Lexapro Withdrawal

[erinkj]

How did your dr apt go? learn anything new?

[Ohwell]

Coming off 40 mg. will be very hard in my opinion, (not a doctor).
You should really taper slowly. It should take you a full year to come off that high of a dose. Please don't rush it. Even with tapering you will have some withdrawals. Try to get the liquid lexapro perscribed to you. You can measure it much easier. Go down 1st to 39mg. for 3 full weeks, until you feel normal again, and have no withdrawals. Then to 38mg. for 3 full weeks, etc.etc. Without the liquid it will be hard to measure accurately. Some here have cut pills etc. but the liquid is best.

You may get brain "zaps" when withdrawaling.
You may have alot of sweating, dizziness, and loose bowels.
You may have no appitite.
You may feel like you have the flu.
You may get crying spells.
You may get panic attacks.
You will probably be very sick if you withdrawal too quickly...like 2 months sick, like can't work sick. So be careful and GO slowly to let your brain heal.

I believe page 188 on this site has more on tapering and supplements.
Good luck....I'm 5 months off now. But I was only taking 10mg! ohwell.

[shibbylibby]

Hi I'm pretty new to this but I've always visited depression forums and such when I'm feeling alone on my quest to be happy AND free from anti-depressants.
I've been taking 20 mg of Lexapro for about a year now for depression and anxiety, along with Klonopin just because I'm an anxious individual I suppose.
Without insurance Lexapro is expensive! My doctor prescribed me to Celexa which is equivalent to Lexapro I guess.
However, a few days after quitting Lexapro completely and starting on a half dose of my 40 mg Celexa...I've been moody as ****, I've experienced a couple of small panic attacks, and plainly I'm just really moody!
My doctor said that it would be easy to switch to the Celexa and I wouldn't feel withdrawel symptoms from the Lexapro...has anybody else experienced this???

[oliviaj]

Coming off 40 mg. will be very hard in my opinion, (not a doctor).
You should really taper slowly. It should take you a full year to come off that high of a dose. Please don't rush it. Even with tapering you will have some withdrawals. Try to get the liquid lexapro perscribed to you. You can measure it much easier. Go down 1st to 39mg. for 3 full weeks, until you feel normal again, and have no withdrawals. Then to 38mg. for 3 full weeks, etc.etc. Without the liquid it will be hard to measure accurately. Some here have cut pills etc. but the liquid is best.

You may get brain "zaps" when withdrawaling.
You may have alot of sweating, dizziness, and loose bowels.
You may have no appitite.
You may feel like you have the flu.
You may get crying spells.
You may get panic attacks.
You will probably be very sick if you withdrawal too quickly...like 2 months sick, like can't work sick. So be careful and GO slowly to let your brain heal.

I believe page 188 on this site has more on tapering and supplements.
Good luck....I'm 5 months off now. But I was only taking 10mg! ohwell.

I totally agree with that. I quit cold turkey and I am 3 months out with still a lot of symptoms and have not worked for the last 2 months. I am not sure when I will be able to go back. The main symptom tripping me up right now is the anxiety, agitation, restlessness. As a therapist, it would be hard to sit in an office and listen to others when you feel like you will jump out of your own skin. I also get the early morning awakenings with extreme anxiety, and have taken ativan the last 2 mornings, which helps. I thoroughly intend to use it on as as needed basis because I believe when my body (especially my gut) is being torn up with anxiety, it is much harder for the body to concentrate on the healing that it needs to do in your brain. We are all comrades in what I think up to this point is the most difficult war I've ever fought, and I'm glad we're here to support each other. Keep on keepin on- Olivia

[erinkj]

Hi I'm pretty new to this but I've always visited depression forums and such when I'm feeling alone on my quest to be happy AND free from anti-depressants.
I've been taking 20 mg of Lexapro for about a year now for depression and anxiety, along with Klonopin just because I'm an anxious individual I suppose.
Without insurance Lexapro is expensive! My doctor prescribed me to Celexa which is equivalent to Lexapro I guess.
However, a few days after quitting Lexapro completely and starting on a half dose of my 40 mg Celexa...I've been moody as ****, I've experienced a couple of small panic attacks, and plainly I'm just really moody!
My doctor said that it would be easy to switch to the Celexa and I wouldn't feel withdrawel symptoms from the Lexapro...has anybody else experienced this???

Yes! It is normal to feel some changes when switching meds even those that are closely related. I believe you are experiencing a withdrawl more related to dose though. You are now taking half of your previous dose and when you drop dosage so quickly even though you replaced your med, you will have those symtoms. At a half celexa dose of 20mg that would =10mg Lexapro and 40mg celexa =20mg Lexapro so, after a few days of being on your full dose of celexa at 40mg, the symptoms should subside and you should feel better. Also, are you taking celexa or the generic citalopram? I ask because generics are not exact equals to the name brand med and do not work for everyone. Keep that in mind and track your daily symptoms especially new or worsening one's, grab a notebook and make a daily notation of how you feel and that will help alot toward figuring out if the med switch works for you or not. If and when you decide to go off of anti-deppressant med's this is the place you should be, as we can all help you with that. Also very important...start taking fish oil capsules x's 2 daily. You can get them at wal-mart pretty cheap (the more pure the better, but that can be expensive) Research has proven beyond all doubt that fish oil supplements help reduce stress and fight off deppression among other benefits and we all need that extra help. Hang in there, you should feel better soon....Erin

[erinkj]

I totally agree with that. I quit cold turkey and I am 3 months out with still a lot of symptoms and have not worked for the last 2 months. I am not sure when I will be able to go back. The main symptom tripping me up right now is the anxiety, agitation, restlessness. As a therapist, it would be hard to sit in an office and listen to others when you feel like you will jump out of your own skin. I also get the early morning awakenings with extreme anxiety, and have taken ativan the last 2 mornings, which helps. I thoroughly intend to use it on as as needed basis because I believe when my body (especially my gut) is being torn up with anxiety, it is much harder for the body to concentrate on the healing that it needs to do in your brain. We are all comrades in what I think up to this point is the most difficult war I've ever fought, and I'm glad we're here to support each other. Keep on keepin on- Olivia

"Jumping out of my skin" that is exactly what I say to describe that aggitating adrenaline surged anxiety feeling to. . I totaly get the belly connection to..UGH! Do you mind if I ask what you were put on Lexapro to treat? You don't have to answer that if you don't want to, I was just curious. On a posetive note, the difficult war you are now fighting will serve to make you that much stronger in the long run and benefit your patients....Keep focusing on the posetive and it will help you get through this . Have you tried using a sun lamp yet? If so, what do you think? does it help? Have a great day Olivia...Erin

[oliviaj]

"Jumping out of my skin" that is exactly what I say to describe that aggitating adrenaline surged anxiety feeling to. . I totaly get the belly connection to..UGH! Do you mind if I ask what you were put on Lexapro to treat? You don't have to answer that if you don't want to, I was just curious. On a posetive note, the difficult war you are now fighting will serve to make you that much stronger in the long run and benefit your patients....Keep focusing on the posetive and it will help you get through this . Have you tried using a sun lamp yet? If so, what do you think? does it help? Have a great day Olivia...Erin

Hi Erin, No I don't mind at all. I decided to get some therapy myself for an unresolved issue of sexual abuse when I was seven. It was VERY helpful and I think helped me have more insight, but when I was done I decided I needed to confront the perpetraters of the abuse. This of course, made me very anxious, plus all of th feelings that came tothe surface when processing the abuse, led to my family doc suggesting lexapro. I should have known better and known it was not the answer, but I was pretty worn down at that time. It was all downhill from there, especially when another drug was added on top of it that I couldn't metabolize either. I got very physcially sick, and soon after the anxiety, insomnia, etc started. I would go out to my car in the parking lot of the clinic just to calm down between clients until I couldn't get a grip on it any more. This is the 2nd day of ativan and it definitely helps. I am going today to look into getting a light box. I started vitamin D today as well. Probably especially essential since I quit dairy last week when my stomach went into overdrive. Olivia

[erinkj]

Hi Erin, No I don't mind at all. I decided to get some therapy myself for an unresolved issue of sexual abuse when I was seven. It was VERY helpful and I think helped me have more insight, but when I was done I decided I needed to confront the perpetraters of the abuse. This of course, made me very anxious, plus all of th feelings that came tothe surface when processing the abuse, led to my family doc suggesting lexapro. I should have known better and known it was not the answer, but I was pretty worn down at that time. It was all downhill from there, especially when another drug was added on top of it that I couldn't metabolize either. I got very physcially sick, and soon after the anxiety, insomnia, etc started. I would go out to my car in the parking lot of the clinic just to calm down between clients until I couldn't get a grip on it any more. This is the 2nd day of ativan and it definitely helps. I am going today to look into getting a light box. I started vitamin D today as well. Probably especially essential since I quit dairy last week when my stomach went into overdrive. Olivia

I am sorry but, good for you dealing with the issue and getting some closure...Ignoring one's problems only make them worse in the long run, just my oppinion. I think you would have been much better off with natural supplements,etc and perhaps a small benzo dose (short term) for your problem instead of anti-deppressant meds. Some people truely do need an anti-deppressant for their conditions. The problem is that these meds are prescribed for stress induced anxiety and deppression that is situational and not expected to be an ongoign problem and is not an actual long term disorder. Alot of the over prescribing of these meds has to do in part, with people being under educated on the differnces between stress and actual disorders. I think that SSRI's should only be prescribed as a last resort for people who have deppression, anxiety and/or panic symptoms that are a result of life circumstances/situations that are expected to be resolved. For chronic problems as related to mental health disorders they are a great first line deffence. Unfortunately the GP's who write the majority of these scripts do not have enough training to differentiate between these problems. Hopefully they will catch on someday .......It's all uphill from here woman..Again, good for you! ...Erin

[flmdncr]

hey everyone, I have been reading this forum for a week or two now, in anticipation and preparation of beginning my Lexapro taper. I have an appointment with my doctor in about an hour, to being the journey. I am definitely going to ask him about being prescribed the liquid, so that I can taper properly, even if he doesn't give me the same precuations as everyone on here has spoken about.

I have been on Lex since about Oct of 2005, so I know that it won't be a quick taper, but I am looking forward to getting off. I am only on 10 mg a day, and for that I am thankful. I was put on the Lex due to anxiety, (reorganization at work with people losing jobs, in school full-time, single parent, just a lot of stress right then), and I want to see if I am able to handle my anxiety on my own.

I am sure I'll be on here more soon, letting you know how it's going. Thanks in advance to everyone who has already gone through this process, so I know something of what to expect, and to know of the wonderful support on here.

Shauna

[oliviaj]

Hey guys, Is it common to have 4 or 5 good days with virtually no symptoms and then have 9 days of pure symptom hell just when you thought it was improving? I'm beside myself with this and very discouraged. Help me to know if this is normal. I did buy a light box today so I'll let you kmpw of ot ,akes me less anxious. Olivia

[oliviaj]

Sorry about the garbled last part of my message. I just got a new keyboard and if I don't reread my stuff it can look pretty crazy. Me fingers ain't used to the new keyboard. Anyway, I'm sitting here browsing the web with my new light box aimed at my face. I hope this works. I think maybe I'm trying to keep my med doseage so low that's it's not adequately covering me for the anxiety right now. I'll try to mess with it a little which is what the psychiatrist told me to do when she prescribed it. I guess she trusts me enough to know that I won't overmedicate. Olivia

[8monthslater]

How did your dr apt go? learn anything new?

Thanks for asking. It went well. I really like her a lot. She is testing me for heavy metal toxicity and definitely thinks I have systemic yeast. She is doing some complete women's profile bloodwork tomorrow (fasting) and I have to collect urine tonight for I can't remember what. I feel a little overwhelmed right now. She has me taking all these different vitamins, DHEA (a spray), 5-htp, AND I am on day 6 of my detox. I am not feeling well. I feel like I can't take a deep breath. I do have an ear infection so she put me on antibiotic drops. It is still draining. YUCK. I also have to take a probiotic twice a day. I am exhausted. Why can't I breathe? Man, it can only get better.

Oh, I am on day 4 of taking only a 1/4 of a .5 mg clonazepam. I feel alright, just extremely tired.

[ivysphotomom]

I just stumbled back over to my studio, to either start back on the lex, or nap....

Today was just horrible! Last night, I crashed after working a few hours after going on 4.5 hrs sleep from the night before....

Get this - last night, friends were stopping by late, who are in visiting from out of town, to drop off their daughter. Well, I thought, I'll lay down for an hour at my studio, to rest...I took my phone in and laid it beside me on the bed. They called TWICE, and I never even heard the phone ring!!!!! I woke up at 2:30am, after about 4 hrs of sleep. So of course, I was 'up'! I went home, ate some pasta, took a .25 xanax, and managed to fall asleep by 4am. Then this morning, at 10:30am, my 3 yr old wakes next to me, crying, in a puddle of pee!!!! I had to ask my 8 yr old daughter to bathe him, while I dealt with the sheets, etc.

Today, as usual, exactly 3 hours after waking, the shakes set in. Now, it was like 70 degrees the last two days in Pittsburgh. Beautiful, balmy days in January!!!! But, in my head, it was like I was in hell...

Today, while looking for my crocs under my bed (rather than my UGHs!), I simply felt like I didn't want to be alive anymore. Not that I'd ever do anything to hurt myself. Especially with 4 kids, and a mother who committed suicide...it was more, that I felt just so HORRIBLE, I just wanted it to end!!! So I took another .25 xanax around noon, and it helped somewhat. (I was put on lex. after my best friend of 24 yrs died suddenly of a heart attack 5 months ago. I've never been dx w/ depression. But I was dealing with anxiety attacks the past year, and have a history of them. But NOT depression, and have never been on an SSRI.)

Later this afternoon, I picked up my toddler at preschool, and my 8 yr old, and we stopped at Wendy's to pick up some food, and have a little picnic at their favorite playground. Well, around that time, the 'gags' set in. Hard to explain. Feels like that little uvula thing is hanging down into my throat, and the simplest caugh causes like this gag reflex! I ate very carefully! Managed to get about 1/3 of a chili down (I never ever get reflux, so spicy is OK w/ me). But then I was overtaken with extreme drowsiness an hour later, as it got dark, as if it were time to go to bed! I've also feel feeling dizzy lately. A rather new symptom.

Interesting you guys have mentioned adrenals, as I've been dx w/ an adrenal insufficiency years ago. And I tend to not eat till later in the day. I'm realizing now, that everything I feel, whether it's hunger, muscle cramps, etc., I feel much more intensely than ever before! Hard to describe.

Luckily, I've been spared the 'brain zaps'.

I ran into the female rabbi at my son's preschool today, who told me a month ago she's been on various meds for depression, what was going on, and she said what you gals have been saying....that you need to wean off of these VERY slowly! She said she tried last year, and ended up wanting to jump out a window. She asked if I'd considered going back on the Lex., and more slowly tapering it. I was on 15mg for a month, 10mg for 3 months, and 5mg for 3 days. I believe I quit a little less than 4 weeks ago.

So I came back here tonight, ready to take a 5mg lex. But thought I'd check in here first....Remember, I took 5mg on New Year's Eve, and the next day, after a long sleep, told my husband I felt almost 'normal' for the first time in a long time! (I thought it was just all the rest I got!) But, I've got 2 other options. My shrink wanted me to switch to Effexor in mid-December. That's when I quit the lex. So I could try the Effexor. I think it's an SNRI (something to do with norepinephrine?) What do you gals think? I think the higher dose of the lex. contributed to my loose bowel syndrome. She said Effexor could help with that, as in some it can be constipating. Last visit last week, when I wasn't on anything but a tiny bit of xanax, she suggested starting to use Buspar? Do you know anything about this option? I know Buspar is a different class of drugs, and isn't going to address the seratonin ******************** going on. So I'm not keen on that option...

Thanks much for all your advice and support. It means the world to me. You all know how lonely, and frustrating, and scary, this process can be!

I'd love to hear from anyone who's been on, or knows anything, about Effexor. From what I researched, getting off of that one can be more difficult than the Lexapro!

~Mary

[shibbylibby]

Yes! It is normal to feel some changes when switching meds even those that are closely related. I believe you are experiencing a withdrawl more related to dose though. You are now taking half of your previous dose and when you drop dosage so quickly even though you replaced your med, you will have those symtoms. At a half celexa dose of 20mg that would =10mg Lexapro and 40mg celexa =20mg Lexapro so, after a few days of being on your full dose of celexa at 40mg, the symptoms should subside and you should feel better. Also, are you taking celexa or the generic citalopram? I ask because generics are not exact equals to the name brand med and do not work for everyone. Keep that in mind and track your daily symptoms especially new or worsening one's, grab a notebook and make a daily notation of how you feel and that will help alot toward figuring out if the med switch works for you or not. If and when you decide to go off of anti-deppressant med's this is the place you should be, as we can all help you with that. Also very important...start taking fish oil capsules x's 2 daily. You can get them at wal-mart pretty cheap (the more pure the better, but that can be expensive) Research has proven beyond all doubt that fish oil supplements help reduce stress and fight off deppression among other benefits and we all need that extra help. Hang in there, you should feel better soon....Erin

Thanks Erin!
Yes, actually it is Citalopram that I'm taking. I'll definitely have to move in on that fish oil. My mom was telling me that I should start taking it also. I've been keeping a journal and noting my mood swings. It seems to get worse at night for me. Just sitting there thinking too much and feeling depressed and anxious.

[shibbylibby]

I just stumbled back over to my studio, to either start back on the lex, or nap....

Today was just horrible! Last night, I crashed after working a few hours after going on 4.5 hrs sleep from the night before....

Get this - last night, friends were stopping by late, who are in visiting from out of town, to drop off their daughter. Well, I thought, I'll lay down for an hour at my studio, to rest...I took my phone in and laid it beside me on the bed. They called TWICE, and I never even heard the phone ring!!!!! I woke up at 2:30am, after about 4 hrs of sleep. So of course, I was 'up'! I went home, ate some pasta, took a .25 xanax, and managed to fall asleep by 4am. Then this morning, at 10:30am, my 3 yr old wakes next to me, crying, in a puddle of pee!!!! I had to ask my 8 yr old daughter to bathe him, while I dealt with the sheets, etc.

Today, as usual, exactly 3 hours after waking, the shakes set in. Now, it was like 70 degrees the last two days in Pittsburgh. Beautiful, balmy days in January!!!! But, in my head, it was like I was in hell...

Today, while looking for my crocs under my bed (rather than my UGHs!), I simply felt like I didn't want to be alive anymore. Not that I'd ever do anything to hurt myself. Especially with 4 kids, and a mother who committed suicide...it was more, that I felt just so HORRIBLE, I just wanted it to end!!! So I took another .25 xanax around noon, and it helped somewhat. (I was put on lex. after my best friend of 24 yrs died suddenly of a heart attack 5 months ago. I've never been dx w/ depression. But I was dealing with anxiety attacks the past year, and have a history of them. But NOT depression, and have never been on an SSRI.)

Later this afternoon, I picked up my toddler at preschool, and my 8 yr old, and we stopped at Wendy's to pick up some food, and have a little picnic at their favorite playground. Well, around that time, the 'gags' set in. Hard to explain. Feels like that little uvula thing is hanging down into my throat, and the simplest caugh causes like this gag reflex! I ate very carefully! Managed to get about 1/3 of a chili down (I never ever get reflux, so spicy is OK w/ me). But then I was overtaken with extreme drowsiness an hour later, as it got dark, as if it were time to go to bed! I've also feel feeling dizzy lately. A rather new symptom.

Interesting you guys have mentioned adrenals, as I've been dx w/ an adrenal insufficiency years ago. And I tend to not eat till later in the day. I'm realizing now, that everything I feel, whether it's hunger, muscle cramps, etc., I feel much more intensely than ever before! Hard to describe.

Luckily, I've been spared the 'brain zaps'.

I ran into the female rabbi at my son's preschool today, who told me a month ago she's been on various meds for depression, what was going on, and she said what you gals have been saying....that you need to wean off of these VERY slowly! She said she tried last year, and ended up wanting to jump out a window. She asked if I'd considered going back on the Lex., and more slowly tapering it. I was on 15mg for a month, 10mg for 3 months, and 5mg for 3 days. I believe I quit a little less than 4 weeks ago.

So I came back here tonight, ready to take a 5mg lex. But thought I'd check in here first....Remember, I took 5mg on New Year's Eve, and the next day, after a long sleep, told my husband I felt almost 'normal' for the first time in a long time! (I thought it was just all the rest I got!) But, I've got 2 other options. My shrink wanted me to switch to Effexor in mid-December. That's when I quit the lex. So I could try the Effexor. I think it's an SNRI (something to do with norepinephrine?) What do you gals think? I think the higher dose of the lex. contributed to my loose bowel syndrome. She said Effexor could help with that, as in some it can be constipating. Last visit last week, when I wasn't on anything but a tiny bit of xanax, she suggested starting to use Buspar? Do you know anything about this option? I know Buspar is a different class of drugs, and isn't going to address the seratonin ******************** going on. So I'm not keen on that option...

Thanks much for all your advice and support. It means the world to me. You all know how lonely, and frustrating, and scary, this process can be!

I'd love to hear from anyone who's been on, or knows anything, about Effexor. From what I researched, getting off of that one can be more difficult than the Lexapro!

~Mary

I was on Buspar for anxiety myself for a while and was still feeling like jumping out of my skin. When I actually went to see a psychiatrist she switched up my meds completely (for the better!) and told me that Buspar is like a watered down anti-anxiety. If you have serious anxiety I don't think the Buspar will be the best option.....just my opinion though it could work differently for different people.

[kkjaj]

Hi, Folks!!

I am sitting at my laptop at home wondering why I took off of work today, as I am not one to miss work often.....My dad rushed over with Imodium A/D for the diarrhea; my grandparents called to see how I was doing -- telling me that it was stress so I needed to slow down; finally my mom said, "You think it is b/c you quit your Lexapro?". I told her no, b/c it is supposedly one of the "weakest anti-depressants" out there and "easy" to just get off of, per my doctor. But, again, I am wondering why I have had diarrhea for 4 days straight; why I have a light-head / fuzziness for 4 days straight; why I can cry at the drop of a dime for 4 days straight.......then I realized today while feeling "odd enough to call-in ill to work" that maybe Mom was right.....she's been in the healthcare field for 38 years......I have been in it for 18 years......DUH!!! So, I thought, "Shoot....can't hurt to do a search online for Lexapro w/drawals”. Let me tell you, Folks, how wonderful I feel (not physically and especially not mentally, but spiritually) that I now know that I have not been "going nuts" for the last 6-7 days that I have been off of Lex. (feeling symptoms for about 4 days). I have felt wonderful in knowing that I now have hope, if you will, as I now know that stopping my Lexapro cold turkey did this to me…that a “weak anti-depressant that you can easily get off of when you wish” has caused me to feel so odd. I am so-o-o hopeful now that I know what is going on and that there is actually a light at the end of the tunnel….yes, the tunnels appears top be oh-so-far away, per most of your blogs, but it is there, nevertheless. THAT makes me smile……I cannot thank you all enough for the time you took to post the inputs of your experiences. You all are live-savers. I am in the healthcare field but not one to go to the doctor….go figure…that’s how we tick…..but if I kept feeling the way I have been feeling the last several days, I would have gone……who knows, maybe I would have been told to go back on Lex; to try another anti-dep.; to try such-and-such. I started taking 10 mg. Lex. (and have stayed on that dosage) 6 years ago to cope with my divorce. It helped me feel better (or maybe to not feel at all)…..but it is time to remove myself from it……I am realizing now that my “brave, logical” cold-turkey method was a bit presumptuous. I should have tapered….might have been easier. I am doing a de-tox (cleanse) that my nutrition store recommended. I have used them for years for other vits./mins. I started today before I learned of your blogs…..so THAT was a step in the right direction. (i.e., to help my body de-tox) from years of bad eating and Lex. intake.
My question to all of you is this: should I go back on my Lex. and slowly taper off….or….should I follow the steps of taking certain herbs/vits/mins to help with the re-building of my body as I am Lexapro-free? I am a bit tired of the fuzzy-head, to say the least. I can deal with the crying (wish it didn’t occur, though) – I can deal with the diarrhea (wish it didn’t occur, though) – but the fuzzy-head feels almost dangerous to have…..as I walk around the office and at home, exercise (but haven’t since I felt dizzy), and drive……I feel it is dangerous to drive…scares me a bit. So, what do you all suggest?
Many thanks for the input. I wish to tell you that you are God-sends, as I asked the Lord to help me get through this safely.
I hope to hear from you soon, Folks!
Take care!

[Tryn]

Hello Everyone...I am wondering if it is possible to have withdraws from Lexapro three months after taking it? I had been doing so well then tonight it seemed to hit me all at once..the tingling throughout my body..insomnia..irritable...anxiety..just like I had when I stop taking it. I was only on 10 milgrams for five days..then quit cold turkey. Could I still be having effects of it after three months from being off? Hope all is doing better each day. God Bless

Tryn

[Tryn]

At 3 months off Lex I say go for it! I don't think that detoxing will bring on more withdrawl type symptoms but, depending on the strength of your detox program; you could feel pretty icky and weak. Detoxing is good for your body in the long run but can be harsh short term. You should read up on milk thistle if you don't currently take it. Milk thistle detoxes the liver. Aunty recomends it post-lex and my hubby swears by it as well. He has been taking it daily for 10 years with no ill affects...Good luck...Erin

Thanks for your reply Erin. I did what was called a one day liver detox yesterday. Where I drank juice and water all day. Now today some of the exact symptoms I had when I stopped taking Lexapro has re surfaced. I am not sure what is going on. The tingling sinsations...insomnia..anxiety..irritable...etc. It has been three months since I stopped taking it. I was on 10 mgs and only took it for five days. I had not been on anything else before taking Lexapro so t his is allll new to me. I hope all is going well for everyone.

[erinkj]

Hello to EVERYONE, I just wanted to leave a quick message to let EVERYONE know that I will be replying to MANY posts tonight!. Yesterday I ended up driving 400 some odd miles so, I was in my car most of the day and home late last night. Today is my husbands apt with the psych nurse about bi-polar issues ( I sure hope this goes well ) in Des moines which is an hour drive from me. So, by the time we run all of our errands and get home it will be evening and my classes start tommoro..ERGH, hectic. Anyway, A few quick ones:

Mary: You may want to break your .25 xanax in half and try that dose as the full .25 could be contributing to the fatigue. We all metabolize at different rates. Besides, if you can get by fine on less, all the better. I have lots more to say to you but, I cannot reply until tonight...Hang tight dear.....

Olivia: Ohwell has said many times that symptoms seem to get a bit worse just before they get better. Hang on to that! She is not the only person who has said that so, we have to believe. Keep using the sun lamp..Read a good book or anything that cheers you up. Create your own personal mantra and repeat it to yourself often...even if it does sound corny. say it with me: I WILL GET THROUGH THIS!

8monthslater: 5HT? UH, you should research that....That is a seretonin precurser..well, it is more complicated than that but, in a nut shell it will affect your seretonergic system in a similar way as SSRI med's. Not saying you should not take it especially under a Dr care however, I want you to be informed as you have been through enough. Your body is working overtime right now to heal etc, so, you are going to be wiped out tired, that is very normal but, you should feel better daily....more to you later, oh, I am happy that you found a good dr.....


To all you new folks: Howdy, much to say to you all but, again; that wont be till tonight....Hang in there everybody.....Erin

[oliviaj]

I had to go into work today to talk to my supervisor and let her know what is going on with my health so they know how to plan for my clients and how to get their needs met. Evidently a lot have been waiting for my return and do not want anyone else but at this point that's not realistic since I don't know how much longer this will take. She told me that given the circumstances they would have to hire a new therapist but I would be welcome back any time to work part time and work back up to full time, which is probably what I would need to do anyway. I don't know how anyone works going through this. I just feel so defeated and unnecessary right now. My life is so small and revolves around this process and nothing else. It is very depressing. Olivia

[Tryn]

At 3 months off Lex I say go for it! I don't think that detoxing will bring on more withdrawl type symptoms but, depending on the strength of your detox program; you could feel pretty icky and weak. Detoxing is good for your body in the long run but can be harsh short term. You should read up on milk thistle if you don't currently take it. Milk thistle detoxes the liver. Aunty recomends it post-lex and my hubby swears by it as well. He has been taking it daily for 10 years with no ill affects...Good luck...Erin

Hello Erin..u said ur husband has been taking Milk Thistle for several years now...is he on any other kind of meds? Can u take it with St. Johns Wart? Thanks for all ur interaction it is amazing what one will learn just by reading TGod Bless take Care and hope all goes well with hubby

Tryn

[Ohwell]

How much Lex. were you on and for how long? I'm sorry. If I missed that info. in your post.

You said you have been off now for a week?

in my opinion, (not a dr.) just another fellow Lex. user... I would re-instate asap, like now...to almost your full dose....ex. if you were on 10mg....take 9. Some here have slivered their pills until they can get the liquid lex. perscribed. You should feel better soon. THEN begin taper slowly. IF you don't you will be sick for a few months. The withdrawals can be found all though this site and on THE ROad Back web site. Good Luck and please let us know how you do. Also please use some good supplements now. Many here take omega 3 fish oils to help with withdrawals. ALso take calcium in the evening for bedtime. Magnesium Maltate helps with anxiety, but take with food and not too close to bedtime as it can key you up. ohwell.

[Ohwell]

According to many on this site, it is VERY normal to relaspe. Like layers of an onion...so to speak. You brains healing. Many here have had this happen. Myself included. Baby yourself. NO violence on TV. No caffine. No soda.
No booze. Do take good care of yourself right now. Pamper yourself. And if possible take some time off and relax, sleep, and heal. Take your supplements. Take some hot baths. Take some time outside in the sun...if you've got it this time of year.....God Bless. ohwell.

[erinkj]

Mary, Effexor is a SNRI however, (this is the tricky part) At low doses effexor works like an SSRI in that it is more seretonin selective..As the dose is raised it begins to target seretonin AND norepinephrine. So, it can be tricky. I was on effexor XR for 4 months (?) at one time and I can't really say much for or against it. It did not seem to help me much but did not make me worse either. I will NOT tell you what to do and I am not a dr but, I can tell you what I would do if I were in you'r shoes. . If I had to choose between going back on an SSRI (any of them) to stabelize or switching to an SNRI, I would stick with the SSRI! WHY? 1. Your seretonergic system has already been affected by taking the SSRI ( good or bad) and, even though EVERYTHING in your brain/endocrine system is intricately connected and inevitably effect each other; your Norepinephrine has not (theoreticly) been disturbed. 2. If I was affected this adversely (and I am) from attempting to stop a med that works on one target area I assume that I would possibly have MORE trouble stopping a med that works on two target areas especially considering that the relationship between neuro-transmitters (ie: how they affect/react to each other) is not absolutely known or completely understood. 3. I would re-instate the lex until I was feeling more mental focus and the fog lifted a bit more before making ANY decision to switch med's, especially to a med I had never used before. I tend to think "Long term". If you need to take/stay on a med I will be the last person in the world to knock you for it..I UNDERSTAND were you are and how you feel...THIS SUCKS!!! I KNOW that you are feeling confused, unsure and probobly rather crazed ( I went out of my mind..NUTSO) But, this is not the frame of mind you want to be in when making a major med switch decision. ( I say "major" because you would be going from SSRI to SNRI even though it is a relative med family) If you cannot handle the Lex and must change med's I would try a different SSRI (only if I had to) There are several other SSRI's to choose from, many of which are older than Lex and have a bit more re-search behind them. Also, Almost all SSRI med's have a fairly equal diahareal to constipation ratio so, it's not a sure thing which one will affect you either way! I really wish I could give you a hug right now or just be there to listen to you vent . Only YOU can decide what is right for you...follow you'r intuition and weigh you'r options carefully! Keep me posted O.K.......Wishing you the best...Erin

[erinkj]

Hello Erin..u said ur husband has been taking Milk Thistle for several years now...is he on any other kind of meds? Can u take it with St. Johns Wart? Thanks for all ur interaction it is amazing what one will learn just by reading TGod Bless take Care and hope all goes well with hubby

Tryn

Yes. You can take milk thistle with saint johns wort, they should not interact. However, they may be metabolized through the same pathway in the Liver (I will double check that) in which case it could possibly overtax it and/or the two taken at the same time or to close together may affect their metabolism. ie:more or less build up in your system of one or the other. This web site is a pretty good info resource so, you should search: St.Johns wort and see what comes up for interactions before you take it. Also, DO NOT take St.Johns wort if you are currently on an SSRI or any other antideppresant meds as that may cause seretonin syndrom which, you DO NOT want. If you take St.Johns wort you need to wait at the bare minimum until any SSRI is completely out of your system before you start it. Be sure to research that well (if you have not already)before using it. Keep in mind that herbs are not FDA regulated so, you should research them by brand to check on their purity, and concentration. Yes, my hubby is on several med's, just added a few more today . Good news is that Dr doesnt really think he is bi-polar but not completely ruling it out yet. She agree's with his childhood dx of ADHD but sais he has anxiety and deppression with it (DUH, we knew that)...it may have been brought on or aggrevated by his multiple health issues, etc from last year...still trying to figure it all out....Something had to be done though..here I am trying to get off med's and he is going on them . In his case....it's a last resort.
Hubby has never had any adverse effects from taking milk thistle with med's though and, believe me when I say he has had more med's pumped through him just in the last year than I have had in a lifetime...He is a fast metabolizer though. He is on HRT (testosterone replacement from an endocrine crash) and been taking clonodine for blood pressure for 15yrs, etc. I should actually post his vitamin/ mineral and supplement regimen here..Everyone would freak his regimen is most impressive. Let me know if you have any more questions and I will answer as best I can..Goodnight..Erin

[erinkj]

Absolutely reinstate the lex. Then when you are more stable you can start to taper ssslllooowww! I quit to fast and had to do the same thing. It sucks, I know. While taking the med's feels like a step backward in the long run it is actually a step forward. If you taper slowly as ohwell suggested then it should minimize your withdrawl symptoms and make discontinuing Lex more tollerable. Take those supplements she recomended also. I do and I really felt the benefit of them within a few weeks, they do help. You are not crazy no matter how much it feels like you are and this is absolutely not all in your head. Unfortunately feeling completely off your rocker is an all to common withdrawl symptom....you'r entire brain is confused and has (in a sence) had the rug pulled out from under it and made you land on your butt! You should feel improvement within a few to 24 hrs after taking your dose of lex. When you feel better, we can all help you with the taper and offer our support..Relax, you are among friends . Erin

[erinkj]

I had to go into work today to talk to my supervisor and let her know what is going on with my health so they know how to plan for my clients and how to get their needs met. Evidently a lot have been waiting for my return and do not want anyone else but at this point that's not realistic since I don't know how much longer this will take. She told me that given the circumstances they would have to hire a new therapist but I would be welcome back any time to work part time and work back up to full time, which is probably what I would need to do anyway. I don't know how anyone works going through this. I just feel so defeated and unnecessary right now. My life is so small and revolves around this process and nothing else. It is very depressing. Olivia

My heart goes out to you dear! Your life is in no way small or unnecessary...Got that? YOU MATTER! Example: how many clients do you have that want to work with YOU? These people have not chosen YOU as their therapist for no reason. You have helped many people through any number of issues..Now you are the one who needs that help as we all inevitably do at some point in our live's. The most theraputic thing that you can do for yourself right now (aside from taking it easy) is to surround yourself with friends, loved ones or anyone/thing that makes you smile and feel good. I am sure that you know a few good therapists, folks you trust even though you are one yourself; it could help you alot to see one. The old adage: Dr. heal thyself, applies to you also....just because you are a therapist and educated on emotional issues does not mean that you will not benefit from seeing a therapist. Perhaps even if you could get together with the rabbi to talk it would help, she can empathise which can only serve to lift you up... you need that lift right now...Don't despair Olivia, this will not last forever, it will get better and you are not alone even if you feel that you are...Big hug...ERin

[erinkj]

Get as much rest as possible. Your body does it's majority of healing while you sleep. Detoxing and ear infection are all taking their toll. I feel for you. On the bright side, you are finally getting some answers and moving forward on your road to recovery. . I am very happy for you. Is the tinnitus any better? Erin

[ivysphotomom]

Thanks for your personal reply, after your long day!

How did your husband's appt. go??

I used my intuition, and advice from the female rabbi, and here, and started back on 5mg of lexapro last night. After only two doses, I noticed a reduction, well, not a reduction in symptoms, but more an improvement of overall mood. So I will stay on 5mg of lexapro for a while, try to stabilize somewhat, then try to figure out how to slowly get off of it. Or, maybe I need it for a while. I'm not sure yet.

Thanks for the info on the Effexor. It's so easy to have hope, and want to trust Dr's, that there are 'happy pills' out there to fix our chemical imbalances. Because I do truly believe some of us have chemical imbalances, that need to be addressed, similar to my thyroid condition, or any other physical ailment. I had no idea such a tiny pill (half a lexapro) could cause such a change in my body!!! (Oh, I do break my .25 xanaxs in half. Today, I only had one half in the morning, and one half later in the afternoon. I very rarely take them before bed, unless I wake at 4-6am, and need to get back to sleep...then I only take half.)

I also feel these boards have been a God send.

Many thanks to all of you. A big hug goes out to you all as well!

~Mary

[Atlasmark]

I am absolutely 100% better. Was on Lexapro 10 mg for about a year, quit cold turkey last June, and went on the lexapro withdrawal roller coaster ride. Jaw clenching, brain zaps, anxiety etc..

This site helped me do it. Hang in there everyone. You will get better - I was after 2 and half months. The first 2 weeks are the worst, but you will sleep a lot for about a month and may still feel the tingles and dizziness that first month.

Remember - this too shall pass.

Hugs and Kisses