[erinkj]

Originally Posted by Ohwell

I'm sorry you have had a lifetime of anxiety. Just wondering if you have ever tried a personal relationship with Jesus. This being the Christmas season, its a perfect time to go to a local Church and enjoy a Christmas Program/message. I know for me, Christ is my future hope. When we die, there is not much else to hope for in my opinion. ..except Christ. If all the Christians in the world are "wrong" and there is no "heaven/hell" ohwell....but if we're "right"
wow the joy and reward.... or in the case of nonbelievers, the doom. My opinion is --why risk it? So I choose to believe in Christ and read/study the Holy Bible.

I know it gives me great peace and comfort esp. when I'm sick or suffering...as Christ too suffered.

Merry Christmas & remember Christ came so that we may live eternally.
ohwell.

Thank you dear. You are very kind. All my best to you...Erin

[jc545]

A great part of what I learned over the years is that men with these incredible outbursts have a common thread. We are actually over-sensitive underneath it all (At least in most cases. I've known some men that are just plain mean from the git). The outbursts come from many years of coping with this. I know that sounds opposite of logic, but consider this:

After an extreme outburst or an activity of adrenaline, the agitation (or anger) subsides and there is a period of peace, at least for me. Once I recognized this pattern, it was a beginning. It's like a frequency wave, it's either way up, or way down, and when there is a spike, it settles closer to the middle for awhile. But what dampens this period may be some serious fallout from the activity, whether it takes the form of fighting, racing cars and bikes, jumping out of airplanes, drug abuse, or whatever the activity.

This type of personality is not all down side. There are a lot of us out there that accomplish things that others won't. And you have to admit we're never boring. It's just the destructiveness that happens while we "work it out". If we don't meet a bad end, we gain wisdom and temperance, and we're fiercly loyal.

The medication route is new to me, and I wouldn't have attempted it until I'd been clean and sober for 10 to 15 years. I have a tendency still now, to abuse the Alprazolam. But if I don't abuse the dosage it seems to work well for me. When I'm balanced, I think more clearly about what my next move is, and I can play out the results of an over reaction to something before I committ.

I'm currently 4 days into zero Lexapro intake. I've got the zaps bad, and my focus is pitiful. I've noticed some rage, but I think the Alprazolam is helping with that. No matter how I tried to taper Lexapro, it seems there is no avoiding this period while the brain rebalances. I know one thing for sure. I'm not messing with these particular brain receptors again. The SSRI's don't work for me. I knew the entire time I was using Lexapro I didn't feel right.

[8monthslater]

I have an appt with an new doctor in Jan. I emailed her to give her a heads up about my symptoms. She is a D.O FACOG which is an OB/GYN with a more holistic approach. She called me on the phone after she read my email and talked to me for 40 minutes! She said several things struck her as she was reading about my symptoms. She thinks I could possibly have a systemic yeast problem and maybe a progesterone deficiency. She ordered all kinds of blood tests (CBC, Comp metabolic panel, TSH, and who knows what else.) She also suggested the possibility of metal toxicity (which could be possible since we have spent the last year renovating an older house). She said my adrenals were obviously fatigued too. She wants me to do this 10 day detox diet along with some type of Opticleanse shakes (for the liver) and Omega 3's 3 x a day along with an active essential vitamin packet 2 x a day. She took such time and interest in me and also started me on Diflucan 7 x over the next month to help knock out some yeast. And NO sugar. Ouch! Anyway, she said she can look at my profile ffrom the blood workup and tell if my serotonin levels are low or whatever. She said "I promise if you do what I ask you to do I will make you feel better." I can't wait to actually go see her in Jan. I told her I don't want to go back on SSRI's and she agreed that she would work with me to keep me med free after we get my body back in balance. She also started me on Prometrium (progesterone hormone therapy) at night before bed. Keep your fingers crossed that she can help me. I hope you all had a wonderful anxiety free day today and were able to enjoy yourselves. I had a great time with my family. Now I am just exhausted and ready for an early bedtime.

Erin, I am so glad about your liver enzymes!

[quietgirl_12]

i've been taking lexapro for a year and a half. i can't believe a doctor put your daughter on 20mg. i started out at 2.5mg cause my body seems to be sensitive. i am very small. 10mg, made me so groggy and fatigued i couldn't walk all i did was sleep like 18 hours a day, i would of slept for days if i didnt have to go to class, i'm in college. i recently missed a couple of days of taking my 5mg every other day because my prescription ran out. when i started taking it again i started having panic attacks, bad ones, i passed out twice. so i have been tappering off. taking 2.5 every other day, then twice a week. my withdrawals were brain shimmers and dizziness and hot flashes and anxiety. i've been off of it now for two weeks. panic is coming back, and anxiety, dreams are weird and scarey, i have 2 or 3 a night. i can sleep, but if too long it's a like a state of panic in my sleep. i can't tell the difference between dreams and reality. i strongly suggest tappering off the lexapro. and since she is on such a high dose i think it will take her months to get off of it, maybe a year. according to my experiences, it has taken months to get off just 5-10 mg. i didn't know that lexapro was so hard to get off of or i wouldn't have taken it. it's very addictive. i feel like i'm crazier getting off of it then i was before i started taking it. good luck!

[neveradullmoment]

Jc545,The sumation you describe I can nearly mirror.
We do acheive more things but there is a cost.The girls seem fewer in #'s per the guys but I know a couple that are wilder adrenalin junky's than I.The collateral damage mentioned is also very true.Adrenalin can be a most powerfull thing!
The learning curve for me to retrain myself is the worst thing as I am dealing with drying out from ssri's.hehe
Thanks for questioning the norm of things.

Be Safe.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by 8monthslater

I have an appt with an new doctor in Jan. I emailed her to give her a heads up about my symptoms. She is a D.O FACOG which is an OB/GYN with a more holistic approach. She called me on the phone after she read my email and talked to me for 40 minutes! She said several things struck her as she was reading about my symptoms. She thinks I could possibly have a systemic yeast problem and maybe a progesterone deficiency. She ordered all kinds of blood tests (CBC, Comp metabolic panel, TSH, and who knows what else.) She also suggested the possibility of metal toxicity (which could be possible since we have spent the last year renovating an older house). She said my adrenals were obviously fatigued too. She wants me to do this 10 day detox diet along with some type of Opticleanse shakes (for the liver) and Omega 3's 3 x a day along with an active essential vitamin packet 2 x a day. She took such time and interest in me and also started me on Diflucan 7 x over the next month to help knock out some yeast. And NO sugar. Ouch! Anyway, she said she can look at my profile ffrom the blood workup and tell if my serotonin levels are low or whatever. She said "I promise if you do what I ask you to do I will make you feel better." I can't wait to actually go see her in Jan. I told her I don't want to go back on SSRI's and she agreed that she would work with me to keep me med free after we get my body back in balance. She also started me on Prometrium (progesterone hormone therapy) at night before bed. Keep your fingers crossed that she can help me. I hope you all had a wonderful anxiety free day today and were able to enjoy yourselves. I had a great time with my family. Now I am just exhausted and ready for an early bedtime.

Erin, I am so glad about your liver enzymes!

Yeeey for you! Remember, there is always hope... I hope she finally would be able to help you. I am so happy you found some hope.

Happy holidays!

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by quietgirl_12

i've been taking lexapro for a year and a half. i can't believe a doctor put your daughter on 20mg. i started out at 2.5mg cause my body seems to be sensitive. i am very small. 10mg, made me so groggy and fatigued i couldn't walk all i did was sleep like 18 hours a day, i would of slept for days if i didnt have to go to class, i'm in college. i recently missed a couple of days of taking my 5mg every other day because my prescription ran out. when i started taking it again i started having panic attacks, bad ones, i passed out twice. so i have been tappering off. taking 2.5 every other day, then twice a week. my withdrawals were brain shimmers and dizziness and hot flashes and anxiety. i've been off of it now for two weeks. panic is coming back, and anxiety, dreams are weird and scarey, i have 2 or 3 a night. i can sleep, but if too long it's a like a state of panic in my sleep. i can't tell the difference between dreams and reality. i strongly suggest tappering off the lexapro. and since she is on such a high dose i think it will take her months to get off of it, maybe a year. according to my experiences, it has taken months to get off just 5-10 mg. i didn't know that lexapro was so hard to get off of or i wouldn't have taken it. it's very addictive. i feel like i'm crazier getting off of it then i was before i started taking it. good luck!

Hi, my case is similar to yours. I was also on 2.5 mg, and I am average built, not small at all. Well all I can say you wait out and see. You will be in bad withdrawals for some time, and then they will gradually become better. Please be patient with yourself and give yourself time to recuperate.

All you are describing is way too familiar. Those are all common withdrawals from this med. I know them all, even tapering from what seems like a minuscule dosage like 2.5 mg.

Do bear in your mind that they will subside.

[jc545]

Fifth day with zero dosage after my taper. Lot's of brain zaps, and periods of unfocus, fatigue, and wirey. Pretty rough time, but I'll cowboy up. But I must admit this is kicking my butt!

Focusing at work is the hardest thing, and keeping my personal responses professional, and within "normal". This drug really has messed with my personality. One moment I can feel a giddy type of emotion, and the next I'm ready to bite off someone's head.

Looking back over the general using period it was the same, only there was more time between these shifts in temperment. I try to keep in mind that's what I'm treating in the first place, but I am now sure that Lexapro is not the right medication for me.

If I resume 2.5 mg of Lexapro, I get some subsidence in the side effects after about 3 hours. However, I intend to stay the course and complete the weaning.

I am still dosing with Alprazolam cautiously at the same time. It's a temptation to sedate myself from the Lexapro withdrawal with the Alprazolam, as opposed to using Alprazolam as a treatment as was intended. So I'm counting dosages and methodically continuing the plan.

All those out there tapering off. Best wishes. This is really a weird road!

[friendly mom]

My third post on this thread.

Just checking in with those other ex-Lexapro takers re: the length of time needed to heal your brain after taking this AWFUL drug.

Here it is, the last week of December and I am still experiencing the brain zaps. I began my taper sometime around mid-September.

WHAT A NIGHTMARE.

To anyone out there who is considering taking this drug: BE FOREWARNED.

Every day I have brain-zaps, often when I am stressed and can least afford to be fuzzy-headed. While the drug worked well . . . I am actually LESS able to cope with stress than I was before I took the drug. I hope this is not permanent, but it's been going on for 3+ months now.

I am still 20 pounds overweight (without any change in my diet). It appears to have changed my metabolism somehow; pre-Lexapro, I could diet off 3-4 pounds in 10-14 days, but I can't do that anymore.

I'd rather be depressed but still functioning and attractive. Now I am depressed, fat, and burdened with a brain that cannot seem to be able to handle even the smallest emotional hurdles.

[8monthslater]

Do you think this is a brain zap? I had this all the time when I first stopped Lex in April. Now it is very random. I can go days without hearing it, but the past few have been difficult. Maybe Christmas stress? It stresses me out. It sounds like a buzzing in my head on the left side. Wierd thing is I can make it stop if I shake my head, but it comes back. I just really need an answer for this. Can anyone relate?

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by 8monthslater

Do you think this is a brain zap? I had this all the time when I first stopped Lex in April. Now it is very random. I can go days without hearing it, but the past few have been difficult. Maybe Christmas stress? It stresses me out. It sounds like a buzzing in my head on the left side. Wierd thing is I can make it stop if I shake my head, but it comes back. I just really need an answer for this. Can anyone relate?

I am pretty sure it's a withdrawal symptom. I could get rid of mine when I blew air through my ears while closing the nose A kind of thing that you do on the airplane. It went away only to be back after a while. I don't have them any more but I have others...

[erinkj]

Just a quick hello to all. Life is hectic for a few days but, I wanted to check in. 8monthslater: This is AWESOME news from you. I am very happy to hear that you have found a dr who is sympathetic and may be able to help! They are hard to come by. Keep us posted on how it all goes. I agree with Julia about your ears...since the buzzing seems to come and go and is not constant I am inclined to think it wont be permanent. I was getting a little worried about ya, you didnt post for awhile . I hope that you all had a great holiday. Howdy Julia.., you read that book yet? JC: I write my xanax use down on my calander every day and the time I took it, this gives me a visual record to keep track of my daily progress. Sounds like you are having some mild manic spells...I got them, they were good in that I felt more energetic and got alot of stuff done but, bad because I couldnt sit still or sleep. Hello to all the new people...Gotta get some sleep. I have to drive 120 miles in the morning with a car full of teenagers.....teen's fighting over the radio always makes my day . By the time I get home tomorro night I will be dreaming: Calgon...take me away! ha,ha. Catch ya all later...Erin

[erinkj]

As you describe your problems the more I see my husband! Two of a kind. Are you taking any supplements? If so, what? There are several reccomended here ( I take many of them which help) and others my husband takes and swears by. A great reference book for supplements is: prescription for nutritional healing. It has loads of in depth information on vitamins, minerals, herbs and enzymes...Also info on specific conditions, you may want to check your library for it. I cannot remember the authors name but, I can get it off of my book and post it if you are interested. Hang in there man, this wont last forever...Erin

[8monthslater]

Now I am concerned that maybe the more frequent humming in my head/ear is from using clonazepam. I have been taking .25 in the am and in the pm for about a month. That doesn't seem like much. I think I must be really sensitive to meds. I hope it is not the clonazepam. I really need something to help me through this rough patch.

Erin (and anyone else), do you think it is safe to switch from clonazepam to xanax? I have a prescription for both. Should I taper the clonazepam and take a xanax as needed or continue the scheduled clonazepam? Also, I wonder how I should taper the clonazepam and how long I should take?

[8monthslater]

Originally Posted by Julia77

I am pretty sure it's a withdrawal symptom. I could get rid of mine when I blew air through my ears while closing the nose A kind of thing that you do on the airplane. It went away only to be back after a while. I don't have them any more but I have others...

Julia, Did yours last for more than a second? Whenever I read about brain zaps, people describe them as lasting just a second like a quick jolt. Mine is actually a humming sound that stays with me for a few seconds or even longer. Really wierd. I cannot shake the idea that there is something sinister going on inside my brain, even though I have had an MRI and a CT scan.

[KatieT]

Hi everyone, I'm new here, but I've read through the whole thing while I was contemplating going off Lex. I was on it for about 6 months, for mild depression, and boy, if I'd known all of the facts before I started, I would not have done it! My depression was only situational, and would've passed without the medication, I'm sure.

Anyway, I am writing to let everyone know that the withdrawal isn't too unbearably horrible for everyone - so there is hope

I did a pretty quick taper (without my doctor knowing, cause he says this drug is weight neutral, and doesn't cause nightmares or migraines - yeah, right!) - was on 10mg for about 4.5-5 months, then cut my pills in half and took 5mg for about 3 weeks, and then took a quarter of a pill (2.5mg) for another 3 weeks, then quit altogether.

I decided to quit because the side effects were bad - I was sleepy all the time, started having migraines every few weeks, gained about 20 pounds in 4 months (and I've NEVER had weight issues, been a steady 110 lbs for about 10 years...), had no sex drive whatsoever, and felt so numb and feeling-less as if some zombie had taken over my body.

The first time I tapered, I got even more croggy and tired for a few days, and was constantly dizzy and unable to concentrate. The second time, going from 5 to 2.5 mg, I got a horrendous headache for about 3 days straight, and nothing would cure it. And I was moody and *************************y the entire time - poor people who got in my way those days! But not bad in comparison to what a lot of people here have gone through...

Then when I finally quit taking Lex altogether (about 4 weeks ago), I had the brain zaps, dizzyness, irritability, insane moodyness, vivid nightmares every time I'd go to sleep. I have slightly low blood pressure to begin with, but during the first week it dropped to a point where I would feel like passing out every time I moved. When I would turn my head, the "picture" would be on a 2-3 second delay. WEIRD! All those symptons were in full force for about a week, and I thought of reinstating, cause it was hard to go to work every day and pretend everything was "fine." Unfortunately I work in workaholic NYC as a financial analyst, and taking days off is out of the question.

But day by day the symptoms lessened, and by the end of week 2 I was starting to get back to pretty much what I thought was "me" again. I still get moody occasionally, but now after 4 weeks there is no more dizzyness, no more brain zaps, only occasional nightmares, and I am starting to feel frisky with my boyfriend The weight is still on my hips, and will probably take work to get off, but I am not numb anymore, and I haven't had a migraine since I tapered to 2.5 mg!

I feel for everyone for whom these symptoms last months on end! It has to be horrible to endure it! I wish the doctors would just get with the program and stop prescribing this poison to everyone for no good reason at all! I can't believe how much they are under the influence of the drug companies who are reaping huge profits off of us and are using us as guinea pigs! But I did want to contribute my story so that people who are tapering (or are thinking of it) know that sometimes you just get lucky and the weaning process is relatively short and painless. Maybe it's cause I was only on it for less than 6 months total, who knows. I am keeping my fingers crossed for everyone on this forum that you will also get out of the clutches of these withdrawals sooner rather than later!

[Julia77]

Thanks a lot for sharing your story, it is a hope for many desperate people. I just wanted to warn you that your w/d symptoms might not be over yet. Month 1 is physical symptoms and insomnia like you are describing for many folks, but around months 4 and 5 is the onset of emotional issues for SOME people, not for all. By emotional I mean depression worse that the original one, crying spells and feelings of doom. IF those happen to you, don't let you doc convince you that 'this is biochemical imbalance meaning you need this drug forever'. I was fooled, but in reality those were withdrawal issues.

The good news is w/d do subside, but when they hit......oh boy it's hard to believe.
Feel good!

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by 8monthslater

Julia, Did yours last for more than a second? Whenever I read about brain zaps, people describe them as lasting just a second like a quick jolt. Mine is actually a humming sound that stays with me for a few seconds or even longer. Really wierd. I cannot shake the idea that there is something sinister going on inside my brain, even though I have had an MRI and a CT scan.

Hi! No, that was totally different. I had both zaps and humming. Zaps for me were rather like when you eat smth cold your brain gets frozen. They were accompanied by extreme nausea and loss of stability.
Humming was in my left ear, and it was like an annoying 'bzzzzzz' sound. As if there was a wasp in your head. It wouldn't last a minute, but definitely longer than some seconds. Then that 'bzzzzzzzzzz' would just disappear.
I was actually worried about an onset of some psychotic illness Didn't happen to me thanks God I wasn't even bothered about MRI or anything. But it definitely felt like something was going on in your brain.
Not sure if yours are the same.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by 8monthslater

Now I am concerned that maybe the more frequent humming in my head/ear is from using clonazepam. I have been taking .25 in the am and in the pm for about a month. That doesn't seem like much. I think I must be really sensitive to meds. I hope it is not the clonazepam. I really need something to help me through this rough patch.

Erin (and anyone else), do you think it is safe to switch from clonazepam to xanax? I have a prescription for both. Should I taper the clonazepam and take a xanax as needed or continue the scheduled clonazepam? Also, I wonder how I should taper the clonazepam and how long I should take?

I actually thought you were off all the meds. If you are still taking benzo, you are not off. Do you feel like you need them? Why don't you try to taper?

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by erinkj

Just a quick hello to all. Life is hectic for a few days but, I wanted to check in. 8monthslater: This is AWESOME news from you. I am very happy to hear that you have found a dr who is sympathetic and may be able to help! They are hard to come by. Keep us posted on how it all goes. I agree with Julia about your ears...since the buzzing seems to come and go and is not constant I am inclined to think it wont be permanent. I was getting a little worried about ya, you didnt post for awhile . I hope that you all had a great holiday. Howdy Julia.., you read that book yet? JC: I write my xanax use down on my calander every day and the time I took it, this gives me a visual record to keep track of my daily progress. Sounds like you are having some mild manic spells...I got them, they were good in that I felt more energetic and got alot of stuff done but, bad because I couldnt sit still or sleep. Hello to all the new people...Gotta get some sleep. I have to drive 120 miles in the morning with a car full of teenagers.....teen's fighting over the radio always makes my day . By the time I get home tomorro night I will be dreaming: Calgon...take me away! ha,ha. Catch ya all later...Erin

Erin, how are you feeling with the reinstating and everything? Yes I did read the book, and I am impressed. It actually gave me the courage to start tapering faster, and man do I feel better when the dose is lower.
I used to have such a zest for life! I only wish it came back. On Lex I wasn't sad, but I wasn't happy..well you know it all.
Let me know how you are doing and if you're ready to start tapering.

[Ohwell]

how about an update/??? How are you feeling? How long have you been off now?

Me off for almost 4 months now. Feeling ok, but tired due to too much sugar from Christmas. I have gained a few pounds and feel horrible. Have been having weird Chills and hot spells lately. Don't know if it is withdrawals or related to something else. Am glad to be off the Lex. and do take a few supplements. Am also trying to exercise everyday, at least a bit. Am soooo much better than the first two months off. for me months one and two were very hard and I was very sick. Good luck all. ohwell.

[GiGi MacMurray]

Hi newmember, I, too, get those rage things (and I'm a girl), but am not sure whether I can tie it in with being overly sensitive. But after an outburst (rare for me to actually explode, but I sure do have the murderous thoughts), it is often a relief and a calm-down period, which is a much better state of mind. Something to ponder when I see others have emotional outbursts.
I am 3 weeks ahead of you in the cessation of LEX. And I'm still getting the brain shivers, especially if I turn my head as in changing lanes while driving, or backing out of a space. Very annoying. Eventually your concentration will come back. Not fun, but it is a relief to read what others are going through. Welcome to this site, and your opinions are always valued. You are safe with your fellow Lex withdrawers.

[GiGi MacMurray]

this last post was for jc545, I thought it would show that I was writing to him.

First 1-2 weeks were the worst for me, I'm only on week 3. My youngest sister has been on Zoloft for 7 years (50mg) for bad PMS. Trust me, she had it bad. You were likely to lose an arm during one of her outbursts. She said she'll never stop taking it. My older sister is doing a slow taper from Effexor, and I hope she will be okay. She has a fatal cancer, so I'm almost wondering why she is even bothering with the withdrawal. We don't know whether her remission will last for years (we hope), so why not just stay on the anti-depressant? I'm only getting off the LEX because I gained 20 pounds in the 2 years I took it, and wanted to do nothing but take a nap after 10 hours of sleep. I didn't want to sleep away my life. I have noticed that I finally have my former sex drive back. I can safely say that the LEX took that pleasure away from me.
I have noticed I now have sinus issues. I thought I was coming down with a cold, so I was taking lots of Vitamin C. The cold never materialized, but I have that sick taste in my mouth, and feel that I have to cough up the mucus. (I can only do this when I'm alone, most men just hack up the stuff, but I try to remain a lady) Then I read on this site that sinus issues were a withdrawal symptom of going off the stuff. OK, so I've had the insomnia, murderous thoughts, moodiness, anxiety, lack of concentration, tummy upsets, and now the sinus drainage. Those of you who are further ahead of my cessation (almost 4 weeks), what "lovely" symptoms are coming next? Sigh...

[GiGi MacMurray]

I always seem to answer my own posts with more stuff. With this sinus condition (almost like I have a head cold, but I'm not sick, just kind of stuffed up), I also have a dry, scratchy throat. I've been eating those Ricola cough drops like they're candy. And the tightness is also there. Is the dry, hurty throat from the mucus stuffage? And how long does this symptom last? I've had it almost 2 weeks now.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by Ohwell

how about an update/??? How are you feeling? How long have you been off now?

Me off for almost 4 months now. Feeling ok, but tired due to too much sugar from Christmas. I have gained a few pounds and feel horrible. Have been having weird Chills and hot spells lately. Don't know if it is withdrawals or related to something else. Am glad to be off the Lex. and do take a few supplements. Am also trying to exercise everyday, at least a bit. Am soooo much better than the first two months off. for me months one and two were very hard and I was very sick. Good luck all. ohwell.

I am not off......I am tapering and hope to be off soon. You are lucky you are actually off this poison. I am so happy you are feeling much better. It's actually so encouraging to hear people are doing better Make sure you get fresh air, too. Sooo important.
And trust in God. He will lead us out of this hole.

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by GiGi MacMurray

I always seem to answer my own posts with more stuff. With this sinus condition (almost like I have a head cold, but I'm not sick, just kind of stuffed up), I also have a dry, scratchy throat. I've been eating those Ricola cough drops like they're candy. And the tightness is also there. Is the dry, hurty throat from the mucus stuffage? And how long does this symptom last? I've had it almost 2 weeks now.

Howdy stranger, I was begining to think you had abandoned us. . I am glad that you are getting better. I had that same stuffy, comming down with a cold feeling to. For me it started about 2 weeks off and I still had it when I re-instated my meds 2 and a half weeks later. Scince I am back on meds ( celexa this time) to stabalize before tappering off ( the right way this time) I cant say how long it will last. I do know that when I went back on meds it went away in about 2 weeks. I am glad that you have not had to re-instate and hope that all goes well. I was on these meds for 11 years so, I think it is going to be a long taper off for me to get off this stuff . How was your christmas? did you skip it? ...Erin

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by Julia77

Erin, how are you feeling with the reinstating and everything? Yes I did read the book, and I am impressed. It actually gave me the courage to start tapering faster, and man do I feel better when the dose is lower.
I used to have such a zest for life! I only wish it came back. On Lex I wasn't sad, but I wasn't happy..well you know it all.
Let me know how you are doing and if you're ready to start tapering.

I thought it was a good book to. I ordered it from barnes and noble to have for a refference. ( should be here monday) I am an artist and find that my creativity has suffered greatly all these years being on medication. When I was on Paxil (6 years) I suffered no negative side affects other than weight gain. I was still me only heavier and happier. When I switched meds I went down hill. I did get back to my normal weight but, I just havent had that same creative passion that I am known for. I just felt soo tired and lazy since the switch to Lex. UGH! During the 4 weeks I was off I felt my old self comming back . A glimps of the real me....Like you said " A zest for life" Instead of that feeling of "BLAH" like, Im not mad, not happy, just didnt realy care or FEEL; not deeply. This all just SUCKS so bad. I am still on 20mg of celexa = to 10mg of Lex. I am supposed to start 30mg celexa = to 15mg Lex on monday but, I realy dont want to. It is such a tug of war with myself trying to decide what to do! I am feeling better on my current dose but, I still have to take the xanax daily. I am down to 2 or 3 pills a day now though. I think if I go up in dose as the dr wants me to I would even out enough that I wouldnt need the xanax but, at the same time I am afraid that the higher dose will make me more tired and numb and increase the amount of time that it will take for me to taper! I just dont know what to do....At this dose I am soo much better than when I went off....It got REAL bad for me with panic attacks 3 or 4 times a day and taking 6 xanax a day( more than I have ever taken in my life a total of up to 3mg day) and I was still struggeling to maintain sanity. . For the last 4 years I have either been on 40mg of celexa or 20mg of Lex. I do have fewer side effects with celexa than I did with Lex. I feel less fatigued on the lower dose and less numb also like I have a bit more energy. I am just soo afraid that raising my dose will put me back in that fog of numbness and constant fatigue. ERGH! Any suggestions? I have been at this dose for a month now and I think I may still be improving as I factor in the benefit of my supplements. Psych moron sais I will not get anymore benefit from this dose than I have now but, I am not so sure he is right! I want off this stuff so bad! What do you think? what dose are you at now? Erin

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by 8monthslater

Now I am concerned that maybe the more frequent humming in my head/ear is from using clonazepam. I have been taking .25 in the am and in the pm for about a month. That doesn't seem like much. I think I must be really sensitive to meds. I hope it is not the clonazepam. I really need something to help me through this rough patch.

Erin (and anyone else), do you think it is safe to switch from clonazepam to xanax? I have a prescription for both. Should I taper the clonazepam and take a xanax as needed or continue the scheduled clonazepam? Also, I wonder how I should taper the clonazepam and how long I should take?

clonazepam is also used as an anti-seizure medication and therefor may affect the CNS differently than xanax. The exact mechanism of action of benzo's is not fully known or understood. If you went cold turkey off of clonazepam and directly to xanax then you have a risk (however slight) of withdrawl seizures. You should not take both medications at the same time as it will cause excesive sedation and may cause respiritory deppression which can be fatal. If you want to switch to xanax you will need to taper off the clonazepam completely and you should wait 24 hours after the last dose before starting xanax. The reason for the wait is because clonazepam is a longer acting benzo and stays in your system for 8-12 hours and takes up to 24 hours for total systemic elimination. I am not trying to frighten you and I will also tell you that I know people who have switched directly from one to the other without tappering who have not suffered any adverse effects, I only want you to be informed any risk involved so that you can better decide. You should talk to the new dr about this and see what she thinks. Or you could also ask your pharmacist. If you are going to take a benzo I think you will do fine on a low xanax dose... start is usualy 0.25 which is a forth of 1 mg. The pills are oval shaped and scored so that you can break them in half for a lower dose. Onset is roughly 20 minutes and can be taken every 6 hrs ( some take it every 4 hrs as needed) xanax is shorter acting and therefor eliminated ( primarily in urine) in 6-8 hours ( I think) total systemic elimination occurs within 10-12 hours. I am a bit pill phobic ( I have had bad reactions to past meds ) which is partly why I prefer xanax because I do not have to take it as a schedualed dose like the other benzos. I take it as needed. All benzos have dependance potential however, I feel that if you only use it when symptoms of anxiety/ panic are present your risk of dependance is greatly reduced. Benzo's are a subject of much debate. I personaly feel that the longer acting benzos are more difficult to get off of because they are schedualed. Most people take one in the morning and or evening wether or not symptoms are present because that is how they are prescribed. With xanax you take it only when you have symptoms.......I hope this has been of some help. Let me know what you decide to do but, regardless, consult your dr first.. Erin

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by friendly mom

My third post on this thread.

Just checking in with those other ex-Lexapro takers re: the length of time needed to heal your brain after taking this AWFUL drug.

Here it is, the last week of December and I am still experiencing the brain zaps. I began my taper sometime around mid-September.

WHAT A NIGHTMARE.

To anyone out there who is considering taking this drug: BE FOREWARNED.

Every day I have brain-zaps, often when I am stressed and can least afford to be fuzzy-headed. While the drug worked well . . . I am actually LESS able to cope with stress than I was before I took the drug. I hope this is not permanent, but it's been going on for 3+ months now.

I am still 20 pounds overweight (without any change in my diet). It appears to have changed my metabolism somehow; pre-Lexapro, I could diet off 3-4 pounds in 10-14 days, but I can't do that anymore.

I'd rather be depressed but still functioning and attractive. Now I am depressed, fat, and burdened with a brain that cannot seem to be able to handle even the smallest emotional hurdles.

Hello and welcome to the forum . Many people have weight gain on Lex and most of the SSRI meds. There are several supplements that are recommended on this thread for Lex discontinuation that will also help alot with getting back to being yourself again . It is late so, I am not going to post all the specifics. For now I will just give the basic info...Be sure to take a good multi-vitamin. Fish oil twice a day with meals, it helps support healthy brain, heart function etc, as well as aiding in weight loss and lowering cholesteral. Research also indicates that the omega 3s in fish oil help fight deppression. There are several others that will also help with the deppression, I just cannot remember at this moment. I will post that later if you wish. Hang in there, you have come to the right place for help ...Erin

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by jc545

Fifth day with zero dosage after my taper. Lot's of brain zaps, and periods of unfocus, fatigue, and wirey. Pretty rough time, but I'll cowboy up. But I must admit this is kicking my butt!

Focusing at work is the hardest thing, and keeping my personal responses professional, and within "normal". This drug really has messed with my personality. One moment I can feel a giddy type of emotion, and the next I'm ready to bite off someone's head.

Looking back over the general using period it was the same, only there was more time between these shifts in temperment. I try to keep in mind that's what I'm treating in the first place, but I am now sure that Lexapro is not the right medication for me.

If I resume 2.5 mg of Lexapro, I get some subsidence in the side effects after about 3 hours. However, I intend to stay the course and complete the weaning.

I am still dosing with Alprazolam cautiously at the same time. It's a temptation to sedate myself from the Lexapro withdrawal with the Alprazolam, as opposed to using Alprazolam as a treatment as was intended. So I'm counting dosages and methodically continuing the plan.

All those out there tapering off. Best wishes. This is really a weird road!

How long did you taper? and what percentage did you drop your dose each time? I know that you said before but, I cant remember, how long were you on Lex? Also, are you taking supplements? Erin