[Miss Lee]

Well today I am still on the emotional rollar coaster. It isn't as bad as the last time though. I will take comfort in that.

I feel that my reaction has helped me focus on more important things in life. The process of healing is definately frusterating and REALLY slow for me. I do see phases like waves. The first wave was huge, the second not so huge but big ,the third was a lot less. It is the after effects that really get to me. I still have the internal trembling and that has gotten a tiny bit better. I stopped all my supplements, but mag. because of my extreme sensitivity. I constantly ask my family if I am getting better. They say yes. I know I am, but it is really hard to see. So, one day closer to recovery.

Aunty- Your friend's daughter that had the reaction, do you think she would be willing to talk with me about the experience? I really need some support from someone who has seen this first hand. Let me know
I am praying for your speedy recovery for your knee and your daughter.

Does anyone know how long it takes for seretonin to rebalance after an inbalance caused by these meds?

Happy days ahead!
Miss Lee

[DarlinDenise]

Just wondering... Has anyone tried cleansing their liver after coming off Lex? I've been reading up on this and was wondering if anyone has tried it. If so, has it helped any?

[anxiousbabe]

Hey guys,

How is it going today? I have to say I have been having a rough time at night again. I am 5 wks off the lex and was doing pretty good. Now at "bedtime" I am getting anxious again and having heart flutters and going through the phase of freezing. Fight and flight I guess they call it. I am back on the couch again, I can never go into my bed when I am feeling like this. Last night I was so cold, I slept in front of the fire place with 2 comforters, pajamas, socks and a heavy robe.

Finally I decieded to take a half of 5mg xanax. I needed to get some sleep. The night before I was up until 3am and then up with the kids and my husband at 6:30. I am amazed at how wonderful I sleep with that low dose of xanax. I actually slept a solid 7 hours last night.

Although during the day on Halloween I was in the grocery store after work and felt those old feelings again of the dizziness and feeling of leaving my carriage and getting out of there. I don't ever want to feel that "panic" again. However, I fought through it and made it out okay. What is going on? Am I still detoxing off of the Lexapro. I walked about 2miles on Halloween night with the kids and my husband, when it was time for bed that is when I felt the worst. sick to my stomach, freezing etc....everytime I excercise at night or go walking the anxiety comes out of me at night. does this happen to anyone else.

I am going for acupuncture now and will check back.

I hope everyone is feeling better today.
Florence

[Miss Lee]

Anxious-

I know how you are feeling. Your seretonin is trying to rebalance and this might cause you to relive symptoms of withdrawal. I feel that I am back at square 7 (not one, but dang near) and I am two months out. I am so sick orf this and frusterated. BUT i do feel more better days, than bad and I will take comfort in that. Take those negative thoughts captive and walk toward the symptoms, rather than run away. I have found that this kinds helps. I cried all the way to work today. I rue the day that an uneducated DOC ever gave me LEX but I will come out of this a stronger, more educated person. Hang in there. You are not in that boat by yourself. I wish we all lived next door to each other. I could use a little face time with other understanding people.

Miss Lee

[anxiousbabe]

Miss Lee, Your not kidding!! I wish we lived next door to each other too. I just got back from acupuncture and my Natural doctor which is also a PA in the hospital told me to relax and gave me some evening primrose oil to take and so other stuff called muscle ease which is suppose to act like xanax. So for now I am on a Multivitamin that she gave me, Fish oil, muscle ease and evening primrose oil. She was also going to give me some 5-htp, but told me to try this stuff first since she knows I am so medi-phobic and react to medicine different than everyone else. I have a very low tolerance for meds.

She told me not to stress about the weight and that the lex takes along time to leave the system and it will take time for the system to return back to it old self. I told her that I was so discouraged because I was never over weight and always could lose 5 or 10 pounds by just excercising more and cutting down on eating certain foods. She said it should start coming off all at once so I will keep that in mind. I know that you don't have that problem. You lost weight from the lex right? This whole thing has been a nightmare. I wish I never let my doctor talk me in to lex. I left it on my shelf for 3 months until she forced me into trying it. I should have took it off the shelf and flushed it down the toilet.

Then I snapped at my husband last night because he said my body was beautiful and even though today I realize that I was wrong I still felt like you stupid jerk, how could you think my body is nice 32 pounds later. I guess I am lucky to have him feel that way, but how could he. Anyways I hope you and everyone else on this site is finding some relief today.

Remember to keep aunty in your prayers as her surgery is approaching. I wish aunty a speedy recovery, she is so helpful to this site. body e you too, don't leave us now. I am so glad you are feeling better. What are you still taking for supplements?????

Talk to ya later,
Florence

[Craigre]

Halloween was the greatest day in a long time for me. I stayed up until 5am playing cards with some friends. However, the day after halloween, I was pretty grouchy all day. I got really depressed while I was working. Then when I got home I tried to sleep and had some pretty bad panic attacks. I took a 1/2 of a .25 of xanax to calm me down. It calmed me for a little but then when it wore off I had more panic attacks while i was still in bed. I probably didn't sleep until 2 or 3am.

I feel like I took a big step backwards in my recovery. I was feeling great on halloween and the days leading up to it so I don't know what happened to trigger this. Maybe nothing triggered it. The only thing that I can think of that might have triggered it is chocolate. I had some candy the night before halloween, on halloween, and yesterday. I had some right before I tried going to bed last night too.

Did anybody else eat chocolate halloween candy and feel more anxious last night? I feel very tense right now as well.

[Craigre]

Did anybody eat chocolate and feel fine?

[Brewer]

Anxious babe

did your natural doctor say how long it would take for the weight loss to kick in?

I've been researching my problem (weight gain, breast growth and lactation thanks to Lex) and bromocriptine is often used to stop the lactation and shrink the boobs back down.

HOwever, I've also found information that it is being used (Bromo) as a weight loss/ leaning agent in body builders. I'm hoping to get more information, but my MD won't do anything until everything is out of my system.

Brewer was here

[bodyelectric]

Craigre,

Cocoa does have some caffeine in it, but I bet it wasn't the cocoa that kept you up. My guess is that it was the sugar served with it, which may have caused a blood sugar crash. Add that and a lack of sleep, and that can cause panicky, anxious feelings.

Get some rest and I bet you'll feel better. Going to bed at a decent hour really helps, if you can make yourself do it. Just lie there in bed if you have to, then make yourself get up early in the morning and stay busy all day. By the second night, you'll be ready to sleep.

[Craigre]

I think you are right. Thanks.
I am going to lay off the candy and try to get back to a good sleep pattern.

[Brewer]

Miss Lee,
how long did it take for the weight loss to begin? Are you completely off the Lex?

And I have blurry vision also! One doctor told me I had a TUMOR because of my wacky symptoms, and sent me to a specialist. Now I go back next week to get another glasses prescription.

Brewer was here

[Miss Lee]

I don't know what it is, but I am going through another phase of this **** also. Seriously dizzy today and really snappy. My boyfriend called me his little snap dragon. Ain't that the truth.

Anxious- Yeah, I lost weight and keep losing. I just don't have an appetite at all. It comes and goes. I go to my first visit with the nautropath tomorrow. I am excited just to be around someone who will believe me.

I also have had really blurry vision. Anyone else? Scotty?

Craigre- Chocolate is a stimulant, sooo that may be the reason>??? Also my symptoms get worse with lack of routine sleep. Maybe that is a factor in your episode.

I feel like crying, but people at work already think I am nuts!!!!

Miss LEE
Aunty- ??? Prayers (hugs)

[bodyelectric]

By the way, chocolate, or at least cocoa, may really help with withdrawal symptoms. It has agents in it that can cause euphoria as well as give your serotonin a little boost. If you have a blender, you might try my favorite anti-Lexapro-withdrawal-syndrome recipe:

1-2 bananas
1-2 Tbspns (or more!) cocoa powder (the baking kind w/o sugar)
2-4 cups milk or soy milk (they make chocolate soy milk, too)
2 tspns milled flaxseed powder (omega-3)
1 tspn wheat germ (natural B vitamins, shouldn't cause a problem)
1-2 scoops protein powder
a handful of ice cubes

Blend and drink. It tastes better straight from the blender, no need to bother putting it in a glass.

If you like chocolate, you'll like this, plus it will give you some energy, it's not fattening, and it's very healthy.

I bet it would also be good with carrots and oranges in place of the bananas. I haven't tried it, but I'd say soy milk would be the way to go with that one. Hmm. I'll try it later and give you a report.

SSRI withdrawal newsletter: www.withdrawalsymptoms.us

[Craigre]

I think I am going to go buy a blood sugar level tester and some walnuts. What is a normal blood sugar reading? What is too low and what is too high? How high should it go after I eat? How low should it drop when I am hungry? Is the goal to keep a steady blood sugar level or is it supposed to change at different parts of the day?

I am back from the store now and I am trying to figure out how to use this thing. I am going to test now and then eat some walnuts and then test again in an hour.

control test = normal
before 10 walnuts
test1 = 100 (is that normal?)
1 hour after 10 walnuts
test2 = 126

[farmtails]

Day 8, Still Lex Free
To all those struggling, keep strong and for heaven's sake .... don't go back on the Lex. Over the last decade (since college) I have taken no less than 5 different antidepressants (all at diff times) and I can honestly say that Lexapro is by far the worst to withdraw from. I think it worked really well for the first year but after that the Lexapro sent my life into a tailspin. For those of you who have just begun to take Lexapro or for those of you who are considering taking it, I would advise caution. I have experienced Substantial Short Term Memory Loss, 50 lb weight gain, constant headaches, no libido, and EXTREME fatigue. In addition to all the above, I began to metabolize the Lexapro faster and faster which not only required that I increase my dosage to 30 mg but also required that I take my dosage at 18-20 hour intervals -- otherwise I began having those "brain zaps" and dizziness.
Since swearing off Lexapro 8 days ago, I have started eating walnuts & olives to ease my symptoms. [] I also went and got a pedicure and manicure today. I think the pampering helped a lot!

Again, stay strong and keep away from the LexHex!

[Miss Lee]

Hey anyone ever heard of drug induced akathisia?

Got some info??

Miss Lee

[Brewer]

Miss Lee-
I sent you a reply message above, but somehow it was placed above your message! Please check it out,
Denise

Brewer was here

[Scotty]

Hey everyone,

I've been doing pretty good still during the day and doing pretty bad still trying to get some sleep at night.

Craigre-
Don't stress your system like you did before the Lex. Our nerves are still in a very hypersensitive state. Even though I'm feeling much better I'm not even thinking about going to see an action film, going to the local tavern or pulling an all-nighter(even though I'd like to). Instead I'm exercising or reading a good book or making repairs around the house or to my car. I'm going to slowly let the big stressors back into my life. I think that's the only way you can do it. I did have some candy on halloween and didn't really notice any ill effects from that.

Miss Lee-
Try some good moisture drops for yours eyes. Mine get blurry but only when they get really dry. You may not even realize they are dry. Are you seeing an acupuncturist? If so, have him/her use a leave-in needle in the shen-men point (The crevice at the top of your left ear). This is the best mind calming point. I have a leave-in one there and I just message it when I'm feeling anxious and it really calms the mind. Also, go ahead and cry, it's very cleansing and a good release. Hell, I'm a guy, and I've done it at work. I just tell people my seretonin is on overload.[^]

My acupuncturist said the reason I'm not sleeping is because my liver is "wirey." Wonder why? I'm taking the milk thistle and some chinese herbs he gave me to help balance the liver. Hopefully things will normalize and I can get some natural sleep soon. Till then, I'll just keep using the Lunesta.

I too would love a live support group with you folks. Still, this forum helps immensley.

I would say again distraction is better then over-analyzing everything which we are all very prone to do right now. Easier said than done I know. "We have the cause within our minds but we also have the cure." -Claire Weekes

Hope we can all find the 'quiet mind' we are searching for.
God Bless.

[Desertrat]

What a blessing to find this forum! I am 2 weeks off of Lexapro. What a trip! At first I thought for certain there was something seriously wrong with me -- had no idea about the withdrawal. Had I been told that, I think I would've thought twice about starting! I finally saw my naturopath last week and she's got me on minerals which is really helping and then hypericum[?] for the "brain zaps" as I saw someone call them. I am much, much better but still have some residual stuff that I assume will go away with time -- not too much I hope! So what's the general consensus here on duration of withdrawal symptoms?

[Desertrat]

Anxious - I also would like to know why night can be so awful! I am notorious for having anxiety/panic during the night.[xx(]

I can't remember who said something about weight gain, but cripes! I had lost 16 pounds over the summer and I'm about to kiss that all goodbye! So why is weight gain something that goes along with all the other hell?

[oceangrl]

Hey guys-

I hope everyone is doing better today.. I just wanted to report and say its been about 4 weeks since I stopped lex and my brain zaps are pretty much gone! horray! I had a question about anxiety and hormones though. I'm pretty sure my anxiety stemmed from a mixture of hormones, stress, and a little too much partying (I really can't drink alcohol because it triggers my anxiety so bad! anyone else have that problem??) Well anyways, (and this question is directed more towards the ladies) I was wondering if anyone knows if birth control has a tendency to cause anxiety/depression. I thought I should go on it just to regulate my hormones better but I'm so skeptical to take ANY form of pills now! If anyone has any knowledge about this I would appreciate it! I would die if I had to go though this all over again. Thanks everyone! [:X]

[oceangrl]

quote:Originally posted by Desertrat


I can't remember who said something about weight gain, but cripes! I had lost 16 pounds over the summer and I'm about to kiss that all goodbye! So why is weight gain something that goes along with all the other hell?

Don't feel bad! I lost 20 pounds this summer and it's all back now! urrg I was a little too skinny then I suppose.. but I had no idea how fast 20 pounds can come back! sheesh [:0]

[auntybiotic]

Hi Everone,

Does anyone seem to be noticing a INCREASE in weight and CARB cravings following stopping lexapro. I am sure the weight will come off in time but I was wondering if any have seen a increase in the bloating or weight either while withdrawaling from Lexapro or after stopping lexapro..

Thanks for the concern over my surgery. The doctor had to postphone it to the 17th GRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!! What can I do. Will post about akanashia later.

aunty

[Desertrat]

Oddly enough, I find some comfort in knowing I'm not the only one who is gaining weight after stopping Lex. You're right, the carb cravings are the culprit for sure!! I find it really, really hard to resist and with halloween candy sitting here now -- [}] I'm a chocoholic to begin with! I'm getting pretty discouraged considering that the eating holidays are weeks away.

I know I'm new to this forum, but I do pray that all of you have much, much better days coming!

[Miss Lee]

Ocengrl-
I have that same exact question about Birth control?? My hormones are playing a huge part of this. I mean I have an episode of withdrawal every 28 days????? H MMMMM... Hopefully someone will know the answer, but I am also VERY SCARED to put anything synthetic in my body.

Scotty- I have been going to acupuncture. I am a little poopy about it. I always get worse after acu. And this week it seemed a lot worse. I will ask about the calming points.

Aunty- How is your friend's daughter doing after her reaction? I am really trying hard here.

Must be off. More later.

Miss Lee

[bodyelectric]

For weight-concerned ex-Lexers:

I'm going to fast the Thursday before Tgiving if anyone wants to join me...

SSRI withdrawal newsletter: www.withdrawalsymptoms.us

[brwniz38]

darlindenise-

yes, I have been on a detox for a few weeks. I am on day 3 of no lex. My Natural Doc has me on two supplements by Perque - LivaGuard and Detoxin Guard. THey seems to be helping alot. The LivaGuard has milk thistle in it, which I am guessing is a good thing..I am feeling great off the lex. I tapered for two weeks, then went off completely. I am also on a digestaguard also by Perque that helps with alot of imbalances in the stomach and intestine. With all the supplements my doc has me on, there are about 5 I believe, so far I am not having any withdraw symptoms, however, it's only been 3 days.. I am a little more tired.. I've had to take something for sleep the past two nights, but no brain zaps, anxiety, etc.. My prayers are with everyone coming off this horrid drug..

[brwniz38]

craigre-

been eating chocolate off and on since Monday and I feel fine...just a little tired during the day..

[anxiousbabe]

Hey guys,

How is everyone today? I am better because I had acupuncture last night. Scotty: Please make sure your acupunturist is hitting your calming points because I am always so relaxed after my appt. and always sleep good at night and as you know nighttime is the worst for me.
Ocean girl: How did you lose 20pds over the summer? Please share, I am so desperate to lose some before the holidays. I have also gained more weight after stopping the lexapro or withdrawing I should say. My belly got even more swollen and my cravings were terrible. I have lost 4 pounds of it since so hopefully better days are coming. As far as the alcohol it makes me wicked anxious. I used to love to go out for a few martini's with my husband or drink some Grand Marnier (Cognac) after dinner at a restaruant and BOOM when I got home and ready for bed I would have a terrible anxiety attack and not only that night, but it would stay with me for the next day so I don't know what the heck is up with that. I can only drink wine and thats all I pretty much drink. I am Italian so I have been drinking wine with dinner for as long as I could remember so my body is probably used to it or doesn't react to it, because i never get a buzz or drunk from wine ever.
Aunty: Don't you hate when the doctors do that UGH!!! And to answer you question about the bloated belly and cravings during withdrawel I answered in the above paragraph. My Natural doc put me on primrose oil capsules yesterday....whats your view on those.

Desertrat: It's great to have you aboard, you will find much support on this site. It has got me through. I don't know why the night time is bad for me. It seems when I am so tired and can't wait to settle down to a good book or TV after the house is quiet then it starts. It is so weird to me because as long as I keep going and doing laundry and packing lunches etc....I feel fine, but when my body starts to rest my anxiety acts up and then I am always in the fight and flight mode - whatever you call it. I can't stand it. Last night I took a half of 5mg xanax because I refuse to go through it. and my weight is another issue. I can't stand it anymore, but I am going to try hard to get some more off this week. Sometimes I have no will power and just say the heck with it. I was never like that before, always in shape and active. I always could take off 5 or 10 pounds after the holidays with no problem, but not now. My best friend said it's age, but I am only 34 and didn't have a problem a year a a half ago before I started that lexapro **** so don't tell me this just changed in a year or so. OH sorry I can get on a role about it.
Miss Lee: I hope you are feeling better today, let us know.

Body e: good to see your posts back on the board again. How are you doing?

BE well, God Bless,
Florence

[bodyelectric]

Florence: Bodyelectric is doing awesome! Thanks!

My bet for the weird alcohol reactions is this: (1) blood sugar and (2) something to do with cortisol, which Lexapro messes up. I'll look into it. I'll write about it for the newsletter and put an excerpt on this forum.

So far only 2 subscribers. Once we get up to about 10 I'll get to work.


Take care!

-B.E.

SSRI withdrawal newsletter: www.withdrawalsymptoms.us