[wherethehellami?]

hey guys I haven't posted in awhile because I was doing much better until recently. I had a drug interaction with Lexapro and ibuprofen (first had a problem with advil then ibuprofen). I felt my nerves being like burned out, hot and cold spells, numbness, heart pain, and tight muscles. I have also had loose stools until recently. I am two weeks past this incident and really would appreciate any information on how long it will take me to get better. Thanks

[boogie30]

Help! The last two days have been awful---two days of Prozac, which didn't help at all. I will not take another pill. I woke up this morning with my morning wake-up call. I had the dry heaves for about 10 minutes. They wear me out. I've had bad anxiety all day. When I eat, I get nauseated shortly after I am finished. Yesterday, I broke down at work and cried. Our weather is a lot cooler, so I'm not having hot flashes as bad as I have had. I just tried to tap a nap and after 10 minutes I had to get up because I had a hot flash and my heart was racing. I did get the Wellbutrin xl-150 mg filled and I'm debating on whether to try it or not. Why is this happening? I have a theory, see what you think---I am 50 years old and should be going through menopause. While I was on lexapro for 3 years, I never had PMS and my monthly cycle was perfect. As soon as I stopped taking lexapro I start having PMS bad. Could the lexapro have prevented me from going into menopause and as soon as I stopped taking it I begin menopause big time? Could the menopause be the reason that I have the sleep disturbance? Thanks to you both for helping me! You are appreciated very much.

[mims]

Originally Posted by mims

Well, 51 is the average age of menopause, so you're the right age for it. But I've seen other complaints on this site from people, I think both men and women, who had problems with excessive perspiration when quitting Lexapro - not necessarily a hot flash, but sudden sweats. (There may be a way to search this thread for those posts -- not sure.)

Lexapro and other SSRI's are pretty commonly prescribed for menopause symptoms -- helps relieve hot flashes -- so it's possible that when you were taking Lexapro it may have suppressed the perimenopause symptoms, and now they've come out to bite you. I'm 55 ---- I only had mild hot flashes, more like "warm flushes", as I went into menopause at age 50 or 51. I did have a couple of big ones that literally put me on the floor -- thought I was getting a virus, but it passed quickly. I only had those 2 that made me feel weak, so I don't know if weakness is typical. I was lucky with menopause. There was a time when I took lexapro several years ago, can't remember the exact dates, then I quit without all these terrible withdrawals, and later started back. I wonder if the lexapro helped me through perimenopause, and I just wasn't aware that the drug was making it easier.

If you're going into menopause, it might be a difficult time to withdraw from an SSRI.

During my google search of internal tremors/vibrations, I came across a site called "power surge" for women in menopause or perimenopause. There were quite a few vibrating women on that site who were blaming their vibrations on perimenopause. It made me wonder if I had altered my hormone levels by taking the Lexapro and then quitting cold-turkey.

Oh, yeah: Sleep disturbance is very common in menopause. Many people get their worst hot flashes during the night -- wake up with their sheets and nightgown wet.

Boogie,

You might have missed my reply to you yesterday, so I'm copying it here (above). I know Lexapro is actually prescribed for PMS and for menopause hot flashes, so maybe it does affect hormone levels.

I'm sorry you're having such a terrible time. I don't know what to think about the terrible nausea, except that you probably need to see your doctor again; maybe the gynecologist would be helpful.

[boogie30]

Yes, I think I'll make an appointment with the gyn. Oh boy, turning 50 has not been fun! I can fully understand why back in the old days they thought women were going crazy when they were actually going through menopause!haha I am going to take this one day at a time. I am trying to rest a lot. I think by body needs to heal. I have even thought about going back on a low dose of Lexapro--2.5 mg. This would be the last resort. Thanks again. Have a nice evening.

[magc]

Hi everyone. I'm new here. I've been taking 10 mg of Lexapro for exactly 3 weeks to help treat anxiety that i've been experiencing over the last month or so.

Since taking it i've lost all sex drive, and I don't like the way the drug is making me feel at all. Its been 2 days now since i stopped taking it, but i'm worried about the withdrawals that so many people see to experience. I really want to get off this drug right away before its too late. I'm hoping that because i've only been taking Lexapro for a very short time I won't experience all the horrible side effects that so many people talk about. So far i've only experienced more tiredness, slightly increased anxiety and a minor feeling of nausea. I'm really hoping things won't get bad. Does anybody have any information that could help me?

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by boogie30

Help! The last two days have been awful---two days of Prozac, which didn't help at all. I will not take another pill. I woke up this morning with my morning wake-up call. I had the dry heaves for about 10 minutes. They wear me out. I've had bad anxiety all day. When I eat, I get nauseated shortly after I am finished. Yesterday, I broke down at work and cried. Our weather is a lot cooler, so I'm not having hot flashes as bad as I have had. I just tried to tap a nap and after 10 minutes I had to get up because I had a hot flash and my heart was racing. I did get the Wellbutrin xl-150 mg filled and I'm debating on whether to try it or not. Why is this happening? I have a theory, see what you think---I am 50 years old and should be going through menopause. While I was on lexapro for 3 years, I never had PMS and my monthly cycle was perfect. As soon as I stopped taking lexapro I start having PMS bad. Could the lexapro have prevented me from going into menopause and as soon as I stopped taking it I begin menopause big time? Could the menopause be the reason that I have the sleep disturbance? Thanks to you both for helping me! You are appreciated very much.

If you are having problems with anxiety and or panic attacks DO NOT take wellbutrin! All of these drug's have their uses however, wellbutrin is NOT meant to treat anxiety but rather to treat deppression! Wellbutrin is very stimulating. If you had an increase in anxiety with Prozac, it will likely be much worse with wellbutrin...My advice? Stay away from it, it will only make you worse! YES lexapro does affect your hormone output. ALL SSRI, SNRI and other antidepressants have an affect on the endocrine system which regulates and produces our hormones. Many of your symptoms (especially the hot flashes) may not neccisarily be menopause, although you cannot rule out that facter but, it is likely due to an increase in your cortisol levels brought about by the use of lexapro. Lexapro can cause an increase in cortisol output. Cortisol is commonly known as "THE" stress hormone. Excess cortisol will trigger the anxiety, rapid heart rate etc. Along with the flood of adrenaline your body just kind of freaks out. I would reccomend having a COMPLETE female hormone panel run. They are most acurate if it is done fasting at the midway point between the end of your cycle and the beggining of the next cycle. Cortisol levels are highest in the morning though, and the most acurate way to test that is via saliva testing which requires you to collect the saliva at specific intervals throughout the day. Also, have TSH levels checked...Those levels should "ideally" be between .05 and 2....The lower on the scale the better. I know I have forgotten some things but, if you have questions...Ask away...Peace...Erin

[erinkj]

Calcium/ Magnesium with vitamin D supplement. In order for your body to properly absorb and utilize the magnesium it needs the calcium, in order to absorb the calcium you need the vitamin D! I have posted on this several times but, I cannot recall on what pages . Passion Flower also works great for anxiety....I have tried it and it has worked well for me. IT took about a week for me to find the correct dose that I needed so, be patient and increase the dose slowly. Passion Flower is VERY safe...Worse case senario you get sleepy so, start out by taking it at bedtime. Just be patient and give it a chance...You may have to adjust the doses. There are no known interactions to Passion Flower...Again, I have posted alot on this as has Aunty. The only pre-caution would be, that if you are currently taking a benzo; the passion flower can have addative effects to that, ie: the sleepy relaxed effects of your benzo may be more prominent when taken in combination. I took it with xanax to help me wean off of that benzo...It did help Alot. GIve it a try....It is prettty cheap about $6 a bottle. Stick with the fish oils....You may not feel any different (better or worse) from taking fish oils but, they are working to help heal and regenerate your nuerotransmitters ...this is scientificly PROVEN so, stick to that. A good quality multi- vitamin is a must...at first I did not think it made a difference but then, if I skip my multi for a few days I do feel the difference. If you have any questions that I can help with, just let me know....Peace...Erin

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by wherethehellami?

hey guys I haven't posted in awhile because I was doing much better until recently. I had a drug interaction with Lexapro and ibuprofen (first had a problem with advil then ibuprofen). I felt my nerves being like burned out, hot and cold spells, numbness, heart pain, and tight muscles. I have also had loose stools until recently. I am two weeks past this incident and really would appreciate any information on how long it will take me to get better. Thanks

Good to hear from you . Sorry you are having a tough time. Do you take milk thistle? or Lecithin? Milk thistle will cleanse your liver to help rid you of the toxins from the interaction. The liver can hold toxins for a long time which is likely why you are still feeling the effects. Milk thistle will actually scrub your liver and will not cause any harm. It is one of the first things a doctor will reccomend to folks with hep. ( the good doctors anyway). Aunty has raised some questions about taking it with lex because it is metabolized by the same pathway however, I take it as do many others I know with lex and have had no probs...My liver enzymes are great. If you are concerned about taking milk thistle with lex then, you could take it one to two hours after your lex or, you could take Lecithin....Lecithin will help detox your liver but, it is mostly effective at ridding your liver of bad fat's and will not be as effective for the purpose you need....But hey, even a little help is still help....Hang tight bud....Peace...Erin

[mims]

Originally Posted by boogie30

Yes, I think I'll make an appointment with the gyn. Oh boy, turning 50 has not been fun! I can fully understand why back in the old days they thought women were going crazy when they were actually going through menopause!haha I am going to take this one day at a time. I am trying to rest a lot. I think by body needs to heal. I have even thought about going back on a low dose of Lexapro--2.5 mg. This would be the last resort. Thanks again. Have a nice evening.

One more thing, Boogie. I had almost forgotten about this, but since you have the Mitral valve prolapse, it may be of interest to you. When I was in the worst of my w/d symptoms with internal vibrations, I consulted a psychiatrist to talk about whether Lex w/d could be responsible for my health problems. She wanted me to take beta blockers for a while to help with the withdrawal symptoms. Beta blockers work by calming down your adrenaline, making you feel calmer, or at least that's my understanding. They do calm your heartbeat which is the reason they're prescribed for Mitral valve Prolapse.

Years ago, during a flare-up of MVP due to stress, I did take beta blockers for a year or so. Over time, they can cause depression, so I had to quit taking them. My cardiologist said the MVP would not kill me; the beta blockers were just prescribed to make me feel better; not medically necessary for the MVP condition.

I did not fill the beta blocker prescription given to me by the psychiatrist recently -- I decided to tough it out, even though I held on to that prescription in case my symptoms became intolerable. And even though I did have some heart symptoms in w/d, My heart was not racing or anything like that. I saw the psych primarily to relieve my fears and get her opinion about whether my symptoms were typical of withdrawal. I did not want to take more medicine. Anyway, you might want to discuss with your doctor whether beta blockers would be helpful, since your heart is racing.

I never used to have many doctor visits, but since the lexapro, I have seen four eye doctors including a retina specialist and a neuro-opthalmologist, seen the cardiologist a couple of times, had full cardiology workup, psychiatrist, several visits to an internist, 3 visits to a neurologist, and gyno complaints, too. Multiple tests, lots of medical expenditures. And I think it all came from that d****** little pill, Lexapro.

[mims]

Originally Posted by magc

Hi everyone. I'm new here. I've been taking 10 mg of Lexapro for exactly 3 weeks to help treat anxiety that i've been experiencing over the last month or so.

Since taking it i've lost all sex drive, and I don't like the way the drug is making me feel at all. Its been 2 days now since i stopped taking it, but i'm worried about the withdrawals that so many people see to experience. I really want to get off this drug right away before its too late. I'm hoping that because i've only been taking Lexapro for a very short time I won't experience all the horrible side effects that so many people talk about. So far i've only experienced more tiredness, slightly increased anxiety and a minor feeling of nausea. I'm really hoping things won't get bad. Does anybody have any information that could help me?

3 weeks -- you probably won't have any trouble, but if you start feeling bad, you could go back to maybe 5 mg or even 2.5, then taper off from there. Supposedly, most people don't have problems unless they have taken the drug for at least a month, but then there are those who are just more sensitive, I guess.

I'm no expert here -- I'm the one who always says , "talk to your doctor about that!" But after only 3 weeks on Lexapro, I bet you'll be just fine. Good luck.

[anti-drugs]

Hi All,

I found this story and thought I would share it with you. I hope you find it helpful.

Anti-Drugs

http://www.non-benzodiazepines.org.uk/myoclonic.html

[ert711]

Hi, I am brand new to this site. I've been checking it out because I think I am still having withdrawal symptoms from discontinuing Lexapro. I was put on it about a year ago to "help get through" a really stressful time. I decided in Aug. i was ok to go off the meds. I tapered slowly (or I thought) and had all the physical symptoms I have been reading about; brain zaps, dizziness, headaches,dreams etc. Those stopped after 3-4 wks. The big problem I am having now is severe depression, crying, irritable, just generally not happy at all. I was not this way before medication. Maybe sometimes but not constantly. It is causing issues in my marriage, my kids, even work. I feel miserable and I am making everyone else miserable around me. My question is is this going to stop? or am I screwed up emotionally forever now from lexapro? I almost feel like going back on it so I am not so irritable. This is just not me. I need help but I don't know what to do. Thanks for listening. I just wish somehow I can snap out of this. Is there anyone that went through this but eventually felt back to normal??

[mims]

Originally Posted by anti-drugs

Hi All,

I found this story and thought I would share it with you. I hope you find it helpful.

Anti-Drugs

http://www.non-benzodiazepines.org.uk/myoclonic.html

Our public library had copies of Dr Breggin's book, Medication Madness, and also Dr Glenmullen's book, The Antidepressant Solution. There were a number of stories in Dr Breggin's book that were similar to the story in the link you provided. Dr. Glenmullen prescribes SSRI's, but emphasizes the importance of tapering and acknowledges the extreme withdrawals some people can have, and also that people react differently to drugs and w/d's. Both books were worth reading.

I'm still having myoclonic jerks at rest, so I was glad to read in the "benzo" story that someone else had those and recovered.

Here's what bothers me: doctors rely on the info furnished by the drug companies, which of course is mainly positive info, drug companies manage to hide or downplay the negatives and doctors are increasingly aware of that, I think. Nevertheless, when you tell your doctor that you are having an ongoing w/d problem, they say "Oh, No that's not in the literature -- the studies don't support that." But if they don't report it, there could be thousands of patients out there reporting the same problems to the doctor, and if it's not getting reported to the drug company, there's all this post-marketing real-world experience that's just being ignored. So the misinformation continues and the real effects are not published. Very frustrating.

[Aeroman]

Originally Posted by ert711

Hi, I am brand new to this site. I've been checking it out because I think I am still having withdrawal symptoms from discontinuing Lexapro. I was put on it about a year ago to "help get through" a really stressful time. I decided in Aug. i was ok to go off the meds. I tapered slowly (or I thought) and had all the physical symptoms I have been reading about; brain zaps, dizziness, headaches,dreams etc. Those stopped after 3-4 wks. The big problem I am having now is severe depression, crying, irritable, just generally not happy at all. I was not this way before medication. Maybe sometimes but not constantly. It is causing issues in my marriage, my kids, even work. I feel miserable and I am making everyone else miserable around me. My question is is this going to stop? or am I screwed up emotionally forever now from lexapro? I almost feel like going back on it so I am not so irritable. This is just not me. I need help but I don't know what to do. Thanks for listening. I just wish somehow I can snap out of this. Is there anyone that went through this but eventually felt back to normal??

100% without a doubt Lexapro withdrawal. No one can tell you when recovery will come for you but I can assure you that it will come. I dont want to scare you but I too did a taper I thought was slow (1-month) however, it was too fast. I am almost 8 months out and my #1 complaint is DEPRESSION, just like the one you described. yep yep, it takes a toll on my marriage too but having shown her all the info I found about Lexapro and w/d, it has made it somewhat easier to accept.

what does were you on? How long did you take it? How did you taper?

I am still chugging along....

anyone can e-mail me if you like, aerodjjc@yahoo.com to chat about withdrawals and the goodtimes it brings

[SL500]

Originally Posted by erinkj

Calcium/ Magnesium with vitamin D supplement. In order for your body to properly absorb and utilize the magnesium it needs the calcium, in order to absorb the calcium you need the vitamin D! I have posted on this several times but, I cannot recall on what pages . Passion Flower also works great for anxiety....I have tried it and it has worked well for me. IT took about a week for me to find the correct dose that I needed so, be patient and increase the dose slowly. Passion Flower is VERY safe...Worse case senario you get sleepy so, start out by taking it at bedtime. Just be patient and give it a chance...You may have to adjust the doses. There are no known interactions to Passion Flower...Again, I have posted alot on this as has Aunty. The only pre-caution would be, that if you are currently taking a benzo; the passion flower can have addative effects to that, ie: the sleepy relaxed effects of your benzo may be more prominent when taken in combination. I took it with xanax to help me wean off of that benzo...It did help Alot. GIve it a try....It is prettty cheap about $6 a bottle. Stick with the fish oils....You may not feel any different (better or worse) from taking fish oils but, they are working to help heal and regenerate your nuerotransmitters ...this is scientificly PROVEN so, stick to that. A good quality multi- vitamin is a must...at first I did not think it made a difference but then, if I skip my multi for a few days I do feel the difference. If you have any questions that I can help with, just let me know....Peace...Erin

Thanks erin! I was trying to look through the previous posts but I felt it was all over the place What kind of passion flower?? I can just go and ask for it and the vit shoppe will know what I am talking about? I bought cal-mag with vit d. from sun something. I am going to start taking it today.

[boogie30]

Just wanted to let both of you know what's going on now. This morning was a good morning----no dry heaves. I had my 5:00 wake up spell and I went ahead and got up and started watching tv. I was popping the Tums big time. Plus, before I went to bed last night I took a B6 tablet. I also had 7-up on hand this morning. My blood pressure and pulse rate have been high today. I think it is because of the two Prozacs that I had on Tue. & Wed. and then not having any more. My upper chest is sore but that is probably from the anxiety. I also took the advice to NOT start taking the Wellbutrin. Just wanted to check in with you both.

[mims]

Originally Posted by boogie30

Just wanted to let both of you know what's going on now. This morning was a good morning----no dry heaves. I had my 5:00 wake up spell and I went ahead and got up and started watching tv. I was popping the Tums big time. Plus, before I went to bed last night I took a B6 tablet. I also had 7-up on hand this morning. My blood pressure and pulse rate have been high today. I think it is because of the two Prozacs that I had on Tue. & Wed. and then not having any more. My upper chest is sore but that is probably from the anxiety. I also took the advice to NOT start taking the Wellbutrin. Just wanted to check in with you both.

Because prozac has a longer half-life, it gradually leaves your body, rather than abruptly leaving your body like lexapro, which has a short half-life. So there's a natural tapering effect with prozac, which should result in fewer withdrawal effects. It must have been a relief to get up and NOT have the vomiting and dry heaves today. Hope you continue to get better.

I had blood pressure spikes when I stopped lexapro, but it did return to normal and stays close to normal now.

The dry heaves might have contributed to the upper chest soreness, too. Glad you had a better morning.

[boogie30]

To: Mims or Aeroman,
I don't know how much longer I can go through the mornings. I am waking up at 5:00 am and having to fight the dry heaves. I didn't have them this morning but the 3 hours of anxiety or whatever is going on is about to get me. I don't know what to do. I wake up and get in the recliner. It feels like my heart stops and starts. I can't describe the feeling. It is awful. I feel like I am in the twilight zone. If I close my eyes, I feel like I am dieing. I have to move some part of my body to make the feeling stop. This goes on and on and on. I think my pulse rate and bp rises, but I am not sure. What can I do? I am ready to be admitted to the hospital. This has been going on for many months. How can I stop it?

[mims]

Originally Posted by boogie30

To: Mims or Aeroman,
I don't know how much longer I can go through the mornings. I am waking up at 5:00 am and having to fight the dry heaves. I didn't have them this morning but the 3 hours of anxiety or whatever is going on is about to get me. I don't know what to do. I wake up and get in the recliner. It feels like my heart stops and starts. I can't describe the feeling. It is awful. I feel like I am in the twilight zone. If I close my eyes, I feel like I am dieing. I have to move some part of my body to make the feeling stop. This goes on and on and on. I think my pulse rate and bp rises, but I am not sure. What can I do? I am ready to be admitted to the hospital. This has been going on for many months. How can I stop it?

I'm so very sorry you're having these problems. Have you had a complete medical checkup? I went through having tests like thyroid, B12, etc. and because my symptoms were neurological, I had testing for neurological illnesses like MS, and myasthenia gravis. All were negative, but having the tests helped me to quit worrying so much.

It's always possible you have some medical problem other than SSRI withdrawal, or in addition to w/d. Or maybe SSRI w/d triggered some intense hormonal problems, or aggravated your Mitral Valve Prolapse.

I had irregularities in my heartbeat for a while, too. Mine were terrible when I tried to switch to cymbalta. I took one cymbalta and was awake all night with crazy heartbeats. I had also taken benadryl that night which I think was a bad combination of drugs for me. I had some big "gaps " in my heart beat that night that gave me a sinking feeling at times. I actually had some heartbeat irregularities while I was on Lexapro, too. Magnesium deficiency is supposed to cause irregular heartbeat. You could try some magnesium, but you still need a medical check-up if your heart is doing strange things. I've been taking the Slow-Mag that I mentioned earlier. I don't know if it helped the heartbeat issues, or if I was just going to have improvement anyway.

Maybe beta blockers would help. I really think you need to go back to see a doctor, and be sure they know that if you have to reinstate the lexapro or other SSRI, your ultimate goal is to get off the medication.

Some of the ssri's are stimulating and some are more sleep-inducing. If you have to go back on one, you may be better off with one like lexapro that is less stimulating. I will say that the psych I saw did not recommend wellbutrin or prozac for me due to the stimulating effect, because of my history of heartbeat irregularities. I told her not to suggest anything that would make my heart feel jumpy.

If you felt OK on the lexapro, maybe you should ask your doc about going back on it for a while and then doing a very slow taper.

Lots of people have the twilight zone feeling -- depersonalization or derealization -- I had it for a short while, but it was only really troublesome for a short while. Felt like my head was full of helium. I still have a slightly mentally foggy feeling, but it's not the zoned-out helium-head feeling I had for a while.

Are you or were you on any other drugs?

I can't remember whether you cold-turkeyed or tapered. I cold-turkeyed, felt terrible, thought I had flu virus that was causing neurological damage. After about a month, It occurred to me that it may have been lexapro withdrawal, so I went back on the meds and tapered from there. Still had withdrawal symptoms; the worst of which is internal vibrations which I am convinced is an adrenalin response. It got better, then worse, and is now improving again after 3 months off the Lexapro. But going back on the drug and then tapering definitely helped the blood pressure problems, and the brain zaps. Most of my w/d symptoms have improved, expecially in the past couple of weeks, but the vibrations and myoclonic jerks and twitches still happen, and other problems,too, they're just less frequent now.

Boogie, I tried b6 and b12 for the shooting nerve pains I was having right after I came off lexapro, but I quit because somebody told me that b6 can be stimulating. If you take it, go with a low dose.

[boogie30]

I've been to a GP doctor and an endo doctor. They haven't found anything yet. I had an echo done 3 weeks ago. It was ok except for the MVP. I had a lot of blood work done two months ago. Nothing is showing up. I'm not taking any medicine, except vitamins. I have an appointment with a gyn on Tuesday. Hopefully, she will be able to tell me something. I really thinK that all this is because of the lexapro wd. My system is really messed up! I wish there was a mild antidepressant that I could take to get over this. As I said before, three years ago I took one Zoloft and went into lala land for one month. The anxiety and depressions were terrible. So what do I do? Thanks so much for answering my questions. You do not know how much it helps!!!!

[mims]

Yeah, I think we have all (on this forum) had our systems messed up by lexapro. Try the slow-mag (CVS pharmacy has it) and see if it calms you at all. I don't think it could hurt; it's not super potent, just a standard dose of calcium and magnesium. Ask your gyno if it's OK.

Most of my worst problems still occur when I'm at rest, and I still have some weird feelings when I take a nap. For a while I was having alot of numbness, feet and hands, especially if I went to sleep or relaxed on the sofa, and a really strange feeling on awakening. Felt like something was wrong with my neck or head, but couldn't quite describe what was wrong. This seems to be improving along with everything else, gradually, so I think it really is a lexapro problem, even though I still can't quite believe it.

It does help to know that other people have had similar trouble with lexapro side effects. Makes you feel better knowing you're not the only one with all sorts of strange complaints month after month.

[Aeroman]

Originally Posted by boogie30

To: Mims or Aeroman,
I don't know how much longer I can go through the mornings. I am waking up at 5:00 am and having to fight the dry heaves. I didn't have them this morning but the 3 hours of anxiety or whatever is going on is about to get me. I don't know what to do. I wake up and get in the recliner. It feels like my heart stops and starts. I can't describe the feeling. It is awful. I feel like I am in the twilight zone. If I close my eyes, I feel like I am dieing. I have to move some part of my body to make the feeling stop. This goes on and on and on. I think my pulse rate and bp rises, but I am not sure. What can I do? I am ready to be admitted to the hospital. This has been going on for many months. How can I stop it?

I am so sorry to hear about this. The mornings have always been a struggle for me too. Not dry heaves but morning anxiety and the 4am wake up call I still get. I seriously dont know what you can take to relieve the symptoms but what I do know is that this isnt forever.

I used to get the symptom where I would lay down, close my eyes and JUST when I am ready to sleep/nap, my heart starts racing like crazy and my breathing tightens up. I dont get that anymore (or not as much). How long have you been off Lexapro and did you taper?

[Aeroman]

Well, time has flown. I dont have much to report other than my number one complaint continues to be rebound depression.

For the newbies out there, DO NOT COLD TURKEY or do a FAST TAPER!

My foolish shrink thought that a one month taper off 10mg of Lexapro was ok. Not knowing, so did I. I did experience all of the headaches, nausea, lightheadedness, etc right after my last pill on February 27th, 2008. I thought I was out of the woods right around the end of March and in April, and the beginning of May. But I remember jotting something down in the middle of May in my work notebook I wasn't feeling "myself". I noted I didn't feel like doing anything, was low in energy, just felt disconnected from EVERYTHING. And to this day, I have that.

June, July, August, and September brought on the WORST anxiety I had ever experienced. I wanted to die. I didn't feel like life was worth living anymore. I couldn't jump out of my own skin so I felt trapped. Those symptoms have subsided.

My sleep has been altered since a week after my last pill. Most notable behavior is waking up early in the morning and not going back to sleep. However, even though I still wake up early, I cant get some sleep back.

When depression set in, so did this low back pain. I have had episodes before with low back pain but they would only last no more than 2-3 days. Now, it has become chronic since June. I do find that acupuncture has helped and I hope that I find relief from this soon. I never had chronic pain before - I think this is simply withdrawal.

I have never spent a summer going to SOOOOO many doctors. I can not keep up with how many co-pays and appts I have been to to check for this, or that.

- pulmonologist
- urologist
- colonoscopy
- anorectal surgeon
- eye doc (which I go today for increased eye floaters)
- chiropractor
- acupuncture
- cardiologist
- worthless general doc
- psychotherapy
- sleep study
- allergist


I know all of my issues have been caused by lexapro withdrawal. I never had so many issues all at the same time.


I dont take any supplements. I have tried many of the ones suggested here but they had no benefit for me. I am convinced that only TIME will heal me. I guess I have just gotten used to the funk, the lightheaded, restless, and foggy feelings. My libido is still not 100% as well.

BUT............................................... .


I did lose 30+ lbs doing NOTHING!

Good luck folks...

[boogie30]

Thank you for responding. I have been off of Lexapro for 5 weeks. My taper was approx 4 weeks. If I could stop the morning attacks, I think I would be doing great. It helps so much to hear that you had the same thing. How long did your morning attacks last? Also, I am having bad facial flushing. I get so hot. My nausea is not as bad as it was. I think some of it could be from acid reflux, which is caused by the wds. Any suggestions on what I can do to stop the morning wake ups? Plus I don't think I helped my situation by taking Prozac for two days last week. That stuff is poison also.

[Aeroman]

Originally Posted by boogie30

Thank you for responding. I have been off of Lexapro for 5 weeks. My taper was approx 4 weeks. If I could stop the morning attacks, I think I would be doing great. It helps so much to hear that you had the same thing. How long did your morning attacks last? Also, I am having bad facial flushing. I get so hot. My nausea is not as bad as it was. I think some of it could be from acid reflux, which is caused by the wds. Any suggestions on what I can do to stop the morning wake ups? Plus I don't think I helped my situation by taking Prozac for two days last week. That stuff is poison also.

If I were in your shoes, I would get back on lexapro to the dosage that you were stabilized on and stay there for a few weeks and then SLOWLY taper 10% every 3-6 weeks. I was on 10mg of Lexapro and I should have tapered in 10 months, not 1. You are 5 weeks off and I know the morning wake ups are horrible but to be honest with you, that will be the LEAST of your concern IF you are hit with akathasia, unbearable restlessness. There is no rush to get off this stuff so please taper slowly.

Cold turkeying or tapering off fast could lead to prolong suffering with much more intensity than you have ever imagined.

I grew up people telling me I was a patient guy. I didn't know what patience was until encountering SSRI protractive withdrawal.

Weeks 1 and 2 off Lex was a walk in the park compared to Month 4+....

P.S. morning attacks lasted for about 3 good solid months, everyday. Now its once and awhile.

[mims]

Did your doctor have any wonderful ideas to help you? Hope so.

Mims

[crazzykat785]

Hey everyone,

So i haven't posted in a couple of weeks, if you hadn't read my previous posts, i had it really bad! my withdrawal was agony.
depersonalisation, constant vomiting, brain zaps, couldn't feel my arms at all.. you name it i may have been through it. it's as if you're stuck in 'dream land' or somewhere you really never want to be. previous to my withdrawals i was a bit of a partier i'm only 18, i occasionaly had 'recreational' drugs and i drank fairly often. from the day i had this dazed feeling, it honestly felt like a permanent come down from a drug, and you can't escape it.
i from that day have not touched any i want my life back.

i held a job for 2 days and had to quit due to pure anxiety/depression and nausea! i'm starting a new job tomorrow, god only knows i will try but what we are going through can chop and change day to day even week to week.
just when i thought i was having a good week, i broke up with my boyfriend just because i couldn't be around him.

i'm so scared it makes me sick.
i feel for you all.

[boogie30]

I went to the gyn yesterday. She checked my hormones. She called today and told me that I had the hormones of a teenager. I guess menopause is out of the picture now. She wants me to go on Effexor XR 37.5. I guess I'll try this. I am still having severe facial flushing, waking up early with anxiety and the feeling of being hot, and then sometimes I am freezing cold. I guess it is the lexapro withdrawal. I am now able to tell myself that this will eventually pass. Again, thanks for your concern!

[Aeroman]

Originally Posted by boogie30

I went to the gyn yesterday. She checked my hormones. She called today and told me that I had the hormones of a teenager. I guess menopause is out of the picture now. She wants me to go on Effexor XR 37.5. I guess I'll try this. I am still having severe facial flushing, waking up early with anxiety and the feeling of being hot, and then sometimes I am freezing cold. I guess it is the lexapro withdrawal. I am now able to tell myself that this will eventually pass. Again, thanks for your concern!

I know others will chime in....just from word of mouth, Effexor is not a friendly medication to come off. I heard it was worst than Lexapro. I have a friend here at work who took it for 7 months and just 3 weeks ago, pooped out on her and she is a mess. Dont get on another med to quick fix this one...ride it out if you can, please!!!!!!!!!!

[boogie30]

I don't know if I can ride it out or not. I have got to have something to get me over the lexapro wd. Do you think that I would have problem getting off of such a low dosage?