safely and slowly.

I can't wait to start tapering myself eventually when I get over this withdrawal I'm in and I'll definatly use your story for inspiration . Just remember don't go too fast near the end...maybe next taper do .2ML. You are almost there girl! I'll talk to you soon...wish me luck with house shopping!

[SchnauzerTime]

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!

My advice would be do NOT go back on the Lex or any other antidepressant/SSRI. My normal advice would be to tell people to get back on it and taper slowly after a cold turkey like you have done. BUT since you were only on these meds for a total of 8 days I see no problem with just not taking them. It takes a couple weeks to a month for these SSRIs to fully build up to their total potential in your body and since you've taken them for such a short time they aren't even fully in your body yet. Since you had such a dramatic reaction to these meds you definatly do NOT want for them to build up in your body to their full potential as this will probably make you horribly sick since you had the reactions like you did.

I'm thinking you may have had some withdrawals already even from taking them for 8 days...the weak feelings you had from stopping the Lex. Since you were on it for such a short time, you shouldn't have bad withdrawals and not for long if you do. The weak feeling should pass...it may take a couple weeks or a month or so for your body to get back in sync with itself after your dramatic experience.

Pretty much, I believe you had an allergic reaction to the Zoloft. The itchy skin...also the pain in the skin sounds like you were extremely allergic. When you said it hurt so much it felt like "whips" on your skin, that sounds pretty extreme as far as allergic reactions go and it's a good thing you stopped taking it.

My advice is just to stay off any and all SSRI/antidepressants and you will feel better soon. Doctors may want to try you on all different kinds of these meds, but I really think you'll do better without them esepecially after those reactions you had. There are SOOO many natural alternatives to depression. Wait a month or so for the meds to leave your system...then try St. John's Wort or SAM-E for depression. Also Carlson's brand fish oil...it's the best out there...go to http://www.taoofherbs.com/products/3...angeFlavor.htm . Fish oil will help with depression. You can start it now. Start out taking one or 2 caplsules daily with food. Don't take them after 4-5pm. Some people are sensitive to fish oil and may have a fishy taste in their mouth or get a little nauseous ( I did), so start out slowly taking one or 2 daily for about a week to see how it does. Then if you're OK on it without feeling icky, go up on the dose until you reach a total of around 1000mg of combined EPA/DHA. So for Carlson's that would be about 5 capsules a day. If you don't want to take that many, you can get the oil and take just a teaspoon a day for the same dose as the 5 capsules. Just put it on your food or mix with juice.

Also, take a good multi-vitamin with no synthetics in it. Stuff from the drugstore isn't good. Go to a health food store or www.vitacost.com and get a whole foods multi-vitamin or you can call SupraLife at 1-800-359-3245 and order the Formula Plus. That's the one I take.

If you have any other problems such as sleeping try Calms Forte at vitacost. It's a homeopathic remedy, pretty much made from passionflower. I take 3 a night and it helps me get to sleep. Also, magnesium and calcium help with anxiety. I take 750mg of coral calcium at night and a magnesium malate tablet with every meal throughout the day. Magnesium malate also helps with muscle cramps/aches.

Besides the vitamins for depression, get out in the sun, talk to a counsler (one that won't stick you on meds), hang around friends or family/people that care and won't put you down, and exercise and eat healthy. Eating healthy is a huge plus when your body is going through a rough time. Stay away from sugar, caffeine, and trans fats and grease. Also stay away from milk...you can eat cheese, yogurt, but just not pure milk by itself. I drink Soy milk and it's actually alot like regular milk but just sweeter. Last of all, drink TONS of water (even with lemon). This will help to flush out your system and get rid of all that yucky medicine that gave you the horrible reactions.

Stay positive and don't expect results overnight. You should start feeling better in a week or 2.

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by 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?

Yes, it is VERY normal to still be having withdrawals after 4 months after a cold turkey or fast taper like you did. It's too late to really go back on the meds and go slower though...after about 6-8 weeks it normally just makes things worse for your body if you reinstate the medicine.

How long were you on the Lexapro 10mg? If you were on it for a long time (like over 5 years) it may take a good while for you to completely heal. But in general after a fast taper like you did it takes the brain 12-18 months to fully heal. Now this is just normally what happens...it doesn't mean it will take that long for you. And it by all means doesn't mean you'll be sick that WHOLE time. What happens is when each part of your brain heals that has been damaged you will have withdrawals. So there will be periods of time when you are feeling yucky from withdrawals, then it will go away for periods of time, then it will come right back. You'll be sick for a couple weeks or a month , then you'll be feeling great for a couple weeks or however long, then sick again. This will go on, back and forth, until your completely healed. There is normally one really bad withdrawal time around 3-5 months (you may have already gone thruogh it), but after that worst withdrawal period, they generally improve and get better over time.

It's a long process of healing after a cold turkey or fast taper, but you will heal. Just expect it to take awhile and the best thing to do for yourself is take a good multi-vitamin and other vitamins to help symptoms. Also eat very healthy and think positive. Surround yourself with supportive people. Read the post about vitamins I wrote above to Crash.

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by auntybiotic

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!!!.

Oh wow...I thought you could go off at 0.1mg/mL. I stand corrected! I didn't know it could be done all the way to 0.01mg. Ok, now I know...it's amazing how small a dose can be disruptive to the body!

[Tig]

New member here. Went off lexapro pretty much cold turkey about 1 to 2 months ago after a year at a very low dosage (5 mg). Experiencing MANY of the withdrawal symptons you guys have mentioned (swimmy head, headaches, some nightmares, etc. but no mood alteration) but there is one that I haven't seen anyone mention yet: elevated blood pressure.

I had a annual physical this week and my blood pressure was elevated for the very first time in my life. I have ALWAYS had low blood pressure and now, all of a sudden, the Dr is talking blood pressure meds. New Dr for me so has no historical frame of reference but I did immediately mention the lexapro. The Dr doesn't think so but......it sounds like "getting the drug out of your system" isn't really the whole story based on some of your experiences. Also, this is exactly an area of expertise for this Dr.

What do you think? Anyone have an experience like this? And for the record, weight is normal so this isn't weight induced and stress level is normal.

[SL500]

Originally Posted by SchnauzerTime

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.

Thanks! what state do you guys live in?

This morning was actually a bad morning for me once again. I had the worst panic attack driving to work - shaking and crying - I ended up having to take a xanax because I needed to calm down. It was the worst ever!! Tomorrow is two weeks I am on my regular dose. I hope this improves within the next week or so......

[tavee]

God U Guys!! I Feel Like U Guys Are Sending Me Off And Saying My Last Goodbyes.

I Am Not Done Yet!! Aunty- Ure Email Made Me Cry. U Are An Amazing Woman And I Wish U The Best. I Pray That Ure Daughter Get Off This Safely And Go Back To Living Her Life Without Drugs.

U Never Know I Might Have Withdrawals Even After I Am Done.i Will Still Be Here No Matter What.

Schnauzer- I Am So Glad That I Met U And Im So Glad We Have Connected Thru The Phone!!
I Am Here For U Thru The Bad Days And The Good Days. Ok Now Im Gonna Cry!!
U Will Get Thru This Too And Soon U Will Be Tapering Like Me, And I Will Give U All The Support U Need. Im Gonna Need U Too When I Get Knocked Up!!!!! Lol
Im Gonna Need Support!!!!!

Aunty- Did U Get A Chance To Look At That Site. Did U Open The Link??


Hugs And Kisses To Everyone

Tavee

[august029]

Thanks for your feedback. I will take precautions when I do go off and take it super slow. I know it's probably different for everyone, but is there a regimen of reduction that I could follow that seems to be the least disturbing? Thanks!

[CrashNBurn]

Julia77 - I live in London Ontario. Ever been there? Right now the weather's been amazing, eh? I love it!

Schnauzer - Thanks for the advice. I do use fish oil and I have noticed a difference since taking it, however I was feeling so desperate when I decided to start the stupid SSRIs in the first place.

I have some questions about Lexapro:

I've read that the half-life is around 30 hours but haven't found how long it takes for it to clear. Does anyone know?

Also, I've read on a few different sites that although the drug may leave the system the drug (or the tiny inhibitors) may still exist in the brain for some time. Is this true?

And... during withdrawal, the brain chemicals are obviously unbalanced. At this time, are seratonin levels extremely elevated or extremely low and this is why we feel anxious and depressed? Sorry, this is all new to me so if anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

Today is day 4 since I stopped Lexapro (only took 2.5mg for 5 days). I feel lightheaded, a bit dizzy, numb feelings in my head, and a bit jumpy. Still bracing myself for worse to come but praying it never gets that bad.

I hope you are all doing well today, keep up the good work!

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by CrashNBurn

Julia77 - I live in London Ontario. Ever been there? Right now the weather's been amazing, eh? I love it!

Schnauzer - Thanks for the advice. I do use fish oil and I have noticed a difference since taking it, however I was feeling so desperate when I decided to start the stupid SSRIs in the first place.

I have some questions about Lexapro:

I've read that the half-life is around 30 hours but haven't found how long it takes for it to clear. Does anyone know?

Also, I've read on a few different sites that although the drug may leave the system the drug (or the tiny inhibitors) may still exist in the brain for some time. Is this true?

And... during withdrawal, the brain chemicals are obviously unbalanced. At this time, are seratonin levels extremely elevated or extremely low and this is why we feel anxious and depressed? Sorry, this is all new to me so if anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

Today is day 4 since I stopped Lexapro (only took 2.5mg for 5 days). I feel lightheaded, a bit dizzy, numb feelings in my head, and a bit jumpy. Still bracing myself for worse to come but praying it never gets that bad.

I hope you are all doing well today, keep up the good work!

Hi,

I'm in Toronto. You know when I first started Lexapro I only took 2.5 mg for two days when I stopped. I think after a week or so I was worse then from the beginning, and unusual bouts of sadness started to come over on me. Depression wasn't the reason why I was put on this medication initially. Little did I know about withdrawals, so I made no connection at all. I went back on the drug, and that time I was talked into taking in and sticking to it. For 3 weeks or so I suffered from terrible side effects, worst depression ever, lack of sleep, obsessive thoughts, to mention just a few of them. However after a month or so things started to get better and I could start to get out of my bed and go to work. I am saying this because I am sure those meds have terrible side effects, and I was warned by the doctors about it.
I learned from this forum a great deal of information. My recipe to withdrawals was to exercise, sometimes twice a day ( walk and yoga) and it made a dramatic difference. Just hang in there and believe in good.

[Julia77]

SchnauzerTime:

When you say 'stay away from all kinds of SSRI's' - I am only thinking and you know, extending my knowledge of the subject Doesn't depression get worse if left untreated? I think I'd asked you somewhere already and you answered me. You know, I was just thinking of my initial condition when I was put on this medication - severe panic attacks, debilitating case of anxiety and creeping depression because of the inability to leave the house and go out anywhere. Paralyzing fear, trips to emergency.
I am wondering - could I have ever made it without any kind of SSRI? The answer to read and educate myself about the subject wasn't good enough for me - I couldn't read at that time.
Yes, SSRI's are terrible when you start and get off them. When I started I was bed taken for almost three weeks, but then things started to change and in two months I was back to normal life - although an ambivalent zombie, but at least able to function. And you know my story about tapering, so that was another challenge with them.
But: where would I have been without Lex?

[tavee]

You Are Not Supposed To Take Any Type Of Natural Antidepressant(especially St John Wort) Until After One Year U Are Off The Drugs.
That Is Deadly!!

The Only Thing One Should Do Is Take Omega 3, And A Good Multivitamin, Magnesium And Certain Other Things.

Please Ask Before U Take Anything!!


Tavee

[tavee]

You Know U Are Not Supposed To Take Sam E Or St Johns Wort Until U Are Off The Drug For At Least One Year!!

Remember That It Is Deadly!!


Ps U Mentioned That To Julia.
I Posted For Her Too!!

Tavee

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by tavee

You Are Not Supposed To Take Any Type Of Natural Antidepressant(especially St John Wort) Until After One Year U Are Off The Drugs.
That Is Deadly!!

The Only Thing One Should Do Is Take Omega 3, And A Good Multivitamin, Magnesium And Certain Other Things.

Please Ask Before U Take Anything!!


Tavee

Hey thanks! I do know it now... Before I found this forum, I did take St. John's Wort, which obviously made things worse. I do not take anything like that now, I do take B12, Fish Oil and Magnesium. Magnesium is wonderful. It works amazingly on me, especially before I go to sleep. Helps to unwind the nervous system tremendously.

I've been reading about your supplement. It does seem like a good product to take. Are you saying it really helped you with withdrawals? How much of this do you need for a month? I think I've seen some representatives of this here in Toronto in one of those Health Exhibitions.

I am down to .08 and feel wonderful. At times I feel awkward, but now I got so sensitive - I am just convinced those are withdrawals and it shall pass. It does pass I will stop when I am down to .01 for a week or so. That should be around end of November or so. I am not in a rush this time

[Shakespeare]

thanks for info, I was on Lexapro only for 6 weeks, but i suffered a lot of symptoms almost from the get go: Extreme fatigue, hot flashes, suicidal thoughts, horrible nightmares, frequent urination, dizziness, and you name it. Now I have been fine for 2-3 weeks, and then this fatigue has returned. Today I could hardly lift my arms. Its extremely depressing and frustrating. Squeezing in my head and very, very tired, especially after I have been eating.
I guess what I really want do know, is: How common are these symptoms 4-5 months after i finished tapering? Is it dangerous? Does EVERYBODY recover from this? Will I be normal again FOR SURE?
The worst is the uncertainty. The fear of maybe being forced to struggle with this for many years, maybe the rest of my life. How many in this forum have in fact recovered completely? Anyone who knows that? What is the "survival rate" for people with severe Lexapro withdrawals, so to speak?

[tavee]

hey no problem!!

wow u are almost done too! good for u!!

i have been taking Himalayan Goji Juice for about 3 months and i have seen a difference. i am not tired anymore and my energy levels have gotten better. i dont have dizziness or nausea either while before i had that.

one bottle last about 2 weeks. its 40 dollars for one bottle but it is better to get the 4pack for 140.00. it comes out then to be 35 dollars a bottle. u take 4oz a day.they have a 90 day money back guarantee if you havent seen any benefits from it. u return the bottles and get your money back. i love this stuff so much that i ended up becoming a distributor.

anyway, thats my story!!
today is day 4 on .25ml and i am feeling ok!!
i hope all is well with everyone.

tavee

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by Julia77

SchnauzerTime:

When you say 'stay away from all kinds of SSRI's' - I am only thinking and you know, extending my knowledge of the subject Doesn't depression get worse if left untreated? I think I'd asked you somewhere already and you answered me. You know, I was just thinking of my initial condition when I was put on this medication - severe panic attacks, debilitating case of anxiety and creeping depression because of the inability to leave the house and go out anywhere. Paralyzing fear, trips to emergency.
I am wondering - could I have ever made it without any kind of SSRI? The answer to read and educate myself about the subject wasn't good enough for me - I couldn't read at that time.
Yes, SSRI's are terrible when you start and get off them. When I started I was bed taken for almost three weeks, but then things started to change and in two months I was back to normal life - although an ambivalent zombie, but at least able to function. And you know my story about tapering, so that was another challenge with them.
But: where would I have been without Lex?

I guess you really just have to weigh the consequences with the good things. In your case it sounds like it may have been worth it. BUT...there ARE tons of things you can do besides medicine to help. Did you try vitamins or eating healthy or exercise, etc.? I understand for some it is just debilitating though and you need something else to help you get through the hard times. I guess I just am so against these drugs from all the horrible things I've seen it do to others (including myself).

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by tavee

You Know U Are Not Supposed To Take Sam E Or St Johns Wort Until U Are Off The Drug For At Least One Year!!

Remember That It Is Deadly!!


Ps U Mentioned That To Julia.
I Posted For Her Too!!

Tavee

I take it CrashandBurn is you Julia? Please don't change your screen-name! Now I'm confused, LOL!

Yes normally you aren't suppossed to try ST. John's Wort or SAM-E until 1 year off SSRIs and antidepressants. The ONLY reason I mentioned it is because Julia/Crash only took them for a total of 8 days. That wasn't even enough to get into her system. It takes 2 weeks to a month (my doctor and other doctors have told me) to get into the system completely. I didn't see any harm in suggesting these things to her since she only took them for 8 days ttotal.

Aunty

Was I wrong to say this? Tavee tells me you have a medical background and I didn't realize this. I may let you take over about helping people if I'm suggesting things that are not right. I'm busy looking for houses to buy anyways. I feel like I messed up and I think I'm just going to stop posting.

[SchnauzerTime]

I think I'm going to take a break from this site for awhile. I'm sorry if I gave any "bad" advice. I only try to help on here because I don't want anyone to go through what I have and what others have.

I'm giong to be busy house-hunting...we are moving soon. But anyway, I wanted to apologize if I've given any "wrong" advice. I'm not going to give advice anymore, so if anyone has questions please ask Aunty. She started this site and knows more than anyone about withdrawal.

I apologize again and hope everyone can eventually get off this stuff safely. Good luck to you all and I'll miss you.

Love,
Beth

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by SchnauzerTime

I take it CrashandBurn is you Julia? Please don't change your screen-name! Now I'm confused, LOL!

Yes normally you aren't suppossed to try ST. John's Wort or SAM-E until 1 year off SSRIs and antidepressants. The ONLY reason I mentioned it is because Julia/Crash only took them for a total of 8 days. That wasn't even enough to get into her system. It takes 2 weeks to a month (my doctor and other doctors have told me) to get into the system completely. I didn't see any harm in suggesting these things to her since she only took them for 8 days ttotal.

Aunty

Was I wrong to say this? Tavee tells me you have a medical background and I didn't realize this. I may let you take over about helping people if I'm suggesting things that are not right. I'm busy looking for houses to buy anyways. I feel like I messed up and I think I'm just going to stop posting.

I am Julia I've never changed my screen name.. please, please, please don't stop posting! I owe you my life with these withdrawals. I think Tavee meant you had mentioned it to Crush, but it was so minor that I didn't correct her.

I read your posts with lots of interests and it's amazing how many people you've helped. I am sure many of those from the forum do, too. Please keep on posting, if you have time, of course.

I will then post about St. JOhn's Wort. My experience with it.
How is the house searching?

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by SchnauzerTime

I think I'm going to take a break from this site for awhile. I'm sorry if I gave any "bad" advice. I only try to help on here because I don't want anyone to go through what I have and what others have.

I'm giong to be busy house-hunting...we are moving soon. But anyway, I wanted to apologize if I've given any "wrong" advice. I'm not going to give advice anymore, so if anyone has questions please ask Aunty. She started this site and knows more than anyone about withdrawal.

I apologize again and hope everyone can eventually get off this stuff safely. Good luck to you all and I'll miss you.

Love,
Beth

You've helped me tremendously. I want to thank you for all the things you've done for me since I joined the forum 5 or 6 weeks ago. What kind of bad advice you are talking about.... please. This is virtual communication and lack of understanding does happen. I have learned so much from you.
Anyways, I am happy you got busy with other things - that means something positive! I love and respect you.

Good luck.

PS. Is there any way to contact you by means of e-mail?

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by Julia77

I am Julia I've never changed my screen name.. please, please, please don't stop posting! I owe you my life with these withdrawals. I think Tavee meant you had mentioned it to Crush, but it was so minor that I didn't correct her.

I read your posts with lots of interests and it's amazing how many people you've helped. I am sure many of those from the forum do, too. Please keep on posting, if you have time, of course.

I will then post about St. JOhn's Wort. My experience with it.
How is the house searching?

Yes I posted to CrashandBurn. I thought it was you since Tavee corrected me. Crash is a TOTALLY different case than anyone else since they had only taken the meds for a total of 8 days. And I DID tell them to wait a couple months before trying SAM-E or ST. John's-wort to make sure it was all out of your system. But these meds take 2 weeks to a month to build up to a full level so I thought it was safe to advise him/her to wait a couple months then to try those specific vitamins.

Anyway, sorry this all got confused with you Julia,lol. But I still think I'm not going to post anymore. I'm not a doctor and even giving advice on vitamins isn't my job. I just wanted to help people, but I feel that Aunty can do that better than I can.

I know ST. John's-wort and SAM-E are dangerous for people that have taken SSRIs/antidepressants for awhile and NORMALLY it is safest to wait a year off them before taking those vitamins...but like I said in Crash's case it's different.

I still think it best I don't post for awhile at least...maybe I'll come back and check on everyone at a later time. Take care Julia and it was nice meeting you. I hope you come through this with flying colors .

P.S. If you want to email me click on my name, it's there.

[CrashNBurn]

I'm not Julia, I am Canadian but I'm a guy. My case is different because I took Zoloft for 4 days, stopped, had whiplash depression after 14 days of feeling fine, then took 5 days of Lexapro. I've been off Lex for 5 days now. I messed up by taking the Lex but I was so desperate and didn't understand what was happening to me. So far I've been feeling very strange and fearing the depression returning. I want to brace myself but I have a very low threshold for mental pain. I've been anxious and depressed since January this year and had to leave my job and move back home. It's taken a lot out of me and I fear I don't have much strength to endure another round of depression.

Schnauzer, please don't leave this forum! You don't understand how important you are to everyone here. We need communication and support. You don't have to be perfect and no one expects you to be. What I see when you reply to my posts is a caring person helping me to know I'm not alone. We have to stand strong together because divided we have less of a chance of beating this thing.

[tavee]

Hey There!!


I Sent U An Email!!


Read It!

[CrashNBurn]

I'm new to this board and going back and reading your entries I was wondering how you are doing? I too felt I was in that scary dark place and I would like to know how you got through it? How long each bout last?

I hope you are doing alright!

[Return2Homeostasis]

Do you have any web-links for the following?:

~SSRIs and cortisol

~SSRIs and hypoglycemia/hyperglycemia

~SSRIs and adrenal function


Thanks for your time.

[auntybiotic]

Hi,

I really hope that you will continue to post. You have helped so many and I truly do not have as much time to answer questions.

I know you are house hunting but everyone here needs your knowledge and compassion.

I also am not a doctor but I did work 25 years in the medical field in a hospital setting....but still tell everyone to research any advice offered on the internet as I am writing these posts as a "mother". Everyone is different but normally any serotonin booster should not be taken with any SSRI for about a year after the final lexapro dose, as it can be deadly.

I have read case histories of someone just starting paxil and ended up in the ER with serotonin syndrome after only taking paxil for three days and mixing it with a cold medication.. You just never know............. so to be safe, I say do not take St. John's Wort or Same E. or ANYTHING without double checking. Even Nizoril shampoo has a drug interaction with lexapro. I posted a link previously showing about two hundred medications and herbs that should not be taken with lexapro.

I know earlier in these posts BODYELECTRIC did take St. Johns Wort or Same E shortly after a fast taper off lexapro..............he continued posting for awhile after that. Never mentioned that he had ill effects from it................... but I am so careful.

You are doing a great job..................this forum needs you. Please continue to help as you will be missed. I always end my posts with I am not a doctor so please research any advice.............to play it safe. I am not a doctor and any medical background I had was NOT related to SSRI's......I am learning just as everyone here is about the dangers of lexapro.

aunty

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by Return2Homeostasis

Do you have any web-links for the following?:

~SSRIs and cortisol

~SSRIs and hypoglycemia/hyperglycemia

~SSRIs and adrenal function


Thanks for your time.

I am sorry but I do not have the link readily available and will not be able to research it till Monday evening. If you check my posts you will see that I posted several links to SSRI's and Cortisol as well as adrenal function in previous post.

Schnauser may have the links if she is reading this or someone ma have saved the links.....if not hopefully I will have some time Monday night. You can Google Lexapro and Cortisol and it may actually bring you to the link I posted here.

[Aussiegirl]

Originally Posted by Julia77

SchnauzerTime:

When you say 'stay away from all kinds of SSRI's' - I am only thinking and you know, extending my knowledge of the subject Doesn't depression get worse if left untreated? I think I'd asked you somewhere already and you answered me. You know, I was just thinking of my initial condition when I was put on this medication - severe panic attacks, debilitating case of anxiety and creeping depression because of the inability to leave the house and go out anywhere. Paralyzing fear, trips to emergency.
I am wondering - could I have ever made it without any kind of SSRI? The answer to read and educate myself about the subject wasn't good enough for me - I couldn't read at that time.
Yes, SSRI's are terrible when you start and get off them. When I started I was bed taken for almost three weeks, but then things started to change and in two months I was back to normal life - although an ambivalent zombie, but at least able to function. And you know my story about tapering, so that was another challenge with them.
But: where would I have been without Lex?

Julia77
You know I've had those exact same thoughts. I know that my depression was debilitating when I first went onto SSRIs and frankly, without them I don't know if I would've survived the last 13 years of my life. I do believe though that some people can successfully come off and go on to live normal lives. Others need to be on meds for longer periods, but I think that everyone should at least try once or twice in their lives to see if they can get off them. Even just to reassure yourself of what your life is like medication-free.

Personally, my depression has become as bad as it was when I was first diagnosed and I am giving myself some time to see whether it is another phase of the withdrawal, or a return of the illness itself. I am not sure yet whether I'll have to go back onto SSRIs again in the future. Before I take that step though, I will try SAM-E and St Johns Wort because if they work as well there will be no need to return to SSRIs.

Because everybody is different and everyone's life is different, there's no one answer to that last question... the main thing is completely informing ourselves and then taking a leap of faith (which we're all doing now) and trying ourselves off the meds every now and again, just to make sure we aren't being duped!

Schnauzer
Please don't leave the forum! You've helped so many people. We all know that nobody on here is a doctor - we all take responsibility for our own health and ultimately the decisions we make are our own.

I hope you find a great house - but please come back to us!

Cheers
x

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by tavee

God U Guys!! I Feel Like U Guys Are Sending Me Off And Saying My Last Goodbyes.

I Am Not Done Yet!! Aunty- Ure Email Made Me Cry. U Are An Amazing Woman And I Wish U The Best. I Pray That Ure Daughter Get Off This Safely And Go Back To Living Her Life Without Drugs.

U Never Know I Might Have Withdrawals Even After I Am Done.i Will Still Be Here No Matter What.

Schnauzer- I Am So Glad That I Met U And Im So Glad We Have Connected Thru The Phone!!
I Am Here For U Thru The Bad Days And The Good Days. Ok Now Im Gonna Cry!!
U Will Get Thru This Too And Soon U Will Be Tapering Like Me, And I Will Give U All The Support U Need. Im Gonna Need U Too When I Get Knocked Up!!!!! Lol
Im Gonna Need Support!!!!!

Aunty- Did U Get A Chance To Look At That Site. Did U Open The Link??


Hugs And Kisses To Everyone

Tavee

I was not able to open up my link...................must be my computer. How does it taste? My daughter us so picky and if it is yucky she will not take it. I would love to try it......so I will be ordering some maybe next week.

Glad you are doing so well.