[jca1928]

Originally Posted by Julia77

Don't you dare think about harming yourself!! Those drugs can lead you into thinking that, I am pretty much aware of that myself, but that is not you, that is the drug...

My Gosh, I've been three months off 2.5 mg of Lex and tapered off for 7 months!! However, I'd been on 10 mg somewhat close to 6 months before I was put on 2.5 mg to help my withdrawal crisis. I am still not feeling myself, today was such a bad day I was weepy all day and so sad that it seems like I even lost weight ! ( I am not fat, but to lose weight is a big fight). It seems like today has taken a few pounds away. What can I say?
I pray this is not permanent, but so far I have not heard of anyone who did a permanent damage to their brain, but people take different time to recover. For instance, some do not recover until 2 years off their meds, but those are the ones who pretty much cold turkeyed 2 or more meds at the same time.

IF you are on 5 mg and want off, follow a tapering plan like those who are on higher doses. Do not push it and be patient, if you need any help, please let us here know...

Peace,
Julia

sorry didn't meen to make you worry. since reading all ive read on here i have no intentions of hurting my self. though through this mess it has crossed my mind a few times. BUT that was because i didn't understand fully what was going on and my DR wasn't to much help by trying to diagnose me BI polar either. when i went to my former DR last year iwent for treatment for ADD. (wich for the most part I had learmed to deal with over the years) I asked how they were treating it these days and she had me try Strattera and after 2 doses i felt sick as a dog so went off of it. 2 months later she talked me in to trying lexapro telling me that is was depression. though i don't realy think that i was depressed. i just had trouble staying focused and my mind used to take off on me and go els ware and still does. the lexdapro didn't ever realy help with that at all. it just kinda made me not care about it. you mite say it nubmed me up. she had told me to stay on it for 6 months to a year well i gave it 10 months had enough of being numb to the world and went off the way she told me to and that leads me to ware i am today. i now know it's the drugs making me feel the way i do and i'm keeping that in mind every time i have a bad moment. that's why i'm so thank full that you and aunty have been here to help me understand what's going on. thanks again julia i will keep you posted on how i'm doing AJ

[Butterfly Mom]

I'm so glad to have found this forum. I now know what brain zaps are... I've been having them all weekend! I just got off Lexapro last week after 5 years of use and hearing all the different ways people wean themselves off seems to make no difference on the withdrawals.

My doctor instructed that I take a 1/2 pill (half of a 10mg pill) for 3-4 weeks and then stop. I told her that I wanted to go 6-8 weeks instead and that is what I did. I am having the withdrawal symptoms... started out feeling like I may have been catching a cold or the flu (just that weak under-the-weather feeling), but now I have the dizziness, nauseausness, sweats, the shakes, and those darn brain zaps! My brain zaps feel like electrical impulses shooting through the nerves of my brain and then hitting the brain wall to stop. When it hits close to the temple area, it can cause instant tears and I hold my head. I am so hoping that NONE of these symptoms are still going on in 7 months! I don't want to tell my boss about this, but if it affects me at work this week, I may have to do something (take time off perhaps). Going off of them makes me wonder if my mind will be back in the mindset (of depression) that I was in when I first got on them. I sure hope not. I hope these are truly withdrawal symptoms and that they don't last long.

Lexapro did get me past some life changes and challenges and I know that I needed to be on them.

And feeling these withdrawals makes me soooo happy that I never got into illegal drugs. I have more sympathy/empathy/understanding of those getting clean.

[ivysphotomom]

Welcome.

You came to the right place!

I found these boards last December, after I went cold turkey off 10mg of lexapro. Luckily, I've never had brain zaps. But did have the shakiness, sweats, weird sleep, etc.

Finally, after 4 weeks, I went back on. At first 5mg, then after a few weeks, back up to 10mg. Just this past week, I got the liquid form of lexapro, which is easier to measure. The folks here suggest, first, if you haven't been off for more than 6 weeks, you may want to consider starting back on it (reinstating). Wait to start to feel somewhat stable (normal?), then you can taper by 10% every couple or few weeks, depending on how you feel.

Also, there are lots of supplements you can find at the health food stores that may help you. The Carlson Omega 3 fish oils are a HUGE benefit to many here. Also, you might want to try some of the Bach Flower Remedies, particularly the Rescue Remedy.

Hang in there. I'm sure you'll get some more replies. Things tend to be kinda quiet in here during the weekends!

~Mary

[dancinsunshine]

O.K. so i've been ready over these posts the entire weekend trying to learn more about tapering, and the withdrawl effects from Lexapro. It has been 8 days since I switched from 30mg down to 20mg. I posted a couple times on another thread so if this is repetitive sorry..i really don't know how this works! Anyway, after seeing my Dr. he said i could drop from 30mg to 20mg to 10mg and then stop every week!! Thank God I am not listening to him because i guess he's never experienced these withdrawl symptoms. I am a little scared of the things i've been reading. I am uncomfortable, and irritable, but i don't want to kill myself or anything. I am afraid that i will have these thoughts though. I am not planning on going down to 10mg any time soon..i will stay right where i am. Today is the first day i REALLY feel the withdrawl and feel pretty wacky.I don't know if anyone has any suggestions, but i have been taking advil pm to sleep. My doctor said this was better than taking trazadone because it's better on my heart. I don't know what the hell they are worried about i'm 28yrs old and healthy and this is the first time i've heard about any heart danger from the trazadone. Thanks Doc! Any advice ya'll?

[Mechelle poling]

I have been off lex 5 mg for over 2 months. Most of what I would call side effects are over and withdrawal as well after stopping abruptly due to a adverse reaction. What I am dealing with now is the damage what I believe lexapro left in my body. My menstrual cycle completely stopped when I ingested lex, and has yet to revised - the hot flashes the first month of stopping lex were de habilitating - 40 a day. Now I am managing life with about 15 a day. Still at night it is horrible. Also am with a Hematologist due to the too many red blood cells my body is making that I never had before lexapro. Mind you, I was only on this monster for 3 weeks. Lexapro without hesitation is a very serious drug that the manufacture of it refuse to print the hidden dangers of. Forget a lawsuit because the courts are going to be ruling for any drug with pre approval from the FDA will not be eligible for any litigations and be tossed out of courts in the USA. If I were taking lexapro and ran into this forum, I would call my doctor immediately and begin to be taken off this drug. If your depressed clinically then perhaps one of the older anti depressants such as paxil or zoloft there has been sufficient clinical trials and studies on those drugs and therefore offer more of a precise understanding what dangers can be associated with those drugs unlike lexapro in which from my research shows significant reasons to discontinue. Remember it use to take anti depressant medication 4 to 6 weeks to work, stop and think...any drug like lexapro that has you feeling " better in a week" is surging the brain with seratonin off the rector scale, this is what likely causes all of the brain zapping, the changes in the adrenal and pituitary function in the brain...once these glands become imbalanced the body will make adjustments, this is for all the horrible side effects, adverse reactions and withdrawal once stopping or decreasing this drug. If I knew today what I have discovered about this drug I would have never elected to have ingested it for mild situational depression. I never believed in these kind of drugs unless a person was truly "clinically" depressed and could not function. I do not take any type of medication for anxiety or depression now and am getting trough my blue or low feeling simply by avoiding sugar, exercise, and prayer and meditation. I am pulling myself out and up on my own but am now dealing with the sudden menopause and changes in my blood which is making my blood too thick ( very dangerous). Hopefully these things will change back - but I know lexapro caused these changes. All my blood labs were normal before lexapro and I was having a normal menstrual cycle every 28 days like clock work. I can't imagine what damage this drug would have done had I been on it more than 3 weeks. To anyone with concern of this drug, listen to your gut...call your doctor and get off it yesterday! Best to All, M.P

[kazz2dream]

hi,
I have been off lexapro now for 2 weeks and have strange sensations throughout my body. Its like having small electric currents running down your arms and head. I was on 20mg daily and slowly cut down to 10mg. Although this drug made me feel on seventh heaven I wanted to see if I could battle through life on my own.I feel very strange and wonder if I should just continue with the withdrawals or go back to my doctor and get another presciption??

[Charliez]

I am sorry everyone is having such a hard time with lex. My doc. wrote me a prescription for it a while back but I have always refused any antidepressant. I just have a fear of them. No particular reason really. I have taken other meds. really over done it with some. From what I am reading I should consider myself lucky. I do have other problems with meds. & have had in the past but antidepressants have not been one of them. I remember the doc. & I still see him saying here lets try this ,he asked me later about how I was doing with the lex. I told him I didn't like how they made me feel & he said nothing & never asked me again. weird.

[SL500]

Hi All,

I have not yet started my lex taper due to tapering off my benzo. I am having probs with derealization and depersonalization and I am remembering reading something on this board about a supplement that can help with that (I am not 100% sure if I did). I was looking at older posts but can't seem to find it. Can anyone let me know if there is a supplement that can help with this? Or anything else?

Thanks,
SL

[hope for the best]

Originally Posted by SL500

Hi All,

I have not yet started my lex taper due to tapering off my benzo. I am having probs with derealization and depersonalization and I am remembering reading something on this board about a supplement that can help with that (I am not 100% sure if I did). I was looking at older posts but can't seem to find it. Can anyone let me know if there is a supplement that can help with this? Or anything else?

Thanks,
SL

Auntybiotic has recommended noni juice for depersonalization that occurs after going off Lex.

[hope for the best]

Originally Posted by kazz2dream

hi,
I have been off lexapro now for 2 weeks and have strange sensations throughout my body. Its like having small electric currents running down your arms and head. I was on 20mg daily and slowly cut down to 10mg. Although this drug made me feel on seventh heaven I wanted to see if I could battle through life on my own.I feel very strange and wonder if I should just continue with the withdrawals or go back to my doctor and get another presciption??

If you went from 10mg to 0mg in a single step then most on this board would suggest you consider reinstating and doing a slow taper if the withdrawal is too bad. It seems that some people can discontinue without extreme long lasting problems but many can't. You will have to be your own judge on how you are doing. (I'm here because my daughter is tapering so can't give you first hand experience with Lex.)

The suggestion seems to be to go back to the last dose where you felt stable, get stable again for a few weeks then do a slow taper of no more than5-10% every 2-3 weeks, stablizing at each reduction before reducing again.

You might consider supplements that seem to help some such as Omega 3 fish oil, magnesium, lecithin and inositol. There are lots of posts talking about what seems to help and what doesn't.

Whether you stick it out or go back and reduce slower check back and tell us how you're doing. Best of luck!

[SL500]

Originally Posted by hope for the best

Auntybiotic has recommended noni juice for depersonalization that occurs after going off Lex.

Is it not good to take it during the w/d???

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by Mechelle poling

I have been off lex 5 mg for over 2 months. Most of what I would call side effects are over and withdrawal as well after stopping abruptly due to a adverse reaction. What I am dealing with now is the damage what I believe lexapro left in my body. My menstrual cycle completely stopped when I ingested lex, and has yet to revised - the hot flashes the first month of stopping lex were de habilitating - 40 a day. Now I am managing life with about 15 a day. Still at night it is horrible. Also am with a Hematologist due to the too many red blood cells my body is making that I never had before lexapro. Mind you, I was only on this monster for 3 weeks. Lexapro without hesitation is a very serious drug that the manufacture of it refuse to print the hidden dangers of. Forget a lawsuit because the courts are going to be ruling for any drug with pre approval from the FDA will not be eligible for any litigations and be tossed out of courts in the USA. If I were taking lexapro and ran into this forum, I would call my doctor immediately and begin to be taken off this drug. If your depressed clinically then perhaps one of the older anti depressants such as paxil or zoloft there has been sufficient clinical trials and studies on those drugs and therefore offer more of a precise understanding what dangers can be associated with those drugs unlike lexapro in which from my research shows significant reasons to discontinue. Remember it use to take anti depressant medication 4 to 6 weeks to work, stop and think...any drug like lexapro that has you feeling " better in a week" is surging the brain with seratonin off the rector scale, this is what likely causes all of the brain zapping, the changes in the adrenal and pituitary function in the brain...once these glands become imbalanced the body will make adjustments, this is for all the horrible side effects, adverse reactions and withdrawal once stopping or decreasing this drug. If I knew today what I have discovered about this drug I would have never elected to have ingested it for mild situational depression. I never believed in these kind of drugs unless a person was truly "clinically" depressed and could not function. I do not take any type of medication for anxiety or depression now and am getting trough my blue or low feeling simply by avoiding sugar, exercise, and prayer and meditation. I am pulling myself out and up on my own but am now dealing with the sudden menopause and changes in my blood which is making my blood too thick ( very dangerous). Hopefully these things will change back - but I know lexapro caused these changes. All my blood labs were normal before lexapro and I was having a normal menstrual cycle every 28 days like clock work. I can't imagine what damage this drug would have done had I been on it more than 3 weeks. To anyone with concern of this drug, listen to your gut...call your doctor and get off it yesterday! Best to All, M.P

Hello Michelle,

I've been off 2.5 mg for 3 months now... while I was taking it, my menstrual cycle stopped completely ( I am 30 years old). When I started to wean off, it gradually resumed its function, but it's not 100% back to normal yet.

It's due to the drugs and I don't think ( I hope and pray!) it's permanent. I think we will gradually all recover, with God's help, of course, and provided we stay off the drugs long enough.

It;s my understanding that you took Lex for 5 weeks only, but 3 weeks is enough to cause damage to your brain. Now all we have to do it wait and pray to God.

It hit me yesterday that my grandma who passed away due to stroke, after she had it the very first time had exactly the same symptoms I have now. SHe used to complain of ''bzzz in my head'', hands going numb, lack of sleep and feeling sad and blue for no reason. Interesting, hey?

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by SL500

Is it not good to take it during the w/d???

It is safe to take during the withdrawals. Any time you feel depersonalization, you can take it, but make sure you get a good organic brand.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by Charliez

I am sorry everyone is having such a hard time with lex. My doc. wrote me a prescription for it a while back but I have always refused any antidepressant. I just have a fear of them. No particular reason really. I have taken other meds. really over done it with some. From what I am reading I should consider myself lucky. I do have other problems with meds. & have had in the past but antidepressants have not been one of them. I remember the doc. & I still see him saying here lets try this ,he asked me later about how I was doing with the lex. I told him I didn't like how they made me feel & he said nothing & never asked me again. weird.

I feel so happy for you, with all my heart. You ARE lucky indeed. I believe we all have that gut feeling before initiating the drug that it's not for us, but due to depression and feeling low we just ignore that feeling and try to convince ourselves that 'doctors know better'.

DO not touch it unless you're clinically depressed and can't function. I guess you can if you had strength to find this board.

[SL500]

Originally Posted by Julia77

It is safe to take during the withdrawals. Any time you feel depersonalization, you can take it, but make sure you get a good organic brand.

thanks...what is a good brand? I was also thinking of goji juice.....I hear that is supposed to be really good for you.

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by SL500

thanks...what is a good brand? I was also thinking of goji juice.....I hear that is supposed to be really good for you.

I don't really know since I've never used it. Ask at the Organic Store close to you.

I heard great things about Goji juice as well. You might want to try it.

[COHiker]

Originally Posted by dancinsunshine

O.K. so i've been ready over these posts the entire weekend trying to learn more about tapering, and the withdrawl effects from Lexapro. It has been 8 days since I switched from 30mg down to 20mg. I posted a couple times on another thread so if this is repetitive sorry..i really don't know how this works! Anyway, after seeing my Dr. he said i could drop from 30mg to 20mg to 10mg and then stop every week!! Thank God I am not listening to him because i guess he's never experienced these withdrawl symptoms. I am a little scared of the things i've been reading. I am uncomfortable, and irritable, but i don't want to kill myself or anything. I am afraid that i will have these thoughts though. I am not planning on going down to 10mg any time soon..i will stay right where i am. Today is the first day i REALLY feel the withdrawl and feel pretty wacky.I don't know if anyone has any suggestions, but i have been taking advil pm to sleep. My doctor said this was better than taking trazadone because it's better on my heart. I don't know what the hell they are worried about i'm 28yrs old and healthy and this is the first time i've heard about any heart danger from the trazadone. Thanks Doc! Any advice ya'll?

Hi and Welcome,

30 mg? Holy ********************, girlfriend! (I'm assuming alot by the female reference) That is big dose.... BE PREPARED TO BE PATIENT WITH THIS TAPERING PROCESS!!!
That said, no reason to panic. How long have you been on it? If you have decreased that dose just eight days ago, here is what I would do if I were you....

First, it is safe to resume your full 30 mg (sounds strange, I know, but read on). Stay there until you feel OK again.
Then, while you are reinstating, start some very good suppliments. You may doubt the necessity of them, but they WILL help. Here are some for starters:
1. Carlson's Omega 3 tablets (see www.vitacost.com for all things listed)
2. Magnesium Malate
3. A whole food multi vitamin
4. green food/ barley powder (I use Garden of Life

Investigate www.theroadback.com for other tips and the body calm solution.
Look back at these threads for in-depth explanitions on these (as well as other suppliments)

Next, ask your M.D. for a liquid form of lexapro. Theoretically, it may take you about 100 days per every 10 mg of the drug you are taking (yes, that means about 300 days for you). Personally, I did not have some of the horrible side effects that some of these very helpful/knowlegable folks here have had. The largest decrease I did was from 7.5 to 5 mg. I had alot of fatigue and headaches and was stuck there for 30 days

If you decrease about 1 mg (with the liquid) every seven to ten days (that is, if you feel OK after with each decrease). Then jut keep inching your way down and you may get off of it without to much grief.

Hope this helps. Please look back through these past threads and take notes (literally) on what others have done. Try not to get spooked Every body is unique and reacts differntly. Your general health, age, length of dosage, other meds, etc, etc, etc...., will determine your journey off this med. You may do very well after seven days after each decrease and have very few side effects. That is a REAL possibility. Please keep in mind, that many people who suffered so badly came off too fast or cold turkeyed, so to speak.

DO NOT COLD TURKEY!!! Is about the soundest advise I can offer. Stay strong and most important- stay POSITIVE! Repeat these mantras: "This will not last forever" "This is not how I am, this is how my body is getting better"
"My brain is worth healing"

Good Luck and please look here for advise and let us know how you are doing,

CO Hiker
(successfully withdrawn from 10 to 1 mg after four years on med; started in Jan. 2008)

Keep the Faith

PS This is only an opinion and should not be considered medical advise

[dancinsunshine]

Hello!! Yes ur assumption that I'm a female is true! I'm 28yrs old and have been on Lexapro for almost 3yrs but at 30mg for only a few months. It is day 10 on 20mg and today I woke up feeling alot better. I usually don't start feeling the withdrawl stuff until mid-day. I am taking the lex in the a.m. now because i can't sleep because my damn legs won't be still!! I am currently taking omega-3,Vitamin E, and CLA to inhibit weight loss. I gained like 15-20lbs on this God for saken ********************! Ive never weighed this much(130lbs). I have the body calm on order and it said it'd come in 3wks. That was a little over a wk ago. I am torn when it comes to the sleep meds like trazadone for help because i want my body to be clean and my brain too, but i took one last night and i feel soooo much better this a.m. The advil pm makes me too drowsy. do u think this is o.k.?? I am so thankful for the advice.I'm gonna stay right here at 20mg for at least a month and then go from there, but one day at a time for now. Which supplements am i missing if any? Does the body calm help with sleep??

[dancinsunshine]

I read on the Roadback.com that the magnesium shouldn't be taken if you have anxiety or insomnia. How true is this??That's why i didn't purchase that also. I will pick up the barley powder today! Thanks so much and i am hanging in there. I have lots of faith..i'm gonna make it thru this!

[ivysphotomom]

I'm knocked on my ass. Can I say that here???

I started feeling it a little yesterday. That incredibly shaky, weak feeling.

Well, today, I could barely get my 4 yr old to preschool on time (noon)!!!

It's all so familiar, from last Dec.

Actually, it occurred to me yesterday, that I was probably in withdrawal for months, even when on the 10mg, because I was at 15mg the first month, then dropped to 10 suddenly. So even though I had 10mg going into me, I was experiencing withdraw symptoms from the 15mg!

I only dropped from 10mg to 9mg, with the liquid. I guess that was too abrupt. I'm feeling kinda freaked, that I could so quickly revert to feeling like I'm living in a nightmare! I don't have much memory of last night before going to bed, and just want to go back to sleep! I have to pick up my preschooler at 3pm, take my kids to little league at 5pm, call clients, take a shower, EAT, and all I want to do is crawl back into bed!!!!!

I'm very humbled by the power of this drug. The other thing that has me freaked, is that if it took me 5 days to feel the crash, is it going to take 5 days to climb out?! I took 10mg as soon as I got home. Wanted to take more! NOT the direction I wanted to go!!!!! I feel trapped by this drug!!!

OK. This too shall pass. As CoHiker just said. This is not me. This is my brain on.......drugs!!!!! and

More to come, I'm sure....

~Mary

[erinkj]

Day 2 of being knocked on my ass and feeling like total, complete dog doo! ....Mary, I feel ya sister! I could say that I am opperating on auto-pilot for the past 2 days, functioning like a robot except for one important thing; I am sure that any and all robots in the entire universe feel better than I do ..."Woe is me", how was that for my pity party . There are several of you that I will reply to but, give me awhile; may be tonight or tomorro considering the way I feel and that today is the last of this semesters final exams...UGH! can I vomit now!!! Catch ya all later...Peace...Erin

[Julia77]

Originally Posted by ivysphotomom

I'm knocked on my ass. Can I say that here???

I started feeling it a little yesterday. That incredibly shaky, weak feeling.

Well, today, I could barely get my 4 yr old to preschool on time (noon)!!!

It's all so familiar, from last Dec.

Actually, it occurred to me yesterday, that I was probably in withdrawal for months, even when on the 10mg, because I was at 15mg the first month, then dropped to 10 suddenly. So even though I had 10mg going into me, I was experiencing withdraw symptoms from the 15mg!

I only dropped from 10mg to 9mg, with the liquid. I guess that was too abrupt. I'm feeling kinda freaked, that I could so quickly revert to feeling like I'm living in a nightmare! I don't have much memory of last night before going to bed, and just want to go back to sleep! I have to pick up my preschooler at 3pm, take my kids to little league at 5pm, call clients, take a shower, EAT, and all I want to do is crawl back into bed!!!!!

I'm very humbled by the power of this drug. The other thing that has me freaked, is that if it took me 5 days to feel the crash, is it going to take 5 days to climb out?! I took 10mg as soon as I got home. Wanted to take more! NOT the direction I wanted to go!!!!! I feel trapped by this drug!!!

OK. This too shall pass. As CoHiker just said. This is not me. This is my brain on.......drugs!!!!! and

More to come, I'm sure....

~Mary

Hi Mary,

Don't get surprised. The reason you're feeling like that is because you made quite a big cut - 10 mg to 9 mg. It's 10% and it's the most your brain can handle. Plus, on top of that, you switched to liquid Lex and were supposed to wait for 2-3 weeks to let your body get used to it.

If you're cutting slowly (2 or 3 or 5%, max 10), do not expect not to feel withdrawals!! You SHOULD be feeling them, but they must be tolerable ( will likely be tolerable).

5 days is most likely the benchmark for you to feel the cut. Let your body recuperate and get accustomed to functioning on 9 mg. It might take a couple of weeks or so. Do not be impatient and let yourself feel like that. Mary, it sounds like you're too tough on yourself...don't, you'll never recover that way. Don't put yourself into a time frame, let your body be your guide..it will tell you exactly how to behave and when to make the next cut. After you've started to feel a little bit better, let yourself time resting. ONLY THEN make another cut.

If 10 % is too much for you, try 2-3%. Or maybe try 5%. Don't assume it's easy to get off these drugs. Your brain has been functioning on them for a while, now you're giving it time to start functioning on its own.

[COHiker]

Originally Posted by dancinsunshine

Hello!! Yes ur assumption that I'm a female is true! I'm 28yrs old and have been on Lexapro for almost 3yrs but at 30mg for only a few months. It is day 10 on 20mg and today I woke up feeling alot better. I usually don't start feeling the withdrawl stuff until mid-day. I am taking the lex in the a.m. now because i can't sleep because my damn legs won't be still!! I am currently taking omega-3,Vitamin E, and CLA to inhibit weight loss. I gained like 15-20lbs on this God for saken ********************! Ive never weighed this much(130lbs). I have the body calm on order and it said it'd come in 3wks. That was a little over a wk ago. I am torn when it comes to the sleep meds like trazadone for help because i want my body to be clean and my brain too, but i took one last night and i feel soooo much better this a.m. The advil pm makes me too drowsy. do u think this is o.k.?? I am so thankful for the advice.I'm gonna stay right here at 20mg for at least a month and then go from there, but one day at a time for now. Which supplements am i missing if any? Does the body calm help with sleep??

Hey There,

I can appreciate that want to stop all the drugs. However, I would wait and wean one drug at a time. So if you are a go to getting off the lexapro, then I would keep the sleep meds on hand to see what you may need when and if the lexapro weaning reaches out to bite you in the backside. For some, the struggle with panic disorder can be debilitating . For those, I would not suggest trying to get rid of a benzo drug (xanax, etc) until they have sucessfuly weaned off the SSRI class drug. Just be careful that you take the minimum of those drugs so as not to have a whole mess trying to get off the benxo's after you worked so hard to get off the lex.

There was a great book that one of the other posters recommended; it is called "When Panic Attacks". You can get it from your library to check it out and see if it does not help with some of the 'over thinking' that you will be doing over the course of the tapering. It is not just for panic disorder, but also addresses depresion and OCD. It really does address shifting the thinking (what is referred to as 'cognitive behavior therapy'). I am assuming that one of the previous psych issues is why you went on this class of medication?
If you go onto Amazon.com and look up that book, it will also bring up many similar ones that have a workbook approach. It really is a good idea. When you start thinking about why certain thought patterns exist, you can give some reasonable thought on how to change them.

I took the Magnesium in the morning (still do) because fatigue was my enemy. My personal opinion is that lexapro at night was aweful!!! I take mine between 7-10 a.m.
I also do the protien powder once or twice a day (also helps to decrease appetite. Ugh, I gained nearly 20 lbs. on this stuff.) The weight gain seems to be a closely guarded secret----- most people would refuse it based on that alone

I have not been able to shake the weight off (yet), but the sexual side effects have decresed (yahoo).

I take a liquid calcium also (morning and late afternnon). I would suggest not taking the Omega 3 past 4:00- could mess with your sleep.

Can I ask why you were prescribed this drug and did you take any other SSRI class drugs before this? You really are on a large dose. Are you feeling OK here at 20mg? See how you are after abut two weeks, and then I would think if you are OK at that point, you could go on down. If you are suffering any ill effects at 20mg, those symtoms may not go away for awhile.

Keep in mind that some are luckier than others (see Mary's post above----Sorry to hear you had a sucky day, Mary). I was able to keep going on those days during my "stuck at 5mg phase", although I did indulge in some naps and really had to fight to keep pressing on with my day. The headaches almost drove me over the edge. It SUCKED!
I only had a few days of "brain zapping", I tried to explain to my Dr. that it felt liked my brain itched. I think at that point, he figured I needed far more help than lex

Try to keep your sense of humor. If you don't have one, now would be the time to start investing in one; you will need it in the next few (several?) months. I am not the worlds most patient girl, so I am darned lucky that I did not have too many struggles. I think the good Lord knew what I was (or rather, was NOT made of). Please do try to be patient; it will serve you well in the end.

Here is another thing: EXERCISE/EXERCISE/EXERCISE/EXERCISE!!!!! Did you get that message loud and clear? I've re-committed to my health because of this. The MD who wrote "Health Brain, Healthy Body" says that research PROOVES that exercising> 15 mins increases the seratonin levels in the brain. I for one totally believe it and am walking proof. Do you feel like I just e-yelled at you?

I hope I answered everything. And yes, the body calm will help with sleep. Don't overlook the simple things such as epsome salt baths and a ggod cup of camomile tea before bed. Try to go to bed and rise at the same time each day to get your body clock tuned.

Be kind to yourself and try not to beat yourself up about any set backs or need for the sleep meds. My opinion is that if you are too hard on yourself, it will only cause you to backslide.

Keep plugged in and others that post regularly here can offer some fantastic advice and give all the e-hugs you need. For very specific advice about interactions, ask Auntie, she is the "all-knowing" Lexapro Guru (a title I'm sure she would have wanted---- she is helping her daughter with getting off this stuff and has down boatload of research).

Good luck and ask away.... I think everyone here has been through and/or heard it all.....

Happy day,
CO Hiker

[reader0592]

I am beginning my taper process after research and looking at many message boards. I have been on 10mg of Lexapro for the last 2 years and have gained almost 50 lbs in the process. The one thing I have not been able to find on the message boards are stories of weight loss after the taper process is finished. How long does it take to get it out of your system? How hard is it for the weight to come off once the drug is out of your system? Does anyone have a weightloss story? HELP!! I need something positive to help me get through the taper process.

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by dancinsunshine

My doctor said this was better than taking trazadone because it's better on my heart. I don't know what the hell they are worried about i'm 28yrs old and healthy and this is the first time i've heard about any heart danger from the trazadone. Thanks Doc! Any advice ya'll?

this is the first time that I have heard of heart issue warnings in relation to trazadone, at least, a warning for someone without prior heart irregularities. The closest I can come to that is the risk of lowered blood pressure or priapism, weird! If a doctor or pharmacist were to raise any flags to taking trazadone it would be in relation to taking trazadone and lexapro together due to the risk of serotonin syndrome. Trazadone is an older tricyclic antideppressant developed to treat deppression, it is also commonly used (off label) for insomnia, headache and muscle disorders. I think that the FDA did actually approve trazadone for insomnia though.

I do not personaly use barley powder although, I believe it may be helpful. My stomache does not agree with it but, I also eat ALOT of natural grain's, wheat, fibers, etc. If you have any food allergies or sensetivities to things like wheats, brewers yeast, glutens or even eggs then, don't use it. Other than that, there are no known interactions or reactions.
I recomend Lecethin, it will keep your liver clean as well as aid in the breakdown and uttilization of fats and, Lecethin is also an essential building block of the bodies natural inositol production. Google search these items. (I prefer Google scholar.com) Lecethin has no known interactions/reactions. It is GREAT brain food and it is CHEAP and available everywhere including wal-mart.
The road back is a pretty good resource for information however, it is not by any means the ONLY resource. I always keep in mind that the primary purpose of that site is to sell their product. (not to say the products are not good one's) I have found some of their information to be inaccurate. Magnesium essentialy calms the nervous system and helps it run more smoothly and everyone needs it however, if you take a multi-vitamin that is high in magnesium you may not wish to add more. There are some people who seem sensetive to magnesium in that it can be a bit stimulating but, I have never had that problem myself and my re-search only indicates the benefits. So, to take magnesium or not is your call. Re-search, read the literature and then decide. All of the advice and reccomendations given here concerning supplements are just that, reccomendations. Many of us use them and speak from experience but, we are not doctor's so, research all advice given. (sometimes I think we are all smarter than the doctors but, none of us have the framed degree hanging on our wall) . Keep in touch...Peace...Erin

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by dancinsunshine

Hello!! Yes ur assumption that I'm a female is true! I'm 28yrs old and have been on Lexapro for almost 3yrs but at 30mg for only a few months. It is day 10 on 20mg and today I woke up feeling alot better. I usually don't start feeling the withdrawl stuff until mid-day. I am taking the lex in the a.m. now because i can't sleep because my damn legs won't be still!! I am currently taking omega-3,Vitamin E, and CLA to inhibit weight loss. I gained like 15-20lbs on this God for saken ********************! Ive never weighed this much(130lbs). I have the body calm on order and it said it'd come in 3wks. That was a little over a wk ago. I am torn when it comes to the sleep meds like trazadone for help because i want my body to be clean and my brain too, but i took one last night and i feel soooo much better this a.m. The advil pm makes me too drowsy. do u think this is o.k.?? I am so thankful for the advice.I'm gonna stay right here at 20mg for at least a month and then go from there, but one day at a time for now. Which supplements am i missing if any? Does the body calm help with sleep??

Restless legs and muscle twitches are very common side effects when reducing your lex dose. Magnesium should help calm that down. While you are waiting on the body calm you may want to try passion flower to help with sleep. It has a very calming effect and works similarly to the benzodiazepines without the side effects or dependancy potential. So, far taking two 250 mg capsules (500mgs) before bedtime works wonderfully for me. The average cost of the passion flower capsules is around $6.00 a bottle. I also take this in the morning and again in the afternoon if needed for anxiety. I was delightfully surprised that it worked but, it does. (for me anyway) This is only my humble oppinion but, I think that you would be better served to take a low dose benzo at bedtime to help you sleep rather than the trazadone; this is only if you prefer to take a prescription sleep type med. The reason for this is that trazadone taken with lexapro significantly raise your risk of serotonin syndrome (both med's work through the same pathway.and are a potentialy dangerous combination. Benzodiazepines such as xanax, klonopin, vallium and ativan affect GABA and do not precipitate serotonin syndrome but, they do induce calm and sleep. If it were me, I would first try the passion flower and, if that did not work I would try a benzo but, I would NOT use the trazadone...Again, this is just my oppinion and to quote Aunty "Research ALL advice given".......Erin

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by reader0592