[Ohwell]

56 days off, thanks for all the help.

[auntybiotic]

You and your brother are in my prayers. Have your brother use positive imaging and imagine that with each breath he is cleansing himself of the cancer. Positive thinking and therapy will really help. A friend of mine had Chemo for lukemia and it went in remission for amost 17 years.

Positive thinking and imaging has been shown to cure cancer. I have listened to a audio tape on it. Let me see if i can remember the title so you can buy it for your brother. He will overcome this.......................for sure. Tell him to stay away from all sugar and white carbs. Cancer cells require sugar to live.

[auntybiotic]

Congrats. How are you. Any withdrawals. How did you taper?

Originally Posted by Ohwell

56 days off, thanks for all the help.

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by Ohwell

56 days off, thanks for all the help.

I have a friend using the Brant Diet that had cancer that could not be operated on and is doing amazingly well.

http://www.cancertutor.com/Cancer/GrapeCure.html

http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=4221

http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=4221
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0924122932.htm
http://www.stemcellnews.com/articles...e-leukemia.htm

Schnausertime,

There is much research going on about ways to cure certain types of leukemia. Let me know more about the type your brother has.

Hugs,
aunty

[auntybiotic]

http://www.huliq.com/36580/drug-has-...pe-of-leukemia

[Nocturnal]

Tavee,

Please, if you can, keep is up to date as to whether or not you feel any withdrawals as you're the only one here who has tapered extremely slow. I hope that you go through it without any hiccups and that you're finally off of the drug!

[Ohwell]

been lurking for about a month, catching up on some of the pages,
Hey aunty, I kind of tapered, Took 3 weeks to go from 10 mg to 0.
Have been very sick for the whole "taper" and now after about 56 days, I am somewhat better. Was on Lex. for a year and a half. (10 mg.)
My symptoms since the "taper" have been...
Dizzyness, Headaches (mild), Tiredness (severe), Dry eyes, No appitite. Sore Glands, Sore neck muscles. Insominia. 2 spells of crying/panic. Some mild twitching. Some mild itching. Dark moods. Fear.
I was put on Lex. to Help with moods/fear as I was going through cancer. At the time I was so sick, I pretty much did what folks said. I had Lymphoma. While I was on Lex. I had some side-effects. Mainly, dry mouth, no sex drive (still none), spaceness, tiredness, low appitite, and weight gain. Did I ever need it, I doubt it. Has it hurt me. I think so.
Right now, I am feeling scared, as my glands are sore and I fear the big C may be returning. I have an app. for the C. Center soon...Hopefully its just the Lex. withdrawal...anyone else have sore glands? I had my last pet scan 5 months ago and it was clear. (before the taper)... I am 44. I was diagnosed with hypo thyroidsm last year. SOOOO Tired of being sick.
Oh well...........

[Ohwell]

3 days ago I got the flu shot and also had a stressful day, I'm wondering if this could have increased my withdrawal symptoms, even after being 56 days off? (was doing fairly well for a few days before this) but now, tired again, little appitite, and can't sleep)? Anyone else had the recent flu shot do this?
Thanks. May God bless us. oh well.

[Ohwell]

Forgot I also had right foot (above heel, on tendon) sharp jolts, instead of the brain jolts. Still get them but not as frequent. My right toe used to move on its own they were so sharp? weird.

Also had as a withdrawal really bad sweating, and chills. Also always felt like I had a fever, esp. in the evening. And my face felt hot, like someone had slapped me. This is gone now.

I have been reading off and on for a month trying to take in everyones stories. Only on page 110 though! oh well.

[misty32574]

Hello everyone... I have been reading this board for information for what to expect while tappering off of Lexapro. I have had panic disorder for five years now and had been able to maintain my anxiety with a very low dose of Clonazepam daily (0.5mg) I was extremely happy with the progress I made over the years to reduce my dose of Clonazepam and to completely stop using Zoloft which I was originally prescribed for my panic attacks. For 2 years I was maintaining well on my low dose of 0.5mg of Clonazepam but 2 years ago I started to have a hard time and was feeling more anxious. I decided to consult a doctor about what my options were and he raved about Lexapro as a drug for me to use, not once did he mention the side effects that go along with taking Lexapro. My side effects were fairly mild for the 1.5 years I have been taking Lexapro except for the fact that I have gained 55lbs. I wasn't notified that Lexapro would cause such a dramatic weight gain and considering nothing else has changed in my life routine (other than me working out MORE and eating even healthier) my doctors are now sure that the weight gain is from the Lexapro. I now have high blood pressure which my doc thinks is associated with my weight gain so we decided that going off of the medication was a good idea. I tappered from 10mg daily to 5mg and had really horrible withdrawl symptoms which were at there worst 5 days into the tappering. I was supposed to stay at that dose for 2 weeks and then reduce to 5mg everyother day, but became very ill with a sinus infection/bronchitis so I decided to stay at 5mg and tapper later than planned. I went to everyother day with almost no problems and am now on my 4th night with no Lexapro. I am having extremely bad dizzy spells and am almost unable to get out of bed because I am so tired. My work schedule is hectic and I am afraid that my withdrawl symptoms will affect my performance (brain shocks, unable to concentrate and extreme lethargy) I dont know how long this will last and I have to go back to work in two days. I am wondering if I should inform my direct supervisor about what is going on, I am only 3 months into my position at my job and am afraid of what might happen if I have set backs because of this. Most of all, I am extremely angry that this doctor put me on this med. I told him how sensitive my body is to medication, I suffered from nystagmus for 6 months following my detox from Zoloft and told him how bad my withdrawls were from that medication, and yet he still assured me this was a good choice. I know soooo many people who this medication has been handed out to for the smallest bouts of sadness or "aggitation" and they are never told how much this drug may affect them. I can only imagine that any drug that causes this much pain to go off of CAN'T possibly be healthy to be on. Anyway, thanks for letting me vent, and if anyone has words of advice or encouragement I would greatly appreciate it.

[SchnauzerTime]

Thanks everyone for the support...I really need it right now.

Hairy

I'm doing the best I can be doing. I'm having slight withdrawals through this from stress. Just a little nausea, heart palps, insomnia, etc. But it's not that bad. The first day I found out (Friday) I was pretty sick, but now I'm doing better. I think I'm starting to accept things. Thanks for asking about me.

Aunty

Thanks for all that info. I will read the articles in awhile. I will tell my brother to stay away from bad carbs and sugar...good idea. The positive imaging is good thinking too...it will keep him positive. Surprisingly, he is pretty positive...he just hates being stuck in the hospital. They got all his medicine right...I was worried about that since he has schizophrenia too. I'm worried because of that about his mental state, but he seems to be doing fine along those lines. As long as they keep giving him his meds he should do OK.

Everyone

Thanks so much for all the support, kind words, and prayers. He really needs the prayers I think. I will keep updating how he is doing. He had a bone marrow biopsy yesterday that came back 100% Lukemia but now they are waiting on what type. That should come back today or tomorrow...but they are going to start chemo today I think. I hope it doesn't make him sick.

[cjmac]

I decided to get off lexapro and start wellbutrin, well I didn't realize I needed to taper off the lexapro for severl weeks. I started the tapering off about 6 days ago and wow what terrible side effects. Brain zaps, exhaustion and feeling like I've got super high blood pressure, couldn't even finish my workout because I could hardly breath. Got on this website and figure out what's going on. I'll start back with 10mg and taper off over the next 3 - 4 weeks. Can I start my wellbutrin with the lexapro? I'm almost afraid to get on anything else because of these terrible symptons with the lexapro. My obgyn is prescribing this to me and he's pretty clueless. But I suffer with depression and feel I need something. Any suggestions?

[polydrug]

2 years ago I weaned myself off 20mg lexapro in about one months' time. I had been on it for close to 15 years. I had the usual side effects-brain zaps and insomnia and mood swings. After the taper I thought I was alright but I entered what can only be described as a living nightmare of unusual behaviors on my part. I became so depressed that I considered suicide. My temper was out of control and I became obsessed sexually with another person. This is something I am not proud of but it did happen. It almost ruined my life. He was an evil manipulative man and I just didn't have the ability to extricate myself from the situation. My mind no longer belonged to me. After about 9 months of no meds I visited a p-doc who said I was bipolar 2 and the drugs were started that continued my nightmare. I did end the relationship under much duress but continued to have intrusive thoughts 24/7. Lamictal, seroquel, ativan, klonopin and many many others were some of the drugs i was prescribed. I am finally drug free and taking amino acid supplements and feeling almost normal. I wonder if all of this mess could have been started with the lexapro discontinuation? Have you heard of anyone actually losing it like I did after stopping? I now truly doubt the dx of bipolar. I believe I have just been polydrugged. I have never exhibited any of these bizarre behaviors before.

[Nocturnal]

Originally Posted by polydrug

2 years ago I weaned myself off 20mg lexapro in about one months' time. I had been on it for close to 15 years. I had the usual side effects-brain zaps and insomnia and mood swings. After the taper I thought I was alright but I entered what can only be described as a living nightmare of unusual behaviors on my part. I became so depressed that I considered suicide. My temper was out of control and I became obsessed sexually with another person. This is something I am not proud of but it did happen. It almost ruined my life. He was an evil manipulative man and I just didn't have the ability to extricate myself from the situation. My mind no longer belonged to me. After about 9 months of no meds I visited a p-doc who said I was bipolar 2 and the drugs were started that continued my nightmare. I did end the relationship under much duress but continued to have intrusive thoughts 24/7. Lamictal, seroquel, ativan, klonopin and many many others were some of the drugs i was prescribed. I am finally drug free and taking amino acid supplements and feeling almost normal. I wonder if all of this mess could have been started with the lexapro discontinuation? Have you heard of anyone actually losing it like I did after stopping? I now truly doubt the dx of bipolar. I believe I have just been polydrugged. I have never exhibited any of these bizarre behaviors before.

Are you sure you were on Lexapro? Lexapro is a rather new drug. It hasn't been out on the market for 15 years. It came out back in 2000 or 2001 I think. It is similar in nature to Celexa. Perhaps you're getting the drug name mixed up?

Sorry to hear about your horrible time. Hope things are better for you now.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by SchnauzerTime

Thanks everyone for the support...I really need it right now.

Hairy

I'm doing the best I can be doing. I'm having slight withdrawals through this from stress. Just a little nausea, heart palps, insomnia, etc. But it's not that bad. The first day I found out (Friday) I was pretty sick, but now I'm doing better. I think I'm starting to accept things. Thanks for asking about me.

Aunty

Thanks for all that info. I will read the articles in awhile. I will tell my brother to stay away from bad carbs and sugar...good idea. The positive imaging is good thinking too...it will keep him positive. Surprisingly, he is pretty positive...he just hates being stuck in the hospital. They got all his medicine right...I was worried about that since he has schizophrenia too. I'm worried because of that about his mental state, but he seems to be doing fine along those lines. As long as they keep giving him his meds he should do OK.

Everyone

Thanks so much for all the support, kind words, and prayers. He really needs the prayers I think. I will keep updating how he is doing. He had a bone marrow biopsy yesterday that came back 100% Lukemia but now they are waiting on what type. That should come back today or tomorrow...but they are going to start chemo today I think. I hope it doesn't make him sick.

Dear Schnauzer:

I hope you read my e-mail about all the nightmare that you've been through. I really hope I didn't get too philosophical about it and you didn't take any offense. I feel for you and wish you to get through this. Be patient with yourself now...you can do it, God never gives us more than we can handle.

[Julia77]

Aunty, as you know I've been tapering from 0.1 mg and I tapered too fast ( 20% off in two weeks in a row). It's now been three weeks since my second taper, and four weeks from the first one, and I am still in withdrawals.

I wonder if something is wrong with me besides withdrawals. I've been extremely fatigued most of the time and all I want is sleep. When I don't sleep, I feel like I am about to faint from fatigue. Should I go for a check up to make sure if I am ok? If so , what kind of check up should I ask for?

I am too tired to eat, too=) And heartache. It feels like a heart attack. My left side goes numb and I almost feel it in my left ear.

A couple of days ago I almost felt normal, and now I've got this 'wave', and it's so physical I am scared I might be sick with something else.


And here is something else: can Lex cause manic behaviour and if so, when does it go away and does it for sure go away. In one day I can go from happy-go-lucky behaviour to extreme moodiness and then euphoria again.

I hope you will see my message.

[Ohwell]

I can relate to your fatigue. Mine is horrible as well. (after 1 month off)...some days are better than others, I also have no appitite. Have also been experiencing alot of insominia. I feel too sick to have many mood swings though....good luck! I do find fruit juice seems to perk me up. Try to stop drinking any soda, etc. (just my opinion). oh well.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by Ohwell

I can relate to your fatigue. Mine is horrible as well. (after 1 month off)...some days are better than others, I also have no appitite. Have also been experiencing alot of insominia. I feel too sick to have many mood swings though....good luck! I do find fruit juice seems to perk me up. Try to stop drinking any soda, etc. (just my opinion). oh well.

I've been through many withdrawal symptoms so far, but this kind of fatigue feels I am about to pass out if I move. Thanks for your comment though. Hope you feel better.

[Rosalinde]

Originally Posted by Julia77

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.

Hi Julia! I am doing the supplement program from The Road Back. 9 tsp of barley a day, 4 tsp of protein powder, 8 capsules of Carlson's Omega 3 salmon oil, a vitamin E.

Looks like this...
10 am - 3 tsp barley, 1 tsp protein, 4 Omega 3 capsules, 1 vitamin E
2 pm - 3 tsp barley, 1 tsp protein, 4 Omega 3 capsules
5 pm - 3 tsp barley, 1 tsp protein
Before bed - 1 tsp protein

They also recommend a cherry capsule before bed for melatonin, but I am one of the rare people that gets very jittery on melatonin, like I'm going to jump out of my skin, so I don't take it.

My experience on these supplements has been very good. You build up over 16 days to the levels listed above and then start your drug taper. My husband noticed a difference in my energy level the first day I took the barley, before I even started the taper. Interestingly, I have to shower more because I smell more under my arms. Sorry, I know that is gross. I believe it is because the barley is helping detox my system.

Today is a new taper day for me. I go down to 4.8 ml. My husband brings me flowers every other Tuesday to celebrate the new taper. He has been so good through all this. For the past two weeks I have been on 5.3 ml. When I started 5.3, I began to wake up. I have been more like myself than I have been in a year. It's almost scary! Excitement over autumn weather, a thrill as my musical group is rehearsing for concert this week, warm feelings while cuddling my cats... All of these feelings are familiar but very new! It's been a year since I felt anything.

I hate this slow process. I want to be done now!! Yesterday was good, but today I am groggy and slow. It makes me want to cry. I feel a year of my life has been stolen by my stupid decision to get on Lex and my stupid doctor's lack of information on what these drugs actually do. I want to be myself completely, and I want to learn how to deal with my high strung anxious nature in a healthy way, not by manipulating my brain to feel nothing.

Maybe I'm vain, but the weight gain has been the worst part of this. I refuse to buy a wardrobe of new clothes, and I am down to one pair of jeans that I can barely squeak into and a few casual tops. I'm 32 years old and have gone from 127 to 160, and it happened FAST. I love working out and hiking up mountains and had a kick-ass body not that long ago. This is SO infuriating. I feel like the fat cells have a death grip on me, and they will not let go no matter what I do. Right around the time I began gaining weight, my husband and I moved from the southeast to the northwest. It is actually a relief to me that none of my friends and family can see me now. I have avoided making new friends here, because I have a terrible self image. Now that my feelings are coming back, I care about my weight and health again, and I remember what it was like to be a healthy, muscular and very feminine 127 pounds. I love fashion and wearing fun trends and great clothes. Not any more. I want my life back!!!!

Well, if anybody actually read through all that, thanks for letting me ramble. It does help.

[misty32574]

[QUOTE=Rosalinde;188783]
Maybe I'm vain, but the weight gain has been the worst part of this. I refuse to buy a wardrobe of new clothes, and I am down to one pair of jeans that I can barely squeak into and a few casual tops. I'm 32 years old and have gone from 127 to 160, and it happened FAST. I love working out and hiking up mountains and had a kick-ass body not that long ago. This is SO infuriating. I feel like the fat cells have a death grip on me, and they will not let go no matter what I do. Right around the time I began gaining weight, my husband and I moved from the southeast to the northwest. It is actually a relief to me that none of my friends and family can see me now. I have avoided making new friends here, because I have a terrible self image. Now that my feelings are coming back, I care about my weight and health again, and I remember what it was like to be a healthy, muscular and very feminine 127 pounds. I love fashion and wearing fun trends and great clothes. Not any more. I want my life back!!!!
[QUOTE]

I do not think you are being vain at all! Self image is so important for both depression and anxiety disorders not to mention those living without any "psychological disorders" I am going through the same thing as you, I went from a muscular in-shape 5'7" 140lbs to 194lbs in about one year. I too have no items clothing that fit and refuse to buy new ones! I just recently moved and dont feel the need to unpack any of my clothes because "they dont fit anyway" I have always lived an active and healthy lifestyle and to watch the numbers on my scale consistently rise every two weeks was so depressing I decided to find out what was going on ... Lexapro ofcourse! I am angry with my old doctor for not informing me of this side effect and countless others. I now have high blood pressure because of my weight and totally horrible self image. I have been off of Lexapro for 5 days now after tappering fairly quickly (under my new docs orders though) and I wonder if I will ever feel normal again

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by Julia77

Aunty, as you know I've been tapering from 0.1 mg and I tapered too fast ( 20% off in two weeks in a row). It's now been three weeks since my second taper, and four weeks from the first one, and I am still in withdrawals.

I wonder if something is wrong with me besides withdrawals. I've been extremely fatigued most of the time and all I want is sleep. When I don't sleep, I feel like I am about to faint from fatigue. Should I go for a check up to make sure if I am ok? If so , what kind of check up should I ask for?

I am too tired to eat, too=) And heartache. It feels like a heart attack. My left side goes numb and I almost feel it in my left ear.

A couple of days ago I almost felt normal, and now I've got this 'wave', and it's so physical I am scared I might be sick with something else.


And here is something else: can Lex cause manic behaviour and if so, when does it go away and does it for sure go away. In one day I can go from happy-go-lucky behaviour to extreme moodiness and then euphoria again.

I hope you will see my message.

Please describe your exact method of tapering from the beginning. What dose of lexapro were you on and for how long. When did you start to taper and by what amount.

I think you are in withdrawals from before your taper from .01. It takes withdrawls a week to several months to surface.

I will inform you more when you explain what happened prior to your doctor putting you on .01. I personally do not think that amount is enough to bring you out of your previous withdrawal.

Tapering off lexapro will cause mania. Shopping in excess, bizarre behavior, talking fast, sexual encounters for some which are out of character. Several teenagers that have tapered off of SSRI's have gotten themselves pregnant by their sexual behaviours which was unlike them.

Some have started shoplifting...........manic behaviour.

[SL500]

Originally Posted by Rosalinde

Hi Julia! I am doing the supplement program from The Road Back. 9 tsp of barley a day, 4 tsp of protein powder, 8 capsules of Carlson's Omega 3 salmon oil, a vitamin E.

Looks like this...
10 am - 3 tsp barley, 1 tsp protein, 4 Omega 3 capsules, 1 vitamin E
2 pm - 3 tsp barley, 1 tsp protein, 4 Omega 3 capsules
5 pm - 3 tsp barley, 1 tsp protein
Before bed - 1 tsp protein

They also recommend a cherry capsule before bed for melatonin, but I am one of the rare people that gets very jittery on melatonin, like I'm going to jump out of my skin, so I don't take it.

My experience on these supplements has been very good. You build up over 16 days to the levels listed above and then start your drug taper. My husband noticed a difference in my energy level the first day I took the barley, before I even started the taper. Interestingly, I have to shower more because I smell more under my arms. Sorry, I know that is gross. I believe it is because the barley is helping detox my system.

Today is a new taper day for me. I go down to 4.8 ml. My husband brings me flowers every other Tuesday to celebrate the new taper. He has been so good through all this. For the past two weeks I have been on 5.3 ml. When I started 5.3, I began to wake up. I have been more like myself than I have been in a year. It's almost scary! Excitement over autumn weather, a thrill as my musical group is rehearsing for concert this week, warm feelings while cuddling my cats... All of these feelings are familiar but very new! It's been a year since I felt anything.

I hate this slow process. I want to be done now!! Yesterday was good, but today I am groggy and slow. It makes me want to cry. I feel a year of my life has been stolen by my stupid decision to get on Lex and my stupid doctor's lack of information on what these drugs actually do. I want to be myself completely, and I want to learn how to deal with my high strung anxious nature in a healthy way, not by manipulating my brain to feel nothing.

Maybe I'm vain, but the weight gain has been the worst part of this. I refuse to buy a wardrobe of new clothes, and I am down to one pair of jeans that I can barely squeak into and a few casual tops. I'm 32 years old and have gone from 127 to 160, and it happened FAST. I love working out and hiking up mountains and had a kick-ass body not that long ago. This is SO infuriating. I feel like the fat cells have a death grip on me, and they will not let go no matter what I do. Right around the time I began gaining weight, my husband and I moved from the southeast to the northwest. It is actually a relief to me that none of my friends and family can see me now. I have avoided making new friends here, because I have a terrible self image. Now that my feelings are coming back, I care about my weight and health again, and I remember what it was like to be a healthy, muscular and very feminine 127 pounds. I love fashion and wearing fun trends and great clothes. Not any more. I want my life back!!!!

Well, if anybody actually read through all that, thanks for letting me ramble. It does help.

Hi RL -

How was it for you when you first started to take these supplements?? Are you following the schedule to the "t"? I had bought all of the supplements and the day I started, it made me feel weird so my doc told me to stop....tell me how you are going about doing this and how long you have been doing it for?

SL

[SL500]

ST - You and your brother are in my thoughts and prayers....

[tavee]

Hey Guys!!

Well It Is Day 3 Without Lex. I Stopped Saturday.
Today I Was A Little Bit Dizzy And A Little Out Of It. I Noticed That I Am Very Tired And I Am Not Sleeping 100% Thru The Night. It Is Not Unbearable But I Become A Baby (if U Know What I Mean). I Am Going To Be Ok. I Know It.

I Will Let U Guys Know How I Am By The End Of The Week If The Withdrwals Really Kick In.
The Thing With Me Is That I Have That Day 7 In My Head So I Look For Things And Then Im Like See There It Is;dizziness, Fatigue Etc...
I Guess That Is What I Am Doing Now Cuz I Know I Have No Lex In My System.

Wish Me Luck U Guys.

I Hope Everyone Is Feeling Ok.

Ps Aunty- Do U Think I Will Experience The 3 Month Mark Or Anything Else And Get Depressed?? I Am So Scared.

God I Cant Believe This Took A Fricken Year To Do. This Shows How Powerful This Drug Is.even The Way I Did It I Still Have Slight Withdrawls.

So Everyone Out There Whatever U Do, Do Not Quit Cold Turkey Or Any Other Way That U Think Is Slow. The Way It Is Done Is Over One Year And That Is 5-10%tapers Every 2 To 3 Weeks!!

Take Care U Guys

Tavee

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by auntybiotic

Please describe your exact method of tapering from the beginning. What dose of lexapro were you on and for how long. When did you start to taper and by what amount.

I think you are in withdrawals from before your taper from .01. It takes withdrawls a week to several months to surface.

I will inform you more when you explain what happened prior to your doctor putting you on .01. I personally do not think that amount is enough to bring you out of your previous withdrawal.

Tapering off lexapro will cause mania. Shopping in excess, bizarre behavior, talking fast, sexual encounters for some which are out of character. Several teenagers that have tapered off of SSRI's have gotten themselves pregnant by their sexual behaviours which was unlike them.

Some have started shoplifting...........manic behaviour.

Thanks for your reply. This is what happened: I had been on 2.5 mg of Lex until May 2007. In May I started to taper by cutting 2.5 mg into halves and then chipping small amounts of pills until they were so small they almost looked like dust on my palm. I know it wasn't the right way, but I didn't know any different.
Withdrawals started to kick in late June, and in August I was freaking out and then I found you guys. Roughly about that time I was seen by a psychiatrist who refrained from s general statement 'it's all in your head'. She recognized my withdrawals and said since it was hard to estimate my current dose, we would have a compounding pharmacy make 0.1 mg capsules of Lex and I would try to start from 0.3 ( 3 capsules a day) and see how I was doing on that. Once I stabilize on that, in two weeks time I was supposed to got to 0.2 mg and then to 0.1 and then stop.

I started to take 0.1 mg and in a couple days or so felt relief. So I didn't up the dose and in a week was absolutely withdrawals free. I stayed on this dose for a month when I decided to taper like you guys are tapering from higher doses. It seemed like I did a quick taper ( 20% in two weeks time) and depression, heart palps, panic attacks and anxiety came back. Some of them I didn't have when I was put on Lex; mood swings and depression are new.

I am feeling 90 % normal as I am writing this; it doesn't mean though I will feel like that in a couple hours.

The thing you wrote about mania is scary. Does it happen to ALL people, and most importantly, does it go away?

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by Rosalinde

Hi Julia! I am doing the supplement program from The Road Back. 9 tsp of barley a day, 4 tsp of protein powder, 8 capsules of Carlson's Omega 3 salmon oil, a vitamin E.

Looks like this...
10 am - 3 tsp barley, 1 tsp protein, 4 Omega 3 capsules, 1 vitamin E
2 pm - 3 tsp barley, 1 tsp protein, 4 Omega 3 capsules
5 pm - 3 tsp barley, 1 tsp protein
Before bed - 1 tsp protein

They also recommend a cherry capsule before bed for melatonin, but I am one of the rare people that gets very jittery on melatonin, like I'm going to jump out of my skin, so I don't take it.

My experience on these supplements has been very good. You build up over 16 days to the levels listed above and then start your drug taper. My husband noticed a difference in my energy level the first day I took the barley, before I even started the taper. Interestingly, I have to shower more because I smell more under my arms. Sorry, I know that is gross. I believe it is because the barley is helping detox my system.

Today is a new taper day for me. I go down to 4.8 ml. My husband brings me flowers every other Tuesday to celebrate the new taper. He has been so good through all this. For the past two weeks I have been on 5.3 ml. When I started 5.3, I began to wake up. I have been more like myself than I have been in a year. It's almost scary! Excitement over autumn weather, a thrill as my musical group is rehearsing for concert this week, warm feelings while cuddling my cats... All of these feelings are familiar but very new! It's been a year since I felt anything.

I hate this slow process. I want to be done now!! Yesterday was good, but today I am groggy and slow. It makes me want to cry. I feel a year of my life has been stolen by my stupid decision to get on Lex and my stupid doctor's lack of information on what these drugs actually do. I want to be myself completely, and I want to learn how to deal with my high strung anxious nature in a healthy way, not by manipulating my brain to feel nothing.

Maybe I'm vain, but the weight gain has been the worst part of this. I refuse to buy a wardrobe of new clothes, and I am down to one pair of jeans that I can barely squeak into and a few casual tops. I'm 32 years old and have gone from 127 to 160, and it happened FAST. I love working out and hiking up mountains and had a kick-ass body not that long ago. This is SO infuriating. I feel like the fat cells have a death grip on me, and they will not let go no matter what I do. Right around the time I began gaining weight, my husband and I moved from the southeast to the northwest. It is actually a relief to me that none of my friends and family can see me now. I have avoided making new friends here, because I have a terrible self image. Now that my feelings are coming back, I care about my weight and health again, and I remember what it was like to be a healthy, muscular and very feminine 127 pounds. I love fashion and wearing fun trends and great clothes. Not any more. I want my life back!!!!

Well, if anybody actually read through all that, thanks for letting me ramble. It does help.

Thanks for writing all this. It does make me feel better for some reason when I know I am not the only one suffering=)

I wanted to comment on the weight issue. I put on 20 pounds when I was on Lex and it started to come off when I was down to 1 mg or something. Now it just keeps coming off ( I have never had a skinny tendency , I am naturally a little plump).
It will come off for sure. Just be patient and don't rush. Good luck with the taper, you will be fine.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by tavee

Hey Guys!!

Well It Is Day 3 Without Lex. I Stopped Saturday.
Today I Was A Little Bit Dizzy And A Little Out Of It. I Noticed That I Am Very Tired And I Am Not Sleeping 100% Thru The Night. It Is Not Unbearable But I Become A Baby (if U Know What I Mean). I Am Going To Be Ok. I Know It.

I Will Let U Guys Know How I Am By The End Of The Week If The Withdrwals Really Kick In.
The Thing With Me Is That I Have That Day 7 In My Head So I Look For Things And Then Im Like See There It Is;dizziness, Fatigue Etc...
I Guess That Is What I Am Doing Now Cuz I Know I Have No Lex In My System.

Wish Me Luck U Guys.

I Hope Everyone Is Feeling Ok.

Ps Aunty- Do U Think I Will Experience The 3 Month Mark Or Anything Else And Get Depressed?? I Am So Scared.

God I Cant Believe This Took A Fricken Year To Do. This Shows How Powerful This Drug Is.even The Way I Did It I Still Have Slight Withdrawls.

So Everyone Out There Whatever U Do, Do Not Quit Cold Turkey Or Any Other Way That U Think Is Slow. The Way It Is Done Is Over One Year And That Is 5-10%tapers Every 2 To 3 Weeks!!

Take Care U Guys

Tavee

Thanks for your kind e-mail and all the support you've been giving to me while I am going through all this. I don't have enough words to thank you, and ST, and Aunty for all you've been doing for me.
I will e-mail you once I feel better.

[Ohwell]

Still having real fatigue, don't understand it, I was doing fairly well and then bam, I feel like I just got off or something? Day 54 (counted wrong before) since my last dose of Lex. took 10 mg for almost 2 years. Tapered in 3 weeks...didn't know any better. Did go to the dr. but he said Lex. has no known withdrawals, I "shouldn't" be sick from that.... They do need to get a clue... Anyone else have fatigue so far off and my glands are a tad better, but still swollen under my jaw area. I also have no appitite? Anyone else? Thanks... oh well.

[misty32574]

Did anyone or is anyone experiencing disturbing dreams while withdrawling? I have to return to work tomorrow and the dizzy spells and inability to concentrate and emote are concerning me about how I will be able to perform at work. I work in an veterinary ICU and am fairly new, I am usually mentally quick and able to handle multiple situations at one time but right now it is hard for me to do the laundry. Any advice as to whether or not I should notify my direct supervisor of what is going on?
Thanks for being here!

[Ohwell]

I'm not familiar with your taper situation.....if you tapered a long time, you may not have a rough time.....but if you quit quickly, it may be a long road. With that in mind, I would certainly tell your boss...they may be more understanding if they know whats going on....I have not been able to work for 2 months now. My husband is great and really supportive. Thank GOD he is. As far as the dreams, I had a few very violent ones, but only when I was still on Lex. Had 2 where I heard the loudlest thump in my brain that woke me straight away, thought Jesus had come! Did have 2 weird dreams since withdrawal (and although I have NO sex drive) the dreams were very sexual, in fact I woke up to an O! May God bless Us! oh well.