[Julia77]

Erin,

I would reconsider taking Xanax. It's highly addictive and may get you into more severe withdrawals. Magnesium helps tremendously with anxiety.

Stay AWAY from any herbs whatsoever now.

[wherethehellami?]

Originally Posted by Ohwell

How are you doing? Running much? still fatigued? Are you completely off the Lex. yet? Can't remember? Hope your well. ohwell.

hey ohwell. I'm doing okay...the fatigue is practically gone but I still do not feel "normal" yet. It's probably going to be in the spring when I feel 100%. I'm not running much b/c my body can't handle it for that long. I'm not off the Lex but I'm at my usual dose which I reinstated back in May. I believe the rapid change in dose for me (20mg-10mg) was too much for my brain to handle and I have acquired brain injury which is a mild form of brain damage (takes about a year for full recovery). Those head pains I talked about in my early posts I think was from swelling in my brain (when the brain swells it puts pressure on the skull). Once I get health insurance I'd like to see a neurologist but probably by the time that happens I'll be back to normal again. Just a randomn rumination- I wonder how many people tend to be introverts on this board. Back in my personality psych class we learned that introverts are very sensitive to taste and limit outside stimuli because there is much activity going on in the brain (anxiousness, self-consciousness,etc). Well, I wonder if such a chage in psychotropic medicine is harder for introverts than extroverts. Just a thought.

-Chris

[Ohwell]

Hey, so your not tapering at all right now?
I'm sorry about the fatigue. Its hard. Mine is about gone right now, just dealing with the throat issuse and gland issues...same old same old.

I have been walking daily. Up to 2 miles a day now. Wish I could run again, but those days are over for me....ohwell.

[Ohwell]

So sorry you don't have more support at home. I hope you take Julia's advice and reinstate, (at least a bit) to help ease some of your withdrawal symptoms....You can taper slowly, and still get off. Theres no need to hurry. And if you taper too quickly you will be hurting your brain a bit.

Don't listen to those who say there is no withdrawal...Most of them have never even been ON lex. let alone gone off it. We are the experts! so to speak.....

Some (I guess) don't have withdrawal, but most do (in my opinion)...

You will be sick for a few months if you don't reinstate to a dose where you begin to feel better.

The rule is if you have been off more than 6 weeks DON"T reinstate any lex.
But if its been less than 6 weeks you can reinstate at maybe just under your reg. dose...you should improve rather quickly, then after stable, begin to taper slowly....like every 3-4 weeks go down on your dose a bit.

I hope you realize you are not suffering alone. Many here have been very sick...and gotten better. You will heal. Some of the thinks I suffered through during my withdrawal were.....

dizzyness
dry mouth
spacy feeling'
FLU feeling
Fever (mild)
Fever feelings
Hot flashes/chills
loose stools
Headache
no appitite
FATIQUE
weakness
2 crying spells
anxiety
dry eyes
itchiness (sp?)
shooting pain in my right toe
heart pounding
pulse racing

and now....throat issues, gland issues

Let us know how you do....ohwell.

[erinkj]

Thank you very much for your reply and encouragement. I am well aware of the potential problems with xanax as I have used it as needed for 11 years. My starting dose 11 years ago was 0.25 mg twice a day. I very rarely ever used it going months between refills or having the refills expire. About 3 months ago I had to raise the strength for the first time ever to 0.5 mg as needed, that was about the same time I saw a psychiatrist who totally screwed up my meds and tappered me way to fast. I have been giving reinstatement some serious thought however, Lexepro was quite unbearable for me. It caused horrific acid reflux. Since I came off of that I have been able to discontinue Nexium with no problems. Celexa as Lex's parent drug strangely did not cause stomache problems for me. I wonder if it would be wiser to try and stabilize on the celexa and taper slow?! I am very confused on a plan of action. I have been trying to find a good Dr. or at least one who will look at the overall problem and not just try and cram more SSRI meds down my throat. Not having much luck. Maybee an osteopath or internist would be a good choice I am not sure. All I do know, is that NO Dr has ever run any type of tests to check my med levels, hormones like cortisol or anything else. I am schedualed to have labs drawn in the morning for cholesterol and blood sugar though. Maybe that will tell me something. I am making every attempt to abstain from the xanax. I do not use it unless I am realy freaking out or about to hyperventilate. I will look into the magnesium though. And thanks again for your kind words, they do realy help. How are you doing ? Erin

[erinkj]

Thank you for caring. I am just begining week 5 of being off of the Lex. It is absolutely miserable for sure. I also am struggeling with appetite. I am eating, though I have to force myself to do so. I take a multivitamin daily and xanax as needed and that is all I am on now. Some days are deffinately worse than others. I don't think I can get liquid Lex, at least not local. Psychiatrist switched me from 40mg of generic celexa which I had taken for 3 yrs, to 10mg of Lex which I took for 2 months. 10mg was not enough to stabilize me. Before the celexa I took 20mg of Lex for a year. As you can see the drop off was immediate and rather intense. When I talked to the pshyciatrist about my lack of stability he opted to start tapering me off at 10mg daily for 2 weeks then 5mg daily by cutting a pill in half, until the bottle was empty...I took the last pill just before my menstrual cycle!! Oh boy was that a disaster. My family members at least made it through alive and unmaimed. ( joke) I will likely reinstate the med. I dont think I have much choice as the symptoms are getting worse instead of better. Sorry if I ramble, my thoughts just race to fast for me to catch them and it is difficult to focus. Mania! Are you totaly off of Lex then? And how are you doing? Thanks again...Erin

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by wherethehellami?

hey ohwell. I'm doing okay...the fatigue is practically gone but I still do not feel "normal" yet. It's probably going to be in the spring when I feel 100%. I'm not running much b/c my body can't handle it for that long. I'm not off the Lex but I'm at my usual dose which I reinstated back in May. I believe the rapid change in dose for me (20mg-10mg) was too much for my brain to handle and I have acquired brain injury which is a mild form of brain damage (takes about a year for full recovery). Those head pains I talked about in my early posts I think was from swelling in my brain (when the brain swells it puts pressure on the skull). Once I get health insurance I'd like to see a neurologist but probably by the time that happens I'll be back to normal again. Just a randomn rumination- I wonder how many people tend to be introverts on this board. Back in my personality psych class we learned that introverts are very sensitive to taste and limit outside stimuli because there is much activity going on in the brain (anxiousness, self-consciousness,etc). Well, I wonder if such a chage in psychotropic medicine is harder for introverts than extroverts. Just a thought.

-Chris

Your comment on introversion made me smile. I am absolutely an Introvert. As an Artist I think Introversion is almost a pre-requsite. I know many people with Introversion tendancies who unfortunately also have anxiety/ deppression type problems so, I believe there is a connection there. However, I do not know anyone who has discontinued SSRI use to use as a comparison. It seems logical though. Erin

[neveradullmoment]

Erinkj,Ramble all ya need to.hehe

Been away for awile and I see the place is booming with druggy's.

Erin you have to eat somehow.For me if I get hungry things go down hill fast.
To remove yourself from all the scrips your hauling around you need strength physically from Good Nutrition.Then your body will have much better chance at doing what will be asked of it.
Supplements like Ensure or Boost work great for no appetite and give need body fuel.Chilled to allmost frozen they are really good but room temp is fine also.
I am sure there are lotsa prayers for you and others from all us addicts.
Hang in there and keep looking forward.

nadm

[stepoffaith]

This is my first post and I finally feel like I am not crazy. I've read a few pages and I have finally found people who "get it"! I am about 3.5 weeks completely off and I wish I had read these boards before I came off. I would have weaned much slower. I am a basket case. I have a ton of the physical zaps, fatigue, insomnia, etc. but the one I am having the most trouble with is the crying. I get choked up and cry on and off all day over silly things. Example, my husband travels for his job and is gone a couple days at a time - same for past 10 years. Yesterday morning when he left, I cried...and then cried on and off most of the day. Does anyone else have this? I have a 4 and 3 year old - they don't get why I cry or why I am snapping at them. I was on Lex after losing both my parents, brother in law getting lymphoma, and then losing another woman who was like my mom to me - all in one years time. I was on for 4 years. I am now living in London and don't have a doctor I feel I can confide in here. What advice can anyone offer? When does it get better? I am afraid of the holidays if this is more than a passing thing with the crying and sadness. Oh, I could really use some help. I know it is the right thing to get off this stuff but I am even crying as I am writing this.

[WalkingInMemphis]

I am new to the board, hello all.
I had been on Xanax for 2 years and have recently weaned off of it. I am not 100% healded from it but getting there. This is a tough drug to come off of. My MD wanted to replace my Xanax with Lexapro. He said it was not addictive. After reading these posts it looks like I could be trading one problem for another.
I have only been taking the Lexapro (10mg) for 3 days. Will it hurt to stop it cold turkey since it has been only 3 days?

Regards.

[1wonone]

I was in the store the other day thinking gee I get tired of drinking plain water all the time so I decided to pick up some of those single packet crystal lights to mix with my water. I grabbed a lemonde and was looking at the other flavors and they had a strawberry and that sounded good so I grabbed it. About 5:00 that evening I mixed up a strawberry one and drank it. It tasted pretty good but sure seemed to burn my throat. So I get ready for bed not really tired like usual but I figure it will hit soon. 10:00 wide awake 11:00 wide awake 12:00 wide awake. Finally about 12:30 I fall asleep but still jerk awake for an hour or so. I'm thinking what is the deal. So I get up the next morning and get my box of strawberry crystal light and the box says "energy on the go" 60 mg caffiene and b-vitamins. So just as a warning to those who now have to avoid caffiene like I do don't make the same mistake I did.

[wherethehellami?]

Originally Posted by stepoffaith

This is my first post and I finally feel like I am not crazy. I've read a few pages and I have finally found people who "get it"! I am about 3.5 weeks completely off and I wish I had read these boards before I came off. I would have weaned much slower. I am a basket case. I have a ton of the physical zaps, fatigue, insomnia, etc. but the one I am having the most trouble with is the crying. I get choked up and cry on and off all day over silly things. Example, my husband travels for his job and is gone a couple days at a time - same for past 10 years. Yesterday morning when he left, I cried...and then cried on and off most of the day. Does anyone else have this? I have a 4 and 3 year old - they don't get why I cry or why I am snapping at them. I was on Lex after losing both my parents, brother in law getting lymphoma, and then losing another woman who was like my mom to me - all in one years time. I was on for 4 years. I am now living in London and don't have a doctor I feel I can confide in here. What advice can anyone offer? When does it get better? I am afraid of the holidays if this is more than a passing thing with the crying and sadness. Oh, I could really use some help. I know it is the right thing to get off this stuff but I am even crying as I am writing this.

stepoffaith-why did you decide to get off the Lex? How much Lex were you taking and how did you taper? Like others have said on here you can reinstate your original dosage if the withdrawal is too much up to around 6 weeks and taper slowly once you feel better again. I had the crying spells too...it was not fun. Hang in there.
-Chris

[stepoffaith]

Well, I was on 20 mg for most of the 4 years. I weaned over a few months by going every other day for a month or so, then every third day, and then every fourth day, and then none. I now realize that was not smart. I didn't have problems while I was doing it so I guess I thought it was ok. I tried once before to come off (while I was nursing my daughter) but the dizzy spells and "vapor trails" as I call them, were unbearable so my doc put me back on and said to try again later. I thought now would be a good time to come off because I don't want to be on them forever and I'm in an ok place. I think I am going to call my US doc today and try to work something out to get back on and then wean off gradually. Would I have to go back to 20mg?

[Ohwell]

In my opinion you would NOT return to the full dose as you have already tapered for 3 weeks....(cold turkey) so to speak... if I were you I would resume at 17mg or so. The liquid is best, but some here crush the pills in juice then measure the dose out like that...I did my pill splitting as others here have...not the best but surely the easiest for me. Pill splitting is not accurate though, so if you do reinstate please try to go for the liquid lex.

You are at a hard place in the withdrawal. If you are ready to get off, I think it is time...in my opinion Lex. causes more problems than it solves...at least for me it did. I had many side effects just taking it.

I have been off for almost 3 months now. Took it for 1.6 yrs. at 10 mg.
Tapered for only 3 weeks.....so I was sick for the first 2 months....
my liver is not well, so I will never take Lex. again...ohwell.

[wherethehellami?]

stepoffaith- since it's been awhile since you've been on 20mg I'd say no if you tapered over the course of several months. I'd also wait to see what the other members on this board say. The key is allowing your body to stay on an even course and heal without constantly changing doses. I cut back to 10mg from 20mg for 8 weeks and when I went back up to 20mg again the fatigue grew worse. It's tough because our bodies are different.

[Ohwell]

In my opinion it would be better not to take anymore at all. 3 days isn't long at all. Some here have done lex. for a short time and quit after learning more about the drug. But know you MAY have a few mild withdrawal symptoms. Some here have been Lex. intolerant and have taken it for only a short time and had severe withdrawals, but in my opinion, they are the minority. You should be ok quitting after only 3 days. Count yourself lucky you have found out in time...it is very hard to get off this drug. It really changes your brain.
Anyone else about this? God bless you. ohwell.

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by WalkingInMemphis

I am new to the board, hello all.
I had been on Xanax for 2 years and have recently weaned off of it. I am not 100% healded from it but getting there. This is a tough drug to come off of. My MD wanted to replace my Xanax with Lexapro. He said it was not addictive. After reading these posts it looks like I could be trading one problem for another.
I have only been taking the Lexapro (10mg) for 3 days. Will it hurt to stop it cold turkey since it has been only 3 days?

Regards.

lexapro like all of the SSRI medications are not addictive in the traditional sence. They DO however alter your brain chemistry which, is what causes your body to become dependant on them. I cannot say for certain if you will or will not have a problem stopping lex after 3 days. It has been my personal experience that the longer a person takes these meds, the more problems they have quiting. You may not have any problem at all. My sister took paxil for one week, quit cold turkey and was fine. Everyone is different in their reaction to meds. As for comming off of xanax, yes I know that can be miserable. I have a few friends who had withdrawl problems with xanax. Do you mind my asking what the xanax treatment was for ? and your strength/ dosage? Good luck, I realy hope that you find the answers that you seek. P.S. check out the website labelmesane.com they have some products available to help with benzo withdrawl and are highly rated. Erin...

[erinkj]

NEVERADULLMOMENT :Thank you so much. I can never have to much encouragement.

[WalkingInMemphis]

My MD put me on Xanax a few years ago when I was going through a tough time with my father battling lung cancer. I stayed on it after his death becuase it made me sleep so well. THAT WAS A HUGE MISTAKE! I was taking 0.5mg 1 time a day ( at night) and never increased my dosage. I started having some problems and never contibuted them to Xanax until after I tried to stop cold turkey, another HUGE MISTAKE. Since I was not increasing my doasge I was bassically going through mild withdrawals all day! I tapered off in .125mg increments every week to 10 days. I am not on it now but still have some withdrawal symptoms from time to time. They say it can take months to rid you body of that stuff. Some believe it is best to cross over to Vallium and taper from it. However, US doctors are not so quick to prescrive Vallium.
I am a very anxious person who worries way too much and it sometimes results in GI problems, at least that is what my GI doctor thinks. That is why I was out on the Lexapro. However, I do not want to go back through what I did with the Xanax.
I have an appointment with my MD this afternoon to re-discuss these concerns. At this point I do not plan on taking any more.
Thanks to all who have repled to my post - sorry for the long one here.

[erinkj]

OK folks not going to sugarcoat this. I have to make a choice today; as in before my DR office closes. So, HELP!! I am going to follow the advice you all have given me and reinstate my meds. First, I need a little clarification. 1. Should I go back to the lex to stabilize? or try to stabilize on another SSRI that helped in the past? 2. When I began my to fast taper I was taking 10mg which was not enough. Therefor, I was not yet stable at that dose and should have been on 20mg instead. keeping that in mind.... 3. Should I go back on the 10mg and raise the dose periodicly to stabilize ( assuming that the 10mg is not enogh)? or just try and stick to the 10mg dose? 4. Does anyone recommend any particular tests/ bloodwork that I should ask for/ insist upon? If so, what?
11 years is a very long time to take an SSRI med without any testing. I have read that these meds may cause adrenal fatigue and liver problems, none of which I have been tested for EVER! For now I am sticking with my GP, he is a great guy and admits openly that this is not his area of expertise...Basicly, he is going on my recommendations for my care. My GP is going to refer me to a neuro psychologist . Unfortunately I cannot get in to see him until January.
I am beyond gratefull for any help that anyone can give.
Yesterday the nausea overtook me and I have been unable to hold anything down for more than a few hours. Been fighting a migrain for 2 days and it is gaining in strength. ( I do not want to have to get a shot for it) To top that all off, I believe that I am going to IMPLODE like a giant mushroom cloud, from the inside out at any given moment. ( Yes, I have taken my xanax. NOT HELPING) I know the panic drill all to well so, I know that will pass and I will be fine there. I just need to know where to start on the meds....Thank you all in advance! Erin...

[SL500]

Originally Posted by WalkingInMemphis

My MD put me on Xanax a few years ago when I was going through a tough time with my father battling lung cancer. I stayed on it after his death becuase it made me sleep so well. THAT WAS A HUGE MISTAKE! I was taking 0.5mg 1 time a day ( at night) and never increased my dosage. I started having some problems and never contibuted them to Xanax until after I tried to stop cold turkey, another HUGE MISTAKE. Since I was not increasing my doasge I was bassically going through mild withdrawals all day! I tapered off in .125mg increments every week to 10 days. I am not on it now but still have some withdrawal symptoms from time to time. They say it can take months to rid you body of that stuff. Some believe it is best to cross over to Vallium and taper from it. However, US doctors are not so quick to prescrive Vallium.
I am a very anxious person who worries way too much and it sometimes results in GI problems, at least that is what my GI doctor thinks. That is why I was out on the Lexapro. However, I do not want to go back through what I did with the Xanax.
I have an appointment with my MD this afternoon to re-discuss these concerns. At this point I do not plan on taking any more.
Thanks to all who have repled to my post - sorry for the long one here.

Hi, can you tell me how you got off of the xanax and how much of it you were taking??? and also how you felt coming off of it??? I am actually taking klonzapan (same as xanax just longer lasting) along with lexapro and am in the process of weining off of the klonzapan first....I know it is really tough to do - I give you a lot of strength for doing it!!

Thanks,
SL

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by WalkingInMemphis

My MD put me on Xanax a few years ago when I was going through a tough time with my father battling lung cancer. I stayed on it after his death becuase it made me sleep so well. THAT WAS A HUGE MISTAKE! I was taking 0.5mg 1 time a day ( at night) and never increased my dosage. I started having some problems and never contibuted them to Xanax until after I tried to stop cold turkey, another HUGE MISTAKE. Since I was not increasing my doasge I was bassically going through mild withdrawals all day! I tapered off in .125mg increments every week to 10 days. I am not on it now but still have some withdrawal symptoms from time to time. They say it can take months to rid you body of that stuff. Some believe it is best to cross over to Vallium and taper from it. However, US doctors are not so quick to prescrive Vallium.
I am a very anxious person who worries way too much and it sometimes results in GI problems, at least that is what my GI doctor thinks. That is why I was out on the Lexapro. However, I do not want to go back through what I did with the Xanax.
I have an appointment with my MD this afternoon to re-discuss these concerns. At this point I do not plan on taking any more.
Thanks to all who have repled to my post - sorry for the long one here.

I empathize greatly with your anxiousness, I live there. Going by my personal experience with SSRI meds, I highly recomend that you avoid them all together. There are a multitude of natural supplements available that have been well researched which can help immensly with anxiety. ( I wish I knew that 11 yrs ago) If you continue to have problems sleeping you may want to try meletonin. Ask your Dr about supplements instead of RX drugs. If he has little knowlege in that area, you may wish to check with your pharmacist. ( there are some out there who actually know a thing or two on supps) As far as Valium is concerned it has a longer life so, it stays in your system longer and has more tendencie to leave one with that DRUGGED feeling. ( just my opinion) I wish I could offer you more help. Unfortunately I am in a bit of a fog today. If you read back through these posts you will find a mountain of info on supplements. Good Luck and ask your Dr TONS of questions before you settle on treatment. Keep us posted on how you are doing..God Bless. Erin...
P.S. I get the G.I. problems to. Gastroscopy revealed peptic ulcer. (seems the lex made it worse) to date, Nexium is the only med that has worked for me in that regard. The more anxiety/stress you have the more your stomache rebels.

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by stepoffaith

This is my first post and I finally feel like I am not crazy. I've read a few pages and I have finally found people who "get it"! I am about 3.5 weeks completely off and I wish I had read these boards before I came off. I would have weaned much slower. I am a basket case. I have a ton of the physical zaps, fatigue, insomnia, etc. but the one I am having the most trouble with is the crying. I get choked up and cry on and off all day over silly things. Example, my husband travels for his job and is gone a couple days at a time - same for past 10 years. Yesterday morning when he left, I cried...and then cried on and off most of the day. Does anyone else have this? I have a 4 and 3 year old - they don't get why I cry or why I am snapping at them. I was on Lex after losing both my parents, brother in law getting lymphoma, and then losing another woman who was like my mom to me - all in one years time. I was on for 4 years. I am now living in London and don't have a doctor I feel I can confide in here. What advice can anyone offer? When does it get better? I am afraid of the holidays if this is more than a passing thing with the crying and sadness. Oh, I could really use some help. I know it is the right thing to get off this stuff but I am even crying as I am writing this.

I wish with all my heart that I could give you a giant hug right now! I truly empathize. EVERYTHING makes me cry these days. Do you know the song by John Cougar Melloncamp : when the walls start crumbeling down? That is exactly how I feel. In trying to make sence of the crying spells, I think that it may have something to do with our emotions comming alive again! For me, I have felt emotionaly numb for several years while on SSRI; so, its like my emotions are waking up after a long sleep. The problem is that I FEEL to much all at once which is overwhelming. As you said about your husband leaving for work. You are vulnerable right now and overwhelmed, but it will get better. Listen to the advice the vets of this site give you, they know what they are talking about. You are not alone! Good for you taking the steps and joining this site. Hang in there. Erin...

[WalkingInMemphis]

What ever you do, DO NOT quit cold turkey. That is a trip you don;t want to take, benn there, done that, but I was misinformed by my MD about how to quit Xanax.
The taper process is much like that for Lexapro. Most xreccomend cuts of no more than 10%. This is hard to do with Xanax becuase it comes in small doses. SOme recommend switching to Valium to taper with but that is debatable.
I was on .5mg once a day. I cut it by .125mg every week or so until I stabalized. Once I got down to a .125mg does I started alternating it every other day and then quit. The key to this is to go sloooow. The way my MD put it was "you have been on this for two years, what is another 2-3 months". Even though I am off of it I still have episodes from time to time. They say it can take up to a year or more to rid it from your system.
Coming off was not too bad. I would have a few tough days right after a cut but then I would stablize. SInce I was taking my dose only at night I would mostly have a hard time sleeping and then I felt lousy for a few days, tired, a little nausea, not much energy.
The best thing to do is seek the help of a doctor to design a taper schedule. Don't do this on your own.
Let me know if I can help you.

[SL500]

Originally Posted by WalkingInMemphis

What ever you do, DO NOT quit cold turkey. That is a trip you don;t want to take, benn there, done that, but I was misinformed by my MD about how to quit Xanax.
The taper process is much like that for Lexapro. Most xreccomend cuts of no more than 10%. This is hard to do with Xanax becuase it comes in small doses. SOme recommend switching to Valium to taper with but that is debatable.
I was on .5mg once a day. I cut it by .125mg every week or so until I stabalized. Once I got down to a .125mg does I started alternating it every other day and then quit. The key to this is to go sloooow. The way my MD put it was "you have been on this for two years, what is another 2-3 months". Even though I am off of it I still have episodes from time to time. They say it can take up to a year or more to rid it from your system.
Coming off was not too bad. I would have a few tough days right after a cut but then I would stablize. SInce I was taking my dose only at night I would mostly have a hard time sleeping and then I felt lousy for a few days, tired, a little nausea, not much energy.
The best thing to do is seek the help of a doctor to design a taper schedule. Don't do this on your own.
Let me know if I can help you.

Thanks....I dont know if that is too much of a cut for me. I think I am going to take it slower. I only cut 1/8 of my dose and feel it. It was one week on sat and I have the worst anxiety since wed - thats the worst of it...and also crying spells. I am only on .25mgs 1x at night and it is kicking my b"tt!! I dont really trust my docs as they are the one's who put me on this....It's not even a year I am on it and I feel horrible being on it. I was going to do a water titration to bring it down gradually when I stabalize on this. I am going to give it another week or so and see.....

[Return2Homeostasis]

When it comes to SSRIs, neuropsychopharmacology is the specific field of study that trumps all other fields. An esteemed contributor to the journal of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology sent me this response not long ago.

"There are all sorts of changes that long-term SSRI administration induce in rodent brain. It's not known whether the changes are permanent; virtually all changes identified to date revert to normal. And it's not known which of the changes see in animal brain occur in human brain. It's also not known which of the many changes identified in animal brain are responsible for the therapeutic effects of the drugs in humans."

[stepoffaith]

Ok, after a complete rollercoaster of emotions, I called my doc in the states and told her the saga of the past few weeks. She recommended I take 10 mg every other day until I can get back to the states in two weeks. I'm somewhat limited in my options because I only have a few pills left and my national health gp here is less than on the ball. So, I will see my US doc when I get there and then come up with a more gradual taper. Which sounds so bizarre as I thought what I did was very gradual. Again, wishing I had read this board before the process! I feel better about going back on to taper off as I don't think I could cope with the holidays being a basket case.

And, ohwell, I have had a swollen gland that comes and goes on the right side of my neck for a few months. My UK gp said it was nothing and my husband keeps telling me there is nothing there, but I know it feels different from the other side. It is just above the adams apple area like on my vocal cords. Is that where the thyroid is? My mom had hyperthyroidism as do a few of her sisters. I thought I read in a post that a potential side effect is thyroid problems. I never connected it to the lex...Do you know anything about this? I can't wait to get back to the states to a normal doc - the only problem is I am only going to be there for a week!

Erin - thanks for the hugs and right back at you. Sounds like we are sisters in the struggle. It is so comforting to have everyone here validate everything I am feeling. I hope you can stave off the migraine. Everything is worse with a migraine. I was listening to a Christmas album this morning and a song came on with the line take a "step of faith" and that is how I am trying to see this process. I need to believe that there is a happy life after lex and have faith that I can get through this. Having found this board has given me the faith that it can happen. Good wishes to you today - hope you can find some answers.
Sara

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by ?;wherethehellami191045

hey ohwell. I'm doing okay...the fatigue is practically gone but I still do not feel "normal" yet. It's probably going to be in the spring when I feel 100%. I'm not running much b/c my body can't handle it for that long. I'm not off the Lex but I'm at my usual dose which I reinstated back in May. I believe the rapid change in dose for me (20mg-10mg) was too much for my brain to handle and I have acquired brain injury which is a mild form of brain damage (takes about a year for full recovery). Those head pains I talked about in my early posts I think was from swelling in my brain (when the brain swells it puts pressure on the skull). Once I get health insurance I'd like to see a neurologist but probably by the time that happens I'll be back to normal again. Just a randomn rumination- I wonder how many people tend to be introverts on this board. Back in my personality psych class we learned that introverts are very sensitive to taste and limit outside stimuli because there is much activity going on in the brain (anxiousness, self-consciousness,etc). Well, I wonder if such a chage in psychotropic medicine is harder for introverts than extroverts. Just a thought.

-Chris

Hey Chris,

Well I know what you are talking about. What you are getting now is most probably brain zaps. I am not sure those meds cause brain injuries, but they do cause you be convinced that you have one.
Start to take fish oil. It really helps with the head jolts. Carlson's brand is the best.

They go away. With me they were like hell and every time I had one it was like passing out. And they went away, too.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by erinkj

OK folks not going to sugarcoat this. I have to make a choice today; as in before my DR office closes. So, HELP!! I am going to follow the advice you all have given me and reinstate my meds. First, I need a little clarification. 1. Should I go back to the lex to stabilize? or try to stabilize on another SSRI that helped in the past? 2. When I began my to fast taper I was taking 10mg which was not enough. Therefor, I was not yet stable at that dose and should have been on 20mg instead. keeping that in mind.... 3. Should I go back on the 10mg and raise the dose periodicly to stabilize ( assuming that the 10mg is not enogh)? or just try and stick to the 10mg dose? 4. Does anyone recommend any particular tests/ bloodwork that I should ask for/ insist upon? If so, what?
11 years is a very long time to take an SSRI med without any testing. I have read that these meds may cause adrenal fatigue and liver problems, none of which I have been tested for EVER! For now I am sticking with my GP, he is a great guy and admits openly that this is not his area of expertise...Basicly, he is going on my recommendations for my care. My GP is going to refer me to a neuro psychologist . Unfortunately I cannot get in to see him until January.
I am beyond gratefull for any help that anyone can give.
Yesterday the nausea overtook me and I have been unable to hold anything down for more than a few hours. Been fighting a migrain for 2 days and it is gaining in strength. ( I do not want to have to get a shot for it) To top that all off, I believe that I am going to IMPLODE like a giant mushroom cloud, from the inside out at any given moment. ( Yes, I have taken my xanax. NOT HELPING) I know the panic drill all to well so, I know that will pass and I will be fine there. I just need to know where to start on the meds....Thank you all in advance! Erin...

Erin:

I would stabilize on the most recent medication, on the dose that was working well for you. Please expect some worsening of the symptoms ( at least that was true for me, not sure if it will be true for you - I am glad if not) after you reinstate for some days. DO NOT START TAPERING UNTIL YOU FEEL 100% NORMAL. If you ever felt normal on Lex, chances are you will soon start to feel normal because it hasn't been too long since you quit. I would say try 10 mg, if it doesn't help up to 15...not sure, go with your gut feeling. From my experience, 10 mg cold turkeyed, 2. 5mg got me out of withdrawals and I tapered from that.
Hope you are going to stabilize........with me I got into hardly bearable depression when I tried to reinstate ( that's the reason I didn't up to 10mg - could hardly take 2.5 mg) and then in 3-4 days it just disappeared and I was back to absolute normalcy!

Can't comment on bloodwork, however strong migraine accompanied by light sensitivity, heartbeat, increased anxiety when none of the medications work are all withdrawals.

Erin, start taking supplements. Fish Oil, Multivitamin and Magnesium are going to lift up your spirits.
NO nicotine girl=)

PS I am not a doctor and am talking from my personal experience and the experience of other people.

[archer_bach]

Hi all,

Just checking up. Well, I'm definitely not stable in every aspect. What is really bothering me is the fact that I can sleep all the time if I want to, and if I force myself up, I'm tired and have depression. Cruying last night over a movie (even money) poor Kim Bazinger spends all the familly savings and admits to her husband she has a **************************************** problem and his response is ''I wanna divorce''. I also had left my 22 months old baby boy to his mother after the Sunday together, and he was watching me throught the window until I turned the corner.. I miss my little familly life... what was good of it. For the record, I am the one who got out because of wifes anxiety (extreme) but we are both sad about it. But we are definitaly too scared to try again.

Anywho, I've decided to go back to low carb diet as this has made me healthy before, and looking at the sugar cravings from the Lex, I need this extra control of sugar level and appetite more than ever. Cigarette smoking (witch the carelessnes induced by Lex in my opinion made me pick up again this year, 6 years off...) is also something I'm looking at, every cigarette making me dizzy like hell now... and those chemicals are dreadfull... nicotine gum is not having that effect... I may be allergic more than some to cig. smoke.

AND started the Lex slow tapper by mixing with juice this morning... As someone else just mentionned, my present fatigue might be due to reinstating full dosage after about 6 weeks of starting to tapper off too quickly before. (these posts are difficult to simplify, lol).

MENPHIS.. This is the time to quit if that's what you want. Now I don't know how you feel, but I would think really hard. If you go the Lex road, going back to the person you are is a big maybe... and certainly a very long process. From experience, I can tell you I was a ball of energy and potential before that ********************. Now all I'm thinking about is to reverse the effects, and it will probably take more than a year. A solution would have been Wellbutrin, but I quit that after 2 weeks, NO MORE DRUGS FOR REGULAR PEOPLE!!! Gee it seems that 5% of the people prescribed those drugs really need it... It is prescribed lightly... with no diagnosis... and even if you are a little anxious... or tired.. make sure that it is reallly killing your life... Even if I was sicker, I feel it is like having a choice between facing a lion and jumping off a cliff. The cliff being Lex. Now in my case, I was facing a Bambi, and ran for the cliff...

Funny the comment about having your brains swollen, that's how I feel... Well I hope I will have some relief during slow tapper... less Lex...

God bless..