[Normankay]

Originally Posted by Shakespeare

The only "weird" thing here is you... This site did not begin as "complaint site" against Lexapro, but as a site where people could discuss their Lexapro experiences... How come, then, that the ratio of people singing the praises of this medicine, and people suffering from it, is like 1 to 50? If this medicine had been so harmless, it would be the other way around, wouldn't it - people posting and telling everybody about their wonderful experience with the drug. Well, such people are as rare as a canary in Greenland. Why? I am also suspicious to people writing about how "weird" it is to have withdrawals because they themselves "felt nothing". The reason why I am a bit skeptic is that the SSRI industry have been known to buy up and/or infiltrate sites like this (and many others), even hiring people to write positive things about their drugs to counter the massive wall of complaints and veil the real truth about the medicines. Not that your "experiences" are not welcome here, of course they are. They just seem so odd that maybe you should get a check-up to see if there could be something wrong w you... :-) Its like hearing: "Chemo therapy didn't bother me one bit. Actually it was kind of fun." Yeah, right. Another thing is that such experiences, or lack thereof, just makes everybody feel unhappy and wondering what's "wrong" with them. This is very unfair and not right, because the SSRI industry's own research and studies have concluded that up to 60-70% of patients suffer side effects and/or withdrawal effects from these dangerous drugs. Let me quote from Lexapro Home Page: "During marketing of Lexapro there have been reports of adverse events occurring upon discontinuation of this drug, including the following: dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (e.g., paresthesias such as electric shock sensations), anxiety, confusion, headache, fatigue, emotional liability, insomnia, and hypomania. While these events are generally self-limiting, there have been reports of serious discontinuation symptoms." Have a nice day.

Shakespeare,
Before you open your mouth you should have read my whole post, I definately didnt down all the people here with withdrawl symptoms you read my post wrong or are lacking at reading skills. My mom was on lexapro too with no side effects when she quit either and if you really think I am a person here to spam for the drug companies you are wierd. Look at the majority of my other posts. I am a recovering opiate addict and decided to check out this lexapro withdrawl thread because it stays on top of the forum list when you first enter the main forum room. I am in no way here to spam for a drug rep, that is truley funny though you think I would though. Actually when talking with my doctor about this site, and in no way am I saying that everyone here is this way, but said that "you can't believe all of what you read online is the best way to determine how prescribed drugs may react with you." Most people that use prescribed drugs that have no side effects from the drugs are less likely to come on the internet and look up if others are having the same good effects as they are from drugs like lexapro. The only people that usually come to sites like this are the ones that were usually having bad side effects. Look at other pharmaceutical drug threads that are here, they are usually talking about how bad a medicine is with some exceptions (more opiate treatment meds). Reguardless yeah maybe the ration here is 50 to 1 that oppose use of lexapro, because there arent as many that have had good side effects here. I came here for my opiate addiction problem, I wouldnt have came here for lexapro, cause I had no problems with it you idiot. There are close to 4 million people on lexapro, there is 50 here maybe that dislike it. Look at side effects for any other drug, they all have side effects you moron. There isnt one drug on the market that doesnt have side effects. Its people like you that are distrusting and discouraging to others, not me. I try to help, you sound like an uneducated kid that spoke about something when he should have just kept his mouth shut.

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by Normankay

Its wierd to see so many people having withdrawls from lexapro. I was on it for two years and quit cold turkey with no withdrawls what soever. It just seems odd that all these people are having withdrawls from lexapro. Not that I don't believe all of you guys, I just think its wierd that I quit cold turkey with no problems and I was taking a 20mg tablet a day for a little over two years. I felt the same as when I was taking it and literally felt nothing when I went off it. I ended up thinking what a waste how I has spent all the money on prescriptions that I never felt. I mean I guess it helped me feel better at first , I just felt normal when I didnt feel normal for a long time before that. To those with withdrawls though I hope you guys feel better soon. To have any withdrawls from anything is always no fun, so good all and hope you guys make it.

I just read a post from you on August 2007 where you state that you tapered off of lexapro over a few months, going from 20 to 10 then skipping a few days" etc. You state that when you tried to COLD TURKEY that you got withdrawals. Now you say you "felt nothing".

So what is it? It seems that you were also addicted to other drugs at the same time............ so maybe you were so out of it that you cannot remember tapering off of lexapro or the withdrawals you had while doing it.
Check on thsi forum under "Has anyone succesfully gotten off of lexapro" and reread your post!
Maybe this will refresh your memory.

If you chose to be rude to posters here that are looking for support......then why bother posting at all and calling others names! You DID have withdrawls off of lexapro and you state you did taper, reread your own post! And if you think the ratio is 50 to 1 that oppose lexapro on this thread, your math skills are lacking. There are over 700,000 thousand hits on this thread/ forum and well OVER 50 people that have had difficulty getting off of lexapro. I would say thousands have been victims to lexaproand many more that read and have not posted when you see the number of hits that have kept this thread so popular..

This forum is for support so if you cannot offer any why waste your time posting!!!!!

[Normankay]

You are being rude yourself it sound llike you are being too nice yourself. As for being out of it that is you judging me without knowing me. I have been clean from opiates for 6 months and have been clean from lexapro since I have been on methadone. As for being out of it ask any opiate addict if they get out of it while they are on methadone, it doesnt happen. As for the 700,000 hits that means nothing, that doesnt count how many people have actually looked at it. it could be 700 peole hitting it 7000 times a piece for all I know. Look at all drugs every anti depressant has side effects. Why dont you mind your own business, I wasnt initially talking to you. Its people like you that make threads into a word bashing war. I wasnt rude with the initial post on this thread, and some kid that doesnt know me blamed me for being a pharmaceutical rep. Thats stupid, read some of the other posts here on lexapro. There are more people here than just me that havent had any withdrawls when going off methadone. The more annoying part was tapering down and having to remember where I was at when I was skipping days. If you cant comprehend the word annoying it doesnt always mean I was having any physical side effects. And yes there were little to know physical side effects. You arent a doctor and neither am I. This site has a much smaller group of people than you realise. Not everyone on Lexapro comes here. Hate to break it to you. You are really a rude person, I have helped many otherrs here. If you want to be rude why dont you go to a different site. The hits list in two years shows that 700 thousand really isnt that much. There are sites that get a million a day. So 700 thousand in two years really isnt that much if you think about it. I have probably already checked the post 10 times today. If you have a bunch of people checking a thread ten times a day it adds up quick. If you want to keep this uninteligent conversation you are more than welcome to PM me. You too dont seem that inteligent, I hate the people like you here that think you are some certified online doctor. LOL You spew BS to others cause you think you know it all. I am just giving my opinion. I am not saying I know it all, just giving what it was like for me. Im sorry people like you cant comprehend. The only symptoms I said I had were annoying, like said before annoyed at having to remember the taper schedule. If you want to ask me ask you idiot, dont judge me and say I didnt know what was going on cause you think I was meesed up on drugs. You judgemental idiot.

[auntybiotic]

Originally Posted by Normankay

You are being rude yourself it sound llike you are being too nice yourself. As for being out of it that is you judging me without knowing me. I have been clean from opiates for 6 months and have been clean from lexapro since I have been on methadone. As for being out of it ask any opiate addict if they get out of it while they are on methadone, it doesnt happen. As for the 700,000 hits that means nothing, that doesnt count how many people have actually looked at it. it could be 700 peole hitting it 7000 times a piece for all I know. Look at all drugs every anti depressant has side effects. Why dont you mind your own business, I wasnt initially talking to you. Its people like you that make threads into a word bashing war. I wasnt rude with the initial post on this thread, and some kid that doesnt know me blamed me for being a pharmaceutical rep. Thats stupid, read some of the other posts here on lexapro. There are more people here than just me that havent had any withdrawls when going off methadone. The more annoying part was tapering down and having to remember where I was at when I was skipping days. If you cant comprehend the word annoying it doesnt always mean I was having any physical side effects. And yes there were little to know physical side effects. You arent a doctor and neither am I. This site has a much smaller group of people than you realise. Not everyone on Lexapro comes here. Hate to break it to you. You are really a rude person, I have helped many otherrs here. If you want to be rude why dont you go to a different site. The hits list in two years shows that 700 thousand really isnt that much. There are sites that get a million a day. So 700 thousand in two years really isnt that much if you think about it. I have probably already checked the post 10 times today. If you have a bunch of people checking a thread ten times a day it adds up quick. If you want to keep this uninteligent conversation you are more than welcome to PM me. You too dont seem that inteligent, I hate the people like you here that think you are some certified online doctor. LOL You spew BS to others cause you think you know it all. I am just giving my opinion. I am not saying I know it all, just giving what it was like for me. Im sorry people like you cant comprehend. The only symptoms I said I had were annoying, like said before annoyed at having to remember the taper schedule. If you want to ask me ask you idiot, dont judge me and say I didnt know what was going on cause you think I was meesed up on drugs. You judgemental idiot.

I feel sorry for your wife or child or anyone that has to deal with you on a daily basis. YOU ARE ABUSIVE. I will not anwer anymore of your posts because you are not worth my time. Go call someone names that cares because I don't!!!!! I just wanted to let others know that you DID NOT cold turkey and that "you" said you had withdrawals. Its printed right on this site!!!

This thread is the second most popular on the entire Drug Forum site.

[Normankay]

You are a loser, I probably have more friends and family that care for me than you ever will. Why don't you get off the internet and get some real friends. I highly doubt you are anything close to how you think you are. You started this stupid nonsense not I. You want to call people names why dont you read your initial post. It was definately not the definition of nice. It seems like you think your words are kind. Why dont you go and take some courtesy classes before you stick your head into someone elses conversation. You must be an old grandma with nothing better to do but start kid drama. Look I didnt start this nonsense you did. LOL. As for my wife and kids, they love me more than youd ever know lady. I just call em like I see em and what I think I see is an annoying lady with nothing better to do. Just cause a couple people here say they have withdrawls doesnt mean everyone does, hate to break it to you. Ask your doctor, he would probably have a better idea of how many "REAL" people not Internet people had withdrawls. He will probably have a more realistic opinion. You don't even know about withdrawls, you are just mad cause this is thread is initially yours and you feel as if you have something to protect? I don't know. You dont even take lexapro, you know what it feels like? You know how it works? No you dont, just because I came here and said what I said, you must feel like I put you down? I dont know. You too probably made almost 2-5oo,ooo hits since you started it? Just cause you always reply and know one real person that actually tried Lexapro you think you know more than the average person?
Look you are no better than anyone, not a doctor and definately shouldnt be trusted for a good opinion. Just cause your daughter who is the only person you know that has taken Lexapro had withdrawls and a handfull of others here has had them doesnt mean everyone else on the medicine has had them. It doesnt even give a close representation of how many people had bad side effects in a real life ration. 50 people, hits mean nothing, out of 4 million people or greater on the drug and 50 here are having bad side effects you think that is a good representation? Look how many people have problems with drugs like oxycodone, xanax, valium,vikaden, methadone, suboxone, Fentynal etc etc with withdrawls that are real gut retching withdrawl symptoms. Having those makes a Lexapro withdrawl feel like you have something as annoying as a sneeze.LOL. Lexapro has nothing on an opiate like withdrawl, maybe thats why I am skeptic to what some may call withdrawls esp since you have had none. Look all drugs can have bad side effects. Lexapro is just what they are giving most for anti depressants. What would you rather be on, Wellbutrin, celexia, prozac, paxil this anti depressant list has over 20 drugs and all have side effects and or can have withdrawls. The initial reason I post wasnt to you, it appears you feel since this is your thread that you should talk to everyone on it. I bet most of the people that have posted on it dont come back anymore. Most probably got off it and are fine now. You werent nice in assuming that I was probably all messed up on drugs, or was that a nice question? Why dont you rethink the stuff you type if you arent prepared for someone like me to tell you off and how it really is. I feel bad for your family and friends, thats if you have any. I am a marine biologist by the way and work for Sea World, working with more charity organizations you have probably never been apart of. My work is all for the love of protection of animal species and to help people to understand the abuse that people do to animals both in the water and on land. I am not some snot nose grandma that sits on chat forums all day.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by BigRedWarEagle

One more question for those of you who have been there:

I just woke up (it's 11:39) in the beginning of a massive panic attack. It was by far the worst one I've ever had. When I first awoke I was drenched in sweat and my arms were tingling. In the next 5 minutes I felt very agitated and went into a full-blown attack.

Is this something that could be a withdrawal symptom? Have any of you experienced similar episodes? How long should this last?

That one was not fun in the least.

Thanks,
John

I had full blown panic attacks/extreme claustrophobia as a result of trying to cold turkey. They get better with the time... Don't you get scared because they will disappear as time goes on.

[Julia77]

I genuinely hope all this discussion which I just saw as I logged in will not put you away from this thread, nor will it diminish your devotion to this thread and helping others. I honestly think you are creating your KARMA yourself. Stay away from answering this nonsense. The thread is for help, not for abuse.

[wherethehellami?]

Originally Posted by Shakespeare

The only "weird" thing here is you... This site did not begin as "complaint site" against Lexapro, but as a site where people could discuss their Lexapro experiences... How come, then, that the ratio of people singing the praises of this medicine, and people suffering from it, is like 1 to 50? If this medicine had been so harmless, it would be the other way around, wouldn't it - people posting and telling everybody about their wonderful experience with the drug. Well, such people are as rare as a canary in Greenland. Why? I am also suspicious to people writing about how "weird" it is to have withdrawals because they themselves "felt nothing". The reason why I am a bit skeptic is that the SSRI industry have been known to buy up and/or infiltrate sites like this (and many others), even hiring people to write positive things about their drugs to counter the massive wall of complaints and veil the real truth about the medicines. Not that your "experiences" are not welcome here, of course they are. They just seem so odd that maybe you should get a check-up to see if there could be something wrong w you... :-) Its like hearing: "Chemo therapy didn't bother me one bit. Actually it was kind of fun." Yeah, right. Another thing is that such experiences, or lack thereof, just makes everybody feel unhappy and wondering what's "wrong" with them. This is very unfair and not right, because the SSRI industry's own research and studies have concluded that up to 60-70% of patients suffer side effects and/or withdrawal effects from these dangerous drugs. Let me quote from Lexapro Home Page: "During marketing of Lexapro there have been reports of adverse events occurring upon discontinuation of this drug, including the following: dysphoric mood, irritability, agitation, dizziness, sensory disturbances (e.g., paresthesias such as electric shock sensations), anxiety, confusion, headache, fatigue, emotional liability, insomnia, and hypomania. While these events are generally self-limiting, there have been reports of serious discontinuation symptoms." Have a nice day.

I agree with you Shakespeare concerning Normankey. Even my brother, who had a much easier time cutting back on Lexapro then I did with few side effects told me he felt weird from cutting back. However, despite these terrible discontinuing effects, Lexapro definitely has helped me with depression,OCD, and GAD. It's when I tried cutting back that I had problems. I did have side effects while I was on it but not too bad (bloating mostly). What's my point? Everyone is different but this drug isn't inherently "evil" or "poison" like alot of people have been saying on here (although I know how you guys feel concerning the withdrawal effects; sometimes I'd like to punch my old psychiatrist in the face).

[Normankay]

Originally Posted by wherethehellami?

I agree with you Shakespeare concerning Normankey. Even my brother, who had a much easier time cutting back on Lexapro then I did with few side effects told me he felt weird from cutting back. However, despite these terrible discontinuing effects, Lexapro definitely has helped me with depression,OCD, and GAD. It's when I tried cutting back that I had problems. I did have side effects while I was on it but not too bad (bloating mostly). What's my point? Everyone is different but this drug isn't inherently "evil" or "poison" like alot of people have been saying on here (although I know how you guys feel concerning the withdrawal effects; sometimes I'd like to punch my old psychiatrist in the face).

I never said the drug was evil, I understand that some people need this drug. If people read my initial post I never said anything bad about people on this drug. Some people took what I initially said out of context and must have started judging me before they read the initial post. I disagree however that some people, Shakespear and Aunty start talking with me negatively as if I said something wrong. My initial post on this forum said that I had little to no side effects. Also stated I thought it was wierd that people had withdrawls. If you take that as me calling you wierd you maybe severely insecure. Now I hate to take a post this far, but you are helping a small group of people, probably less than 1 thousandth. When someone talks negatively to me first expect to get the same attitude back. Thats how most people work. Once again, I never said you are wierd if you take lexapro, maybe I should have said I didnt know Lexapro had side effects instead of using the word wierd. But I did use the word wierd and a bunch of insecure people took me saying that I didnt know Lexapro had side effects as me calling them wierd for calling a drug wierd. READ a damn post before you bash others. I will be rude if you judge me only reading my first line of my post. Some of you are bland and lack personality it seems.

[Shakespeare]

Dear, Mr. Sea World (Normankay), I used the word "weird" because that was the word you used in your post, and I didn't like the sound of it (neither do I think anyone else did). It's like coming into a hospital ward where people are suffering, and say aloud: "Weird that I am not sick, like you are, guys." Its just not polite.
By the way, I am a Swedish literature professor and a writer and translator of 112 books. I guess that's not the same as being an opiate addict at Sea World, but nevertheless I am not exactly an "uneducated kid" either.
Listen a bit to your own ramblings and please explain why anyone here should take you seriously:
"Lacking at reading skills" ... "you idiot" ... "you moron" ... "you sound like an uneducated kid" ... "kept his mouth shut." ... "Why don't you mind your own business" ... "some kid that doesn't know me" ... "stupid" ... "You too don't seem that intelligent" ... "I hate people like you" ... "I'm sorry people like you cant comprehend" ... "If you want to ask me, ask you idiot" ... "You judgmental idiot." ... "You are a loser" ... "Why don't you get off the internet and get some real friends" ... "You started this stupid nonsense not I" ... "Why don't you go and take some courtesy classes" ... "You must be an old grandma" ... "an annoying lady with nothing better to do." ... " feel bad for your family and friends, thats if you have any." ... "I am not some snot nose grandma that sits on chat forums all day" ... "You maybe severely insecure." ... "Bunch of insecure people" ... etc, etc.
People here are suffering, that's why they are here. They live every day and night with brain zaps, sweats, anxiety, fatigue, seizures, etc.They don't want to hear words like "weird". They are tired of ignorant, insensitive doctors who believe only what the drug companies are telling them and what other patients are telling them.
Withdrawal of SSRIs is a real problem for millions of people all over the world. Why would the SSRI companies themselves, in their own studies, state that as many as 68% of patients suffer withdrawals after discontinuing the drug? Some, obviously, have few problems (like you), others have severe, prolonged reactions to the drug. Some have permanent problems. Hundreds, if not thousands of others, commit suicide on these drugs. SSRI side effects and withdrawals have even been the topic of many news programs (ABC, BBC, CNN, FOX, just to name a few), and there have been hearings about it in the U.S. Congress. Here are some interesting URLs for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfQUTHrWnRk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnBaX...ve%20Seratonin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsZ_t...eature=related
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SSRI_di...ation_syndrome

Everybody here knows that most people get off these drugs without severe problems. But that's not the point. The point is that many are suffering, too. (Just like only a few commit suicide or cut off their leg on these drugs. But do you think the families of these people are comforted by the fact that they belong to a minority?) That's why we don't want you to belittle or in any way cast doubt over our suffering. Because for you it may not be real. For us its very real. (My brain zaps are real and are a result of SSRI withdrawal. Its a medical fact!) So, if you don't have anything constructive to say, aside from "Its weird that I didn't feel anything", or any interesting experience to share, why don't you just, instead, find a "I got well and happy on Lexapro" forum? There must be thousands of them out there... Good luck.
Shakespeare

[tavee]

Wow U Guys!! I Havent Been On For A While And To See This Much Aggression Upsets Me.

Norman Kay- I Dont Know Exactly What Ure Situation Was, But Maybe U Didnt Have Withdrawals And Thats Great For U, But I Think You Shouldnt Attack People On This Forum Who Have Helped Others. By That I Mean Auntybiotic.
You Have No Clue How This Woman Has Helped Me And Many Others. I Am Off Lexapro And Have Been Off It For 3 Weeks. It Took Me One Year To Taper And I Finally Got Off It Safely Because Of Auntybiotic. So Please Be An Adult And Dont Write Things That Are Going To Affect All These People Recovering Or Trying To Recover. We Are All Here For The Same Reason.

Shakespeare-perhaps We Shouldnt Have Jumped To Conclusions And Been On Attack Mode. Maybe Normankay Should Have Worded It Differently Instead Of Saying That, "it Is Weird" That We Are Having Withdrawals And That He Didnt.
I Had A Cousin Who Was On Paxil For One Year And Got Off It Without Withdrawals. Maybe That Is Possible Because Of Their System And The Fact That They Never Had Any Emotional Issues Like Being Depressed, Or They Havent Taken Any Other Psych Drug.

Lets Try To All Be Civil And Realize That We Are Here For One Purpose Only. Lets Not Attack People Because They Are Having Withdrawals Or Not Having Them.

The Moral Of The Story Is, If U Have Nothing Nice To Say Then Dont Say Anything At All!!!

Take Care Everyone.

Tavee

[Hairyarmadillo]

How are you feeling, Tavee?

[Hairyarmadillo]

Originally Posted by Hairyarmadillo

How are you feeling, Tavee?

Hey, has anyone heard from Elizabethmarie?

[Normankay]

Originally Posted by tavee

Wow U Guys!! I Havent Been On For A While And To See This Much Aggression Upsets Me.

Norman Kay- I Dont Know Exactly What Ure Situation Was, But Maybe U Didnt Have Withdrawals And Thats Great For U, But I Think You Shouldnt Attack People On This Forum Who Have Helped Others. By That I Mean Auntybiotic.
You Have No Clue How This Woman Has Helped Me And Many Others. I Am Off Lexapro And Have Been Off It For 3 Weeks. It Took Me One Year To Taper And I Finally Got Off It Safely Because Of Auntybiotic. So Please Be An Adult And Dont Write Things That Are Going To Affect All These People Recovering Or Trying To Recover. We Are All Here For The Same Reason.

Shakespeare-perhaps We Shouldnt Have Jumped To Conclusions And Been On Attack Mode. Maybe Normankay Should Have Worded It Differently Instead Of Saying That, "it Is Weird" That We Are Having Withdrawals And That He Didnt.
I Had A Cousin Who Was On Paxil For One Year And Got Off It Without Withdrawals. Maybe That Is Possible Because Of Their System And The Fact That They Never Had Any Emotional Issues Like Being Depressed, Or They Havent Taken Any Other Psych Drug.

Lets Try To All Be Civil And Realize That We Are Here For One Purpose Only. Lets Not Attack People Because They Are Having Withdrawals Or Not Having Them.

The Moral Of The Story Is, If U Have Nothing Nice To Say Then Dont Say Anything At All!!!

Take Care Everyone.

Tavee

thanks, and understood tavee. I wasnt the first one to start of the negativity, and just felt attacked in the first place by Shakespeare. I just worded incorrectly. I shouldnt have said some of the negative things I said, it just seemed everyone was offended for the wrong reason. If Shakespear and I were having the talk face to face I am sure he would have not taken what I said offensively and could have handled the situation in a more civilized matter. That is one of the main problems with the internet. Sometimes "typed responses" don't come out as they should and my first message was never intended to show negativity towards anyone. The reason I told you guys I worked for Sea World as a marine biologist to try to get you guys to see my work is all about compassion. I dont technically always work there, my office is there. I just live in San Diego, but just got back from a 4 month study with sharks in Australia and spend a lot of my time working with charity groups. I am completely passionate about most things I do. I will however if I feel attacked can resort back to being negative if someone tends to attack what I say, and sometimes forget that online chat can be taken wrong a lot of the time. I am sorry to have used such child like responses with the people I did, I more or less felt attacked.

[Shakespeare]

Tavee, of course I can do nothing but apologize, although my intension was never to "attack" anyone. (I even put lots of Smilieys in my post to show that I was not too serious, but they didn't come out right.) I just felt exasperated by the word "weird", the reason being that I have subjected myself to so many medical tests and hospitalizations during my 6 months of withdrawal, without the doctors finding a single thing wrong with me. But every time I suggest that my brain zaps, lethargy, sweats, headaches, etc. could be "withdrawal from Lexapro", they just shake their head and sort of laugh. One doctor told me firmly that I should try to get that idea out of my head or maybe see a psychiatrist so that I could try another antidepressant. Many, yes, think I am "weird" to even believe that it could still be Lexapro giving me these symptoms. So my fuse is rather short concerning this matter.
But I am not so interested in talking about that. Here is a copy of my post a couple of days ago. I would be happy if anyone would comment on it and focus on such things instead of stating how funny it is that they themselves have no withdrawals because that is the last thing in the world that interests me.
I am now entering month 6 after my very fast tapering off Laxapro. First 2 months was hell, then 2 months feeling much better. Then month 5 has been very hard - strong tinnitus, fatigue, lethargy, night sweats again, persistent head ache and some bouts of anxiety. Recently I have experienced something I would call "windows"; feeling perfectly fine half a day and even a couple of days. Then it all comes back, especially weakness in my thumbs (!) and hands, strong tinnitus (as when you are opening your mouth very wide or yawning) and bouts of fatigue and even anxiety. Very strange and confusing. Anyone else who have experienced the same in month 5-6? Anyone who have been though this and can tell me what to expect?
I also have a theory that I want to discuss. After my research into this phenomenon, I have concluded that it doesn't really matter what antidepressant you are on when it comes to withdrawals. The question is only: How fast did you taper and how well did your body adjust to the lower serotonine levels. By this I mean: You can have much more severe reactions to Zoloft or Lexapro than Paxil if you taper down too fast. Having said this, of course you must be much more careful with Paxil due to the shorter half life of the medicine. My point is, though: It doesn't really matter what antidepressant you have been on, maybe except from Prozac. The question is only: How fast did you taper, and how fast did your body and brain adjust. Anyone who has any thoughts about this?

[Ohwell]

I agree fast tapering probably did me in! (3 weeks) (from 10mg) taken for 1.6 years....but in my dr. opinion that was plenty of tapering!


I'm still wondering how many (if any) have lingering throat issues....

dry throat
feels swollen in the back
swallowing feels "funny"
a little red in back
Still having a bit of "sinus" drainage
My voice is also raspy at times.

It doesn't "hurt" per say....just continues to be "there" and annoying.
This started about 2 months ago (about 2 weeks after I went off Lex)

I made an appointment with an ENT doctor, but canceled, because I thought it was getting better, but really still "here", and now thinking I should have kept the appointment. So many of my initial symptoms have gone away, except this one.

Just looking for company I guess, if others have had this, and it is a withdrawal, I'll just wait it out. Aunty??? Thanks so much. ohwell.

[Shakespeare]

Originally Posted by Ohwell

I agree fast tapering probably did me in! (3 weeks) (from 10mg) taken for 1.6 years....but in my dr. opinion that was plenty of tapering!


I'm still wondering how many (if any) have lingering throat issues....

dry throat
feels swollen in the back
swallowing feels "funny"
a little red in back
Still having a bit of "sinus" drainage
My voice is also raspy at times.

It doesn't "hurt" per say....just continues to be "there" and annoying.
This started about 2 months ago (about 2 weeks after I went off Lex)

I made an appointment with an ENT doctor, but canceled, because I thought it was getting better, but really still "here", and now thinking I should have kept the appointment. So many of my initial symptoms have gone away, except this one.

Just looking for company I guess, if others have had this, and it is a withdrawal, I'll just wait it out. Aunty??? Thanks so much. ohwell.

I guess what you have is just lingering "flue like symptoms" that are very common in SSRI withdrawals. I had that, too. Dry mouth was a big problem for me a long time. But why not just check it up? I cant believe this is anything really serious.

[Hairyarmadillo]

Originally Posted by Ohwell

I agree fast tapering probably did me in! (3 weeks) (from 10mg) taken for 1.6 years....but in my dr. opinion that was plenty of tapering!


I'm still wondering how many (if any) have lingering throat issues....

dry throat
feels swollen in the back
swallowing feels "funny"
a little red in back
Still having a bit of "sinus" drainage
My voice is also raspy at times.

It doesn't "hurt" per say....just continues to be "there" and annoying.
This started about 2 months ago (about 2 weeks after I went off Lex)

I made an appointment with an ENT doctor, but canceled, because I thought it was getting better, but really still "here", and now thinking I should have kept the appointment. So many of my initial symptoms have gone away, except this one.

Just looking for company I guess, if others have had this, and it is a withdrawal, I'll just wait it out. Aunty??? Thanks so much. ohwell.

One of the things I found to be most annoying with Lexapro withdrawal was that so many symptoms mimicked other real problems-it was hard to tell what was a withdrawal symptom and what was an actual ailment. Honestly, though, with your throat being red, I would wonder if that isn't actually a sinus issue. It wouldn't hurt to get it checked out by your ENT. Sometimes, it is good to get something ruled out. My opinion only, but it definitely sounds like sinus. I have battled the same thing for two months-this has been a horrendous season for MY sinuses. Good luck!

[Shakespeare]

Originally Posted by Hairyarmadillo

One of the things I found to be most annoying with Lexapro withdrawal was that so many symptoms mimicked other real problems-it was hard to tell what was a withdrawal symptom and what was an actual ailment. Honestly, though, with your throat being red, I would wonder if that isn't actually a sinus issue. It wouldn't hurt to get it checked out by your ENT. Sometimes, it is good to get something ruled out. My opinion only, but it definitely sounds like sinus. I have battled the same thing for two months-this has been a horrendous season for MY sinuses. Good luck!

Since you seem to have experienced this withdrawal hell, and turned the corner, so to speak, could you give us a brief summery as to what happened to you during withdrawal and when and how you felt you were finally coming out of it? It would be so nice to hear from someone who has actually beat this thing. Its sad that so many of those who have been through this, just stops posting and we hear nothing from them again. But they could give us real hope.

[tavee]

I Am Glad You Guys Posted And Realized The Miscommunication That Occurred.

Normankay- Thanks Again For Your Response. I Agree That It Is Very Difficult To Understand What A Person Is Writing And To Try To Figure Out The Tone.
So I Think Anyone Would Get Offended. I Also Think That Our Fuses Are Shorter Being On This Horrible Drug And Tapering. I Am The First One To Admit It Cuz It Happened To Me Too On This Post.i Hope That You Can Continue To Post And Help People On This Site Just As We Can Help You!!

Shakespeare- I Hope That Every Day That Goes By You Feel Better And Better. Just Realize That You Will Have Those Windows Of Feeling Ok And Then It Will Be Bad Again And The Same Thing Over. This Means That You Are Healing. Thats What Happens. If U Read Schnauzer Time's Posts You Will Also See How She Went Thru The Same Thing. I Remember When I Decided To Taper From 2.3 To 2 Ml. Oh My God!! That Minute Amount Affected Me And I Thought I Was Going Nuts!!
I Also Lost My Hearing In One Ear For A Few Days(tinitus). It Was Muffled And I Was Livid. I Went To The Doctor And They Couldnt Figure It Out.

Did I Mention That I Also Saw A Psych Over The Summer For My Slight Withdrawals And He Told Me That Its All In My Head And That I Probably Am A Slow Metabolizer, And Should Not Be Having Withdrawals On This Small Amount Of Lex. I Was Like. Are U Kidding Me????
He Also Told Me That I Should Not Listen To Anyone On The Internet Cuz What They Say Is ********************!! Do U Believe That??? Annnnnnd Let Me Add He Said That Nutrition Has Nothing To Do With Our Situation And That It Doesnt Help.

Sooooooooo The Moral Of My Story Is These So Called Professionals Have Nooooooooo Clue And That Is Why We Are All Here Trying To Figure It Out Ourselves.
If It Wasnt For This Forum(i Repeat) I Would Have Not Gotten Of This Drug Safely. It Took Me A Year But I Did It And So Can You. You Will Heal And Get Better Every Day That Goes By My Dear Proffessor Shakespeare!!

Good Luck Everyone!!!

Thanks For Patching Things Up! We Need Each Other Here!!

Love
Tavee

PS SHAKESPEARE- ARE U TAKING ANY SUPPLEMENTS RIGHT NOW?? PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

[Hairyarmadillo]

Originally Posted by Shakespeare

Since you seem to have experienced this summery as to what happened to you during withdrawal and when and how you felt you were finally coming out of it? It would be so nice to hear from someone who has actually beat this thing. Its sad that so many of those who have been through this, just stops posting and we hear nothing from them again. But they could give us real hope.

I will be glad to share my story!! When I first found this forum and realized the benefit of the support, I made a promise to myself that I would continue to post if I made it through the ordeal, to encourage others. I must admit there was a point there when I wondered if I would ever get to the point of being able to say there was indeed light at the end of the tunnel. I am here to say that there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel. I don't think I am fully clear of the tunnel but I am far enough through now that most days are bright.

I have dealt with bouts of depression throughout life. As I got older and heard of the miracles of antidepressants, I became convinced that I had a chemical imbalance and this was indeed the answer. After all, I had experienced these bouts since early childhood-had to be chemical since a child is naturally happy. (interjecting here that I no longer feel it is a chemical issue, but that is a much longer story) So I went to my doctor and explained my bouts of depression which reappeared when the stressors of my grandmother's death and mother's diagnosis of cancer along with everyday life became overwhelming. He was more than willing to prescribe Paxil (this was approximately 10 years ago). It was the most wonderful choice I had made (so I thought) and I felt fantastic for approximately six months, then the "happy" feelings started leveling out. Around this time, I went to the doctor for a non-related issue, the doctor freaked about my large weight gain and switched me to prozac for about 3 weeks, but I complained and he put me back on paxil. I did continue to gain weight, which I didn't worry about, because by this point I had become totally apathetic. It was all I could do to go to work. The house became a wreck-days worth of dirty dishes piled up, laundry went undone. All I could do was force myself to go to work, come home, sit on the couch (oh yeah and eat lots of high carb and high sugar junk food continuously) and then, around 7 go to bed. I would sleep all weekend, forcing myself to get up when I had to do so. I mentioned it to my dr, who decided I was depressed and increase the Paxil. I went through about 2 months or so in a daze at which time I decided to wean down from 40 mgs to 30 mgs. I started feeling slightly better so went on down to 0 mg. Wish I had written down specific times of weaning but didn't think it was an issue. After the first obvious symptoms (deep sleep and weird dreams), I thought the withdrawals were over. Little did I realize that the brain zaps which occured shortly after that time were related along with the feelings of disassociation.I thought I was 1. overweight and getting ready to have a stroke or 2. cracking up. Stayed off paxil for awhile, but depression/anxiety returned. A friend mentioned lexapro and I thought that maybe Paxil wasn't the answer for me, and I needed to give something else a shot. Got on Lexapro, the anxiety went away but within 6 months I started feeling apathetic again. I weaned off it within about a month's time. That was in essence "cold turkey" but I didn't feel any symptoms at all, only a need to sleep a bit more. There was NOTHING to get getting off Lexapro!! Or so I thought-approximately 3 months later I was hit with the worst case of anxiety I had ever had. A few changes were going on in my life but nothing that warranted that-I was jittery and on edge, on the verge of panic attacks. I went to my doctor, accepted that I was on the people who needed this drug. Got back on it, went for about a year and a half when I got sick of the apathy. There were things that I NEEDED to be concerned about but I wasn't-I knew it was a problem. So, I went online looking for good ways to wean off Lexapro. This time I found this site. I realized that I had experienced more withdrawal symptoms from Paxil than I had known at the time. Also realized the fact that I couldn't focus or remember anything could also be associated with ssri use. When I read people sharing all the same symptoms that I had dismissed as other things, I realized these folks KNEW what they were talking about. This time I did a slower taper. Definitely not the best slow taper but I spread it out more. I was on 10 mgs and dropped to 7.5-didn't feel that much and got cocky, so after about 6 days I decided to go down to 5 mgs-bad choice! I started feeling dizzy, nauseous and knew it was going to get worse, so I went back to the 7.5 mgs for about 3 weeks. I then dropped to 5 and stayed there for 4 weeks. Getting off Lexapro was not as easy the second time around. I slept much more, had a few weird dreams (nothing that compared to the Paxil, though), felt like I had the flu. Had to force myself to go to work because I could have stayed home and slept. There were more than a few days of depression and irritability. PMS time was scary with the increased agitation and depression that at times felt it would never lift. I then went to 2.5 and stayed on that for approximately 2 1/2 weeks. I could never get the sliver exact though and the amount I was taking was varying and my mood was vacillitating wildly at that point. I am a teacher and I found myself become unreasonably short with my students so I decided to stop taking anything at all. The mood fluctuations seemed to stop immediately but I felt like I was fighting off the flu for a full month. Then I started feeling halfway alive. During this time, I wasn't depressed or grouchy until PMS time which seemed to last forever. That was the norm for about 3 months. Then, one month, I was going about life as normal and pms time came and went without the dreaded week of extreme agitation and depression. Then another one. The days of being depressed or moody became fewer with more "normal" days in between. Of course, it is easy to get cocky and think it is all over so from time to time I have gotten careless and started drinking caffeine for several days in a row, thinking nothing of it. Then, bammo, the moods return -both grouchy and depression that seems to never end. Since this ordeal, I have no tolerance for caffeine and find to this day that sodas and coffee still exacerbate the moods/depression.

I went through all that to let everyone know there is indeed hope, no matter if you have been on SSRIs for a long time period. I had given up on ever being SSRI free, but I do believe I will be. There were moments during all that when I was tempted to take just a sliver but I kept telling myself that the mood was going to pass and the thoughts/feelings were not reality only a perception that was enhanced by the withdrawal symptoms. I took Omega3 faithfully (well, would get lazy with that and would pay for it, so learned the importance of that). Magnesium seemed to also improve my mood even though I had taken it for muscular issues. I also can't begin to stress the importance of proactively planning for attacking the negative moods/ thoughts when they come. They will sneak up on you and overtake you if you aren't prepared. If your thoughts start rambling, do something to distract you. If you are feeling negative, pamper yourself. Watch silly tv or read a silly book. Soak in the tub. Get online and talk to someone. IT WILL PASS!
I do believe there are some lucky individuals who either 1. have no problems while on this drug, or 2. have no problems withdrawaling from this drug but don't let this fact make you ever feel like your withdrawals are not real or are taking too long. Everyone's body is different and everyone's journey through this is different. But EVERYone will get to the end of the tunnel. It is going to seem dark and sometimes may seem endless, but trust me there are many of us who have passed through the same pathway and the light is out there waiting for you!!!

I still say when we all get there, we should have a big party .

[Shakespeare]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Its been very tough for you, and I must say I feel very sorry for you. Its amazing that those who have suffered most, still have time and energy to help others. You are an amazing person and I wish you much more happiness to come. You deserve it. Could you also tell me more about those "windows" I seem to be experiencing now? For two wonderful days I feel good and strong (yeah, it's easy to get cocky when you feel "back to your old self"!) And then, the same night, you are sweating and the zaps drive you crazy and your heart is beating so fast... Today there has even been an anxious knot in my stomach that is very hard to get rid off. It comes and goes. If it isn't this its that.. Did you also experience this? Could you tell me more about your physical symptoms, how the developed and how they disappeared?

[Julia77]

Hairyarmadillo: Thanks a lot for sharing your experience. I bet it's gonna help lots of those like me who are still struggling their way through.

Tavee: How are you feeling?

[Julia77]

I've read somewhere that large amounts of calcium cause depression, is this true? I take coral calcium to help with heart palps and sleep, do you guys think I should continue taking it?

[Ohwell]

Hi Julia, I take only 1 calcium in the evening before bed. I would taper, and just take one per day. If you eat/drink milk at all I think one would be plenty anyway. (unless your bones are weak, etc.) I think you have to be careful with calcium. In my opinion too much is bad.

My throat is better today. Thats whats so hard, I don't want to waste a trip to the dr. and those ENT's are soooo hard to get into anyway. I would be waiting a month or more.

I had alot of energy today! Praise God! I went for a walk and washed my garage door! (it gets so dusty)....

Trying to stay healthy and praying for it too! ohwell.

[Hairyarmadillo]

Originally Posted by Shakespeare

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Its been very tough for you, and I must say I feel very sorry for you. Its amazing that those who have suffered most, still have time and energy to help others. You are an amazing person and I wish you much more happiness to come. You deserve it. Could you also tell me more about those "windows" I seem to be experiencing now? For two wonderful days I feel good and strong (yeah, it's easy to get cocky when you feel "back to your old self"!) And then, the same night, you are sweating and the zaps drive you crazy and your heart is beating so fast... Today there has even been an anxious knot in my stomach that is very hard to get rid off. It comes and goes. If it isn't this its that.. Did you also experience this? Could you tell me more about your physical symptoms, how the developed and how they disappeared?

I was fortunate that most of my physical symptoms were limited to the mental aspects, though I do remember that knot. The main thing I felt was fatigue at times and then as I mentioned the emotional symptoms. Even as far along as I am (almost 8 months, guys) I was taken aback a couple of weeks ago when I felt that exhaustion hit. I even called in and took a day off and for about a week or more was running on empty. My routine hadn't changed any, but I felt EXACTLY like I had during some of the early withdrawal. I realized then that I had gotten way out of control drinking the coffee on a daily basis (some days I even had 2 cups) I had taken these vitamin B with herbs for energy when I first started feeling drained, which only compounded the problem. And (cocky me) I had stopped taking the Omega 3. I have to find some way to get that into my schedule so I don't forget becaause it makes a big difference. The funny thing is, along the way while you are going through all the symptoms, they seem to almost disappear overnight. Mine would lessen to a degree but there was no indication they were minimized enough to go away and then one day I would wake up on top of the world. I will say though that during that Paxil withdrawal,which I was naive enough to blame on being out of shape, overweight, those symptoms went on in some form for a good 6 months at least. I would be walking kids to the bus and feel like I was going to pass out. Would be teaching afterschool program and the zaps would knock me for a loop. I would get out of breath sometimes. And I would have muscle twitches, especially at night. As bad as that was, even THAT went away. And, like I mentioned, back then I had no idea that similar events were experienced by others going through SSRI withdrawal so I just kept going on through my daily routine, thinking "gee, I better diet and exercise so I don't have a heart attack"
My big advice to everyone is at least take the Omega3 daily and avoid caffeine or any stimulants. If you have issues with the depersonalization, Noni juice really helped me with that. And "baby" yourself just as you would if you had the flu or some virus. Don't put yourself on a mental timeline for being normal. It is harder not to do this as more time passes and the symptoms disappear. But even once the obvious aspects diminish, remember it can take up to 18 months for everything to return to "normal".

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by Hairyarmadillo

I was fortunate that most of my physical symptoms were limited to the mental aspects, though I do remember that knot. The main thing I felt was fatigue at times and then as I mentioned the emotional symptoms. Even as far along as I am (almost 8 months, guys) I was taken aback a couple of weeks ago when I felt that exhaustion hit. I even called in and took a day off and for about a week or more was running on empty. My routine hadn't changed any, but I felt EXACTLY like I had during some of the early withdrawal. I realized then that I had gotten way out of control drinking the coffee on a daily basis (some days I even had 2 cups) I had taken these vitamin B with herbs for energy when I first started feeling drained, which only compounded the problem. And (cocky me) I had stopped taking the Omega 3. I have to find some way to get that into my schedule so I don't forget becaause it makes a big difference. The funny thing is, along the way while you are going through all the symptoms, they seem to almost disappear overnight. Mine would lessen to a degree but there was no indication they were minimized enough to go away and then one day I would wake up on top of the world. I will say though that during that Paxil withdrawal,which I was naive enough to blame on being out of shape, overweight, those symptoms went on in some form for a good 6 months at least. I would be walking kids to the bus and feel like I was going to pass out. Would be teaching afterschool program and the zaps would knock me for a loop. I would get out of breath sometimes. And I would have muscle twitches, especially at night. As bad as that was, even THAT went away. And, like I mentioned, back then I had no idea that similar events were experienced by others going through SSRI withdrawal so I just kept going on through my daily routine, thinking "gee, I better diet and exercise so I don't have a heart attack"
My big advice to everyone is at least take the Omega3 daily and avoid caffeine or any stimulants. If you have issues with the depersonalization, Noni juice really helped me with that. And "baby" yourself just as you would if you had the flu or some virus. Don't put yourself on a mental timeline for being normal. It is harder not to do this as more time passes and the symptoms disappear. But even once the obvious aspects diminish, remember it can take up to 18 months for everything to return to "normal".

It's hard to overestimate the importance of your sharing the story with us...those who are struggling more than you are every day.
You mentioned feeling depressed as a child, what do you think is another solution to that chemical imbalance (if there is one?)
Have you ever looked into homeopathy? Do you think it might be helpful.
I stopped taking 2.5 mg in late June -early July. My way of tapering was cutting 2.5 mg into zillions little parts and taking that sliver. Funny, I know, but I didn't know any different. In August I went into physical withdrawals and was prescribed 0.1 mg ( one hundredth of 10 mg) from a compounding pharmacy. I found it helped me for a month or so until I started to cut it off even more. I diluted it in water and cut 20% of that 0.1 mg. I've been feeling the results of that cut off ( or maybe coldturkeying 2.5 mg in July??) for the past 6-7 weeks or so... Now I am seriously considering to quit taking even those drops I am on now because not sure they are not the reason I am feeling those emotional shakes ( the compounding pharmacy might be fluctuating as I learned).
The only thing stopping me from quitting taking it altogether is because I am scared I wouldn't be able to function...yeap... and I need to be sane because of school and work demands.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by Ohwell

Hi Julia, I take only 1 calcium in the evening before bed. I would taper, and just take one per day. If you eat/drink milk at all I think one would be plenty anyway. (unless your bones are weak, etc.) I think you have to be careful with calcium. In my opinion too much is bad.

My throat is better today. Thats whats so hard, I don't want to waste a trip to the dr. and those ENT's are soooo hard to get into anyway. I would be waiting a month or more.

I had alot of energy today! Praise God! I went for a walk and washed my garage door! (it gets so dusty)....

Trying to stay healthy and praying for it too! ohwell.

Hey! Good for you. Thanks for pointing it out to me with calcium.

[Hates_SSRI's]

Originally Posted by Normankay

You are a loser, I probably have more friends and family that care for me than you ever will. Why don't you get off the internet and get some real friends. I highly doubt you are anything close to how you think you are. You started this stupid nonsense not I. You want to call people names why dont you read your initial post. It was definately not the definition of nice. It seems like you think your words are kind. Why dont you go and take some courtesy classes before you stick your head into someone elses conversation. You must be an old grandma with nothing better to do but start kid drama. Look I didnt start this nonsense you did. LOL. As for my wife and kids, they love me more than youd ever know lady. I just call em like I see em and what I think I see is an annoying lady with nothing better to do. Just cause a couple people here say they have withdrawls doesnt mean everyone does, hate to break it to you. Ask your doctor, he would probably have a better idea of how many "REAL" people not Internet people had withdrawls. He will probably have a more realistic opinion. You don't even know about withdrawls, you are just mad cause this is thread is initially yours and you feel as if you have something to protect? I don't know. You dont even take lexapro, you know what it feels like? You know how it works? No you dont, just because I came here and said what I said, you must feel like I put you down? I dont know. You too probably made almost 2-5oo,ooo hits since you started it? Just cause you always reply and know one real person that actually tried Lexapro you think you know more than the average person?
Look you are no better than anyone, not a doctor and definately shouldnt be trusted for a good opinion. Just cause your daughter who is the only person you know that has taken Lexapro had withdrawls and a handfull of others here has had them doesnt mean everyone else on the medicine has had them. It doesnt even give a close representation of how many people had bad side effects in a real life ration. 50 people, hits mean nothing, out of 4 million people or greater on the drug and 50 here are having bad side effects you think that is a good representation? Look how many people have problems with drugs like oxycodone, xanax, valium,vikaden, methadone, suboxone, Fentynal etc etc with withdrawls that are real gut retching withdrawl symptoms. Having those makes a Lexapro withdrawl feel like you have something as annoying as a sneeze.LOL. Lexapro has nothing on an opiate like withdrawl, maybe thats why I am skeptic to what some may call withdrawls esp since you have had none. Look all drugs can have bad side effects. Lexapro is just what they are giving most for anti depressants. What would you rather be on, Wellbutrin, celexia, prozac, paxil this anti depressant list has over 20 drugs and all have side effects and or can have withdrawls. The initial reason I post wasnt to you, it appears you feel since this is your thread that you should talk to everyone on it. I bet most of the people that have posted on it dont come back anymore. Most probably got off it and are fine now. You werent nice in assuming that I was probably all messed up on drugs, or was that a nice question? Why dont you rethink the stuff you type if you arent prepared for someone like me to tell you off and how it really is. I feel bad for your family and friends, thats if you have any. I am a marine biologist by the way and work for Sea World, working with more charity organizations you have probably never been apart of. My work is all for the love of protection of animal species and to help people to understand the abuse that people do to animals both in the water and on land. I am not some snot nose grandma that sits on chat forums all day.

Gee where do I start with you? First off you ignorant waste of skin, no one here gives a rat's what you have to say, where you work (haha Marine Biologist my a$$) or what other lovely drugs you are addicted too. Most of which you can't even spell correctly. If you are the opiate addict you say you are and that you are using methadone to help your recovery, I would guess that your job as a Marine Biologist (I can't say that without laughing) would have ended long ago at the random drug tests that your employer administers.

You know nothing, other than how to lie and berate people behind the security of your keyboard, of the pain and hardship those of us coming off SSRI's have endured. If you truly had no trouble, oh wait you lied about that too, then count yourself among the lucky ones and take the phuck off. Your kind is not wanted or welcome here. This is a support group that has been around for a long time and is a great resource for those needing guidance and confirmation with the troubles associated with coming off SSRI's.
“Look how many people have problems with drugs like oxycodone, xanax, valium,vikaden, methadone, suboxone, Fentynal etc etc with withdrawls that are real gut retching withdrawl symptoms.” Learn how to spell, and what classes of drugs are the same and which are not. If you for one minute think that the withdrawal from Lexapro is not gut wrenching then you truly are ignorant. Also if you think that methadone is not an opiate you truly are an idiot. You not only berate people with real issues, you deny that you are STILL an addict. You caused your own withdrawal by becoming addicted, most likely illegally, to opiates and now you whine because you have withdrawal from coming off your drug of choice. Care to explain oh Capt. Holier then thou how exactly you got prescribed methadone? Hum, court order? Hum?

Anyway, take a hike, your words are worthless and not wanted here. Go to NA and whine about your withdrawal and your methadone and your job (HAHAHAHAHHA) and whatever else you want to. Oh wait, you never will, you don’t have the balls, there is no keyboard to hide behind. You are a pathetic excuse for a human. Lets hope that if you really do work at Sea World that the animal kingdom sees your worthlessness and sees fit to take you out

A reply is not needed or desired, only your leave from this site is requested. You are the weakest link . . . Buh bye.

[Ohwell]

Lets help each other with this painful withdrawal many of us are suffering here. What I know is - I look forward to reading this site each day. It has helped me have hope. Lets all keep positive for our health and healings sake.
It is good to forgive and forget. May God bless us all and heal us. ohwell.