[pamjg]

i had a complete hystertomy in 2001.

[mims]

Glad you're better, rujoking. Maybe I'm "cycling" right behind you, because I've had a few days this week that were not really "good", but OK, better than usual. Vibrations were down to a really low level. Fewer cold chills. Other problems were about the same, though, but I'm encouraged by any improvement at all.

I did finally give up on having my vision improve on its own, and resorted to increasing my lens prescription. Last time my vision got blurry, it cleared up the next week, but then gradually got worse again. It's my distant vision that is worsening, which is a little unusual for somebody my age.

I talked to a woman recently who said that she started on hormones after going through extreme depression after menopause, and the hormones helped her (she still takes them). I'm tempted to look into that; I do know some other people who take them and get along really well.

I think I am right at that point where I'd be tempted to give up and go back on antidepressants if I did not have knowledge of the experiences posted on this board. So, thanks to all, and especially those who come back months later to encourage us.

[scarlet12]

I came across this forum and just reading what people have had to say gives me great comfort. Recently, after being on not only Lexapro for over two years (but Lamictal as well), prescribed to treat my bipolar II disorder, I have come to a point where I can't take the side effects any more!!! I am a mother of three children. I have been on something (with the exception of pre-pregnancy and post pregnancy) since I was 20 years old. First Zoloft, then Prozac, Wellbutrin, Paxil, Celexa, Xanax, Ativan, Risperdal, Lamictal, and Lexapro of course.

Lexapro worked for a while several years back until my doctor put me on 40mg. This threw me into a tailspin! A side effect (not very common) of Lexapro is suicidal tendancies. One day while driving by myself on a country road I started daring myself to swerve into telephone poles. Next thing I did was drive myself to the ER, explained what was happening. I ended up in a pysch ward. This is where I was informed that I was one of the few that had a bad reaction to the medication.

I switched doctors and I was finally diagnosed with Bipolar II (not as extreme as Bipolar)--I also learned that a bipolar person should never be on such a high dose of Lexapro, especially if that is the only drug you are taking. Once diagnosed (I'd say two years ago now). I started a new drug to me...Lamictal, with a little Lexapro to help with some of the depression symptoms. For a year it seemed to be going well and now for the last six months or so the side effects have taken their tole. Weight gain (which just causes me more depression)--I'm 5' 3" and currently weigh 135-138 Lbs...I have never weighed that much in my life!!, I'm tired all the time, loss of libido, memory loss, can't concentrate, hard to hold conversations with people at times because I can't put my thoughts together, very forgetful, hard time sleeping at night....AND WHY AM I ON THESE DRUGS!!!!!!!

I guess that is my shortened background story...I started tapering off Lexapro slowly, as I have read that is the best way. However, I tapered off too quickly I'm sure. I'm experiencing those shock sensations all the time, I'm moody, I get angry for no reason, I cry all the time, my patience is out the window. But I am prepared to fight!!!! I want out!!!

I wonder how long it has taken for those withdrawal symptoms to subside for others??? Please HELP! This will end right?

Sorry for the lengthy post.

[swebs]

Well, I'm just a wee one on here! I'm 22.

A lot of skeptics seem to think that choosing to go off the med during my final semester of college is a huge mistake, but I think it's a good a time as any. If I ever wanted to have a baby (right now I don't, but I have plenty of time to change my mind) I know that I could definitely NOT take these meds during pregnancy.

I know that my brain is still changing and some parts haven't completely developed yet, even... so I'm glad I'm doing this now knowing what I know. I think it's kind of dangerous that adolescents get put on these drugs while their brains are still developing.

So I can't speak for horomones, really - but I do know that the brain goes through many changes during menopause as well. It could all have an impact on how this is affecting us.

[swebs]

I don't know much about this yet, I've only been tapering for about a month. But don't apologize for your long post! Sometimes we just need to rant about how this is going for us. We wanna know how people are doing, that's what we're here for.

Hopefully someone else can offer you some advice, but I just wanted you know that you're not alone and it's okay!

[pawsboots]

I have been withdrawing from Lexapro for a few months now having been on it due to panic attacks. I decreased my dosage from 30mg to 5mg. I have experienced dizziness and sweating during the withdrawals. It took me 6 months. I just started five today. I started having panic attacks at age 49 after my father died. Lexapro stopped them. I didn't find the right drug until I was 52, and the recovery was amazing. Side effect were a 50 pound weight gain, short term memory loss, strange dreams and fatigue. I'm afraid the panic attacks will come back. Xanax was a nightmare for me, and I was on such a high dose--5mg a day, and it ceased to work. Does anyone know of a natural way to handle panic? I've tried the breathing, but it only gets worse. Because of the weight gain my Doctor wants me off this drug but has no alternative for the panic attacks.

[mims]

Pawsboots,

did you start having the panic attacks after taking tranquilizers when your father died and then suddenly stopping the medicine? I'm pretty sure that stopping tranq's without tapering can trigger panic attacks. I took tranquilizers for a short time as a young woman, and I'm pretty sure that's what brought on my first panic attack.

Did you see the slow taper schedule posted a couple of days ago by "hope for the best"? I believe getting from 2.5 mg down to 0mg should be very gradual, probably at least as important as taking it slowly from 30 to 5mg.

There may be a way to email Aeroman. He posted something a month or two ago about panic atacks -- maybe he will have some advice. He posted a link, but I can't seem to find it.

My panic problem is no longer a major issue -- I still hate bridges and heights, but it's not a problem very often. I have found that exercise, good diet, no excess alcohol, excessive caffeine or sugar, and not letting blood sugar take a dive, are helpful. eat foods that stick with you, especially keep nuts handy for snacks. Also, as I posted recently to someone else with panic, I know that some doctors prescribe beta blockers to help with temporary, predictable kinds of panic, if you know when the panic attack might occur, for example public speaking. Or in my case, driving across a bridge, if I could anticipate it. But you would not want to take beta blockers regularly because depression is a side effect.

You'll have to accept the fact that your head is going to feel weird as you come off lexapro, especially the first few weeks, but just keep telling yourself it's normal to feel that way in withdrawal and it's temporary. I felt some "almost on the edge of a panic attack" weirdness in my head early on, but did not progress to the "real thing". (Well, I did have to resort to breathing into a bag once).

Have you had your thyroid checked, etc?

Scarlet,

Recovery time varies -- some people recover quickly, but given the length of time and high dosages, it could take you awhile. If you just stopped lexapro in the past few weeks, you may be able to reinstate at a low dose and taper off more slowly. However, that's what I did and I'm still having problems 6 months later, so I can't really advise you on that. I waited at least a month, maybe longer before reinstating because it took me that long to figure out that lexapro was the problem. Going back on and tapering did help the brain zaps.

Even with a slow taper, many people still have some ill effects. I have read on this site and elsewhere that SSRI withdrawal may be a form of post acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), recovery takes 6 to 18 months, but typically improves alot from the 6th month up to the 12th. I'm right at the 6 month mark, and I'm hoping for some major improvements any day now.

For you "new people", this site is so helpful -- other people definiteley know what you're going through. Recently some of those who have been off lexapro for a while have come back to post. Even if you can only go back and read what's been posted the past couple of months you'll find lots of good info. that will help you survive this difficult step.

[pawsboots]

Mims,

My panic did develop after taking tranquilizers. I built such a tolerance that they weren't working anymore. I also had svt which caused my heart to misfire which didn't get corrected until a catheter ablation which I had to do twice. By then my heart stayed in constant panic. It wasn't until I got the Lexapro that it stopped even though the second operation worked. I had to up my dose to 7.5 today because I think I dropped my dosage too fast this time. I only waited two weeks. I, too, have a problem with bridges. I wonder why it's a common theme. I also do not like heights or closed in spaces. I'm trying to stick to this. My spirits are still good. Thank you so much for your encouragement. I'm going to physical therapy for neck and back injuries so it makes it hard to exercise. I was walking everday before the injury, and it felt great. I think I'll have to get the liquid soon because cutting is difficult to do. I'm so glad I found this site. It's great to find information and even better to have support. Thanks again!!

Pawsboots(my cats' names)

[pawsboots]

Mims,

The doctor gave me a script for thyroid. I'm going to get it checked this week.

Pawsboots

[swebs]

Ok, so my gut decided to go and have a major episode on me today.

Earlier I got kind of shaky, which happens to me occasionally when I don't have enough sugar in my bloodstream. I've had this problem for years, and my blood sugar tests normal... just, sometimes I forget to eat I guess? So I had a little ice cream - that has always been the fastest way to solve the problem for me.

I don't have any lactose issues and I've had ice cream lately without problems.

Now my gut is attacking me. It hurts, I don't feel nauseated - it just hurts. I'm full of gas and it's like someone blew up a balloon in my belly. I've pooped three times in the past hour and a half or so. I'm not sure there's anything more in me but I still hurt. OW!

I've read that magnesium is helpful for irritable bowels, both here and elsewhere, so I took some. Does it help other people on here? I've read about a lot of other helpful things on here, but right now I'm at home and with all this crud going on, I'm not about to go anywhere and try to find it. Magnesium is something that I had on hand.

That's all. I just felt a need to rant.

[hope for the best]

I can't personally speak about Lex, I just have been reporting on my daughter's progress with it. I can however speak a little about hormones and perimenopause. I think I'm just about through it and it's been horrific at times.

There were times especially during the earliest phases that I had severe anxiety, I paced constantly, cried, couldn't sleep, could barely eat. I often felt like I was on drugs such as speed even when I wasn't taking anything. It sometimes would last briefly but sometimes went on for days or at one point a few months without a break. My memory would be terrible to the point I seriously almost couldn't remember my own name. I even heard voices more than once. There was ringing in my ears so bad that I couldn't hear what someone was saying unless they were near me. Old injuries returned to the point I had to be in physical therapy. Sometimes I'd tremble and twitch, I felt like I was having a heart attack and the list goes on.

I just wanted to mention this because while many women sail through or are merely inconvenienced there are a minority that suffer strange and intense symptoms.

And yes I briefly tried drug remedies but abandoned them.

So if the question is if perimenopause can cause anxiety the answer for some is yes is certainly can.

[mike2000]

I found this thread from Google - man it's been going on over 3 years now!

I've been on Lexapro 10mg for years (almost 5 years I think) and taking 1mg Lorazepam at night to help sleep (it seemed like Lexapro was interfering with my sleep, so my doctor prescribed that)

Before that I had tried Paxil and Effexor (maybe 2001-2002) and was off any meds for a couple years after that.

However after freaking out and feeling like I couldn't be alone, I moved in with my parents for a few weeks and was put on the Lexapro and Lorazepam and got on a normal schedule, added in some more exercise and a better diet. Eventually I felt strong enough to be back on my own.

I've been on my own since then, and in the past almost 9 months have become noticably worse. It started off worst by when my parents were planning on going on a trip and I freaked out and had them cancel it at the last minute - they've been on trips before that, and they've been on trips since then (although I'm a wreck since May 2008 when anyone mentions leaving)

I've seen 3 psychologists, the last one thinks there is nothing a psychologist can do for me. Over analyzing the situation is making me think about it more, and it seems like the cure for my issues is to just do things and not think about them. When I think about them my brain has realized it can keep me "safe" by making me say "no" to doing almost anything which might be uncomfortable, etc...

Anyway, that's the back story. Since around May 2008 I've had to walk on egg shells because of my obsession with worrying about people leaving. Coworkers, parents, friends, even sometimes complete strangers. Hearing about someone leaving got me obsessed about it and it got hard to distract myself, talk myself out of it, etc. Funny thing is, I don't need anyone to be around physically, I've always been self-sufficient...

The past 2-3 weeks has become extremely worse though. I am freaking out and analyzing things to the point of becoming anxious/fearful of them - I got it in my head that digesting gum was scary, and even after talking to my doctor, looking online and swallowing a very small piece to try to push my mental limits, I still worry about it. The past 2-3 days now I am worrying about digesting almost -anything- - I had some ice cream the other night and got it in my head that it might be cross-contaminated with peanuts, and the whole salmonella scare set in, and it worries me that "hey, it's already in your body now - you can't even puke it up if you wanted to, you're stuck" - the lack of control over situations seems to be one of the main triggers to my anxiety (or hell, maybe it's full-blown OCD behavior now)

Anyway, after thinking about it, talking to my doctor (who isn't very forceful, he kinda just does whatever I ask, I miss my old doctor who really put his own force into things - "let's put you on this, then let's do this" etc...) I've started weening myself off the Lexapro. I was on 10mg, and 10 days ago I started taking 5mg, then 3 days ago I started with 2.5mg - I have to say I don't seem to feel any side effects, maybe a little bit gassy, or it could be my nerves making my stomach go in knots constantly.... but I don't have the electric shock type sensation that I had with Paxil (and many others talk about) - I do feel a little lightheaded sometimes, and my sleep hasn't been affected yet... but I do have a general nervous feeling, amplified by the fact I am consciously analyzing eating things and worrying "what if I eat this and then question myself after and get myself all worried for no reason" - nobody and nothing seems to be able to talk me down from it...

This morning I woke up and was somewhat nervous now that I am worried about almost anything I eat, so I took a Clonaz (.5mg) and went back to bed. I woke up with a slightly more positive attitude and was able to eat a meal without worrying too much. However, it doesn't feel like I'm past that analysis point and anything I do from here on out could be analyzed.

It would be different if it wasn't food! Food used to be comforting to me, and obviously is needed for nutrition, energy, etc... so this is very scary. Has anyone else had these major obsession side effects weening off Lexapro (or I guess any SSRI?) - I was obsessing about certain things before starting to ween off of it, but usually never about basic things like food - I could even shut my brain off from worrying about basic things like that (once in a blue moon I would start thinking negatively about things...)

I'm scared that the Lexapro -might- have been helping me maintain some level of sanity, but not help me as much as I needed. Either that, or the weening off Lexapro is making it worse, or neither - I am just making it worse on my own and Lexapro neither helped nor hurt...

At this point I need some sort of major brain reprogramming it seems! I'm thinking of hypnotherapy or something to maybe help get me some mental confidence to work through some of this stuff, maybe look into some natural remedies for nervousness/anxiety/OCD if any, acupuncture, holistic/naturopathic medicine ... anything!

I guess to sum all this up... anyone else have these can't-control-your-brain worries on or off the meds, how did you deal with them, how long did they last...?

Thanks so much...

[mike2000]

man this is crazy!

my doctor's plan for me to ween off 10mg was:

5mg for 1 week (up to 10 days)
2.5mg for 1 week (up to 10 days)
done

Some of you guys are shaving 10% off after a week, or even a month... I even just talked to my prescription insurance company's nurse and she said that plan was roughly standard!

That is crazy the amount of time some people are planning (or need) for this. I could be included... I wish I had a stronger doctor. He doesn't seem to be extremely familiar with all of this and consults handbooks and other people when he doesn't know. My old doctor seemed much more on the ball and confident in his own abilities... I miss him!

At this point I would love to know what life is like 100% sober, so at the moment I'm going to continue on the 2.5mg for the next few days and then stop it altogether. I am sure I will still feel weird for a bit, hopefully not months...

It is scary though to think about absolutely no medication. I don't feel like I am mentally strong enough to get myself into a normal schedule, better diet, more exercise, all of that. I almost would prefer to take a single happy pill each day to help me through things ... once I get off the meds and all, I'm sure I will still get nervous about specific events (the whole point I got on them to begin with) but I'm hoping some of this obsessiveness will subside. But to get over all this mental crazyness, I need to be proactive in all aspects of my life which seems so damn hard and I haven't even started... and I have to keep it going for the rest of my life !?!? It's like a whole other job in itself!

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by babybottom

Hey, I was reading your post from April of 08 and your were talking about vitamins.I take Womens Ultra mega isn't that enough vitamins, or do I need to take extra like the fish oil and extra megnesium and others.I am always insecure about how much and what to take, so then I never add any.I manage to stick with a multivitamin but that is it.I'm always afraid to over do it.Can you let me know exact amounts of what to take?OR just give your advice.I eat alot of bananas for the extra magnesium and I just ran out of my multivitamin.I don't want to take a vitamin that will rev me up since i'm having trouble sleeping.Also, I don't know if this is related to Lexapro withdrawal but for months I get rashes on and off that have have sores too.THey are like pimples and they itch.I can't tell if it's my normal excema or what they are different and sometimes they are worse over the summer they would come every two months along with my normal excema.Just needed advice on vitamins and supplements, Thanks!

Sorry I did not get to you sooner. My life has been HECTIC lately. The multi-vitamin that you take is a good one, stick to it. Do add fish oils though. The Omega 3 and 6's in the fish oil will aid in the healing of your brain post lex...besides, it is awesome for just about everything even your heart. Take as directed on the bottle, you can increrase a bit later if you wish. Yes, add magnesium, bannanas are not enough. The mag will help relax your muscles and will help you sleep. If the sleep problems continue then, you can try passion flower. Also, I personaly would add Lecithin capsules (as directed on bottle). Lecithin is is very helpful for cholesteral, etc but, the main reason it would be good for you now is, Lecithin is a required pre-cursor to the production of inositol. Inositol is proven to help heal the brain and is ussualy deficient in people with depression and/or anxiety issues. You could just take inositol butr, I prefer to give my body the means to produce it's own. Besides, the outer layer of the brain (the protective layer between skull and brain) is made up of 90% Lecithin) all the more reason to add it.
Yes, the pimple type sores can easily be due to lex withdrawal. The reason is that your body is gooing through a process of detox post lex. The first place that we ussualy see body toxins released is in the skin....I have had this problem too, in the form of acne as have many others. You could add milk thistle (as directed) to your regimine to help speed up the detoxing of your liver...the liver is where the lexapro build up would be. For you, it is likely that the sores are exema plus a bit of acne....I hope that covers everything. If you have any other questions please, just ask....Peace...Erin

[erinkj]

Originally Posted by COHiker

Erin, you are always a God-send with that fabulous brain of yours! Where to start??? Let's see.... I would say that after about seven and a half months off I can say my bigest problem is PMS. This is where it gets tricky for me: I cannot say where the Lexapro garbage ends and the premenopause nightmare begins. The rages and depression surrounding my menstral cycle are just wicked- no other way to say it. This in itself is really effecting my family and even some work relationships-- I am tired of apologizing to the world for my temporary insanity Also, I have been feeling a bit weepy lately and that has me bugged. And I mean weepy to the point that if I start talking about sensative subjects, i fear I will start blubbering.

I will say that one side effect I lay squarely at the feet of Lex was trouble in my gut. I started having major acid reflux toward the end of my tapering (which by the way was a six month taper-- I pushed it at some points and was a bit impatient)and had to start taking the nexium. I hope to be able to not take forever, but will have to see how that plays out.

I have an appointment with a womens health care specialist to try and see if I may be starting through some early peri-menopausal stuff (I am 44). I was whining to a friend about the terrible symptoms that I seem to have about five days during my cycle and that is when she told me about the the Trazodone. I have promised myself that I would not even consider something until I was 18 months out the lexapro hell-hole!

Oh- and for anyone who is conserned about the extra weight... after about 3 months off (after last dose), I lost about 12 lbs. without any changes or effort.
I have started back with exercising (which I had quit for nearly a year and a half-- dumb, i know) and it is really one of those things that really keeps me somewhat in check. When I say exercise- nothing major-- just hitting the trails with my dogs again or the occassional jog or eliptical at the gym. I promise all of you that at least 15 mins a day of walking (mildly winded) will do wonders to improve the mood. It is really important to stick with it-- especially on the days when you feel like it the least-- that is when you will need it the most.
Well, I am drained and need to catch my sleep-- I do sleep very well and have since about two months after my last dose-- good news for those of you who struggle with interupted sleep..
I will be checking in again soon...
My best to everyone and sorry I have been so tardy in my updates....
COhiker

I can relate dear...my menstrual cycles are absolute HELL and, I am not even tapered off completely yet. UGH. I am back on Nexium again myself. The reflux cycles with me. I end up doing a few months of nexium about every 6 months for the past few years...I have tried everything and, nexium is all that works. I do believe that a good part of the reflux is med related but, I also KNOW that part of it is stress. You should not have to take nexium forever. Try a few months then, go off of it and see how you feel. Nexium will heal ulcers so, you may be fine soon. Please, let me know how your appointment goes and what the doc sais about your hormones. I would be very interested to know...I am only 36 (in april) but, my mom entered peri-menopause at 38 so, I am likely to start early to. UGH. already have some symptoms......Keep in touch o.k....Peace and hug's...Erin

[erinkj]

I am glad to see you posting again. It has been a long time and, I have often wondered how you were doing. Congradulations on your 1 year anniversary lex free .....I hope you continue to do well...All my best wishes to you dear....Peace and hug's...Erin

[swebs]

Mike,

I can't offer you much advice, but most of my anxiety/panic issues stem from preoccupations with food. Always have. But mine is because I have a paralyzing fear of vomiting, and half the foods around seem to make me sick to my stomach. I rarely puke, but I get nauseous almost every day at some point and it freaks me out.

Not like it's good that you have these issues, but it made me feel a little less alone!

I guess what you could try, what I have done before, is just try to eat a little food at a time. Pick something safe, like a piece of toast, or a small piece of fruit. I like to pick things like that because they are typically easy to digest and won't screw up my stomach, that might help you because if they made you feel sick that might give you reason to worry that they're contaminated.

Based on what you said about some of your preoccupations beginning while you were still on a full 10mg of lex, it seems like you realize that with or without meds, we all go a little crazy sometimes. So be prepared - it might get worse before it gets better! But that's why we're here!

Also, others in this forum have mentioned that going from 2.5mg to nothing is the toughest part. Personally, I am on 2.5 and feel great right now - I got down to this from 10 pretty quickly, too, without a ton of problems. Just be aware of that and be prepared to adjust if it doesn't go well for you.

I hope you will come back and update... I wanna know how you do!

[mike2000]

Originally Posted by swebs

Mike,

I can't offer you much advice, but most of my anxiety/panic issues stem from preoccupations with food. Always have. But mine is because I have a paralyzing fear of vomiting, and half the foods around seem to make me sick to my stomach. I rarely puke, but I get nauseous almost every day at some point and it freaks me out.

Not like it's good that you have these issues, but it made me feel a little less alone!

I guess what you could try, what I have done before, is just try to eat a little food at a time. Pick something safe, like a piece of toast, or a small piece of fruit. I like to pick things like that because they are typically easy to digest and won't screw up my stomach, that might help you because if they made you feel sick that might give you reason to worry that they're contaminated.

Based on what you said about some of your preoccupations beginning while you were still on a full 10mg of lex, it seems like you realize that with or without meds, we all go a little crazy sometimes. So be prepared - it might get worse before it gets better! But that's why we're here!

Also, others in this forum have mentioned that going from 2.5mg to nothing is the toughest part. Personally, I am on 2.5 and feel great right now - I got down to this from 10 pretty quickly, too, without a ton of problems. Just be aware of that and be prepared to adjust if it doesn't go well for you.

I hope you will come back and update... I wanna know how you do!

well it wasn't a preoccupation with food until a couple days ago - a couple weeks ago i was preoccupied about swallowing gum... for no real reason.

i'm trying to continue eating normally and hoping that i won't get paranoid/anxious about it. hopefully i can get past it before it gets totally messed up!

you shouldn't have mentioned the 2.5mg to 0 being the worst part... i want something to look forward to, not to worry about

i wouldn't be as bad if i was just being fixated/obsessive about something else at this point. this food thing is not a good thing for me. food probably relaxes me some, and i need it to survive... it's like i need something else to be fixated on so i am not fixated on the eating.

[mike2000]

i will say that my "guts" seem to be behaving differently. i remember when i first got on lexapro my digestive system had a period of adjustment too...

i'm obsessive about the whole eating thing but i do eat a normal amount of food when i do eat, but it seems like i'm hungry almost immediately after. almost like what it felt like when i was trying welbutrin (however i was taking welbutrin, buspar and lexapro all at the same time) - i was hungry all the time no matter how much i ate...

at least then i wasn't questioning the food as much. but now i've got a double negative working against me!

[babybottom]

Since coming off Lexapro in April I have had the worst rushes of anxiety when I am asked to do something outside of my normal, like volunteering or working outside the home.When the anxiety mounts like that i fall apart.It's the worst.My worrying is very compulsive and frustrating.I recoverd form bulimia back in 94 ,I was bulimic for almost seven years.You just have to talk yourself out of it,Having an eating disorder of anykind is so hard on your body.I know yours is different but don't let it get out of control.My worry after ten months off lex is somewhat less and I don't fixate quite as much.Anybody can let there worry get out of hand if you just think about it way too long.I know I do, it's so hard to take a thought out.I thougt way too much as a kid, Being oblivious is so much better then you don't worry.Good luck and talk yourself out of those feeling.I hope my little bit of advice will help.The emotional rollercoaster does seem to get better with time.

[babybottom]

Thanks, for the advice I've been doing all of the above.I guess time will tell.I am still so frustrated about not being able to lose weight after ten months.I'm not exagerating when i say I work out religiously four to five days a week for fotyfive min.I lost twenty pounds befor taking lex , and kept it off for five years, I work so hard and get nowhere.I'm trying to work on adrenals naturally and rest, but life and finances are extremely stressful.I am not coping well with stress and that stresses me out.That's got to be why I can't lose the weight, Right?WIth the vitamins and exercise I hope I will fix it.P.S.I eat low fat too, I only splurge on weekends.This lexapro took over my size three body and added twenty pounds in two months and I can't accept the change.If you have any other advice to losing the weight be my guest.I try anything that is safe.I have a crazy high cortisol "gut"!LOL it's like rubber.It's hot !

[mike2000]

Originally Posted by babybottom

Since coming off Lexapro in April I have had the worst rushes of anxiety when I am asked to do something outside of my normal, like volunteering or working outside the home.When the anxiety mounts like that i fall apart.It's the worst.My worrying is very compulsive and frustrating.I recoverd form bulimia back in 94 ,I was bulimic for almost seven years.You just have to talk yourself out of it,Having an eating disorder of anykind is so hard on your body.I know yours is different but don't let it get out of control.My worry after ten months off lex is somewhat less and I don't fixate quite as much.Anybody can let there worry get out of hand if you just think about it way too long.I know I do, it's so hard to take a thought out.I thougt way too much as a kid, Being oblivious is so much better then you don't worry.Good luck and talk yourself out of those feeling.I hope my little bit of advice will help.The emotional rollercoaster does seem to get better with time.

well i hate to read people coming off / off lexapro having issues again... since i am on that path (i hope) to getting off of it real soon...

there -has- to be a way to get past this without prescription medication. people have been without prescriptions for thousands of years...

i've heard good things about accupuncture, for physical pain - and it claims to be able to help with stress and anxieties

hypnotherapy has historical roots

i've tried EFT, i have not tried NLP yet. i've done various types of standard counseling, and one guy tried REBT/RBT with me too.

there's also herbs, naturopathic remedies, tons of different vitamins and supplements (Sam E, St john's wort) etc...

just need someone who will help us out 24/7 get us on the right path - sleep, diet, exercise and the right combinations of this type of stuff.

sounds way easier on paper than it really is. i always think about celebrities who "come back" from crippling panic or PTSD or other things - like brooke shields... the only difference between them and us is they've got money to be able to have a personal chef, nutritionist, on-call therapist, and any kind of medication or anything that is needed - i know some people on here probably can't afford the treatments that might help...

why can't there be a team of people who travel around for relatively affordable rates who help get you back on your feet and contributing positively to society, and then you contribute your success and money back to the cause (almost like a religion!) - it seems like so many of us are having issues and so many millions of people are on anti-depressants and all these messed up medications which make us moody, tired, hungry, obsessive, mental, etc... it just sucks!

i wish all of us posting here with our various issues could just wake up tomorrow and be free of them. imagine how much better our lives would be and the lives of those around us and how much more powerful we could be to help others...

[mims]

swebs,

Probiotics might help prevent future gut problems. Culturelle and Florastor are 2 brands I'm familiar with. Kefir is also good -- similar to yogurt. Gut upsets are common when changing dosages of lexapro, because serotonin is not just in your brain, it's also in your gut. Changing your lexapro dose changes your serotonin levels.

Some magnesiums will cause loose bowel movements and even diarrhea. (Think "milk of magnesia"). I think magnesium malate may be one that is not harsh on your gut. Personally, I've had success with taking "Slow-mag" with very little effect on bowels.

mike,

I think hypnotherapy is definitely worth a try. Can you ask one of your psychologists or doctors if they know anybody who has a good reputation?I've actually been thinking of it for myself.

[mims]

Originally Posted by hope for the best

I can't personally speak about Lex, I just have been reporting on my daughter's progress with it. I can however speak a little about hormones and perimenopause. I think I'm just about through it and it's been horrific at times.

There were times especially during the earliest phases that I had severe anxiety, I paced constantly, cried, couldn't sleep, could barely eat. I often felt like I was on drugs such as speed even when I wasn't taking anything. It sometimes would last briefly but sometimes went on for days or at one point a few months without a break. My memory would be terrible to the point I seriously almost couldn't remember my own name. I even heard voices more than once. There was ringing in my ears so bad that I couldn't hear what someone was saying unless they were near me. Old injuries returned to the point I had to be in physical therapy. Sometimes I'd tremble and twitch, I felt like I was having a heart attack and the list goes on.

I just wanted to mention this because while many women sail through or are merely inconvenienced there are a minority that suffer strange and intense symptoms.

And yes I briefly tried drug remedies but abandoned them.

So if the question is if perimenopause can cause anxiety the answer for some is yes is certainly can.

Thanks for the info -- I've wondered if my vibrations and twitches and myoclonic jerks were made worse by hormone issues. i went through menopause about 5 years ago without too much trouble, , but I have wondered if the difference in hormone levels has made getting off lexapro so difficult this past year.

[mike2000]

Originally Posted by mims

mike,

I think hypnotherapy is definitely worth a try. Can you ask one of your psychologists or doctors if they know anybody who has a good reputation?I've actually been thinking of it for myself.

i've done hypno in the past for other issues and i am not sure it helped at all.

also EFT did not seem to help.

i have an appointment on wednesday (let's hope i can stay sane until then) with a new hypnotherapist who is confident she can help with anxiety and obsessive thoughts.

it all seems to stem from worrying about lack of control. if i can just let go of that i might be making some big progress.

if it doesn't solve my problems completely hopefully it at least might help motivate me at a subconcious level to eat better or exercise more or relax or make my brain change channels and distract me when i am starting down a bad obsessive thinking spree...

[mims]

Mike,

I know someone who had hives for years, tried restrictive diet, vitamins, allergy shots, took medications for years to suppress the reaction, tried acupuncture, etc., but hypnosis turned out to be the key to recovery. There were at least 10 or 12 sessions with the hypnotist, but the results happened pretty quickly.

The hypnotist should teach you to self-hypnotize, so you can practice at home, also. I hope it will help you.

Remembering this friend's experience is making me think of trying it. I also know someone who had hypnosis to stop smoking and it worked immediately .

The point about going from 2.5mg of lexapro to 0 is this: 2.5 seems like a tiny bit of medication, but it's really still having an effect on your body and brain. It might be better to continue to taper instead of just quitting after a few days at 2.5 mg. It might make things a little bit easier on you.

Good luck.

[lcallais]

My 20-year-old son has been very ill. He saw a new doctor today and he wants to put him on Lexapro & Lithium. He's sure that he has a social anxiety disorder and he wants to rule out bipolar. Any help would be appreciated.
Leslie

[mike2000]

Originally Posted by lcallais

My 20-year-old son has been very ill. He saw a new doctor today and he wants to put him on Lexapro & Lithium. He's sure that he has a social anxiety disorder and he wants to rule out bipolar. Any help would be appreciated.
Leslie

i'm not a doctor but if this thread shows anything it's that these medications can be helpful but also horrible.

i would try other alternative routes first, after personally being on meds for years and now going through agony trying to get off of them and having the issues i was taking the medication for but worse !

i would see if he is getting the best sleep, the best diet, and nutrition/supplements he can.

years ago we didn't need medication for this. so there's ways around it, somehow, without medication. i'm quite sure my issues are not helped by my poor sleep schedule, poor diet, and i'm sure i am lacking in some good vitamins/etc.

a regular routine with plenty of access to friends should go a long way... when you say "ill" what does that mean?

[mike2000]

Originally Posted by mims

Mike,

I know someone who had hives for years, tried restrictive diet, vitamins, allergy shots, took medications for years to suppress the reaction, tried acupuncture, etc., but hypnosis turned out to be the key to recovery. There were at least 10 or 12 sessions with the hypnotist, but the results happened pretty quickly.

The hypnotist should teach you to self-hypnotize, so you can practice at home, also. I hope it will help you.

Remembering this friend's experience is making me think of trying it. I also know someone who had hypnosis to stop smoking and it worked immediately .

The point about going from 2.5mg of lexapro to 0 is this: 2.5 seems like a tiny bit of medication, but it's really still having an effect on your body and brain. It might be better to continue to taper instead of just quitting after a few days at 2.5 mg. It might make things a little bit easier on you.

Good luck.

yeah... i've got an appointment on wednesday with a hypnotherapist. we'll see.

last night i was thinking "cool i'm on the 2.5mg to 0mg route right now!" but i guess i'm not. i'm on day #4 of 2.5mg. my doctor had down 7-10 days. personally i'd like to get this done asap. i mean if i can control the irrational thinking i've felt anxious and stuff before. and feeling dizzy and my stomach hurting i'm pretty much used to

i'd rather get off the sauce as quickly as possible so i can get into my life without it quicker. i get obsessive when people leave and i have a period right now of nobody leaving me - i'd rather be able to see how i deal with things sober than still be dealing with withdrawal -and- the same issues i had while i was taking it...

[mims]

Originally Posted by lcallais

My 20-year-old son has been very ill. He saw a new doctor today and he wants to put him on Lexapro & Lithium. He's sure that he has a social anxiety disorder and he wants to rule out bipolar. Any help would be appreciated.
Leslie

Those of us who post here are trying to get off lexapro and having problems with the side effects of withdrawal. It's probably good that you found this site -- nobody here can offer any medical advice, but you can see that many people do have some difficult problems with taking and also discontinuing lexapro.

My advice to you as a parent would be to stay in close contact with your son if he does take these drugs, especially at times when he first begins taking lexapro, or anytime the dosage is changed. Does he live with you or nearby? If so, you can keep an eye on him without constantly badgering him with questions about how he's feeling. Make sure he understands that it's important not to suddenly stop taking it unless it's on medical advice from his doctor. He needs to have an understanding of the importance of tapering when the drug is discontinued. The drug company even puts that advice in its literature now. Read the "patient information" that is furnished when the prescription is filled, or on lexapro website.

If his illness is strictly social anxiety or extreme shyness, would a psychologist be helpful as an alternative to medication? Again, none of us can offer medical advice. I'm sorry your son is having problems. One final piece of advice - avoid alcohol with lexapro.