[erinkj]

Originally Posted by fmza

Erin,

I read your post about Lex elevating cortisol levels. Mine are higher than normal, and i haven't been able to sleep.

Is there a way to lower cortisol? i know that we are supposed to get lots of sleep to regulate the adrenals, but since i can't sleep, what else can i do?

thanks

Hello, Have not seen you around for awhile. I have been soo busy with school and family lately that I have not posted much. I do get the e:mail updates though and, I saaw this post a few days ago. Yes you can lower your cortisol levels but, alot of that is contingent upon you being off of lexapro. Are you still on the lex? If you are off the lex, I need to know roughly how long you have been off of it and what other (if any) med's you take including supplements/ vitamins so that I can better advise you on how to lower cortisol. Also, keep in mind that, the more stress that you are under the more your cortisol will teeter-totter. Cortisol is released in responce to stress. Are your levels high or only slightly elevated? Another factor to consider is how the levels were tested ie: blood or saliva and at what time/ times of day the level was tested. The most acurate is the saliva method, more specifcly a test which requires the collection of small amounts of saliva throughout the day...I think you collect it every 2 hours(?) can't remember for sure. At any rate, let me know on the questions I asked. Regardless, I will post some info on how to lower cortisol (within the next few days or so) I will check in daily....I hope that all else is well with you....Peace...Erin

[mims]

So glad you're feeling better already! Please do try to keep us posted on your progress.

[Phoebe_Twayblade]

I am trying to discontinue Cymbalta. Last week a got a gigantic panic attack to the extent that I would not leave my house. Called the doctor, because I thought maybe the xanax was the problem. Then I got a skin rash and started feeling ill with flue-like aches and pains. Finally, my gi tract went bonkers - nausea and non-stop diarhea. Doctor said stop the Cymbalta.

I will see the Doctor tomorrow. Today I have migraine-like pains in my head. Now here is something new: I just wet myself. This has never happened before.

Has anyone ever had the problem of urinary incontinence when withdrawing from any drug?

I feel like I'm going crazy and I'm counting the hours until my doctor appointment tomorrow.

Thanks!

[mims]

I don't know very much about cymbalta, but I would not be surprised at anything these ssri's and snri's can do to you. I took only ONE cymbalta, and had such bad reaction all night that I never took another one. My reaction was nausea, trembling, chills, heartbeat irregularities, awake all night. This was after I had been off Lexapro a few weeks last Feb or March, but before I went back on lexapro to taper slowly. So I was already in withdrawal from Lexapro, which may have affected my reaction to the cymbalta.

When coming off Lexapro, I did have shooting pains in my pelvic area, also numbness and cold feelings and itching in that area, and sudden twinges of bladder urgency, even though I did not lose control. Felt like a sudden "squeeze" of the bladder. I thought of it as a muscle spasm.

I also had bowel urgency, without loss of control. This has all improved with time, so I think I'm correct in attributing these problems to Lexapro withdrawal.

Stress can also cause bladder frequency for me, unrelated to any drugs.

Try not to panic -- I'm sure this will get better.

Oh, yeah : I have had times when I was nauseated and vomiting due to migraine, and lost urine as I vomited.

[erinkj]

Primary Insomnia Linked To Neurochemical Abnormality In Young And Middle-aged Adults
ScienceDaily (Nov. 12, 2008) — A new study in the journal Sleep is the first demonstration of a specific neurochemical abnormality in adults with primary insomnia, providing greater insight to the limited understanding of the condition's pathology.
Results indicate that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the most common inhibitory transmitter in the brain, is reduced by nearly 30 percent in individuals who have been suffering from primary insomnia for more than six months. These findings suggest that primary insomnia is a manifestation of a neurobiological state of hyperarousal, which is present during both waking and sleep at physiological and cognitive levels.

"GABA is reduced in the brain of individuals with insomnia, suggesting overactivity is present not only at the level of excessive thoughts and emotions, but can also be detected at the level of the nervous system," said principal investigator Dr. John Winkelman of Brigham and Women's Hospital, which is a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass.

GABA decreases overall activity in many brain areas, helping the brain to "shut down." Having a "racing mind" and an inability to shut down at night is a common complaint of people with primary insomnia.

Chronic insomnia, or symptoms that last for at least a month, affects about 10 percent of all adults in industrialized countries and is the most common sleep disorder. Most often insomnia is a "comorbid" disorder, present with another medical illness, mental disorder or sleep disorder, or associated with certain medications or substances. Approximately 25 percent of people suffering from insomnia are considered to have primary insomnia, which is defined as a difficulty falling asleep or maintaining sleep in the absence of coexisting conditions.

According to Winkelman, the recognition that primary insomnia is associated with a specific neurochemical deficiency helps validate the often misunderstood complaint of insomnia.

"Recognition that insomnia has manifestations in the brain may increase the legitimacy of those who have insomnia and report substantial daytime consequences," he said. "Insomnia is not just a phenomenon observed at night, but has daytime consequences for energy, concentration and mood."

This preliminary study included 16 participants (eight men and eight women) who were screened to be free of medical and sleep disorders, as well as anxiety and mood disorders, and who were not taking prescription medication. Ages ranged from 25 to 55 years. Researchers recruited people who had difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep with resulting daytime distress or dysfunction for a period of at least six months. The average duration of participants' symptoms was 10 years. Objective data were collected by actigraphy and overnight polysomnography. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) was used to non-invasively determine GABA levels. For statistical comparison the study included a well-matched control group consisting of seven women and nine men.

Significant correlations were found between GABA levels and both subjective and objective sleep measures after adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI) and gender. In subjects with primary insomnia, sleep continuity, as measured by minutes of wake after sleep onset (WASO) on sleep study, was strongly associated with GABA levels.

According to the study, reductions in brain GABA levels also have been observed with 1H-MRS in major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorders. Primary insomnia shares many features with anxiety and depressive disorders, including sleep disturbance, elevation in anxiety, and impairments in concentration and energy. In addition, primary insomnia is an important risk factor for incident mood and anxiety disorders. The study raises the possibility that GABA deficiencies seen in people with mood and anxiety disorders may be based on disturbances in sleep.

The study also reports that many of the hypnotic medications that are most effective in treating insomnia are benzodiazepine receptor antagonists (BzRAs), which increase activity at the GABA neurons. According to a new clinical guideline for the evaluation and management of chronic insomnia in adults, which was published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, hypnotic treatment should be supplemented with behavioral and cognitive therapies whenever possible.

Additional Information on Insomnia

Approximately 30 percent of adults have symptoms of insomnia.
Insomnia is more common among women and elderly people. Some medical conditions cause insomnia, or symptoms may be a side effect of a medication.
The essential feature of primary insomnia, or pscyhophysiological insomnia, is heightened arousal and learned sleep-preventing associations that result in a complaint of insomnia and associated decreased functioning during wakefulness.
Psychophysiological insomnia is associated with excessive worrying about sleep. As a result, they may engage in bad behaviors that include taking sleeping pills, drinking alcohol or spending too much time in bed hoping to get more sleep.
Individuals with persistent pscyophysiological insomnia tend to note decreased feelings of well-being during the day. The sleep difficulty often leads to deteriorated mood and motivation; decreased attention, vigilance energy and concentration. Despite these symptoms many report an inability to take intentional daytime naps.


Journal reference:

. Reduced Brain GABA in Primary Insomnia: Preliminary Data from 4T Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Sleep, November 1, 2008

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by Phoebe_Twayblade

I am trying to discontinue Cymbalta. Last week a got a gigantic panic attack to the extent that I would not leave my house. Called the doctor, because I thought maybe the xanax was the problem. Then I got a skin rash and started feeling ill with flue-like aches and pains. Finally, my gi tract went bonkers - nausea and non-stop diarhea. Doctor said stop the Cymbalta.

I will see the Doctor tomorrow. Today I have migraine-like pains in my head. Now here is something new: I just wet myself. This has never happened before.

Has anyone ever had the problem of urinary incontinence when withdrawing from any drug?

I feel like I'm going crazy and I'm counting the hours until my doctor appointment tomorrow.

Thanks!

Urinary incontinence is a possible side effect that is listed in the cymbalta literature. Hubby had it briefly at onset of treatment. If you never had it at the begining of or during treatment with cymbalta then, it is a logical conclusion that you could have the problem during dis-continuation. I agree with mims, I think this is only temperary...Peace...Erin

[crazzykat785]

I'm sick off medicine.

Primarily i belive all SSRIs are nothing but a mind altering complication, there are no studies that fully determine what it is they do to us, their effects vary from each person, therefore when we are placed on these notorious pills, we are immediately thrown into a waiting game, if you're lucky it will work for you, if you are the majority of the population, you will end up nauseated, vomiting, depersonalised, trembling... finding yourself with heart palpitations, overwhelming brain zapping, anxiety, panic spirals. and ironically depressed.

I had been on lexapro early this year for around 6 months, the symptoms wear bearable at the time, sweating, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and a generalised feeling of zombie-like numbness. It wasn't until... PEOPLE UNTIL... i immaturely and regretfully, decided a NUTMEG high sounded like a fun idea, sure i saw it on the news, it can't be harmful, let's give that a try. Bull********************, i plead you not to try this. Nutmeg is an MAOI inhibitor, and basically if you do your research any SSRI mixed with this inhibitor can seriously, honestly ******************** you up immensely, people had died from this cocktail.

I am still to recover it has been month, the depersonalisation in my head has become my life, hiding my true thoughts of constant fear.

So i go to my doctor, maybe the 5th since this incident, i am now on Luvox, the same old feelings have returned to do my head in once more. The possibility of me being bipolar are high and this is why i may have these affects from SSRIs. Although i must say the panic and anxiety are numbed. I have had enough and i will taper off starting tomorrow.

I'm 18, i have a photography career ahead of me it has already taken off, i have a boyfriend, many caring friends, a supportive and understanding job network (my boss is on lexapro as well she understands when i need time out, this is my waitressing job) i have nothing to potentially depress me, unfortunately i narrow it down to a chemical imbalance as do the doctors, it's great to have a reason. but for the love of god, fix me.

[EyeofDTiger75]

Good Morning Everyone,

I just started Lexapra 10mg 3 days ago. Yesterday afternoon I started having a rapid heartbeat and what I would call a panic attack that lasted throughout the day. I took 2 tylonol PMs last night to sleep but was woken up at 4am this morning. Ever since I have woken up I have felt the same panic attack come on and I feel jittery. Is this normal? I'm thinking of stopping it but and now scared of the side effects I have read about.

[mims]

Please don't consider this to be medical advice, but from what I've read on this board and other places, I think it is unlikely (not unheard of, but unlikely) that you would have any long-term withdrawal effects after only 3 days on an SSRI. (Unless you were on a different SSRI before that).

However, you could always try reducing your dosage to 5 mg for a couple of days, then maybe 2.5 for a couple of days before quitting. Most people don't have really bad withdrawals unless they are on the drug for a month or more.

If your heartbeat is irregular, it may be a good idea to call your doctor before taking any more lexapro at all.

Also, If you need to be on an SSRI, check back with your doctor for advice. People respond differently to drugs, and there may be a different medication which could be prescribed if you truly need one.

[Phoebe_Twayblade]

Have any of you had unusual food cravings while you were withdrawing from Cymbalta or Lexipro?

[wherethehellami?]

Originally Posted by Phoebe_Twayblade

Have any of you had unusual food cravings while you were withdrawing from Cymbalta or Lexipro?

I sometimes craved protein rich foods. I spent a lot of nights eating peanut butter out of a jar and drinking OJ.

I'm still having problems myself whenever I eat foods with too many b vitamins (I think) such as turkey or fortified cereals. The food would be too stimulating for me. Anyone else experience this?

[Phoebe_Twayblade]

I have a craving for orange juice for some reason. I have never taken any vitamin or mineral supplements.

Does anybody have information on nutrition for people withdrawing from SSRI's?

[jenthebod]

So it's been about a week and a half since I've been off Lexapro. I am not feeling depressed or any real emotional problems anymore, it's mainly all physical stuff now. (Which still sucks, because I'm obviously a worrier so I tend to let the physical symptoms get the best of me and convince myself it MUST be something else, ha) I've been feeling sort of flimsy? I guess is a good way to describe it. It's different than the dizzy spells, which I have had. It's more like I feel weak. I have had one other thing that's annoying me. Have you ever just wasted a day and watched wayyy too much television and you get that sort of blah, stunted feeling? I've been feeling that. Also, the anxiety is still present and it is easier to deal with with a more clear mind, but it still stinks. After Lexapro though, I don't think it's worth it to try another pill and just not work through it. Over all, I am feeling much better than I have been in a long time, so don't give up!

[mims]

Erin,

since you're our "medical librarian", I have a question for you. Do you know anything about phosphatidylserine? This is a soy lecithin product that has been altered in some way to increase the a beneficial substance found in the lecithin. I read in Dr Amen's book that he recommends this supplement for the brain. I'm not so sure I trust him, because he seems to think there's no problem with casually spect imaging everybody's brain, which I can't imagine agreeing to unless there's a valid health reason.

Anyway, while looking at old posts from a year or more ago on this forum, I found that somebody took phosphatidylserine and said it stopped the brain zaps. I decided to try it since it is available OTC. All I could find online was that the FDA has it on the "GRAS" (generally regarded as safe) list, and gave permission to a mfg'er to make limited health claims re: brain health and athletic performance.

It has potential but unproven benefit for Alzheimers and also for athletes, decreases cortisol and increases testosterone.

I'll have to say that I felt much better for the week I took it, and even the following week, except for stomach noises and 2 diarrhea attacks. But my mood and sleep improved alot, and my energy level, too. Bedtime would come and I would realize I had not even thought about taking a nap during the day.

But I quit taking it because I think it probably caused the gut attacks, and I couldn't find a lower dose (was taking 100 mg).

There are some foods that contain natural PS, primarily organ meats and fish, according to the info on Wiki, so maybe I'll give that a try. Wish I could find a medical study on this subject.

I was also afraid that if it really acted on my brain so quickly, it could cause problems when I quit taking it, just like the SSRI's.

I'm really discouraged today because I had worse problems last night as I was trying to sleep. It's been almost 4 months since my last crumb of lexapro and I'm getting really frustrated and discouraged. I haven't been walking as much lately, so maybe that's contributing to the current relapse.

[Aeroman]

and life still sucks!

Stopped Lex on Feb 27, 2008.

2.5 years of 10 mg

1-month fast taper


endured the physical symptoms 2-3 weeks after last Lex pill.


Phase II Began in Month 3 - emotional symptoms i.e. depression, anxiety, restlessness, you name it.


I would say I feel better now than 3 months ago. However, this is not how I want to live in the present moment. My number one complaint is depression (rebound) w/ anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure or enjoyment in anything). For those newbies out there, make sure you have tapered very slowly, 10% every 4-6 weeks. If you think you can get off the meds quicker and are doing fine right now, contact me in 4-5 months. You think being on lexapro was hell? You havent seen HELL yet!

If you have no w/d symptoms, go buy yourself a lottery ticket.

I hate this chet.

[anti-drugs]

Originally Posted by Aeroman

and life still sucks!

Stopped Lex on Feb 27, 2008.

2.5 years of 10 mg

1-month fast taper


endured the physical symptoms 2-3 weeks after last Lex pill.


Phase II Began in Month 3 - emotional symptoms i.e. depression, anxiety, restlessness, you name it.


I would say I feel better now than 3 months ago. However, this is not how I want to live in the present moment. My number one complaint is depression (rebound) w/ anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure or enjoyment in anything). For those newbies out there, make sure you have tapered very slowly, 10% every 4-6 weeks. If you think you can get off the meds quicker and are doing fine right now, contact me in 4-5 months. You think being on lexapro was hell? You havent seen HELL yet!

If you have no w/d symptoms, go buy yourself a lottery ticket.

I hate this chet.

Hi Aeroman,

I'm sorry your still suffering with depression after all these months. I never really had a lot of depression during my withdrawals. I still get mild anxiety from time to time.

My 9 month anniversary will be on Nov. 28 after 2 years at 10mg. My major complaints are still memory and sometimes word recall. It's getting a lot better though. I still get the occasional nerve twinge or eye twitching. Just often enough to remind me I'm still going through withdrawals.

I saw my Dr. on Nov. 20 and told her about my lingering withdrawal symptoms. She thinks my memory problems are not withdrawal related, but from not using my brain enough. She said I should do a small crossword puzzle a day to keep my brain active. Which should be fun considering I have word recall problems :0)!

Other than that, I'm starting to feel like my old self again. My anxiety when driving has gone away and I've been spending a lot of time at the mall. My husband says I'm making up for lost time. I look forward to going out and being around people again. It feels good! So there is hope for all of you who are just starting the withdrawal process. Stay strong and you'll get through it!

Anti-Drugs

PS: I'm taking a high dose of fish oil pills and folic acid everyday-per Dr.'s orders. She calls it "brain food". She said SSRI's rob nutrients from the brain and we need to replenish them when withdrawing.

[mims]

Hello! glad you're doing better. I'm having memory and word recall problems, too, so I'm glad to hear you are at least having some improvement there. I also read somewhere recently that curry powder, turmeric, may help with that -- that's also one of those nutrients that is supposed to be good for the brain. So I'm eating curried foods as often as I can.

Since your doctor has some knowledge of nutritional benefits for the brain, ask about phosphatidylserine if you have a chance!

[Aeroman]

Originally Posted by anti-drugs

Hi Aeroman,

I'm sorry your still suffering with depression after all these months. I never really had a lot of depression during my withdrawals. I still get mild anxiety from time to time.

My 9 month anniversary will be on Nov. 28 after 2 years at 10mg. My major complaints are still memory and sometimes word recall. It's getting a lot better though. I still get the occasional nerve twinge or eye twitching. Just often enough to remind me I'm still going through withdrawals.

I saw my Dr. on Nov. 20 and told her about my lingering withdrawal symptoms. She thinks my memory problems are not withdrawal related, but from not using my brain enough. She said I should do a small crossword puzzle a day to keep my brain active. Which should be fun considering I have word recall problems :0)!

Other than that, I'm starting to feel like my old self again. My anxiety when driving has gone away and I've been spending a lot of time at the mall. My husband says I'm making up for lost time. I look forward to going out and being around people again. It feels good! So there is hope for all of you who are just starting the withdrawal process. Stay strong and you'll get through it!

Anti-Drugs

PS: I'm taking a high dose of fish oil pills and folic acid everyday-per Dr.'s orders. She calls it "brain food". She said SSRI's rob nutrients from the brain and we need to replenish them when withdrawing.

Yep, the anxiety has subsided a lot...that I do have to be thankful for. But unlike you, I avoid the phone, and going to the store to buy stuff doesn't give me the "umph" I know I am missing. So yes, I am still in withdrawals. This protracted rebound depression is not fun. I had a few good weeks towards the beginning of November but like many things, its a roller coaster ride. I am just so tired but I know I have no other choice but to keep chugging forward

[John Weelsen]

Originally Posted by Aeroman

and life still sucks!

Stopped Lex on Feb 27, 2008.

2.5 years of 10 mg

1-month fast taper


endured the physical symptoms 2-3 weeks after last Lex pill.


Phase II Began in Month 3 - emotional symptoms i.e. depression, anxiety, restlessness, you name it.


I would say I feel better now than 3 months ago. However, this is not how I want to live in the present moment. My number one complaint is depression (rebound) w/ anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure or enjoyment in anything). For those newbies out there, make sure you have tapered very slowly, 10% every 4-6 weeks. If you think you can get off the meds quicker and are doing fine right now, contact me in 4-5 months. You think being on lexapro was hell? You havent seen HELL yet!

If you have no w/d symptoms, go buy yourself a lottery ticket.

I hate this chet.

I have ceased to take Lexapro 5 months ago. I had a similar experience

[SL500]

Hi all....so I have been trying to search the posts for passion flower and if it is ok to take during lex tapering and cannot find it. Can I take passion flower during my taper? and also, what can I take for the depersonalization and irrational fears? Is there anything? Thanks SL500

[Let's do something about it]

Hey everyone! I'm back was browsing through showing a friend this site who just got started on Lexapro for all the wrong reason like I did. Its been months since I have been on here and months now that I have been completely off Lexapro. Even though it took a few months to get off I have never felt more better about myself. SSRI"s are a waste. IT's all in your head, it's all mind over matter. People talk this and that about anxiety, you can overcome it by just believing in you. NO I didnt do therapy to get off that stuff,or anything like that. I just took it down in stages. I will tell you one thing, it was a nightmare coming off Lexapro that I thought would never end but no matter what I pushed myself through it knowing there was light on the other side and there is! Yeh I had every symptom possible (look back on pages 290ish), but I knew that it couldn't last forever. Listen up people the best way over all to get rid of this is to taper very slowly, suck up the side affects for a month or two and things will get better I promise. I had never experienced the terrible thing I went through during this phase, and the person I became but now I am me and Im not crazy, Im not irratible, I dont have any more vertigo or headaches, Im just back to being me. Funny and outgoing. Now, I thought for sometime after reading from others that I still had irritability and tiredness but I also remember I worked all day and then go home and take care of two kids as a single dad everyday and realized Duhhhhhhhhh that's why, that in itself would make anyone tired. LOL So people on here looking for hope, there is light at the end of the tunnel it just takes a little longer than usual, and remember don't give up no matter how hard it gets because it will get hard no one said its easy. The thing that helped me when it was impossible was remembering what it must be like for a drug addict or alchoholic coming off cold turkey and the symptoms they go through. So keep you head up and remember it will take time but in the end it will be worth every bit of it and will soon become just a memory instead of a lifestyle. GOOD LUCK!

[ladyhanis]

Hello auntybiotic!

I have been on Lexapro for one year now. The first 6 months I took 10mg but realized it wasn't enough. For the last 6 months I was taking 20mg but decided to wean off because I want to get pregnant. My psychiatrist recommended to cut the dose by half and I have been doing so for one week.

My main symptom is anxiety with a lot of mood swings, but mostly you coud say I'm just grumpy!! It's quite awful sometimes but it joined up with my PMS so I feel worse than usual. Since I live in the Netherlands I took some pot for a couple nights (a low dose was good enough), but I understand I cannot recommend that for your teenage daughter.

I lost a lot of weight while on Lexapro so now I also notice I am hungry all the time. I just hope I don't bounce up too high. Also, I feel unusually hot at moments and sweat at nights, which is something I have never had before. When I was taking the 20mg my dreams were quite pleasant always, but now I have very bad nightmares and the worst part is that I don't wake-up from them. I feel a bit disoriented in space and time and also a bit dizzy sometimes but not too bad. Headaches also come in every now and then but, again, not too strong.

I will take 10mg for 15 more days and from there we will see if I can graduate down to a smaller dose. Psycologically I feel I am not quite ready but on the other hand, I don't want to get too dependant.

Good luck to you and your daughter.

[Cafecrazy]

I'am so glad to have found this forum!!!

I actually started LEXAPRO because I had alot of anxiety from quitting CIGARETTES.After two months,I went to my doc and he told me my anxiety had "nothing to do with quitting smoking" (BULLS***!) and prescribed me Lexapro.
I have been taking it about 9 months now.It did help some with anxiety,but I wasnt depressed so I cant say it helped with that because I had none.

I actually lost weight when I started it,but before you hate on me for it,I had other symptoms that were even less attractive like non stop ACNE (and I'm 32) and my hair started falling out! Of course,I had no idea it was the lexapro that could be responsible for that!!!
I became very zombie like.Havent cried once since I began taking it.Found it hard to sympathize or relate to people.I even almost cheated on my husband because I just couldnt seem to care about his feelings! (now I feel so awful about that!!!)
So about a month ago I decided I just didnt want to do this anymore and I cut back from 10mg to 5mg.
This week,I quit altogether and am on day 6 of being off of it.


The first few days were the worst despite some people on here saying the withdrawals dont start until after 4 days. All I could do was Sleep sleep sleep! I'd sleep 12 hours and still it would not be enough.I was so grouchy and miserable I was happy to sleep instead of feel how I was feeling!

When I was awake I was so dizzy I could hardly stand.I had this weird buzzing sound in my head constantly too.And my appetite is enormous! I know it was Thanksgiving but I ate a half cake myself and 5 eggs one day!!!

Yesterday and today havent been quite as bad.I have been less dizzy and the buzzing sound is gone.I'm not quite as grouchy,but I still feel like I have PMS or something and I dont.And I'm still so tired all the time...

I dont think my husband believes these withdrawals are real and I find myself irritated by him alot because he teases me on purpose and it makes me angry.
(You'd think he would know better)
I dont know what brain zaps are,and I havent had any of them.Thank God,cuz one more thing might push me over the edge.

Honestly,quitting smoking was easy compared to this!!!

[Old Mike]

Hi folks, thanks for all I've read tonight. But let me get some base line expectations and understanding.
I'm 52. Been on Lexapro for about 4 years. First started on it due to diagnosis of depression. Can't imagine why. I'd been laid off for first time in my life, after having a heart attack at 47.
Now let me be clear. I was of course anxious about my situation. But never severely depressed. Slept a lot, and did get irritable. But never crying, or suicidal, or any of that other stuff.

Anyway, I've been off Lexapro once before when I ran out and insurance carrier/doctor changes, etc. kept me from getting it refilled for about 4 weeks. Ended up at doctor complaining of general malaise, flu like symptoms, aches and pains etc. No depression problems. He put me back on 10mg and have been on since. Well, once again, script ran out, insurance changing, and here I am. It's only been about 6 days and I got refill today. I just hate the thought of taking these things the rest of my life.

So right now, I've got the tight neck, eyes. Feel like I've got the flu without the fever, etc. So what I need is guidance. Do I pick back up and get back to the 10mg per day, or take advantage of the week behind me and start tapering off.

Any words of wisdom are appreciated.

[Aeroman]

Originally Posted by Old Mike

Hi folks, thanks for all I've read tonight. But let me get some base line expectations and understanding.
I'm 52. Been on Lexapro for about 4 years. First started on it due to diagnosis of depression. Can't imagine why. I'd been laid off for first time in my life, after having a heart attack at 47.
Now let me be clear. I was of course anxious about my situation. But never severely depressed. Slept a lot, and did get irritable. But never crying, or suicidal, or any of that other stuff.

Anyway, I've been off Lexapro once before when I ran out and insurance carrier/doctor changes, etc. kept me from getting it refilled for about 4 weeks. Ended up at doctor complaining of general malaise, flu like symptoms, aches and pains etc. No depression problems. He put me back on 10mg and have been on since. Well, once again, script ran out, insurance changing, and here I am. It's only been about 6 days and I got refill today. I just hate the thought of taking these things the rest of my life.

So right now, I've got the tight neck, eyes. Feel like I've got the flu without the fever, etc. So what I need is guidance. Do I pick back up and get back to the 10mg per day, or take advantage of the week behind me and start tapering off.

Any words of wisdom are appreciated.

Mike, get back on the 10mg and stay there until you feel "stabilized" for 3-6 weeks. Then, taper down about 10% every 4-6 weeks. I wish I would have known this information before my shrink tapered me off 10mg in 1-month. I am 9 months off with depression (anhedonia) that I have never experienced before. I too was put on it for anxiety and depression. Man, I was getting married and it hit me out of no where. I didnt have a reason to be depressed. Sure, the normal nervousness of getting married but this was way different. Anyway, try it out because eventually, the medication will eventually poop out on you (tolerance). You dont have to be on this stuff and there is no such thing as a chemical imbalance...if so, I want someone to prove it and measure how much chemical I am lacking.

[mims]

I had blood pressure spikes (and dips) when I suddenly discontinued Lexapro, and I had never in my life had high blood pressure before that. I am 55 years old.

Due to your history of heart attack, it may be especially important to taper slowly and check your blood pressure regularly.

After I realized that dropping Lexapro suddenly was the cause of my "flu" illness, I reinstated the lexapro and began to taper. My blood pressure quickly returned to normal. It's possible that part of my blood pressure problem was lack of exercise, lying around the house too much. I felt so sick that I got very little exercise, and lack of exercise is bad for blood pressure also.

Don't expect your doctor to know that dropping lexapro can cause high or fluctuating blood pressure -- most doctors don't seem to know all the side effects of SSRI's and withdrawal from SSRI's.

[Cafecrazy]

Mike,I'd listen to them and do the slow taper.Everyone is different,but from all I've read here,seems like this could take a while!


Today I'am going to start exercising again and see if that helps relieve any stress...
Also,I read on here that caffeiene can make withdrawals worse? Is this true?
I dont drink much,but I do like a can of coke now and then.

[Cafecrazy]

Originally Posted by erinkj

Yes you can lower your cortisol levels but, alot of that is contingent upon you being off of lexapro.

I wonder if it is the increased cortisol (being on Lexapro) which caused acne for me?
I have been off now 8 days,and my face started clearing up almost as soon as I quit taking it.It is now perfectly clear like it was before I started on the lexapro,and my hair shedding has decreased immensely.

Last night I slept like a baby as too, without the help of any meds and I'am feeling in general just alot better today! I'am going to go exercise...

[j1635]

Hello-- thanks for great posts!
I was prescribed lexapro for situational depression this summer. only took 10mg for 2 months tapered to zero over next two. discontinued end of october.
symptoms:
tired, with very sharp neck/back pains in 1st week after last 2.5 mg dose-10 days. lots of sweat few headaches
pain went away but irratibility increased.
recently last 2 weeks, my fingers and legs feel sleepy whn i sit or lie down and tingle when i sleep. They feel hot cold. my face strangelty feels similar.
is this symptom or the fact it is outside normal withdrawal periods at all normal. worried it is sign of more sinsiter causes, but seems like other have had similar reactions. not painful just scary and feels like loss of coordianteion and function. i am a competitive athlete and distance runner so this is really strange

any help out there. i am far away from home overseas and dont have a doc or network to share with in mil community. thank you all for sharing and helping

[mims]

It has been 4 months since the end of my taper which was not slow enough, or careful enough, and I am still having problems. I'm still trying various supplements, even though I've discontinued most of them. Recently, I've been trying to stick with just the lecithin and Carlson's fish oil because I don't think it could possibly be harmful. Sometimes I remember to take a calcium magnesium tablet. I didn't go back to the phosphatidyl serine, because I felt it was responsible for the upset stomach. I'd like to look in to that in the future because I did feel so much better while using it, but I just don't know enough about it to feel comfortable trying it again, and I can't live with sudden diarrhea attacks.

Today, I felt so tired in the afternoon that I decided to lie down to rest, and I had so many muscle twitches and jerks as I tried to relax, mostly small ones, but disturbing. Including twitches around my mouth, and strange things that happen to my breathing. Also had some chills . After twitching and jerking awhile, I actually felt like some kind of physical tension had been released, the internal vibrations improved, and I felt more "normal".

So I went out for a walk, about a mile, and after that I felt well enough to go shopping! This whole thing is making me feel crazy. This week I had a weird "tapping" noise in my head during the night that was bothersome, but it hasn't happened again. Earlier in my withdrawal, the first month or two, I had buzzing noises in my ear at night. Now I can also hear my pulse in my ear. Whoosh, whoosh, --Every night for about a week.

I'm so discouraged. If I could get over the physical symptoms, I think I would be OK mentally and emotionally.

I'm almost afraid to go to sleep. I have times when I feel like my body completely shuts down for a second as I sleep. It feels so weird that I wake up and I'm surprised to find that I'm still alive.

j1635, I have often had my hands and feet go numb while resting. They "wake" back up when I move them around; this still happens to me 4 months out, but it's less frequent now.

I think most of us do not have the neurological symptoms like vibrations, and "myoclonic" jerks, etc, that i am having, even though a few have reported something similar, and I have found a number of posts on the paxilprogress board about internal vibrations.

I have thought about having a "sleep study", but I've had so many medical tests, all negative thank goodness. Sleeping/resting is when my worst problems occur. I think there's something that happens to your neurons/neurotransmitters as you transition from wake to sleep. I keep hoping I'll recover soon, without further medical testing.

Cafecrazy, glad you're feeling better so soon. count your blessings and I hope it lasts!

I cannot believe I ever agreed to swallow a mind-altering pill that affects the brain like this.

OK, I hope I'm not making the rest of you fellow sufferers feel worse by putting all this out here for you to read, but this is my "therapy" tonight; so thanks for putting up with me!