[brwniz38]

oceangrl -

I would strongly recommend going off the BCs. They are not good for your body at all.. All synthetic!! Try a natural progesterone cream to balance your hormones. You doc can do hormone test, but a natural doc would do a more indepth one one. The natural hormones are soo much better for your body. BC's can cause so many issues within the body, you may not even realize it's connected with them. Just my two-sense! I have been doing a natural progesterone cream and I feel wonderful.. Good Luck

[Miss Lee]

Hey all-

Anxious- i am feeling OK- not as good as I was. A lot of feeling of my heart dropping. they are the worst!

Miss Lee

[Craigre]

When you are having trouble sleeping what are you thinking about?
Be honest. Its really hard to say exactly what I am thinking but I usually am thinking (stressing out) about symtoms that i am feeling or over-analyzing about what is causing me to feel like this.

I think that during the day there is alot more stuff going on that cover up the anxious feelings and thoughts and at night when there is nothing going on and its totally quiet the anxious thoughts and feelings become loud and clear and spiral out of control.

[Craigre]

Does anyone have high blood pressure? Mine was 155/110 last night before i went to bed.

[dizzy23]

quote:Originally posted by Craigre

Does anyone have high blood pressure? Mine was 155/110 last night before i went to bed.

Hi,don't know much about high blood pressure,but I would think if it continues you should see a Doctor.

[Craigre]

I almost went to the er last night because i felt terrible. I still dont feel so good and my blood pressure is still high 145/95. I may end up in the er tonight or sometime soon. I am waiting for a call back from my doctor that gave me zoloft to see what he thinks. I was supposed to go up from 25mg to 50 mg last night but i took 25mg again to be safe. I think i want to stop the zoloft now because its starting to feel how lexapro made me feel. Im getting a burning and tingling feeling in my face and arms. My head feels kinda pressured and I feel a little confused sometimes. I am also shaky and a little agitated with no appetite.[xx(]

[bodyelectric]

Craigre --

You seem to worry a lot. Maybe it's the cause of the hbp. It is too high. You might need meds for that, but before you even go there, try to calm down. Make a list of everything that's going right in your life -- a gratitude list -- and keep it with you so that you can add to it as you think of things. Try some deep breathing. Worrying about your symptoms won't help you, so try to relinquish control. You can't control them, so just let them be. They'll run their course and you'll be just fine at the end of it.

What were you originally prescribed Lexapro for?

Have you tried any meditation or self-hypnosis tapes? With hypertension like that, I'd be really careful with strenuous exercise, but a walk around the block can do wonders.

Why do you have a blood pressure cuff to start with? Unless you need one for a medical reason, I'd recommend getting rid of the blood sugar kits, the blood pressure cuffs, and whatever other ammo you use against yourself. You are literally worrying yourself sick!

Don't get trapped in the problem. Stay in the solution. Make a commitment to being well instead of a commitment to being sick. Then start what you need to do to feel better. You'll have withdrawal symptoms until they decide to be done with you, so there's no point in worrying.

I hope that's not too harsh.

Take care of yourself, okay?

B.E.

SSRI withdrawal newsletter: www.withdrawalsymptoms.us

[Craigre]

Its not harsh at all. I agree with everything you said. Its just soooooo much easier said than done.

They put me on lexapro originally for mild depression and because I started having panic attacks.

[bodyelectric]

I know this is a dumb question, but why were you having panic attacks?

SSRI withdrawal newsletter: www.withdrawalsymptoms.us

[Miss Lee]

Craigre-
Body is right. I started to research way to much on the Internet, and made myself sick. I understand that you want to label this. I would much rather have "something" than hang out is this unknown limbo. It is so much worse not knowing. I am feeling ****py again. This time it is a little easier to deal with. (A LITTLE) It is strange, when I am at home I feel fine. Well I still have symptoms, but I feel that my nervous system is more sedated. WOW, at my job (with lots and lots of little people) I feel like flipping out!

Anyone with the heart crud I was talking about earlier? My heart will slow down (it feels like) then I get all warm and then it will beat fast a couple times. Anyone, anyone, Bueller?

I think someone asked about my weight loss??? Lex caused it in the first place. I literally had a reaction that I was on meth. It was horrible.

I get to go to the natural doc today. I hope she is knowledgeable.

Miss Lee

[bodyelectric]

Miss Lee,

I had the same thing -- arrhythmia. I don't know what causes it, but it goes away eventually. My guess is that it has something to do with hormones or neurotransmitters released by a Lexapro-affected area of the brain. Lots of different pathways affect heart function. Unless you have something actually wrong with you, the different pathways will compensate for each other and keep you in a safety zone while your chemistry gets back to normal, so don't worry about it, unless it makes you pass out. If you start passing out, get checked.

SSRI withdrawal newsletter: www.withdrawalsymptoms.us

[Craigre]

quote:Originally posted by bodyelectric

I know this is a dumb question, but why were you having panic attacks?

SSRI withdrawal newsletter: www.withdrawalsymptoms.us

Sometime around september 12th I did a dumb thing and started taking something called "no xplode" and "guggul". I them for 3 days and on the 3rd day I took way too much "no xplode". That sent me to the hospital and I haven't felt right since.

I started 5mg of lexapro around october 3rd and I put up with a bad reaction to it for about 4 days until it felt like my head was about to pop from pressure. I went to the hospital again where they did an mri of my head. I stopped taking the lexapro at that time.

A week or 2 later I started with zoloft. I took 1/2 of 25mg for a week and then 25mg for another week. Now its time to go to 50mg but I am starting to feel like I did when I was taking the lexapro.... burning and tingling arms and face, pressurized head, slight confusing and clumsiness. On top of that im anxious and panicing because i dont know what i should do now. I think i want to stop the zoloft. I hate this burning feeling.

[Scotty]

Hey Peeps!

Miss Lee-
Think you might be right about that 28 day symptom thing. It's been 30 days since my bad reaction and I was extemely sensitive to noise all day long and still am. Not as bad as before, but a definant worsening since I've been feeling good most of the week. Having some palpitations as well. May be because I only got a couple of hours of sleep last night. Went to the dentist yesterday too and had two cavities filled. He put a ton of novocaine in my jaw so maybe that's making my symptoms worse.

Craigre-
If I have to be honest, I'm mostly worrying when I cannot sleep. Mostly about whether or not I'll be able to sleep. This is only on work days though. On Friday and Saturday I stay up late and have been able to get to sleep without lunesta or sedatives. Sunday roles around and I start worrying about needing sleep and sure enough I start having trouble again. I also have some self-esteem issues so I worry about how I will look when I get ready for work the next day. I love my job and I love the people but I still worry. Really frustrating that I haven't let it go yet. As far as you wanting to quit zoloft, remember your in charge. Our bodies give us these symptoms for a reason. If it doesn't feel right then listen to what your bodies telling you.

anxiousbabe-
My acupunturist said I'm the toughest case he's seen in 10 years. The last guy was a verteran with PTSD. I think there is a parallel there. He said most people sleep like babies after a calming session. I do have ringing in my ears so that contributes a little to me not being able to sleep but mostly it's my worrisome mind.

bodyelectric-
You hit the nail of the head. Focusing on the problem only makes it seem bigger. Being thankful for the gifts you do have and being faithful that you will get better is the right attitude. You have accept you can't control it, let it come and remain calm. Don't run from it or add to the fear. When you stop being afraid it loses all it's power. That's how I've been able to successfully defeat my panic attacks. Now if I can just do that when I'm trying to sleep! Arrgghhhh!!!

Hope we all have good day tomorrow. It's Friday! That's a good start!

[Miss Lee]

Good Morning all-

So I went to the natural Doc yesterday and she believes that i have toxic bile in my body. She told me that all me symptoms are indicitive of liver function. Also my pupils are having trouble contracting (causing blurry vision). This happens if you have adrenal distress or have a stimulant in your body (LEX).
She gave me:

Sodium Alginate
Psyillium Powder
SAT (mik thisle, artichoke, and another liver support)

She also told me to UP my fiber because it will help release toxins.

It was just really nice to be around a professional who believed what I was saying. Her answers make sense to me. I feel relief in my heart.

Must go- More later!!

Miss Lee

PS My natural doc is also an acupuncturist (how cool, huh!)

[Scotty]

Hey Miss Lee,

Great news! Glad you found a natural doctor. Toxic bile ehh? Wonder if I'm having the same issue.

googled sodium alginate - powdered kelp
googled SAT - only place I can find that sells it is a pet supplier. Is my dose for a dog over 100lbs
Knew Psyillium was a type of fiber.

Let me know if it helps!

[DreamnMnky]

I was just put on Lexapro today for anxiety, and after reading a lot of responses I don't think I'll be taking it tomorrow!! I started out getting vertigo, then that added anxiety. If dizziness is caused by this drug after getting off of it then why am I on it in the first place!! I have never experienced anxiety before this incident (July 05), so this is all new to me! I would love to hear what everyone has to say, and if you think it's cool to stop after one dose. I don't see why it would be a problem... Thank you so much for any responses

Tiff

[Craigre]

Tiff

Just out of curiousity, how old are you? I'm 22 and I am new to this anxiety stuff too. It started around September 12 for me. Did you have a bad panic attack July 5 or have something bad happen around then? What caused all of this?..... if anything. What dose of the lexapro are you taking? They usually start you out at 10mg I think. I started at 5mg and I could only handle it for 4 days. I had to go to the hospital because it felt like my head was going to pop from pressure, my arms and face were burning, I was sick and dizzy, kind of confused, and really slow. Thats when I quit the lexapro cold turkey. After quiting, my head felt kind of weird for a couple weeks but it wasn't nearly as bad as staying on it.

If I were you I would quit as soon as possible. Maybe talk to your doctor and ask if you can try some other form of anxiety relief. I am, by NO means, an expert about this kind of stuff. Everyone's chemistry is different and lexapro might actually help you. I don't know how it will effect you but my experience with it was very bad. Keep in mind that almost everyone posting here has had bad experiences too. Of course the people that are doing well with it won't be posting.

[DreamnMnky]

I am 21, and I first started off with vertigo at the end of July. I was at work doing my normal routine (I worked at the Mens Wearhouse), and all of a sudden the room started going in slow motion. When that happened to me before I passed out, so I freaked out. Then I started to feel real shaky, my head was really heavy, and the ground just would not stop moving.
Well, ever since then I've been out of work. At first, the vertigo was real bad and it was hard just getting out of bed. Now the vertigo basically went away, but now I get anxiety at the chance of it happening again.
Yesterday, the doctor prescibed to me 10 mg and she gave me a 2 week supply. Fairly soon after I took it I felt like something was up, I started feeling the head pressure that I've felt before, and I just felt out of it. I slept fine, but waking up this morning I feel even worse from what I felt before!! I feel very disoriented, my head feels so heavy, and I feel nauseous. Damn, and I thought the doc would be cool about giving me something that will actually help.
Thank you for the advice, and I'm definitely taking it. There is no way in hell I am taking this pill for another day. I can't stand how it makes me feel, and I can't stand how I have no emotion. I thought it would take a couple days to start kicking in, but oh how I was wrong.

[Craigre]

I would definitely ask your doctor if there is some other way to treat your anxiety. I think all SSRIs will make you feel worse before you feel better and that will only add to the anxiety. On the lexapro, I felt too many bad symptoms to list but I think the biggest thing was that I felt sooo slowed and emotionless that it made me even sicker because I didn't feel like myself. I felt like a zombie.

I switched to a very small dosage (1/2 of 25mg) of zoloft because it is much less potent than lexapro which allows me to take a much lower dosage of active ingredient. I feel much better taking this than lexapro but this has some side effects too.

If you stop the lexapro and don't take any other SSRIs then try taking some Omega 3 supplements and maybe a multivitamin. They made me feel pretty good while I was taking them. If your anxiety continues then there are other natural supplements that can help calm you down. Again... ask your doctor before starting or stopping anything!

Why do you think you had the vertigo? Poor nutrition maybe? Illegal drugs? Diet pills? If you know what might have caused the vertigo in the first place it helps alot in overcoming any phobias and anxiety that you might have now.

[howie]

Hello everyone. i've been having lots of dizzy spells the last few days. I'm weaning off Wellbutrin and Lexapro per my doctor's reconmmendation. Her idea was to get me off the drugs since i've been on them so long (over 3 years) to understand if i still need them. I was all for the ide until my head started spinning!

after reading some of these posts, i realize that my dr's plan was pretty aggressive for getting me off of the meds. every 5 days i was to reduce one of the meds by half, so after twenty days, i was off completed. I was taking 200 mg of wellbutrin 2X/day and 20mg of lexapro 1X/day. now i'm not taking anything and i'm constantly getting dizzy spells. They were happening a few times a day a week or two ago, but now i'm getting them every 30 seconds or so. I've been of the meds completey for 4 days now...any idea how long until the withdrawal effects go away?

I read something about motion sickness pills helping out so i took two bonine. hopefully that does something. until then, i plan to rest and hopefully this will go away.

good luck everyone!
howie

[auntybiotic]

Howie,

Welcome,

You doctor was so aggressive it may take awhile to feel better. Are you taking any supplements/ vitamins to help your body heal?

You may even stat to get more withdrawal symptoms in about ten days. Possibly chills, naseau, anxiety, sleeplessness, the zaps which are electrical like impulses, nightmares and even depersonalization. These are normal lexapro withdrawal symptoms.

After three years of being on chemicals that alter the brain..you just pulled the rug out from under you. It may take the neurotransmitters awhile to stabilize. Everyone reacts differently so you may be one of the lucky ones with mild withdrawals.

Keep in mind that if you are not lucky, you could face many unpleasant withdrawal efefcts but everyone here will help you thru this.

How did you taper off of the lexapro?? What dose and for how long at the reduced dose?

Good luck and let us know how you do in the next week.

[howie]

Auntybiotic -

Thanks for the quick response. i'm not taking any supplements/vitamins specifically for the med withdrawl, but i am taking 1-a-day as part of my daily routine. i was on 20mg of lexapro for about 6 months. my 'wean plan' was to reduce each med by 1/2 every 5 days. so i was on 200mg wellbutrin, 2x/day and 20mg of lexapro 1x/day. my first step was to go down to 200mg wellbutrin 1x/day for 5 days (while keeping lexapro at 20). then reduce lex to 10mg for 5 days. then eliminate wellbutrin while staying on 10mg of lex for 5 days. then off completely. i pretty much stuck with the plan except that i forgot to take lex one day which was about 3 days at 10mg (with no wellbutrin). since i forgot to take it, i fugured i would just stop taking meds altogether since i only had 2 days left.

i really don't want to start up on the meds again if i'm just going to have to go through this again. at the same time, i'm afraid that the symptoms are going to get worse.

i took 2 Bonine this afternoon and felt better. the brain zaps occurred much less frequently, but they seem to have been coming back over the last hour or so. it's past my bedtime so i'm going to go to bed soon instead of taking any more bonine. i haven't had any problem sleeping, so hopefully that doesn't change.

i'll continue with the bonine to see if that helps out. are there any known supplements that i can take to help out?

thanks for the info.
Howie

[newboots]

quote:Originally posted by justme100

This is very weird, but I really didn't have a weight problem while on lexapro, but since I stopped 5+ weeks ago, I have gained about 5-10 lbs. Never had a weight problem prior to lexapro and I am in my 40's.
Perhaps I thought the food would help the nausea... not sure. Anyone else having a weight problem after quitting? Also, any homeopathic ideas out there for anxiety? Maybe I'll try the acupuncture. Tx

[newboots]

I too have gained a small but annoying amount of weight coming off Lexapro. I work out regularly but i am not seeing the benefits as in the pre lexapro period. I have been completely off fo one month now..Am wondering how long until this nasty side effect is gone.

[bodyelectric]

HOWIE: I tried to keep up with all the supplements people recommended for awhile. I made a list, it's on page 31.

NEWBOOTS: The doctors I've talked to say it can last 6 weeks. My symptoms lasted 6 weeks on the nose, but others have had them longer. Most people have them a couple of weeks, and that's it. A few have no symptoms at all. I guess the answer is, there's no way to know.

SSRI withdrawal newsletter: www.withdrawalsymptoms.us

[Scotty]

Aunty-

Have a question for you when you have time. I'm still having trouble sleeping nearly 5 weeks post my bad reaction to celexa. I can feel an inner trembling when I'm lying in bed and can tell my andrenaline glands are all out of whack.

While Lunesta was helping me sleep I found out after two weeks using it that it can be addictive and although I'm sleeping through the night, I'm extremely irritable during the day because of withdrawal I think. To test this I stopped taking it Friday. Didn't sleep much but by Saturday evening the sensitivity had gone away and is still gone this morning. So doesn't look like Lunesta is something I can tolerate either. I am deperate to find more than a couple hours of sleep. I know the sleep deprivation is prolonging my recovery.

My question is with the Bach flower remedies. I said they didn't help me sleep but I'm not taking them throughout the day. Just before bed. Do they have a cumulative effect where if you keep taking them over time daily they start to help? Would a combination maybe help me better like rescue remedy along with the white chestnut?

Thanks very much for all your help and best of luck with your daughter and your surgery.

[Brewer]

I've been off Lex 3 weeks now and feel like I'm gaining weight. I'm also swollen and tired.

Sound familiar anyone?

Howie- your doctor said the withdrawal side effects would last 6 weeks. Does that count the weight gain?

Brewer was here

[Brewer]

Also,
- my short term memory is shot!!! Will it come back? for example I forgot to include this in my first post- [:I]

- and I ache in all my joints. I was starting to think I'm getting arthritis, but someone else mentioned they feel it also. My feet are killing me!

Brewer was here

[Craigre]

I had some memory issues while I was on lexapro and for a while after I stopped it. My short term memory is back to normal now. I wouldn't worry about that too much.

[newboots]

quote:Originally posted by Scotty

Aunty-

Have a question for you when you have time. I'm still having trouble sleeping nearly 5 weeks post my bad reaction to celexa. I can feel an inner trembling when I'm lying in bed and can tell my andrenaline glands are all out of whack.

While Lunesta was helping me sleep I found out after two weeks using it that it can be addictive and although I'm sleeping through the night, I'm extremely irritable during the day because of withdrawal I think. To test this I stopped taking it Friday. Didn't sleep much but by Saturday evening the sensitivity had gone away and is still gone this morning. So doesn't look like Lunesta is something I can tolerate either. I am deperate to find more than a couple hours of sleep. I know the sleep deprivation is prolonging my recovery.

My question is with the Bach flower remedies. I said they didn't help me sleep but I'm not taking them throughout the day. Just before bed. Do they have a cumulative effect where if you keep taking them over time daily they start to help? Would a combination maybe help me better like rescue remedy along with the white chestnut?

Thanks very much for all your help and best of luck with your daughter and your surgery.