[carolleah]

Originally Posted by SchnauzerTime

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.

Schnauzer,

Your post was so articulate and right on that I just had to say I agree 150%! Giving the reality of the situation along with the hope of getting better is the approach that I find to be the best, not only for myself but when I read it for others it feels okay. Like, even though I did make a mistake it will be okay. I wish sooooooo much that the doctors had been more candid, more informative, more informed, but that's not what happenned. But that was in the past, and in going forward, after living through this hardship, I feel like I am a much different person. Once again, thank you for being you and being so dedicated to this forum. It makes a real difference.

[carolleah]

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

Schnauzer,

Please, please don't feel that way. You have been so kind and caring. My opinion is that your advice is invaluable! You have helped me tremendously. You helped me cope during the last seven months of unbelievable hardship. I hope my feedback let's you know how important you are to this forum and to me personally. It's weird that you can become attached to people on the internet and start to care about them....I too have wondered whether people out there care back. It is so easy to care back. I care about whether you will be at this forum. And if you are going to be then I will too. I like being here, especially with others that are so dedicated like you. But should you decide to go, which is your decision, I will miss you and your posts....In my eyes, you are one of those people that deserves to be cared about!

[carolleah]

Aunty,

I am still worried about EM not posting. What do you think?

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by carolleah

Aunty,

I am still worried about EM not posting. What do you think?

If you are boh redaing this please let me know that you are OK. It is so unusual for you not to post here.

Elazabeth I am so worried about you, please give me a update that you ar ewell.

aunty

[auntybiotic]

Good luck house hunting. It is a buyers market so you will have so many to choose from and probably the best prices in the last seven years. I moved two years ago and it was the most stressful event in my life, packing the boxes and unpacking and putting belongongs in their new home. For months I could not find anything I was looking for and often repurchased an item rather then searching thru boxes for it. I though I was so organized and labeled every box but it was still stressful.

Good luck and I do hope you reconsider posting when you have time.

Do you know if Elazabethmaie is posting at Catherine's site? I am so worried because she has not been online at this forum for quite awhile which is unusual. Please let me know her screenname at the other site so I can check. Do you have a way of reaching her?

aunty

[auntybiotic]

How are you and your husband Benny doing. Please let me know.

aunty

[auntybiotic]

The Thyroid and the Mind and Emotions/
Thyroid Dysfunction and Mental Disorders"
http://www.thyroid. ca/Articles/ EngE10F.html

A.G. Awad, MD, BCH, PhD, FRCP(C)
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Director, Psychobiological Medicine Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Toronto Western Hospital

[tavee]

IT ACTUALLY TASTES LIKE A JUICE. IT IS SWEET!!IT IS 100% NATURAL JUICE U ONLY TAKE 4OZ A DAY. SO I TAKE IT IN THE MORNING(2 SHOT GLASSES OF IT).

IF U ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING IT JUST GOT TO MY SITE (www.try.freelife.com )
AND ORDER IT. U ARE BETTER OFF ORDERING A 4PACK FOR 140.00 DOLLARS CUZ ONE BOTTLE IS 40.00 SO IT COMES OUT TO BE 35 DOLLARS A BOTTLE.
THERE IS A 90 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEEE IF U FEEL U HAVE NOT BENEFITTED FROM IT. JUST RETURN THE BOTTLES AND GET URE MONEYBACK.

I HOPE THAT HELPS!

PS ITS DAY 5 ON .25 AND SO FAR SO GOOD!!

TAKE CARE
TAVEE

[Tryn]

Hello Everyone...I was just recently puton lexapro and I was in complete misery...I felt a lot of what y'all are feeling going on and coming off..I was only on it for five days before I decided I was not taking it no more..I just stopped taking it cold turkey..five days doesn't seem like a long time to be on it..but the withdraws I had were harsh. A friend told me to consult with my dr and see if he would perscribe the lowest dose of xanax while coming off of this. Xanax helps with anxiety and panic attack. I did that..and I feel so much better...it takes the edge off of all the withdraw symptoms and made it easier for me...a very important thing one needs to do while tryn to detox ur body is drink lots and lots of water...I drink three 32 oz glasses of water a day since I stopped taking lexapro...it seems to help...as the more water you drink the faster it flushes your body and gets rid of the toxins...hang in there...there is light at the end of the tunnel. LIke I said..I have only been on it for five days and feel as if a freight train had ran me over..I can not even imagine the agony those of u that have been on it for months..and years are going through. I have also done some research on natural supplements that I am gonna try after the lexapro is out of my system..I am sharing the link with y'all and perhaps you will want to read into it and see if it is something u would like to try http://www.amoryn.com/help_success.html
http://seredyn.com/help_anxietyherb....FRUHWAodYzwm3g

I was very pleased with what I had read. I wish each and everyone of you the best...it does get better..remember...drink lottttttttttttts of water

[CrashNBurn]

I too was only on it for 5 days (2.5 mg each day). How much did you take? When was your last pill? How long did it take before withdrawal kicked in and what kind of withdrawals did you have?

I'm now starting day 7 since taking my last pill and I woke up weak and a bit out of it. Mostly I've been feeling dazed, confused, dizzy, with concentration problems, and at times becoming emotionally distressed and anxious but not too bad. It's still early days yet so I've got a ways to go yet. I know that after I took 4 days of Zoloft then quit I was fine for exactly 2 weeks then CRASH! I shouldn't have ever gotten back on an SSRI.

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by auntybiotic

Good luck house hunting. It is a buyers market so you will have so many to choose from and probably the best prices in the last seven years. I moved two years ago and it was the most stressful event in my life, packing the boxes and unpacking and putting belongongs in their new home. For months I could not find anything I was looking for and often repurchased an item rather then searching thru boxes for it. I though I was so organized and labeled every box but it was still stressful.

Good luck and I do hope you reconsider posting when you have time.

Do you know if Elazabethmaie is posting at Catherine's site? I am so worried because she has not been online at this forum for quite awhile which is unusual. Please let me know her screenname at the other site so I can check. Do you have a way of reaching her?

aunty

We found a house and are signing contracts today! I'm so excited! It's beautiful...all new carpets/flooring, fresh pain, fireplace, carport, and a nice deck out back with fans! The yard is fenced so my little doggy can play out there with us and the neighborhood is soooo quiet and seems like everyone is nice. The house is at the end of a road so will be quiet and no new houses going up anywhere...it's an older established neighborhood. The house is 33 years old, but they've done so many renivations inside and out it looks brand new. I never thought I'd get an older house...I started out looking for a new one. Funny how things turn out.

It IS sooo stressful though. I've been having heart palps through it all so far. I know it's withdrawal being a little worse because of the stress so I'm just putting up with it. I'm so happy though, I really don't care, lol!

As far as EM, I haven't seen her on Catherine's site. Catherine hasn't posted anything in like 2 weeks...I don't know what the deal is. I've been worried about EM too. I hope she's ok...I don't have her email or anything.

Everyone

Thank you so much for all the kind words you've given me and support. I will still try to post as often as I can and try to help. About the whole Sam-E and St. John's Wort thing, I just figured if Crash had only taken the Lex for 5 days and would wait a couple months before taking the vitamins that would be long enough for that 5 days worth to get out of the system. But I guess from now on I'll say wait a year for everyone...no exceptions, just to be on the safe side. I never want to endanger anyone and only want to help on here. It takes time to write the detailed posts I do , so I may not be able to while moving, but I'll still try to get on here and read and post when I can.

I'll definatly say I'm not a doctor and it's just my opinion next time I give advice. I only hope you all realize that I just want to help and I'm so sorry if I've given any advice that was wrong. That just makes me feel bad, because that's the last thing I want to do.

Crash

So.....DON'T take the Sam-E and St. John's-wort until you've been off the meds for a year just to be on the safe side . I trust Aunty's judgement on this. BUT...you can still try the fish oil for depression. It helped me alot. Take care!

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by Tryn

Hello Everyone...I was just recently puton lexapro and I was in complete misery...I felt a lot of what y'all are feeling going on and coming off..I was only on it for five days before I decided I was not taking it no more..I just stopped taking it cold turkey..five days doesn't seem like a long time to be on it..but the withdraws I had were harsh. A friend told me to consult with my dr and see if he would perscribe the lowest dose of xanax while coming off of this. Xanax helps with anxiety and panic attack. I did that..and I feel so much better...it takes the edge off of all the withdraw symptoms and made it easier for me...a very important thing one needs to do while tryn to detox ur body is drink lots and lots of water...I drink three 32 oz glasses of water a day since I stopped taking lexapro...it seems to help...as the more water you drink the faster it flushes your body and gets rid of the toxins...hang in there...there is light at the end of the tunnel. LIke I said..I have only been on it for five days and feel as if a freight train had ran me over..I can not even imagine the agony those of u that have been on it for months..and years are going through. I have also done some research on natural supplements that I am gonna try after the lexapro is out of my system..I am sharing the link with y'all and perhaps you will want to read into it and see if it is something u would like to try http://www.amoryn.com/help_success.html
http://seredyn.com/help_anxietyherb....FRUHWAodYzwm3g

I was very pleased with what I had read. I wish each and everyone of you the best...it does get better..remember...drink lottttttttttttts of water

Were you ever on any other antidepressants/SSRIs before? Also how old are you?

I would be very careful with the Xanax if I were you...it's very addictive too. Yes it does help with the anxiety, but you will have to slowly get off it when you are done taking it because it also gives bad withdrawals. It's so normal for a doctor to put you on another medicine to counter withdrawals from a previous med...THEN have withdrawals from that one too, then they put you on more meds and so forth.

In my opinion I would get off the Xanax and do natural things for the anxiety like drink Chamomile tea, take magnesium (the powder that you mix with water is great to calm me down), also passionflower is great and Body Calm.
You are just going to go in a viscous circle with the Xanax...really consider getting off it and just doing natural things for the anxiety.

*I am not a doctor and this is just my opinion.

[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, tinnitus, dizziness, squeezing head, 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. Severe tinnitus, neck pain, and very, very tired, especially after I have been eating, sometimes I can hardly lift my hands:
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? And how common is this ringing in my ears always? It seems to never stop.

[auntybiotic]

Congrats, the house sounds awesome!!!!

You are SO lucky. A wonderful, understanding husband and a new house..............WOW!!!

I don't think 5 days of being on Lexapro would have hurt with the Same E........ and I may have even gave the same advice as you did.
We all know that you are always caring and offer the greatest advice...............you are so precise and take so much time for everyone. This forum will surely miss your daily dedicated postings. Of course if any of us were doctors we would not even be posting here because they all believe that lexapro does not cause withdrawals. LOL!!!

I know how time consuming packing is but please find the time to post and keep us informed about the moving process. When is settlement?

I am so worried about Elizabethmarie, maybe she had to go to the nursing home. I sure hope not. Even Hairy, Nonoctural and Kimbertoo..where are you???

[Julia77]

It seems like I am depressed..I had a little distressing episode a couple of days ago, ( Schnauzer, I mentioned it in my e-mail to you-, but it seemed like it all alone could hardly have been a reason for it. But ever since, third day in a row I've been feeling down. Today I hardly slept.

I am in my 5th months since starting to taper off 2.5 mg. Right now I am on as low as .08 mg of liquids. Can it be a wave a withdrawal and if it was triggered by normal human emotions, would I ever be able to handle stress without medications?

Anyways, what do I do about it now? I keep doing things, but in a little automatic way. I take Fish Oil , what else can I take to help me go through this now? I also exercise and will drag myself out for a little walk now.

Sorry for this.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by 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, tinnitus, dizziness, squeezing head, 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. Severe tinnitus, neck pain, and very, very tired, especially after I have been eating, sometimes I can hardly lift my hands:
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? And how common is this ringing in my ears always? It seems to never stop.

This is withdrawals forum, and I don't think there will be many people here who recovered completely yet. However, I do think that this is possible, even though I am struggling, too. I have not read all postings on this forum, but I remember some of them where people mentioned they were able to recover from a serious kind of mental shakeup.
Ringing in your ears is very common for withdrawals. It will get better with the time. I remember having this annoying sound in my ears 24/7 around month 3 since starting tapering. I also know that months 4-5 are the worst in terms of withdrawals. You will get through this... remain patient and patience and love is the answer.

[Tryn]

Originally Posted by CrashNBurn

I too was only on it for 5 days (2.5 mg each day). How much did you take? When was your last pill? How long did it take before withdrawal kicked in and what kind of withdrawals did you have?

I'm now starting day 7 since taking my last pill and I woke up weak and a bit out of it. Mostly I've been feeling dazed, confused, dizzy, with concentration problems, and at times becoming emotionally distressed and anxious but not too bad. It's still early days yet so I've got a ways to go yet. I know that after I took 4 days of Zoloft then quit I was fine for exactly 2 weeks then CRASH! I shouldn't have ever gotten back on an SSRI.

I started on ten miligrams. The last day I took it was friday 10/5/07. I am only on my second day without taking it...I will not be going back on a ssri either...I am tryn the all natural supplement as I had posted earlier. But I do not want to take anything until I am certain the lexapro is out of my system.
I am 41 years old.

[Tryn]

Originally Posted by SchnauzerTime

Were you ever on any other antidepressants/SSRIs before? Also how old are you?

I would be very careful with the Xanax if I were you...it's very addictive too. Yes it does help with the anxiety, but you will have to slowly get off it when you are done taking it because it also gives bad withdrawals. It's so normal for a doctor to put you on another medicine to counter withdrawals from a previous med...THEN have withdrawals from that one too, then they put you on more meds and so forth.

In my opinion I would get off the Xanax and do natural things for the anxiety like drink Chamomile tea, take magnesium (the powder that you mix with water is great to calm me down), also passionflower is great and Body Calm.
You are just going to go in a viscous circle with the Xanax...really consider getting off it and just doing natural things for the anxiety.

*I am not a doctor and this is just my opinion.

No I have not been on anything else. I am 41 years old. I have only taken on half of one xanax pill....so far I feel no need to take anymore as I am feeling ok...it was the painful pins and needles sensation that I could not take....now those have seemed to subside so I will not be taking anymore xanax...ty for ur comment. Did I read right...I should wait a year before tryn the natural herbal supplement? Even though I was only taking this for five days???

[Tryn]

Originally Posted by CrashNBurn

I too was only on it for 5 days (2.5 mg each day). How much did you take? When was your last pill? How long did it take before withdrawal kicked in and what kind of withdrawals did you have?

I'm now starting day 7 since taking my last pill and I woke up weak and a bit out of it. Mostly I've been feeling dazed, confused, dizzy, with concentration problems, and at times becoming emotionally distressed and anxious but not too bad. It's still early days yet so I've got a ways to go yet. I know that after I took 4 days of Zoloft then quit I was fine for exactly 2 weeks then CRASH! I shouldn't have ever gotten back on an SSRI.

The withdraws I seem to be experiencing is tingling..dizziness..some blurred vision at times. A lot of the ones I had when I started taking the meds. I also get sweats..chills..sinusitis like symptoms.

[Return2Homeostasis]

Seek, first, the kingdom of heaven; and, all, shall be added!!!

[Hopeful 285]

Hi everyone,

Elizabethmaria emailed me some days ago. She had to go to the emergency room because as she was trying to walk, the muscles of her chest and throat were having difficulty as well so it was hard
to breathe and eat...She is ok now, but she is supposed to stay quiet.

[Hopeful 285]

Please don't quit cold turkey!!!
This is one of my scariest posts that I've shared and you may not want to read it if you can't handle the stress right now. I have not revealed the extent of what I am going through until now. I did not want to bring anyone down, but I need to tell the truth to anyone who is wanting to quit cold turkey.
I quit cold turkey November 2006. Although I have had some better days, I am still having some very difficult days.
My hardest is in the center of my brain I have sensations that never go away. I have had these for 11 months. Sometimes it is hot and painful, sometimes tingles, sometimes numb, sometimes it feels very smothering like someone took a cloth and put around the center part of my brain. It makes me feel much panic. The smothering is worse than when I feel the pain or numbness. If I over react it gets worse. My brain is smothering and I'm trying to remain calm. If I cry it intensifies and I feel like the center of my brain is swelling and getting tighter.
I feel like I can't breath when I have the smothering feeling and I pray to God I won't die and I won't become paralyzed.
It is hard to sleep at times. Lately it has been bad again.
I tried taking melatonin to sleep. Don't ever do this. It gives you so much anxiety and makes you feel out of control. I take honey and it helps if I am not having too bad of a night.
If I stay busy the sensations don't go away but it helps me to try to ignore it. I feel weak because of anemia and I go through bouts of falling but I keep going because I don't want to feel the sensations so strong. Stillness makes it worse. I feel claustrophobic.
I still feel disconnected and sometimes I think I should get on Xanax but I think that I won't get better with another toxin in my head. I am a different person than I used to be. No one knows just how different because I try to act the same. I laugh and joke just like I used to. When I do this it feels louder than the sensations in my brain and it helps me to ignore it. Sometimes I wonder if it is eating my brain. I wonder if it is like a disease that is growing.
If you met me in person you may not even know there is anything going on if I am having a better day with the movement disorder.
Everyday I have uncontrolled movements. I have tourette's-like tics (uncontrolled respiratory gasps and voice blurts uncontrollably louder), head jerks and bobs, left leg dips, shoulders shimmy, butt shakes, I bend over, my whole body jerks when I lay on my right side, I go into complete squats and come back up, and I fall on some days.
Sometimes I get a weird gait. A man told me that I walk like a duck. Sometimes I use a cane.
Everyday is different. If you have iron deficiency you are more vulnerable to the movement disorders. If my iron level gets low, movements are worse.
I feel very ill. I don't think I look ill except for the dark circles under my eyes. I am very stubborn and I still do things. I want to try to stay productive. I am unable to work right now because I am not dependable and do things as I can on a day to day basis.
I feel very alone except when I get on this site. No one understands how debilitating this is to your mind. I am afraid that my brain being so unhealthy may make me vulnerable to mental illnesses such as Altzheimers an Parkinson's.
These are things I am feeling now at 11 months cold turkey. It is still very dark, but I still have hope and believe God is leading me in a direction to help others. He didn't give this to me, but he can turn bad into good.
If I can help others to recognize what SSRI's can do, all this is well worth it.
I have not given up and am fighting everyday. I am struggling to be healthy again.
I read in Dr Ann Blake Tracy's book that she witnessed someone in withdrawal at 3 years. I hope I am not one of those but if I am, I will still be fighting the fight. We have to.

Don't feel sorry for me. I have a wonderful God and a wonderful family and I have plans to make it. I only wanted to write this because I don't want you to quit cold turkey.
One day I'll be a witness for all the long term sufferers that you do get better.
All of us here witness to someone.

God Bless,

[tavee]

tinnitus is very common.
ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO I HAD A SITUATION WHERE I WAS SITTING AT MY DINING ROOM TABLE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY LEFT EAR JUST BECAME MUFFLED AND I COULDNT HEAR ANYTHING. I WAS TERRIFIED. I TRIED EVERYTHING. I CALLED THE PHARMACY ETCC..
I EVEN WENT TO THE DOCTOR AND SHE COULDNT FIND ANYTHING. 2 DAYS LATER I WAS ABLE TO HEAR AGAIN. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT IT WAS WITHDRAWALS FROM TAPERING.

YOU WILL FEEL AND GO THRU A LOT OF STRANGE THINGS.
TRY TO BE PATIENT, EXERCISE AND TAKE YOUR SUPPLEMENTS.

TAVEE

[Julia77]

Tavee,

Thank you! I just e-mailed you back.

[Hopeful 285]

Are Cherries the New Wonder Fruit?
Source Excepts: Bob Trott - a freelance writer from Seattle
http://www.labelmesane.com/solutions...nder_fruit.htm

Science suggests they're good for more than just pies. For decades, cherries slid by on reputation only. The tangy little orbs of deliciousness have been credited with an array of health advantages, from soothing gout and arthritis to helping with a good night’s sleep.

Without hard data, though, such claims were dismissed as proverbial old wives’ tales. Well, sometimes old wives know what they’re talking about.“It was always anecdotal, but it’s been reported so frequently, by so many different people, that you have to think there may be something to it,” says Dr. Russell J. Reiter, professor of neuroendocrinology at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.Reiter recently put some hard science behind the cherry folklore. He conducted a five-month study and found that tart cherries contain significant amounts of melatonin — a hormone produced in the brain’s pineal gland that has been credited with slowing the aging process, and fighting insomnia and jet lag. It’s also being studied as a potential treatment for cancer, depression and other diseases and disorders. The findings mark the first time melatonin has been pegged as a naturally occurring substance in food, although trace amounts are evident in bananas, corn and other foods, Reiter says. “The combination of antioxidants in cherries can be very beneficial,” Reiter says.
While Reiter’s study gave cherries some health bonafides, Patricia Leischner already knew the fruit was making her feel better.Leischner, 63, lives on a farm about 25 miles north of Springfield, Ill., and has suffered from back trouble — she had surgery in 1996 — and arthritis for years. “My problem was I couldn’t get my hose on, my husband always had to help me with my hose,” Leischner says. “In the mornings I’d awaken with pain in my back. If I tried to clap with my hands, I couldn’t because of my big arthritic knuckles.”“There is such a huge push now in our health system, not only how long you live but also the quality of your life while you’re alive,” says Underwood, 67. “I firmly believe that there’s absolutely no doubt the compounds in these cherries, if taken on a daily basis, definitely have an impact on joint inflammation. And the amount of antioxidants is good for the immune system and other things that don’t have anything to do with that kind of pain and gout.”The key is the fruit’s skin and pigmentation, where antioxidants called anthocyanins are found. A 1999 study at Michigan State University found that the antioxidant activity of tart black cherries is greater than that of Vitamin E, according to the Moss Report, a cancer treatment and referral service.

Cherries have been popular snack for centuries. In America, French settlers planted pits near the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes as they settled there, eventually founding Detroit and other cities in Michigan. A Presbyterian minister, Peter Dougherty, planted cherry trees near Traverse City, and the state’s first commercial tart cherry orchards were established near that spot at Ridgewood Farm, in 1893.

Underwood says cherries have been associated with pie and other deserts long enough, and “now it’s time to take a look at the other side, the healthy side.” ***


Cherries
Source: The Fruit Institute

There are new reasons to love tart cherries. America’s ruby-red fruit is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients. In addition, Montmorency frozen tart cherries have a low glycemic index. Today, thousands of people depend on the anti-inflammatory properties found in Tart Cherries to treat their Arthritis and Gout symptoms.

Scientific tests show that tart cherry juice concentrate has 12,800 ORAC units per 100 grams of concentrate. This is a very high value, significantly higher than other fruits, including prunes, blueberries and strawberries. The ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) tests, which were conducted by Brunswick Laboratories in Wareham, Massachusetts, quantifies how many antioxidants are in a food and how powerful they are. Brunswick Labs is a leader in ORAC testing and has set the standard for other testing companies.

Dried cherries have 6,800 ORAC units per 100 grams; frozen tart cherries, 2,033 units and canned tart cherries, 1,700 units. Other fruits that have been tested range from 700 to 5,700 ORAC units per 100 grams. Nutritionists suggest that people consume 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC units per day to have an impact on health.

Tart cherries have 19 times as much vitamin A and beta carotene as strawberries and blueberries. They also are high in fiber and potassium and contain iron, magnesium, vitamins C, B6, E and folic acid; they have virtually no fat and no sodium. “This variety of nutrients in tart cherries translates into good nutrition,” says Rainville. A complete nutritional analysis of tart cherries was recently done on frozen, canned and dried tart cherries as well as tart cherry juice concentrate.

Montmorency tart cherries were also tested for glycemic index (GI) at the Glycemic Index Laboratories in Toronto, Canada. Montmorency frozen tart cherries showed a low GI. The GI is a system that ranks foods by how they affect blood sugar levels in the body. Low GI foods produce a gradual rise in blood sugar that’s easy on the body. Foods with high GI numbers make blood sugar as well as insulin level spike fast. Foods are ranked as low, medium and high.(source: Cherry Marketing Institute).

[Danx]

I've been back at 18mg for a few weeks now and was feeling much much better. So much better that I forgot to take my pill one day. That was about 4-5 days ago and I still felt okay until today. Back to having symptoms like sweating and heart palpatitions. Is this normal for a skipped pill to cause problems 4-5 days later? And how long should it last?

And yes, I'm still knitting.

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by Hopeful 285

Are Cherries the New Wonder Fruit?
Source Excepts: Bob Trott - a freelance writer from Seattle
http://www.labelmesane.com/solutions...nder_fruit.htm

Science suggests they're good for more than just pies. For decades, cherries slid by on reputation only. The tangy little orbs of deliciousness have been credited with an array of health advantages, from soothing gout and arthritis to helping with a good night’s sleep.

Without hard data, though, such claims were dismissed as proverbial old wives’ tales. Well, sometimes old wives know what they’re talking about.“It was always anecdotal, but it’s been reported so frequently, by so many different people, that you have to think there may be something to it,” says Dr. Russell J. Reiter, professor of neuroendocrinology at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.Reiter recently put some hard science behind the cherry folklore. He conducted a five-month study and found that tart cherries contain significant amounts of melatonin — a hormone produced in the brain’s pineal gland that has been credited with slowing the aging process, and fighting insomnia and jet lag. It’s also being studied as a potential treatment for cancer, depression and other diseases and disorders. The findings mark the first time melatonin has been pegged as a naturally occurring substance in food, although trace amounts are evident in bananas, corn and other foods, Reiter says. “The combination of antioxidants in cherries can be very beneficial,” Reiter says.
While Reiter’s study gave cherries some health bonafides, Patricia Leischner already knew the fruit was making her feel better.Leischner, 63, lives on a farm about 25 miles north of Springfield, Ill., and has suffered from back trouble — she had surgery in 1996 — and arthritis for years. “My problem was I couldn’t get my hose on, my husband always had to help me with my hose,” Leischner says. “In the mornings I’d awaken with pain in my back. If I tried to clap with my hands, I couldn’t because of my big arthritic knuckles.”“There is such a huge push now in our health system, not only how long you live but also the quality of your life while you’re alive,” says Underwood, 67. “I firmly believe that there’s absolutely no doubt the compounds in these cherries, if taken on a daily basis, definitely have an impact on joint inflammation. And the amount of antioxidants is good for the immune system and other things that don’t have anything to do with that kind of pain and gout.”The key is the fruit’s skin and pigmentation, where antioxidants called anthocyanins are found. A 1999 study at Michigan State University found that the antioxidant activity of tart black cherries is greater than that of Vitamin E, according to the Moss Report, a cancer treatment and referral service.

Cherries have been popular snack for centuries. In America, French settlers planted pits near the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes as they settled there, eventually founding Detroit and other cities in Michigan. A Presbyterian minister, Peter Dougherty, planted cherry trees near Traverse City, and the state’s first commercial tart cherry orchards were established near that spot at Ridgewood Farm, in 1893.

Underwood says cherries have been associated with pie and other deserts long enough, and “now it’s time to take a look at the other side, the healthy side.” ***


Cherries
Source: The Fruit Institute

There are new reasons to love tart cherries. America’s ruby-red fruit is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients. In addition, Montmorency frozen tart cherries have a low glycemic index. Today, thousands of people depend on the anti-inflammatory properties found in Tart Cherries to treat their Arthritis and Gout symptoms.

Scientific tests show that tart cherry juice concentrate has 12,800 ORAC units per 100 grams of concentrate. This is a very high value, significantly higher than other fruits, including prunes, blueberries and strawberries. The ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) tests, which were conducted by Brunswick Laboratories in Wareham, Massachusetts, quantifies how many antioxidants are in a food and how powerful they are. Brunswick Labs is a leader in ORAC testing and has set the standard for other testing companies.

Dried cherries have 6,800 ORAC units per 100 grams; frozen tart cherries, 2,033 units and canned tart cherries, 1,700 units. Other fruits that have been tested range from 700 to 5,700 ORAC units per 100 grams. Nutritionists suggest that people consume 3,000 to 5,000 ORAC units per day to have an impact on health.

Tart cherries have 19 times as much vitamin A and beta carotene as strawberries and blueberries. They also are high in fiber and potassium and contain iron, magnesium, vitamins C, B6, E and folic acid; they have virtually no fat and no sodium. “This variety of nutrients in tart cherries translates into good nutrition,” says Rainville. A complete nutritional analysis of tart cherries was recently done on frozen, canned and dried tart cherries as well as tart cherry juice concentrate.

Montmorency tart cherries were also tested for glycemic index (GI) at the Glycemic Index Laboratories in Toronto, Canada. Montmorency frozen tart cherries showed a low GI. The GI is a system that ranks foods by how they affect blood sugar levels in the body. Low GI foods produce a gradual rise in blood sugar that’s easy on the body. Foods with high GI numbers make blood sugar as well as insulin level spike fast. Foods are ranked as low, medium and high.(source: Cherry Marketing Institute).

The tart cherry from Body Calm did not help me at all . So maybe it helps some people but not me for some reason. The only thing I've found to help me sleep is passionflower.

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by Danx

I've been back at 18mg for a few weeks now and was feeling much much better. So much better that I forgot to take my pill one day. That was about 4-5 days ago and I still felt okay until today. Back to having symptoms like sweating and heart palpatitions. Is this normal for a skipped pill to cause problems 4-5 days later? And how long should it last?

And yes, I'm still knitting.

I would say, yes, that's normal. Don't worry...it will get better. Just keep remembering to take it. I think I forgot to take mine yesterday cause I've been so busy with the house stuff :/. So I'm freaked out in a couple days I may feel bad. But yeah, when you miss a pill some people feel it the very next day but some have delayed reactions like you did. It's totally normal and should pass in a day or 2 I would think.

*I'm not a doctor and this is just my opinion.

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by Tryn

No I have not been on anything else. I am 41 years old. I have only taken on half of one xanax pill....so far I feel no need to take anymore as I am feeling ok...it was the painful pins and needles sensation that I could not take....now those have seemed to subside so I will not be taking anymore xanax...ty for ur comment. Did I read right...I should wait a year before tryn the natural herbal supplement? Even though I was only taking this for five days???

The safest thing to do would be to wait a year, but personally if it was me and I had only taken an SSRI for 5 days I would try after 2-3 months. And it's only the Sam-E and St. John's-wort you have to worry about, not other supplements.

*I'm not a doctor and this is just my opinion.

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by 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, tinnitus, dizziness, squeezing head, 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. Severe tinnitus, neck pain, and very, very tired, especially after I have been eating, sometimes I can hardly lift my hands:
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? And how common is this ringing in my ears always? It seems to never stop.

I know everyone wants a definate answer as to recovery from these meds ( I sure did), but I really can't give you one. I know on other sites I've been to people have recovered after a SLOW taper fine. The ones that tapered fast or cold turkied in general have more problems and takes longer for them to recover. It just really depends on how high a dose you were on, how fast you tapered, if you eat healthy and so on.

There are some people that were on a TON of these meds at once , I'm talking 4-5 at one time, and they recovered. It took years, but they are OK and working and living nnormal lives. The only thing that sticks around permanently for some is the sensitivness to sound and light. That can be permanent, but just for some people. Also, some have a permanent thing about food they eat. Alot are always sensitive to things like sugar, caffeine and greasy/fattening foods. And this is also a permanent thing some people have.

It doesn't mean everyone will have these permanent things...but some do. They aren't life threatening and it's not that bad if you just continue to eat healthy and take your vitamins. It's impossible to say how long it will take you to recover...just know it CAN be a long road ahead. Or it could not, you just have to play it by ear and take it day by day. But don't get discouraged and people DO come out of this just fine. Hairyarmidillo is one that is fine today, she is on this site. The only thing she has to watch is she has a sensitivity to caffeine...that's it.

SO there IS hope .

*I'm not a doctor and this is just my opinion.