[jc545]

Yesterday became the biggest challenge yet. The symptoms increased hourly until I was getting through a minute at a time. But somehow I survived the day, and went to sleep early again. The sleep was the the same intermittent sleep, but the nightmares have subsided for now.

This morning the electrical feeling comes in waves, but all in all I am a little better. I hope this is a trend. This withdrawal is like having the flu with multiple personalities. I'd prefer the flu, even my most severe experience with it. There is a phycological aspect to this withdrawal process that makes it worse than flu like sickness. I hope I haven't damaged my brain permanently.

Is anyone else in the range of 2 weeks into withdrawal? I'd be curious to compare experiences.

[COHiker]

I was just wondering if anyone has looked into and/or tried the Linden method for GAD/OCD or depression?
I would be very interested in hearing from someone on this site who may know anything about it.
Thanks,
COHiker

[Ohwell]

My rash is still better. Anxiety is my main complaint, and fatigue.
I get another blood draw next week to check my thryoid levels.
I think I'm getting low again. Ohwell.

[Ohwell]

Sometimes it takes time for the Magenesium to kick in...it helps with anxiety and relaxing. (suppose to)...be sure to take it with a meal, Lunch? And not too late, as it can be a stimulant for some. I can't take it too late or I don't sleep. For others it helps them sleep. Start slowly, only one a day. And be sure to take the Magnesium Maltate kind. Get the best brand you can afford. Lots of this forum have taken it and advise it to help with withdrawals. (my opinion, I'm not a doctor) It can also help with heart paputations. Good Luck. ohwell.

[COHiker]

Originally Posted by Ohwell

Sometimes it takes time for the Magenesium to kick in...it helps with anxiety and relaxing. (suppose to)...be sure to take it with a meal, Lunch? And not too late, as it can be a stimulant for some. I can't take it too late or I don't sleep. For others it helps them sleep. Start slowly, only one a day. And be sure to take the Magnesium Maltate kind. Get the best brand you can afford. Lots of this forum have taken it and advise it to help with withdrawals. (my opinion, I'm not a doctor) It can also help with heart paputations. Good Luck. ohwell.

Thanks, Ohwell....

I'm hoping the magnesium works on any anxiety that might crop up through the whole withdrawl thing. I'm just a bit over a week of the first taper and so far so good.

Of course, I'm waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop and have some emotional backlash. As I said in an earlier thread, I did a fast taper a couple of years ago and had no problems until I had nothing in my system for a few days. I assumed that I must really have severe depression (although never did before lex) and went right back on the 10 mg.

I plan to do the 10% every two to three weeks. Although I will let this first taper go for almost four weeks just to be absolutely certain that my brain gets the message that it will be going on an SSRI diet .

I get fairly motion sick (lifelong sufferer) and I hope I can keep the dizziness that I have read that others have had at bay (I thought I read that dramamine did help some during withdrawl). Any thughts?

I really am grateful for your responses (and anyone who can answer my MANY questions). Clearly I want to avoid the suffering that some of the folks who have done the fast taper or cold turkeyed Lexapro have gone through and what I experienced for just a few days last time I tried.

This site has been such a wealth of knowledge and I hope it helps me avoid alot of pain.....

COHiker

[8monthslater]

Originally Posted by COHiker

I was just wondering if anyone has looked into and/or tried the Linden method for GAD/OCD or depression?
I would be very interested in hearing from someone on this site who may know anything about it.
Thanks,
COHiker

Hey there, My great friend swears by the Linden Method. She has suffered from anxiety off and on for years. She was smart enough to recognize that she didn't need antidepressant drugs to help her through her situational anxiety. I can't believe I actually tried to get her to take Lex at the time. This was before I knew what hell it is trying to get off of Lex. Anyway, she sent me a cd to listen to of his and I still haven't done it. Mostly because I always have my little ones with me and I don't want them to have to listen to it. If I get a chance I will in the next couple of days and give you a report.

[lasher]

I was on Lexapro for 5 weeks, off for 2 (changed doctors) then back on for 10 days. I have developed a horrible rininging in both ears. I stopped again for 2 weeks thinking lexapro was causing this, but it hasn't gone away. Went to the ENT and said could do noting for me. I do have fluid on my right ear, but it is not plugged. Any help anyone can give is appreciated.

PS: Also on ambien, amitryptelyne, and proprananol.
THX

[8monthslater]

Originally Posted by lasher

I was on Lexapro for 5 weeks, off for 2 (changed doctors) then back on for 10 days. I have developed a horrible rininging in both ears. I stopped again for 2 weeks thinking lexapro was causing this, but it hasn't gone away. Went to the ENT and said could do noting for me. I do have fluid on my right ear, but it is not plugged. Any help anyone can give is appreciated.

PS: Also on ambien, amitryptelyne, and proprananol.
THX

I have constant high pitched ringing in both ears and a low pitched humming noise in my left ear that I am almost certain is related to the Lexapro. I have seen 2 different ent's and have been dealing with this for a long time. I am hoping it will fade over time. Unfortunately my ringing did not stop when I quit taking Lex the first time (I thought it would). The second time I was on it the humming started. I was only on the drug for 4 months each time.

[COHiker]

Originally Posted by 8monthslater

Hey there, My great friend swears by the Linden Method. She has suffered from anxiety off and on for years. She was smart enough to recognize that she didn't need antidepressant drugs to help her through her situational anxiety. I can't believe I actually tried to get her to take Lex at the time. This was before I knew what hell it is trying to get off of Lex. Anyway, she sent me a cd to listen to of his and I still haven't done it. Mostly because I always have my little ones with me and I don't want them to have to listen to it. If I get a chance I will in the next couple of days and give you a report.

Thanks for responding! I would love to know what it is (the Linden method)and what you think of it. I can appreciate not having the time to listen to the CD. I have two boys with very busy lives (which maybe is good that most days I am not able to think too much about all this and I cannot give into the naps that I have been longing for)
Some GAD and mild depression does run in my family and I wonder if the Linden method is geared for the stuff that sneaks up from time to time.
When you do get the opportunity to listen to the program, please post and let me know your thoughts. I really do value the opinions of people that are suffering through some of the same stuff. Good luck with your journey
COHiker

[Caroline V]

What I have found is that doctors are very blasé about side effects of medications as well as withdrawal issues. I have taken Lexapro and Paxil for clinical depression, and had major trouble getting off of both of them. My doctor seemed to not be able to comprehend this. I now take amitryptiline for migraine prevention, which isn't helping, so I am weaning myself off of it. It isn't as bad as the Lexapro was, but I am tired and dizzy this week (my first week of nothing.) My daughter is currently taking Lexapro for anxiety, and she tried to get off it last summer to see if she could manage okay without it. (She is 17.) It was horrible. I am not sure if it was all withdrawal, or partly anxiety caused by the fear of withdrawal, but she couldn't handle it and went back to her full dose. She has cut herself back to 5 mg a day for the last six months or so, and wants to try again, but she's afraid. I wish I knew how to find a doctor who deal with this type of thing and will listen, but I don't know how to really check into that, other than just keep making appointments til we find someone sympathetic. And I definitely don't want to take anything else that messes with my brain unless it's absolutely necessary. My current doctor wants me to try topamax for the migraines, but I am just not feeling up to another experiment.

[COHiker]

Sorry to hear about both you and you daughter. I'm curious, did you have the migranes before taking the Lexapro? I wonder if the drugs could be contributing to the headaches??
I would go back and read through the past threads on this site and take a look at what some of the others have tried and some suggestions that have been helpful to all of them. It looks like this site was started by a woman who was helping her teenage daughter to get off Lexapro.
It takes alot of reading (I suggest taking some notes as you go, but it has contains the mother load of knowledge
Good luck and happy reading and researching!
COHiker

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by Caroline V

What I have found is that doctors are very blasé about side effects of medications as well as withdrawal issues. I have taken Lexapro and Paxil for clinical depression, and had major trouble getting off of both of them. My doctor seemed to not be able to comprehend this. I now take amitryptiline for migraine prevention, which isn't helping, so I am weaning myself off of it. It isn't as bad as the Lexapro was, but I am tired and dizzy this week (my first week of nothing.) My daughter is currently taking Lexapro for anxiety, and she tried to get off it last summer to see if she could manage okay without it. (She is 17.) It was horrible. I am not sure if it was all withdrawal, or partly anxiety caused by the fear of withdrawal, but she couldn't handle it and went back to her full dose. She has cut herself back to 5 mg a day for the last six months or so, and wants to try again, but she's afraid. I wish I knew how to find a doctor who deal with this type of thing and will listen, but I don't know how to really check into that, other than just keep making appointments til we find someone sympathetic. And I definitely don't want to take anything else that messes with my brain unless it's absolutely necessary. My current doctor wants me to try topamax for the migraines, but I am just not feeling up to another experiment.

Topamax is a much better choice for migrain prevention and quite effective. Amitryptaline (Elavil) is a tricyclic antidepressant which may be the reason you'r doctor chose it. Probobly thinking he could treat the deppression and migrain with one pill. (dose dependant of course) If you switch to another med for migraines be advised that you need to taper off the amitryptaline before you begin a new med. I have had experience with a multi-tude of migrain and anxiety med's. Immitrex worked best for me at migraine onset and proprananol for prevention. Also, depakote is another med that some dr's use to prevent migrain and I recomend that you stay away from that one. It is not overly effective and is quit risky...Erin

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by lasher

I was on Lexapro for 5 weeks, off for 2 (changed doctors) then back on for 10 days. I have developed a horrible rininging in both ears. I stopped again for 2 weeks thinking lexapro was causing this, but it hasn't gone away. Went to the ENT and said could do noting for me. I do have fluid on my right ear, but it is not plugged. Any help anyone can give is appreciated.

PS: Also on ambien, amitryptelyne, and proprananol.
THX

How long have you been on the amitryptaline? If you have been on it awhile, have you had a recent dose increase? Amitryptaline (elavil) is a tricyclic antideppressant used to treat everything from insomnia, pain, to deppression, etc. A VERY COMMON side effect of amitryptaline is tinnitus (ringing in the ears), ear pressure, sinus pressure. (to name a few) So, ear problems may be a side effect. Also, were you/ are you taking amitryptaline with lexapro? If so, what dose of each? I ask because it is relevant to your ear issues as both med's mechanism of action is by way of seretonergic system and taking them together may well have caused the problem. Let me know. If on both med's you CANNOT cold turkey either of them! Also, do you have migraines? if so, did you have migraine prior to using med's?...Peace...Erin

[timetostop]

Well, I've never posted on this board before, but I've been lurking for the past week or so as I've been coming off the Lexapro. I've been on 20 mg. Lexapro for about 6-7 years, before that, Celexa, before that Paxil. I decided to come off of it after I was tired of gaining and gaining weight. Not to mention that I have about zero sex drive on the drug. My last dose of Lexapro (after tapering for about a month or more) was about 1 and 1/2 to two weeks ago. Last weekend was the hardest for me. I could not stop crying. I felt terribly sad, but didn't know why. Since then, I think it's been better. I still get some brain zaps, and occasional dizziness. My sleep has been pretty good. I take Omega 3's and L-theanine. Has anyone heard of that one? I got it at vitamin shoppe. They seem to be helping. I also take an herbal sleeping pill that helps too. I did have a big panic attack two days ago at work, so bad that I had to take an Ativan. I use Ativan because when I'm having a panic attack, I feel like I'm going to throw up. Ativan is convenient b/c you don't have to swallow it with water. It just dissolves under your tongue. I'm scared because that is why I got on Lexapro to begin with (sever panic attacks). I'm trying to tough it out and tell myself I just had a panic attack from the withdrawal, but what if they come on more and more frequently? Will I become dependant on my Ativan? I already tapered off Clonazapam, and hope to stay off. However, do you guys think that Clonazapam or Ativan are less bad than Lexapro? Because I fear I will need something when I'm having panic attacks. I don't want to become a prisoner to my panic again.
Thanks for listening!

[laurafish919]

I posted on this board in July many times when I was withdrawing from Lexapro... It was TERRIBLE and reading this board was very comforting, but I was also scared it would be a year long process to become normal again. I just wanted to let those of you know who are going through it, that I actually had maybe 3 or 4 weeks of really bad withdrawal and then I started feeling better and never felt bad from it again--The three month thing never hit me, either. I know many have a MUCH worse time and I'm very sorry for those--I also know some people seem to have no withdrawal (they probably havent even found this forum because of lack of necessity!) but just to let you know, I thought my life was ruined but now I forget I ever took lexapro. and the weight i gained on lexapro came completely off within about 2 months of getting off of it with absolutely no effort.

[timetostop]

Reading your post was very comforting. Thank you. I am wondering how much weight you put on, how long you were on the drug, and what mg? I guess I'm hoping I'll have success like you, but I feel like I've been on the drug for so long, I've gained so much weight, and maybe I took a higher mg than you? How long was it before you noticed weight loss? What did you originally take the drug for? Did your symtoms return? I'm hoping to get off of it for good!

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by timetostop

Well, I've never posted on this board before, but I've been lurking for the past week or so as I've been coming off the Lexapro. I've been on 20 mg. Lexapro for about 6-7 years, before that, Celexa, before that Paxil. I decided to come off of it after I was tired of gaining and gaining weight. Not to mention that I have about zero sex drive on the drug. My last dose of Lexapro (after tapering for about a month or more) was about 1 and 1/2 to two weeks ago. Last weekend was the hardest for me. I could not stop crying. I felt terribly sad, but didn't know why. Since then, I think it's been better. I still get some brain zaps, and occasional dizziness. My sleep has been pretty good. I take Omega 3's and L-theanine. Has anyone heard of that one? I got it at vitamin shoppe. They seem to be helping. I also take an herbal sleeping pill that helps too. I did have a big panic attack two days ago at work, so bad that I had to take an Ativan. I use Ativan because when I'm having a panic attack, I feel like I'm going to throw up. Ativan is convenient b/c you don't have to swallow it with water. It just dissolves under your tongue. I'm scared because that is why I got on Lexapro to begin with (sever panic attacks). I'm trying to tough it out and tell myself I just had a panic attack from the withdrawal, but what if they come on more and more frequently? Will I become dependant on my Ativan? I already tapered off Clonazapam, and hope to stay off. However, do you guys think that Clonazapam or Ativan are less bad than Lexapro? Because I fear I will need something when I'm having panic attacks. I don't want to become a prisoner to my panic again.
Thanks for listening!

My SSRI med history is quite similar to you'rs. Also was put on these med's for panic attacks so, I can well relate to you'r fears and, admit to having the same worry about getting off of these med's. Don't let that fear get the better of you though. It may get worse before it get's better or, you may be lucky and it may just get better; there is no way to know. There is potential for dependance with all benzodiazepines however, I think the SSRI med's are far worse than the benzo's. So long as people don't abuse a benzo (leading to addiction) and use them as needed then, you should be O.K. taking it. Only you can decide. I will continue to use my xanax as I taper. (think I would go nut's without it) There is another lady (Julia 77) who post's here, and she has recently finished tapering off lex and seem's to be doing well so, read her past post's; they may give you some comfort. Good luck...Erin

[erinkj]

[QUOTE This withdrawal is like having the flu with multiple personalities.

JC, you slay me! The above comment had me rolling with laughter however, that is the most accurate description I have seen yet. That was great! Sorry the withdrawl process is sucking so bad. Try hard to stay away from the darvon. It will actualy make the withdrawls worse even though it may not feel like it when it kicks. may cause re-bound anxiety. Are you no longer taking a benzo? The supplements will help but you may not notice their benefit for weeks but, keep taking them. I describe the wired feeling I have as follows: You know the sound that emits from electrical transformers? That loud buzzing kind of hum? I FEEL that sound! FREAKY. I think most of us are scattered so, you are not alone there. I know I am about half a bubble off plum!....Hang in there man...Peace...Erin

[erinkj]

Hang in there dear. It's got to get better. . Let me know what you find out on the TSH results. Take life as easy as you can. We have more bad weather on it's way here by Sunday, I hope you haven't been getting all this snow to...God bless...Erin

[timetostop]

Thank you for your reply. It really just helps having people here who share my experience. As far as the weather goes, I live in CO, so I'm used to crazy weather too.

[Hairyarmadillo]

Hey guys! Everyone just hang in there-it does get better, though I have to admit the symptoms (moodwise at least) can definitely pop back up. I am up to 10 months off of it, but a couple of weeks ago the same black mood and anxiety came back and wouldn't leave-I gave in and popped a piece of my old Lexapro prescription-ha did it two days even. Mind you, it wasn't enough to do anything positive, but right away the day I went without it I went back to having those weird dreams. That stuff is way too strong. No wonder it is hard to get off it after having been on it awhile. Had I been thinking, I would have realized the mood/anxiety symptoms were exacerbated by the fact I had messed up my birth control pills by 4 days and threw the hormone cycle off. So, my warning is this: don't let your guard down. Be ready with the positive self talk and run, run run to talk to someone for support. It sneaks up on you, even this far along. Now, my thought at the time was "maybe this is just my old pattern of depression returning and I really need medication" but it was the same level I have upon the first few months after the lexapro withdrawal, before I took the meds, even with depression, I still was rational-this was much worse. All is well now, but it certainly was a wake up call to me. Even ten months after getting off the stuff, we still need to keep our guards up. The possibility of it taking up to 18 months for a person to heal seems very realistic. Even though the obvious daily symptoms may disappear, very important to still take the supplements and give yourself positive supports.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by Hairyarmadillo

Hey guys! Everyone just hang in there-it does get better, though I have to admit the symptoms (moodwise at least) can definitely pop back up. I am up to 10 months off of it, but a couple of weeks ago the same black mood and anxiety came back and wouldn't leave-I gave in and popped a piece of my old Lexapro prescription-ha did it two days even. Mind you, it wasn't enough to do anything positive, but right away the day I went without it I went back to having those weird dreams. That stuff is way too strong. No wonder it is hard to get off it after having been on it awhile. Had I been thinking, I would have realized the mood/anxiety symptoms were exacerbated by the fact I had messed up my birth control pills by 4 days and threw the hormone cycle off. So, my warning is this: don't let your guard down. Be ready with the positive self talk and run, run run to talk to someone for support. It sneaks up on you, even this far along. Now, my thought at the time was "maybe this is just my old pattern of depression returning and I really need medication" but it was the same level I have upon the first few months after the lexapro withdrawal, before I took the meds, even with depression, I still was rational-this was much worse. All is well now, but it certainly was a wake up call to me. Even ten months after getting off the stuff, we still need to keep our guards up. The possibility of it taking up to 18 months for a person to heal seems very realistic. Even though the obvious daily symptoms may disappear, very important to still take the supplements and give yourself positive supports.

Hey! How come - did I read it right - you took it again?? It's scary! If I got it right and you did take it for couple of days you might be putting yourself into more w/d! Are you taking it now?

[COHiker]

Originally Posted by timetostop

Reading your post was very comforting. Thank you. I am wondering how much weight you put on, how long you were on the drug, and what mg? I guess I'm hoping I'll have success like you, but I feel like I've been on the drug for so long, I've gained so much weight, and maybe I took a higher mg than you? How long was it before you noticed weight loss? What did you originally take the drug for? Did your symtoms return? I'm hoping to get off of it for good!

I had the exact same questions as Timetostop.... I'd love to know about the weight and if you had any depression crop up after you stopped?
So happy to hear you did well; I hope I follow in your footsteps!!!
COHiker

[Ohwell]

Good To hear from you. I have also thought of taking Lex. again, at least I'de be dull and have little or no anxiety! I didn't care about anything on it.
BUt I had so many side effects when on it,(lex.) and my liver didn't like it! Thanks for the advice and hope to hear more of it! OHwell.

[lasher]

How long have you been on the amitryptaline? If you have been on it awhile, have you had a recent dose increase? Amitryptaline (elavil) is a tricyclic antideppressant used to treat everything from insomnia, pain, to deppression, etc. A VERY COMMON side effect of amitryptaline is tinnitus (ringing in the ears), ear pressure, sinus pressure. (to name a few) So, ear problems may be a side effect. Also, were you/ are you taking amitryptaline with lexapro? If so, what dose of each? I ask because it is relevant to your ear issues as both med's mechanism of action is by way of seretonergic system and taking them together may well have caused the problem. Let me know. If on both med's you CANNOT cold turkey either of them! Also, do you have migraines? if so, did you have migraine prior to using med's?...Peace...Erin


I have been taking the amitrip for 5 years. I have headaches that Drs cannot pinpoint. I have a great neuro who has tried a millin things to help the headaches. We found the for some reason, the amitrip worked. I have not had a recent dose increase. She tried to use the Lexapro to lessen anxiety, which might be contributing to the headaches. I took it for 5 weeks, couldn't tell much difference, went off of it for 2, and then back on for 10 days (I discovered that it had helped anxiety some). Then the rining in my ears started. During this time, we also tried irrugating my sinuses with pulmicort. I figured that 1 of the two drugs was causing the rining, so I stopped again. After 2 weeks, the ringing got so bad, I saw an ent and they said that there was nothing they could do. I called my neuro, told her my story, and she called in a steroid to try. Both drs say that they do not think the med are causing the ringing. This weekend, it has came and went, but none have been as bad as last week.

I take 10mg of the lex per day and the label of the amitrip reads "CDP/ AMITRIP 5 / 12.5, substitue for LIMBRATROL"

I wonder why, if the lex was causing the ear ringing, it didn't go away in 2 weeks? Should I taper off one or both?
Thanks so much for the reply

[lasher]

I forgot to mention I take the amitrip 3 times per day. I also take the following:
Propranol for high blood pressure
ambien 10mg for insomnia
occasional otc zantac
occasional otc tylenol (no asprin, advil, or alieve)

I am getting pretty tired of taking all these meds. I sometimes wonder if I am not more screwed up now that I was before I started taking these things.

[hope for the best]

I said that I'd update on my daughter's progress in case it helps anyone out. She was at 10mg for several months and got the ok from her pdoc to cut back. The doctor said to just take half for an month and then see how she was doing. Because of this board and from reading as much as I could, I convinced her to slow it down. She would only agree to 7.5 mg as a reduction instead of 5-10% so that's what she did. After 10 days (plus a little since she did 7.5 then 10mg then back to 7.5 the first two days so that's actually 12 days) she had no problems at all in spite of a rather rocky social life. Now she plans to drop to 5 mg and I hope it goes as well. I still haven't been able to convince her to slow it down more though she'll go back up if it's a problem.

Here is what I had her start before her taper. She is taking Omega 3 fish oil and magnesium. In addition she is using whey protein powder or bars daily and I'm juicing fresh fruits and veg when she's home (which is every couple of days from school.) She has passion fruit tea that she's used a little and some barley green capsules, lecithin and some choline/inositol, all just used occasionally. I'm going to give her vit C to start taking when next I see her.

Unlike some of you she seems to have lost a little weight while on Lex. I think it started out because of her situation but she is doing well and is still losing a little or at least not gaining any back. She's tiny to start with so this isn't a good thing.

I read this board daily and feel for all of you. I hope this finds you well.

[timetostop]

Well, I saw my psychiatrist today because I've been a bit of a wreck. About two weeks or so after completely stoppin the Lexapro, my anxiety has increased big time. Last night I went out to eat with my husband, several girlfriends, and their husbands. I was so nervous to begin with that I thought I might have to pop an Ativan or tell my husband we had to leave. Then my friends asked if I was alright, and I immediately started crying and asked them to change the subject. After that I did ok, and stayed for the dinner. But today I woke up anxious again, and made an appt. I told him that I did not want to get back on the Lexapro (he seems to think that there are not really withdrawals after a couple weeks and it's all from losing the effects of the meds). Well, he ended up prescribing the generic for Serzone, and after coming home and reading about it, it has me really freaked out. It says it can cause liver failure. I really don't want to start something, especially something that can damage my liver, but I am at wit's end. Why can't I be "normal" without meds? I'm sick of the sexual side effects and the weight gain!

[Ohwell]

Its withdrawal. You will be fine. Maybe you need to stay home for awhile and not go out right now. You need to stay calm, drink hot tea (camolie), stay in a quiet environment. No intertainment right now. Eat only small healthy foods. No coffee, soda, etc. No violence on TV. You will be on edge for awhile. Expect it. It may take up to 6 months to feel better. It will be a long road, but if you stay off meds. you will be better off in the long run. Take your supplements. Read this forum, past folks have good advice. Pg. 188 had good info on it. (my opinion, not a dr.) Good Luck and God bless.
Let us know how you do. ohwell.

[COHiker]

First thing you need to know is that all is OK and you are normal. I tried a fast wean a couple of years ago and the exact same thing happened to me. I was weeping for no reason and all was well in my life; it was very unnerving!!!!
If you need some help along the way with the anxiety the short term (xanax-type drugs) may help. Just be careful not to become dependent on them

Try looking into the Linden method (jst Goolge it) and see what you think. I think I am going to try it as I get further down on my tapering (I am going very slow this time and so far so good). Also, I have heard that passion flower for anxiety can help (should be able to find it at a vitamin specialty store).

More than anything, just know that this is totally normal and likely has more to do with withdrawl than your "true" state of being. If you still have moderate depression and anxiety after six to eight months, you may have a better sense of how to measure things and what to try at that point.

Good luck and do lots of researching about how to deal with the side effects...COHiker