[Ohwell]

thats weird about the tatoos. Hope your husbands health improves!
I bet your throat issues/cold ARE from withdrawals. You are fairly early in the withdrawal process aren't you? Lots of folks have sore necks early on.
I did take about 3 hot baths today trying to get the radiation to soak out?
Thanks for being a virtual friend. God bless. page 189 has good info. about tapering on it. ohwell.

[neveradullmoment]

Archer_bach...I work several different shifts and the worse for me to change was working from 4:00pm untill 2:00am for 3 yrs.
For me I have found that if I stay awake untill the next normal sleep cycle of 11 to 6 that I feel better.Sometimes how it falls means staying up for close to 24 hrs or more.Works for jet lag also.
One has to force themselves to correct the learned body behaviour kinda like making a new habit.hehe
Set the alarm and stay up till normal bed time.Maybe a afternoon nap but no more and no naps in the am.

Good Luck.

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by Ohwell

thats weird about the tatoos. Hope your husbands health improves!
I bet your throat issues/cold ARE from withdrawals. You are fairly early in the withdrawal process aren't you? Lots of folks have sore necks early on.
I did take about 3 hot baths today trying to get the radiation to soak out?
Thanks for being a virtual friend. God bless. page 189 has good info. about tapering on it. ohwell.

I think hubby and I are in competition to see who is more screwed up. This month I think I won. 2007 has been the worst year for us all the way around. We are looking forward to 08. I keep telling him it has to get better . I am 4 days back on meds now. I made it 4 and a half weeks off before loosing my mind completely. just tapered to fast. ERGH! I did not go back on Lex though. went back to celexa only 20mg for now. I hope I dont have to go back up to 40mg/ ( that is what I took for 3 yrs before the switch to Lex) As soon as I am evened out and back to as normal as I get, I will be tapering off, VERY SLOWLY. No one can ever have to many friends. Especialy friends who understand what you are going through . I hope you sleep well and feel better in the morning...Erin

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by sea_true

Hi, this is a new post, I've been reading these posts over the last two weeks.
I thought I would feel better doing some posts of my own!

Wow, Lexapro, what terrible stuff. I am caught in the midst of a nightmare as I stopped taking Lexapro and shocked by system twice in a three week period. I took 10mg once, then three weeks later I took 10mg a second time (and the symptoms were 10 times worse) and have been off it for just over two weeks. My nerves are ultra hyper-sensitive, when I lie down I can feel through my body even a creak in the wall! My skin becomes very hot when I exert myself. Heaven forbid the various dilations I see in my eyes when I look in the mirror - comes and goes. (I believe I got seratonin syndrome since I have had such a negative experience from taking only one pill.) I feel like I'm just hoping it will get better. If anyone can offer a helpful resonse I would greatly appreciate!

Good Luck to you all...

The above mentioned symptoms are typical of withdrawl/ discontinuation syndrom. Seretonin syndrom is a very serious condition, if in doubt see your Dr ASAP. It looks like you are tapering to quickly. There is alot of info on tapering posted here that you should read. You may need to reinstate the meds to stabilize and then begin a more careful taper schedual. If you cannot tollerate Lexepro than you may want to try a different med...I had to. Good Luck...Erin

[GiGi MacMurray]

I've been enjoying reading all of your postings. Good luck to the one person with the lump in the throat sensation. I used to have that too, back when I was singing opera. I think it came from pressing too hard while singing, hence, why it affected my throat. Are you straining your vocal chords when you speak?
I just weaned myself off my 10mg Lexapro, taking 5 mg for 2 weeks,then stopping completely. I thought I was just having bad jet lag symptoms. I had no idea there were withdrawal symptoms until I googled "Lexapro withdrawal symptoms" and came to this wonderful forum. I have flown from the States to Asia for 3 weeks on Thanksgiving.
I haven't slept much since getting here, am on edge, very sensitive to sounds, feel like I'm floating or sinking into the sidewalk. I have to be very aware not to accidentally step in front of a car because I am in such a brain fog. I've been a flight attendant for 20 years, so I am experienced with jet lag, but this isn't jet lag. I have to hide these symptoms from the pilots, who I don't want to tell that I am going through a withdrawal stage. They keep wanting me to go out in the evenings with them, but I just want to crash.
I wanted to stop with the Lexapro because I had gained 10 pounds while being on it for 2 years. I was happy on the medicine, but didn't like the weight gain. I would take my dosage in the morning, and after breakfast, I would go back to sleep. Couldn't figure out why I was always so tired after breakfast. It turns out it is a side effect of the medicine. I thought I was crashing from having a carb breakfast (cereal). I will miss the great sleep I was getting while being on it, boy, was I the best nap taker. Now I can't even take a nap.
While in China, I was experiencing hot flashes (not yet at menopause) and was walking around holding my coat, and everyone was staring at me (blonde hair, blue eyes) because they were all bundled up. I was wondering why I was sooooooooo sweaty, and now I know.
I work out every day, but am feeling very dizzy at the gym and am not at my full strength at lifting weights.
Hopefully these symptoms will soon end, but I get the frequent brain zaps/rebooting feeling. We flew today from Shanghai to Singapore, and it was difficult to serve my few passengers. I was so very dizzy and lethargic. Again, I want to keep it quiet that I am withdrawing. I feel like one of those puppies on car dashboards whose head keeps bobbing.
I shudder when I see people taking pictures with their flashbulbs and hearing screaming/crying children. Ugh. Very over-sensitive, I know.
How long will these symptoms last? I've been reading 2 weeks, 7 weeks, 2 months.
Wish me luck tonight with my sleeping. I already know I'm doomed.

[Ohwell]

Welcome. You are not doomed. If this was your first ssi, and you weren't on it too long, you may be ok. Read page 189-190 for more on tapering and withdrawals. I tapered only 4 weeks from 10mg. taken for 1.7 years. I was very sick for the first entire month. (sweats, dizzeyness, flu feeling, etc)
THe second month I started to improve and go a tad more energy. But also got some insominia then. I am now beginning my third month off Lex. (I didn't know to taper longer)...

I am feeling tired this month, was hoping I was "normal" but not yet...
You may want to take some vacation time to rest and recover.

Most here say withdrawals can last from 1-18 months. But I think most feel better after 6 months or so. I believe most agree each month does get easier. (although some say month 3-4 are the toughest) hope not! ohwell.

[erinkj]

Howdy All,
Nothing new to report here. Just getting a bit discouraged. I feel like ICK! I have this internal angel vs. demon tug of war going on today. Part of me is feeling like, I will be back to my normal self real soon, and I will be able to get off these meds in the near future. The other part of me is feeling like, I'm screwed, never going to be the same again and I am going to loose my mind completely and never be able to get off these meds. ERGH. I am doing my absolute best to hold myself together but I feel like that is not enough. I am very edgy and the migrains will not go away, getting worse in fact. Last night I stood up and almost passed out; everything went black for a split second and I caught myself before I hit the floor. I wish I could take migrain meds but I will not risk seretonin syndrom, I have enough probs now without adding that. I feel like I am surrounded by a cloud of tension, one that touches everyone who comes near me. I try so hard to keep this from affecting my family. I feel like my problems are driving my husband nuts. I know that he wants me to get better but there is nothing he can do to help, I feel his confusion. Hubby has alot of his own stress to cope with right now and I feel like it is a struggle for him to be around me. This all just sucks! I think that if I could kick the migrains I would be doing alot better. I feel so drained, fatigued and very weak. I know that stopping the meds then starting them again has my brain confused and that it will get better, I am just feeling pretty helpless and throwing myself a pitty party. I will get over it...I hope.....Be well everyone...Erin

[Ohwell]

So sorry you are feeling down.

Are you taking any supplements? If not read page 188.
I believe they really help get you through the withdrawals.

Try to baby yourself. Get plenty of rest. Take hot baths. Pray.

Don't forget to get outside if possible every day.

Don't give up, you can get through this. You can be free of these drugs.

Ask God to help you get through this. When we are weak, he is strong.

I hope I've helped a bit. ohwell.

[sea_true]

erinkj... Thank you very much for the response (I actually found it comforting that my symptoms are "typical") -. I guess I'm still kickin here. I only took two Lexapro pills in my entire life and never another SSRI and I'm getting these crazy symptoms. Wow, what did I do to deserve this. I don't think I can feel safe taking any meds now and I don't trust my doctor anymore - only myself now... Good luck

GiGi... Just hang in there. I wish I knew how long it would last. I feel good physically and mentally and spiritually but there is this overwelming weirdness hanging over me. I almost got run over by a jogger going for a walk today. - brainfog. I did find some good info on this hypersentivity on a web site.
http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/reaction.htm
hope it can help

[tatjanaonlyone]

Hi all,

It's 2:45am and I am still wide awake, but yet sooo sleepy. I started Lexapro about 2 mths ago, not very long. I think it is now day 7 that i'm off, not sure, losing days. I quit cold turkey because I slept way to much. This is way worse than taking it, this withdrawl is freaking me right out. I am so dizzy non stop and my brain feels like it goes into shock. My head keeps falling asleep, the best way to describe that is like when your foot falls asleep and then that insane feeling when it start to get blood flow again, WOW, this feels like i'm on acid. I am freezing and clammy all day until I finally pass out and then the hot flashes start and wake me up every 2 hrs. Therefore i never "really" sleep. Does this ever stop? Are my symtoms normal? Sorry if I sound like an idiot, but this is the best I can muster up right now. I'm in great pain. Writing this is a challenge.

[GiGi MacMurray]

Hi all, still feeling weird. Sorry that we're all kind of in the same boat together. Who knew? Never again, that's all I can say. Still brain foggy, jolting quite a bit, almost feels like when you've been awake too long and are falling asleep with your eyes open, a weird flush overtakes your body, until it passes. And to the person who only took 2 Lexapro in your life and you're getting these kinds of withdrawal symptoms? Not fair. At least we have this forum to share our similar symptoms together in a safe place. I will say that I feel better after I have a good sleep, and I almost think I'm past the bad phase, but no, it rears its ugly head later in the day. I didn't feel hot today, so that was good. I shudder to think this could on for months. Months? I'm sick of it after a week. Can you tell I have zero patience? Are the withdrawals longer if you took it for longer or the dose was higher than 10 mg? And does everyone who comes off these SSIs susceptible to this? I will now read that link someone just posted about hyper-sensitivity. Me to a tee.

[GiGi MacMurray]

I'm replying to my own posting. I am in a lounge now, and I can't believe an employee is vacuuming around me, hitting the couch I was sitting on. Talk about hyper-sensitivity. But I was gritting my teeth, realizing that this person is just doing their job, and not to ask him to stop. Not his fault I'm going through a withdrawal. I read the sea_true recommended about being hyper-sensitive. It came at the right time. I have to agree that watching violence in movies is putting my brain in hyper mode. No thanks. I did read some good points about not ingesting caffeine. I'm not a coffee or tea drinker, and recently started that ugly habit of diet Coke drinking. Now that I know it only exacerbates my withdrawal, I just had my last one this evening. Also read not to have a high acid diet, no synthetic vitamins, very low doses of vitamin B. I've been a vegan for years, and I honestly can say that since I stopped eating meat/fish/chicken for 15 years I am more calm, since I am not eating another animal's hormones. Just hope this hyper-sensitivity to things will soon abate. I am visiting the tropics now, and seeing the bright Christmas lights and hearing Christmas music ad nauseum isn't helping. I find myself having to wear ear plugs a lot (even in movies) because loud sounds are quite jolting to me. I had to laugh about the connection between being an introvert vs extrovert and whether it made us more susceptible to anxiety problems. I am hardly the introvert, but have always had a sensitive nature. But quiet? Not growing up with 7 siblings. If I didn't make myself known, I wouldn't have gotten any attention, nor would I have eaten. Wish me luck sleeping. I can't blame it on the jet lag forever, though my body clock was jolted to 13 hours ahead.

[Ohwell]

Hey everyone, Just got my great news, praise GOD! My pet scan was clear!
I am so happy! My glands are probably just big from the post nasal drip.
(anyone have a good home rememdy to get rid of post nasal drip?)

Welcome Tatjana....please read pg. 189-190 from this site about correct tapering advice. You don't want to suffer needlessly.

Page 188 has lots of good info. on nutritional supplements you may want
to begin to help you though withdrawal. (fish oil, etc.)

I am just so happy today. What a wonderful early Christmas gift, my cancer isn't returning! ohwell.

[HappyDad]

Originally Posted by Ohwell

Hey everyone, Just got my great news, praise GOD! My pet scan was clear!
I am so happy! My glands are probably just big from the post nasal drip.
(anyone have a good home rememdy to get rid of post nasal drip?)

Welcome Tatjana....please read pg. 189-190 from this site about correct tapering advice. You don't want to suffer needlessly.

Page 188 has lots of good info. on nutritional supplements you may want
to begin to help you though withdrawal. (fish oil, etc.)

I am just so happy today. What a wonderful early Christmas gift, my cancer isn't returning! ohwell.

Praise God! Congrats...glad to hear you're doing so well.

[HappyDad]

Has anyone here tried "The Road Back" program? Specifically the pre-taper AND taper program using the suggested suppliments in the manner prescribed on their web site? http://www.theroadback.org/benzopretaper.htm

Essential Protein Formula.
Body Calm.
Body CalmSupreme

[GiGi MacMurray]

That's great news oh_well about your CT scans being clear. It is an uncomfortable feeling to feel that lump pain in your throat. And a wonderful way to start the Christmas season.

Slept 5 hours straight last night, a record for me nowadays. I am always the clearest after some sleep.

I have a lot of sightseeing/errands to do today in Singapore. I hope I have the strength to do all that I want to do.

[auntybiotic]

Congrats on the great news....................I am so relieved for you! Horray!!!
aunty

[Goodlife]

Hi all, checking in.

I hate to make a discouraging post, but maybe someone else has had this situation and can make me feel better.

I stopped taking Lexapro and experienced pretty horrific withdrawal for about two and a half weeks. Then it went away, and I felt great. My two primary withdrawal symptoms after the first week were a constant ringing in the ears, and brain zaps. By the end of week three, the ringing was gone, and the brain zaps were small and infrequent.

Gah-- about a week ago, I took a couple drinks of liquor. The ear ringing came back, and has been back ever since.

Anyone else experiencing this? The symptoms that go away, and then come back? I know some people talk about lex being pretty up and down for a long time, but really, the ear-ringing is killing me. Weirdly, it seems to go away if I exercise, or if my wife is massaging my head and neck. But all other times, there it is. It really brings the stress out in me, too-- just this constant whine. I've been trying to find connections, like taking my blood pressure when it's bad, and when it's not so bad. But so far the only thing I know is that if I'm getting a head/neck massage, it often goes away completely.

Will continue to post about my situation. Really thought I was over the hump.

[Ohwell]

I had ear-ringing all through chemo. 6 months. But it went away. I kind of got used to mine. Acutally, it didn't bother me that much, but I was pretty sick. Used to jokinly "sing" with mine...sad, huh. I know the withdrawals Do come and go...many here say like peeling an onion, layer by layer. I'm aware that ear ringing can be a withdrawal, so I bet it will go away with time. So sorry its bothering you so much. ENT doctors do give medicine for ear-ringing I think. Withdrawals can last from 1-18 months...sorry. ohwell.

[erinkj]

kick as*! I am very happy to hear such good news. This could not have come at a better time. Now you can breathe much easier and hopefully relax. Wonderful news to help you along the road of getting back to being you!!! Thanks so much for your encouragement the other night in your post, it realy did help. It is all still a daily struggle but I am pushing through it. My family think I am lazy so, I am going to push myself harder to do more. I dont realy want to walk outside even though the fresh air would be good for me, its just been so cold here and I cannot seem to stay warm enough these days. Frustrating, but I am hopefull. Big hugs and will dance a little jig for you . Erin...

[tatjanaonlyone]

Thanks Ohwell,

I need all the suggestions I can get. I got to tell you though, "ACUPUNCTURE" is key in recovery!!! Although I have only had one session so far, it worked a miracle on me for the next 24hrs. The vertigo stopped for 5 hrs and I laughed my ass off watching Evan Almighty which I really don't think could have been that funny. But hey, "I laughed" for the first time in 3 mths, and it was a real laugh, the kind when you cry. I don't even like that kind of comedy, lol.

Also, I slept for the first time in 4 days, I slept for 16hrs, haha, too long, but needed it. I also woke up with no vertigo and brain zaps, finally a relief! So far so good today, still tired, but I can live with tired right now. I can also type, WOW, my last post was way too hard to put together and I barely said anthing. I realized i'm on day 10 cold turkey, I lost a couple days there, .

My husband I think did not really believe this whole withdrawl thing until today. He read this thread, and i guess it opened his eyes, he came to me crying and apologizing. So thanks guys for at least that, you have helped me more than you know. Above all I know I'm not alone in this anymore, I was starting to think I was losing my mind. LOVE YOU ALL, HANG IN THERE!!!

One more thing, look up "SHAKLEE" products, the vitamin pack called "Vitalizer" it is perfect for this withdrawl. Costs a little much, but well worth it, losts of Omega 3 and a bunch of other stuff for brain wellness. If anyone decides to check out the Acupuncture make sure to tell them you are there for Depression and Withdrawl, If its a good Doc they know all about it, more than you do. I will write more on that as I go. Please feel free to ask me questions on it.

[Ohwell]

I have read most of this entire thread...and to my knowledge only a few have done the road back...most say the supplements can be bought at any health food store, and you can read its information for free on the site...many say the supplements they sell are very pricey....page 188 on this site had much info. on supplements. Hope you are doing well happy dad.

I take...

Omega3 fish oil (carlsons brand) 2 a day.
Magesium Maltate (one a day, usually with dinner, any later makes me not sleep)
Coral Calcium at bedtime (helps with sleep)
1 milk thistle (to help my liver detox) Only begin this at 2 months+ off Lex.

[tatjanaonlyone]

OHWELL,

how come Milk Thistle not for 2 mths?

[Ohwell]

Something to do with your liver not being ready or something...
Aunty just said "wait" for a few months before you start it...
But asap do start it (after 2 months) its suppose to really help
bring liver enzymes down and detox your body.

About the acpunture....I"ve always wanted to do that....how much was it?
Too expensive for me I bet!

I know you were only on Lex. for a short time, but why did you not taper?
ohwell.

[erinkj]

Even though you have been flying for years and are accustomed to pressure/ altitude changes, I am wondering if flying during withdrawl may be agrivating your symptoms. Jet lag is a b*tch under normal circumstances, even to those accustomed to it; yet, I think it is affecting you more now because your body is in a weakened state from the withdrawl. Are you getting any stuffy nose? If you do try some nasal spray inflight, just be sure to read the ingredients and make sure it is not one with stimulants. Even a saline nasal rinse can help. As wierd as this may sound, I have had a bit of relief from the light sensativity from using lubricating eye drops. If the ringing in your ears keeps you awake at night, try sleeping with a fan on or using some other "white noise" it helps to distract me from the ringing so I can get to sleep. Hope some of this helps, Good luck to you...Erin

[Ohwell]

Don't care if your family thinks your lazy...If you are in withdrawals from Lex.
you really have to put yourself FIRST. If you "push" your body now, you won't heal as fast, and some on this site think you can actually be predisposed to Cronic Fatigue Syndrome if you don't let your brain heal slowly from pulling the Lex. rug out from under it so to speak...In month 2 of my withdrawal was when I began to get some of my energy back...but Month one was fatigue, fatigue, fatigue! I'm in month 3 now. God Bless. ohwell.

[Ohwell]

love to chat, but my son needs the computer! ohwell.

[erinkj]

I used to take milk thistle while I was on Celexa a couple years ago. Only took it for a month I think ( hubby takes it everyday for 20yrs) As I had to reinstate the meds, should I not take the milk thistle until I am off of them again? How are you and your daughter doing by the way?...Erin

[tatjanaonlyone]

I'm an all or nothing kind of person, can't help it. I felt like ******************** on Lex, the sleeping was taking over my life, plus I kept forgetting to take my pill on time and that's when I realized this drug had a hold on me in such a short period of time. I had to stop, I was ALL IN! The more side effects I have, the more I refuse to taper. It just pisses me off and I am going to beat this!!!

I am not rich; in fact we're living on student loans for me to get through this. My husband doesn't care, he'll do what it takes for me to get well. I'm real lucky there. The Acupuncture is not that expensive as you think. My first visit was $130.00, this was including a 2hrs get to know you and do what's right for you session, including the acupuncture.

I really went in thinking this was a load of bull, boy was I wrong. The first thing she said to me before we even talked about the Lex was that my liver was toxic, this by looking at my tongue. She then asked me was I on some sort of Meds. Well you could imagine my surprise. That’s why I say telling them about the withdrawal and meds so they can fix that area in your brain and liver properly. Also if this is a good doc, they will put you on a payment plan if needed. My visits are $80.00 each time, recommended 3 times a week. Unfortunately I can only go once a week on Saturday cause I need a ride. I am in no position to drive right now, this vertigo could kill someone if I’m behind the wheel.

The doc said that was fine, once I feel better to drive, we'll do the once a week thing. I went this past Saturday, and she has already called me 4 times to see how I’m feeling. I made a friend, haha, what a great Doctor. She's say she's seen this before in patients and she was the one who directed me to this site, what an angel. I really feel everyone should do this because it also works on the problem that started this mess in the first place not just the withdrawal and that's what counts. I'll let you know what happens, my next visit is this Saturday.

By the way, I noticed you were talking about Chemo, do you have Cancer? If so, boy am I sorry to here that. You know Acupuncture is great for that too. I know a lot about various Cancers, runs in my circle of friends and loved ones, that's how my depression started. Eat Pomegranates like it's going out of style and drink NONI juice, helps a lot. I got a lot more advice if you need it, don't want to be too pushy. God bless you many times

[tatjanaonlyone]

Erin

Use the NETI POT, better than nasal spray 1000%. Just salt and water and very cheap to buy, $11.00.