[CrashNBurn]

I take Omega 3 (Coromega) daily and try never to eat sugar, alcohol, or caffeine. I was taking B-50 but my body is really sensitive to supplements and it always made me jittery. I do take vit C a few times a week though. How about you?

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by CrashNBurn

I take Omega 3 (Coromega) daily and try never to eat sugar, alcohol, or caffeine. I was taking B-50 but my body is really sensitive to supplements and it always made me jittery. I do take vit C a few times a week though. How about you?

I take a whole bunch. Omega 3, Magnesium to reduce anxiety works wonderfully on me! Coral Calcium before I go to sleep, B complex throughout the day. I also have Calms Forte and will try it today. Alcohol seems deadly to me now, even the smell of it.

Yeah...and I am also sensitive to many smells, let it be perfumes or cigarettes.. makes me so sick.

[Danx]

It's been 7 days or so since I accidently skipped a dose of Lexapro and tonight I am really suffering, lots of heart palpatations, anxiety, etc. I will never skip a pill again. This really sucks. Coming on here and posting seems to help a little for some reason. I hope this stops soon.

[Rosalinde]

Danx, Hang in there. Your body should straighten out from the missed dose soon.

I am down from 10 mg to 5.3 mg. Still decreasing 10% every two weeks, which seems to be working for me. I know the supplements I am taking are helping a great deal.

This week has been the first week I have felt a little bit like myself since starting this drug! I still have the brain dead feelings at times, but more and more I seem to be coming out of this fog! It is very encouraging. I am surprised as I did not think I would feel better until completely off. No weight loss though. I started this at 127 pounds and am now 160, even with regular exercise and healthy eating. I'm down to my last pair of jeans that fit...

Will keep everybody posted on when and how the weight starts to come off.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by Rosalinde

Danx, Hang in there. Your body should straighten out from the missed dose soon.

I am down from 10 mg to 5.3 mg. Still decreasing 10% every two weeks, which seems to be working for me. I know the supplements I am taking are helping a great deal.

This week has been the first week I have felt a little bit like myself since starting this drug! I still have the brain dead feelings at times, but more and more I seem to be coming out of this fog! It is very encouraging. I am surprised as I did not think I would feel better until completely off. No weight loss though. I started this at 127 pounds and am now 160, even with regular exercise and healthy eating. I'm down to my last pair of jeans that fit...

Will keep everybody posted on when and how the weight starts to come off.

Could you please post which supplements you are taking?

Read my post on weight. It WILL come off. Let me know if you could find it.

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by SL500

Hey....I switched from effexor directly to lex - it took about a month or two to get used to it. I used to gag and be nausous every morning for about a month or two - they thought I was prego!! But I wasn't. It was the med. I have been getting that again in the morning, so I guess it is the med getting back into my body. The only thing that bugs me is the crying and feeling down. I haven't had that since I switched the meds a few months back now that I think about it. I am also tired all of the time. I don't remember being 100% side effect free because I still had some anxiety and was always tired. I tried to up the klonz the other night, but it did nothing. I have been reading up on it also (aside from the lex) and found that this drug can do this to you also, so I found a way to taper off of that through a yahoo.com site about benzos. Its a water titration taper. I am going to probably start it on 11/1. To give myself another few weeks to stable out. Its a daily taper 1% a day (for the most part).

I also stopped taking the omega fish oil, it was making me feel weird and it's supposibly not good to take with the benzos. Once I am off of that, I am going to start with the additional vitamins/supplements. I also ordered those multi-vitamins you suggested - I'm just waiting for them to arrive. I had emailed that woman Catherine that you told me about and posted on her site. I heard back from her once and never seen my post on her site. It was a little weird.

Aunty or anyone else - are you familiar with any type of benzo w/d's

Julia - How much lex did you start off with when you first went on? As I read in another post, it took you about two months for your body to get used to it?

Thank you everyone for your support through this...there is only so much family and friends understand when they aren't going through this.

Yeah, I know nothing about the benzos. About Catherine's site...she is a little slow getting back to people so you may not see your post for a couple weeks. I posted like a month ago and it's still not up there, LOL! She does know more about this stuff, but it is hard to get in touch with her.

I don't know if you should start tapering if you aren't feeling well though. You are suppossed to wait until you feel generally OK before tapering anything...I know that much, no matter what meds you are on. But try to ask Catherine again...maybe in a private email, to see what she thinks.

P.S. I know about the nausea thing firsthand! I think it's probably withdrawal from switching from the Effexor to the Lex...it was that way with me but hit me in the 4th month of the switcheroo from Paxil to Lex.

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by tavee

Are U Sure U Are Having Side Effects From The Lex??

I Dont Know If Missing One Pill Would Determine That U Are Having Side Effects From The Lex.
That Doesnt Make Sense, But Then Again U Know Ure Body.
I Didnt Have Any Side Effects When I Went On It And When I Missed A Pill One Night I Didnt Feel Anything.

That Would Be Great If U Start Tapering. Im So Excited For U But Be Careful.

Im Here If U Need Me.

Tavee

Yeah, I'm almost 100% sure it's side effects. The Lex seems to act VERY fast for me...it's different for everyone. But I know when my doctor told me to cut down from 10mg to 5mg, I had horrible anxiety later in that day, and the next day I cried all day long and had bad nausea. So for me it hits very fast when I don't take it. I'm sure it has something to do with being in withdrawals from Paxil and Wellbutrin too. It probably makes me more sensitive if I miss a pill.

All I know is the day I forgot to take it I had none of the nervous energy, heart palps, slight dizziness/slight nausea at all. And the very next day when I took it , about an hour later it all started. So....I can't wait to get off this stuff after we settle down in our new house.

[SchnauzerTime]

I will try to post a couple posts every day if I can but my schedule is SLAMMED right now! I will try to check in mornings and night if I can...I was so exhausted I fell asleep at 8:30 last night, lol!

Anyway, if the people that have been her awhile can just try to help out that would be great. Just basically help with stuff like if someone just quit the med cold turkey, tell them to reinstate and get the liquid Lex and taper at no more than 10% at a time...stuff like that.

Thanks guys and hope you are all doing well ( I didn't get a chance to read everything). Take care .

[shaky1]

My doctor placed me on lexapro about 5 weeks ago. I immediately suFFered From side eFFects, sweating, agitation, worsening oF depression and anxiety and sweating. When I called the oFFice to tell her aFter two weeks she said stop taking it at once. Not knowing better I quit cold turkey. Most oF the side eFFects stopped, but I still have tremors in my hands and occasionaly the rest oF my body. They are NOT resting tremors, they happen when I hold my hands out or try and hold the phone to my ear, etc. They were never an issue beFore the Lexapro and the clonazepam (which I also stopped cold turkey a week later). Is this happening to anyone else? Will it go away?

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by shaky1

My doctor placed me on lexapro about 5 weeks ago. I immediately suFFered From side eFFects, sweating, agitation, worsening oF depression and anxiety and sweating. When I called the oFFice to tell her aFter two weeks she said stop taking it at once. Not knowing better I quit cold turkey. Most oF the side eFFects stopped, but I still have tremors in my hands and occasionaly the rest oF my body. They are NOT resting tremors, they happen when I hold my hands out or try and hold the phone to my ear, etc. They were never an issue beFore the Lexapro and the clonazepam (which I also stopped cold turkey a week later). Is this happening to anyone else? Will it go away?

You basically cold turkeyed two medications at the same time. So you are most likely to have withdrawals from both of them. And even though you had been on them for only 5 weeks, you will feel withdrawals. Don't worry, they do go away slowly. The best way is to taper slowly after you feel normal on your usual dose, but it wasn't your case.
So I think the best you can do is just hang in there. I had both resting and spontaneous tremours... they are caused by the medication.

[shaky1]

They wanted to try me on some new meds but I said no. So I am not on anything right now. Thank you so much For writing in reply. I have been a nervous wreck. I am hypersensitive a lot and have the body jolts too. Just want this stuFF out oF my system ya know? Can't believe my dr. didn't tell me to take it slow. I really appreciate your inormation! Thank you.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by shaky1

They wanted to try me on some new meds but I said no. So I am not on anything right now. Thank you so much For writing in reply. I have been a nervous wreck. I am hypersensitive a lot and have the body jolts too. Just want this stuFF out oF my system ya know? Can't believe my dr. didn't tell me to take it slow. I really appreciate your inormation! Thank you.

I would really recommend you to start to take supplements to easen your condition. They work amazingly on some people. They do work amazingly on me, too. Do NOT take herbs like St. John's Wort, Sam E or 5HTP until a year off the meds. They somehow make the situation even worse.

For anxiety/muscle aches try to take Magnesium.
For insomnia coral calcium.
Start to take Fish Oil by Carlson's brand for depression.

What was the dose when you coldturkied? I tried to quit the medication (2.5 mg) altogether last Christmas and became a real nervous wreck. I knew very little about the withdrawals then. So I had to reinstate the dose and go slowly. I am down to .08 mg and still feel a whole bunch of withdrawals symptoms, it seems like I am hypersensitive to this drug.

Stick to this forum. It has helped me so much through difficult times. There are amazing people here...

[shaky1]

Hi Again Julia. I was on 10mg Lexapro and .5 mg Clonazepam 2x daily (but I usually only took 1). Yes, I read some of the previous posts so I went out to the kitchen and took some B-12, magnesium and Calcium w/ vitamin D. Wasn't doing so well when I wrote earlier, but then all of a sudden about 8:00 tonight I came out of it and felt better than I have in weeks. Don't know if it was the vitamins or not, but right now I feel about 90%. Considering that at this time last night I was at about 30% and most of the last few weeks maybe worse off than that, I am the happiest person in the world at the moment. I plan on sticking with you guys. Seems like everyone here has good advice to offer. I truly appreciate yours! Have a wonderul weekend. Hope you finish the tapering soon. I'm sure you'll be relieved when you do! DO you know how much longer you'll be working towards it?

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by shaky1

Hi Again Julia. I was on 10mg Lexapro and .5 mg Clonazepam 2x daily (but I usually only took 1). Yes, I read some of the previous posts so I went out to the kitchen and took some B-12, magnesium and Calcium w/ vitamin D. Wasn't doing so well when I wrote earlier, but then all of a sudden about 8:00 tonight I came out of it and felt better than I have in weeks. Don't know if it was the vitamins or not, but right now I feel about 90%. Considering that at this time last night I was at about 30% and most of the last few weeks maybe worse off than that, I am the happiest person in the world at the moment. I plan on sticking with you guys. Seems like everyone here has good advice to offer. I truly appreciate yours! Have a wonderul weekend. Hope you finish the tapering soon. I'm sure you'll be relieved when you do! DO you know how much longer you'll be working towards it?

Were you switched from another med to the Lex? If so, the effects you were feeling for a couple weeks on the Lex was more than likely withdrawals from the previous med. The Lex can cause side effects but normally after a month or 2 they go away...if you weren't on another med before the Lex it was probably just side effects from starting the med and they would have slowly gotten better if given another month or 2. Now if you were having side effects like itching/burning skin , that is allergies to the med and you should have gotten off of it ASAP. But in your case it was either withdrawals from a previous med or just side effects and you should have tapered off the Lex slower instead of cold turkeying.

How long have you been off the Lex completely? If your withdrawals are horrible and you can't stand them you can go back on the 10mg and taper slowly at not more than 10% each taper. But if they aren't that bad you can give it up to 6-8 weeks off the Lex and see how you do. If you wait longer than 6-8 weeks to reinstate the med, it could be worse and give you more withdrawals than you have now.

Keep in mind also when you cold turkey these meds that withdrawals just don't go away after a month or so. They keep coming back. You can have weeks at a time of feeling like you're getting better then withdrawals hit again. This goes on for normally 12-18 months for people. This is just a general time-frame of healing...some people come out of it faster...some slower. It depends if you've ever been on another SSRI/antidepressant before and the dose you're on and how long you've taken it. Since you've only been on Lex 5 weeks, it shouldn't be that bad unless you are really sensitive to it...but it sounds like you aren't. Now, if you were on another med before the Lex...how long were you on that one and at what dose?

If you weren't on anything before the Lex in your case it may be better just to see where you are in another couple weeks of being off of it.

The vitamins are great to take like Julia said...take a good non-synthetic, whole foods vitamin from either www.vitacost.com or your health food store also. A multi is great to take. Also try to eat healthier ...it REALLY lessens the withdrawals. I'm in a double cold turkey withdrawal from Paxil and Wellbutrin and if I eat anything greasy like a burger I feel soooo sick. So stick to fresh foods/veggies, whole wheat instead of white carbs, no grease, no sugar/caffeine (if you have anxiety through this caffeine and sugar are HUGE no nos), and drink a ton of water. Also find a good support group like this one and try to explain what you are going through to family or loved ones so they will understand if you have weird mood swings ( I do all the time). Other than that, just know that it will pass, it may just take awhile, but it will pass.

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

[SchnauzerTime]

You're info was great! Thanks for helping out and keep it up .

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by Danx

It's been 7 days or so since I accidently skipped a dose of Lexapro and tonight I am really suffering, lots of heart palpatations, anxiety, etc. I will never skip a pill again. This really sucks. Coming on here and posting seems to help a little for some reason. I hope this stops soon.

It will pass. Since your body is going through a hard time anyway from a too fast taper before (did I get that right...you did taper too fast then reinstated right?), then of course you will be really sensitive to a missed pill since you aren't completely out of that previous withdrawal. Just keep taking it the same time every day and take your vitamins.

When I tapered the Lex too fast before it took me about a month to get well...so even though you just skipped one pill, it could take longer than that since your body wasn't 100% out of the previous withdrawals. It may take another week or so. These meds are so horrible if you skip a day...I remember I was really sensitive to Paxil and when I would miss a day I would be sick in bed for a couple weeks with nausea, weakness, and diarhea. I couldn't eat anything , it was bad.

So I wouldn't get freaked out...just wait another week and by then you should be feeling better.

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

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by CrashNBurn

I take Omega 3 (Coromega) daily and try never to eat sugar, alcohol, or caffeine. I was taking B-50 but my body is really sensitive to supplements and it always made me jittery. I do take vit C a few times a week though. How about you?

B vitamins do make alot of people jittery if you take alot of them. So it's good you cut them out. With vitamins you just really have to experiment and see what helps you the most.

Make sure to take a good whole foods multi...some things to help anxiety are magnesium. Take either malate or citrate. You have to see which one is better on your tummy. The citrate gave me diarhea so I take the malate but everyone is different. Take 3 throughout the day with each meal. This will help anxiety through the day. At night try coral calcium...I take 750mg of it at night about an hour before bed. Also I take the Calms Forte from www.vitacost.com . It really helps me sleep...it's just passionflower basically with a little bit of other herbs mixed in. With the herbs though...don't take them with your Lex...I take my Lex in the morning so the passionflower doesn't interfere. But if you take your Lex at night you may not want to take the passionflower too.

Vitamin C is great for the immune system...especially with the flu season coming up . Take about 1000mg of that each day, and if you get sick with the flu or a cold take 2000mg until you're better.

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

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by skyer

Hi Aunty,

Sorry I didn't post sooner, but I work at my store Wed - Sun and it takes all the energy I have. Did you find my one-year post on Paxil Progress? If not, here is the link: http://www.paxilprogress.org/forums/...ad.php?t=30901. I don't post on that site very much; I find it hard to stomach at times even though I'm thankful it exists.

Aunty, I seriously can't thank you enough for your guidance and support. I think if I had relied soley on Paxil Progress for help I would not have been able to keep my chin up at all during the horror that plagued me every day for months. You always had answers for me and information to share that kept me optimistic during the worst of times. I am so relieved to have most of the pain behind me. Unfortunately, I still have lingering symptoms and I struggle with trauma that's left me questioning whether or not I can trust my brain. But I believe that will improve in time.

How is your daughter? I can understand why she would want to quit the Lexapro taper after all this time, but she's come this far and so it's probably best just to stay the course. When will she be finished? Does she have the strange dreams? I still do and I haven't touched the stuff for a year!

You asked about my supplements...as you might recall, I have been a nervous wreck about taking anything, but I did start Carlson's Fish Oil around month seven and it helped a lot. I also have Bach's Rescue Remedy, a formula without the booze that my N.D. makes for me. It really does stop the negative, obsessive thoughts! I haven't needed it for a couple of months now. I feel pretty decent mood-wise. I still stay away from any medications or stimulants. I can tell my system is still very sensitive so I don't take anything my liver needs to break down.

Take care...Skyer

Skyer,
It was great hearing a update. It was my pleasure to help you thru this ordeal and I am so glad that you are feeling better. Working at the store that many days is awesome!

Yes my daughter does still have vivid dreams but not nightmares as often. Still no appetite. I wish this ordeal would be over. I would say it will take about another year as she is so senitive to this horrible drug withdrawls will put her in bed if I taper too fast.

I know you were on lexapro for only six weeks and then quit. What were the severe brain reactions that you spoke of on paxil Progress during your withdrawal from cold turkeying. Can you explain that so I can better understand. What month did they start and how long did they last?It just may help me to help someone else in the future.

Hugs,
aunty

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by Tryn

Hello Everyone...I found this reading and thought I would share...it scared the heck out of me..but yet..let me have an idea of what I could experience.

http://www.theroadback.org/lexapro_side_effects.htm

This totaly freaked me out when I first read it..and yet..the dr's say..it is the mildest antidepresant?

I am on day four since I last took lexapro...still dizzy...have sweats...loss of appetite..but still hangin in there Hang in there everyone

There is no "mild" SSRI out there...my doctor told me the same thing, it's bull! They are pretty much all the same no matter the name of the med. It really all depends on what dose you were on, how long you took it and if you were on another SSRI/antidepressant beforehand as to how bad withdrawals are. And also in you're case if you are sensitive or allergic to the meds too.

Don't let it scare you about all the side effects. You won't have all of them. I know the ones you do get stink though. The dizziness seems to be very common and also the sweats too...I get both those myself and every time I read someone with withdrawal has the dizziness. So you're not having anything out of the ordinary as far as withdrawals go.

BUT you were having out of the ordinary side effects as far as the burning skin and I'm glad you got off it ASAP. That in my mind was an allergic reaction...so in your case I think the best thing would be just to stick it out through the withdrawals instead of reinstating and going slower. It's only been about 5 or 6 days for you so keep in mind it could be another couple of weeks before this passes. Don't get discouraged...just remember it's normal what you're going through and it WILL pass.

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

[SchnauzerTime]

Originally Posted by ejc15

hi everyone. I just found this site today. it's day 5 of being off of Lexapro for me. I started about a year ago and was on 10mg. About 1 month ago I decreased to 5 mg, and then last week came off of it altogether. I didn't realize the dizziness and lightheaded feelings I was experiencing was a result of the withdrawl. It was definitely a relief to read about others having the same problems. Does anyone know about how long they last? Also, can I expect more side effects in the coming days/weeks? I just want to prepare myself as much as possible. Thanks so much for your help!!

You tapered WAY too fast. You need to go back up to the dose you were the most stable on. Did you ever feel 100% normal on 5mg after cutting from 10mg? If not, go back to 10mg until you are 100% normal again. This could take a couple weeks or so after reinstating to 10mg to get better.

After you reinstate, taper at NO MORE than 10% each taper. Get the liquid form of the med from your doctor. If he/she won't give it to you then you can make it at home by crushing your pill and mixing with juice. Let us know if you need to do it that way and we'll explain.

After you taper, withdrawals won't kick in until about a week after the taper....so wait until they hit. They normally last for a couple days to a week or so. DON'T EVER taper again until withdrawals are ALL gone. Then do another 10% of the current dose taper.

EX: If you start at 10mg...your first taper would be 9mg, 10% of 10. So stay on the 9mg until all withdrawals have gone away then taper at 10% of 9mg. This would be 8.1mg. Rinse and repeat .

The SAFEST way to do this would be to get back on the last dose you were stable on and to taper at the 10% intervals. If you choose to cold turkey like you have, you could be sick off and on normally for 12-18 months. Also, more than likely (it's happened to most people that cold turkey) you will go through a very tough time around months 3-5 in which you'll have pretty bad withdrawals. Mine was month 4 after cold turkeying Paxil and I was sick in the bed for a month straight with nausea, weakness, and diarhea. I couldn't get up without almost throwing up. So your best bet would be to get back on it and get off it slowly so you won't have really bad withdrawals.

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

[galensgirl8]

http://www.theroadback.org/aaataper.htm
this has some great information about withdrawl from lexapro.

[shaky1]

Hi Schnauzer,
To answer you question, no I wasn't switched to Lexapro from any other med. It was just clonazepam and Lexapro that I was being prescribed. It gave me horrible side effects. I have never felt so terrible in my life. I am continuing on the vitaimins and plan to look into the coral calcium this evening. Does the fish oil have to be the brand Julia recommended? I feel like each and every day I am coming out of it a bit more. Just trying to pray a lot. Today has been pretty good. A little anxious now but this has been the first time since yesterday afternoon, and it's not bad. Thank you for the advice. You folks here are a big help. I'll beware of the good streches and then the withdrawl popping back up. Hopefully it will be mild but I know where to go if it gets out of hand. I hope you all continue to feel better each day!

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by shaky1

Hi Schnauzer,
To answer you question, no I wasn't switched to Lexapro from any other med. It was just clonazepam and Lexapro that I was being prescribed. It gave me horrible side effects. I have never felt so terrible in my life. I am continuing on the vitaimins and plan to look into the coral calcium this evening. Does the fish oil have to be the brand Julia recommended? I feel like each and every day I am coming out of it a bit more. Just trying to pray a lot. Today has been pretty good. A little anxious now but this has been the first time since yesterday afternoon, and it's not bad. Thank you for the advice. You folks here are a big help. I'll beware of the good streches and then the withdrawl popping back up. Hopefully it will be mild but I know where to go if it gets out of hand. I hope you all continue to feel better each day!

Hey,

So nice to hear you are getting better! I am convinced it will get better and better with the time.
I forgot to suggest exercising. I know it's the toughest advice to follow, but once you start to drag yourself out to move, you will feel such a difference. If you are physically able to get somewhere ( I personally wasn't this week), you will feel it right away.
And if you can't exercise, take a little walk every day to get some fresh air.

Keep us posted about how you are doing.

[Tryn]

[QUOTE=SchnauzerTime;188116]There is no "mild" SSRI out there...my doctor told me the same thing, it's bull! They are pretty much all the same no matter the name of the med. It really all depends on what dose you were on, how long you took it and if you were on another SSRI/antidepressant beforehand as to how bad withdrawals are. And also in you're case if you are sensitive or allergic to the meds too.

Don't let it scare you about all the side effects. You won't have all of them. I know the ones you do get stink though. The dizziness seems to be very common and also the sweats too...I get both those myself and every time I read someone with withdrawal has the dizziness. So you're not having anything out of the ordinary as far as withdrawals go.

BUT you were having out of the ordinary side effects as far as the burning skin and I'm glad you got off it ASAP. That in my mind was an allergic reaction...so in your case I think the best thing would be just to stick it out through the withdrawals instead of reinstating and going slower. It's only been about 5 or 6 days for you so keep in mind it could be another couple of weeks before this passes. Don't get discouraged...just remember it's normal what you're going through and it WILL pass.

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


Hello Everyone...Thanks Snauzertime...it is day 7 for me since I have gotten off lexapro..things are so much better...I am feeling human again. I stillhave some dizziness but it is not bad..I am able to function again. I have been so busy with work and have not had a chance to check in. I hope this finds all doing better with each given day. The Omega 3 1200 mg twice a day seems to have helped a lot while stopping the lexapro. I am feeling so much better. Hang in there everyone..it does get better..just try to be patient.

[HolleyGirl]

Hi everybody it has been along time since I have been on here, so long that I don't even remember when it was. I was having some communication with someone who went by the name Turtlelove. This person had/has a blog that I forgot the website and I was really worried about this person when I was talking to him. He sent me a message on his blog and then I never heard from him again and he was having a REALLY, REALLY HARD TIME !!!! I am trying to find his website again and I see he hasn't been on this site under that name either anytime recently. I remember something about kikit being in the name at least I think it was. Do any of you who have been members along time remember this person by any chance?
Thank you for your help,
HolleyGirl

[shaky1]

Thanks or the kind words. Had a bit of a struggle tonight going out to dinner. Like I said I struggle with the hypersensitivity. But am home and better now. Hardly any hand shaking today so that was awesome! I want to exercise but one of the reasons that I got on the clonazepam in the first place was these muscle twitches I get all over (long story, triggered by stress). So if I exercise they get crazy bad. So I am hating not being able to go for a walk around the neighborhood! Thinking by spring maybe all will be right in the world and I can get out again. But I walked around the mall tonight and that was good. I really appreciate your keepin tabs on me!

[carolleah]

Hi Schnauzer,

Just thought I'd say hello and tell you that I'm thinking of you!

A hero is someone that is selflessly dedicated to others welfare and is open, honest and trustworthy.

You are my hero!

[kwbess2]

I am currently tapering off Lexapro 20 mg. I have followed my Dr.'s schedule and am doing ok. I started with 20mg, 10mg everyother day, for 3 weeks then 10mg everyday for 3 weeks, now 5mg everyday for 3 weeks (which is where I am now) then 5mg. everyother day for 3 weeks.
I tried to skip the 5mg schedule and just take a 10mg whenever I felt I needed it and ended up a mess, so follow this strictly and your daughter should be fine. If she is having withdrawls then she is coming off too fast. It can take 6 months to come off completely without withdrawls. As I said...if she is having bad withdrawls, back up to where she wasn't having them and begin again and follow the schedule. It is very SLOW process.

[tavee]

I Hate To Put A Downer On Ure Taper, But Unfortunately The Taper That Ure Doctor Told U Is Not Good. It Is Actually A Very Fast Taper.
I Hope That I Am Wrong And That U Do Fine With It, But U Must Taper Between 5 And 10% Every 2-3 Weeks.u Can Not Come Off An Antidepressant In Less Than A YEAR WITH NO WITHDRAWALS.
I Am Living Proof AND SO IS EVERYONE ON THIS FORUM. I Am Down To .15 Ml From 10 Mg And It Has Taken Me A Whole Year To Taper With Very Very Minimum Withdrawals.

If U Start Feeling ********************py U Must Reinstate To Ure Previous Dose And Taper 5% Every 2-3 Weeks.

Please Read The Posts From All Of The Members.PLEASE DONT RUSH TO GET OFF THIS MEDICATION BECAUSE U WILL SUFFER.IT IS AN EXTREMELY SLOW PROCESS THAT COULD TAKE UP TO A YEAR.


* I Am Not A Doctor And This Is Just From Experience And Personal Opinion

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by kwbess2

I am currently tapering off Lexapro 20 mg. I have followed my Dr.'s schedule and am doing ok. I started with 20mg, 10mg everyother day, for 3 weeks then 10mg everyday for 3 weeks, now 5mg everyday for 3 weeks (which is where I am now) then 5mg. everyother day for 3 weeks.
I tried to skip the 5mg schedule and just take a 10mg whenever I felt I needed it and ended up a mess, so follow this strictly and your daughter should be fine. If she is having withdrawls then she is coming off too fast. It can take 6 months to come off completely without withdrawls. As I said...if she is having bad withdrawls, back up to where she wasn't having them and begin again and follow the schedule. It is very SLOW process.

I tapered your way last year and had to go back on SSRI. I really wish you well but there is a very low chance you will feel good tapering this way. At least you should know: if you start to feel weird and awkward and depressed they are withdrawals and DO NOT let your doctor label you with anything else like I was.
I know everyone is different. I seem to be extremely sensitive and have to taper off 0.1 mg ( I assume it's hard to believe, but this is what it is ).