Lexapro Withdrawal

[pawsboots]

Aussiechris,

Thank you for posting! It was interesting to see the youtube journey. It's amazing how each person's experiences are different in some ways, and so much alike in others. It would be great to see how this guy is doing 6 months off Lexapro. The chemistry of peoples bodies is the clue here. Is the withdrawal different for men and women and at different stages of their lives? I wonder. Is a women or man in their 40's and 50's different because of hormonal changes? I also so no weight gain on this man-how lucky.

I'm glad you were able to make it through. You mentioned seeing a psychiatrist. The psychiatrists here only prescribe medicine-no therapy. We have psychologists, but many work very slowly and 3 sessions is not much. I ended up getting worse and worse in my sessions where eventually I could not even go anymore. Therapy is great for some. Family support and good friends work wonders for others.

I am so happy that someone has made it off of this drug and is fine. I wish you luck! God Bless.

[rujoking]

Hi all I am here with a question???? I unfortunately had a tooth break a few days ago and had to go to the dentist of course - lucky for me he can repair it in one visit next week. While I was there I had the worst panic attack I have had in a long time (the nervous system is still a wreck!!!) Even the dentist looked a little worried as my breathing and heart rate went crazy!

My question is this - I hava few xanax and I am wondering if I should take one before next weeks visit - I worry so about putting anything in my sensitive system but I am not sure that I will make thru that invasive appointment - I worry though if I DO take that I will get rebound anxiety and be back to square one after the progress I have made....sigh....

I have only taken xanax once or twice in my life - once early in this mess and once before it all started.....any thoughts you all have would be much appreciated!

Paws glad to hear you are coming along with that flu....how is everyone else doing??

ruj

[NJCherub216]

Hi Stephanie... I hope your doing better. I never want to go on Lexapro again that drug definitely gave me more heart palpitations after I took it. I did have to up the dose on the klonopin to .5 mg per day, I was already down to .25 mg. Im a bit disappointed about that. I still have chest pain, I dont know what thats about. I think it has something to do with my period. It seems every symptom is intensified during that time. I had to go to the psychotherapist yesterday and while driving with my ex I started to get shortness of breath, I tried the breathing slowly he told me to do but it didnt help for 10 minutes and I just turned around and went back home I called him and felt so disappointed. He told me to take more of the klonopin and try it again later and that it was important that i did it again right away because I had escaped. I was able to make it but what an ordeal. I will take your advice though and get my hormone levels checked. I really believe there is some corelation there. I took the progesterone cream a few months ago that my cousin sent me and stopped it this month because he was too expensive and I have noticed a difference in that my symptoms got worse this month. How much of the lexapro are you still taking? It s really great talking with you. Thank you.
Regina

[pawsboots]

Regina,

I'm so sorry that you had to turn back. I would always get chest pains around my period, too. It's ok you had to increase the klonipan. I'm glad that your therapist is willing to work with you. You really didn't escape. You just couldn't do it at this time. At least you drove and that's good. I really believe that you are going to make it because you are willing to do the work. I know the progesterine cream is expensive, and it's always hard to tell if it works.

I'm still on 1.25, and I'm afraid to get off bacause I felt so awful with each drop. I have to go shopping with my husband tomorrow. I had bad palpatations continuously today. I took a benadryl today. It made me so tired I was like a slug. I don't think I'll do that again. I read where some people do that to replace xanax. I'm still coughing from the flu. I want to get this over with though before the summer.

I'm glad that you are writing again. I miss hearing from you. It's going to be super warm this weekend. I'm not a fan of 80 degrees. I like 70's.

Are you having any physical symptoms? I hope not. Talk to you soon. Have your family help you around the house.

[mims]

paws,

When I used benadryl, I had the feeling of my heart sinking, especially when sleeping. I think I'm just sensitive to benadryl, but I don't think I always was. I think this is something that may be related to the lexapro withdrawal.

ruj, it's amazing how our over-responsive nervous systems affect our lives in so many ways these days. Wish I could offer advice on the xanax. Maybe you've already gotten the panic attack out of the way, and you'll be fine next week. I hope!

[rujoking]

I just don't know ...mims....I am scared to do anything to relapse...damn this tooth....I don't know if the stress of the procedure will be worse or the worry about taking the xanax....how did I get to this place?

[NJCherub216]

Good morning Stephanie..It looks like a beautiful day today also. I hope I can get out and enjoy it. Im glad to hear your down to a small amt. of lexapro you dont have much more to taper down. Do you notice if you get your palpitations a little while after taking the lexapro. Because that's what is was doing to me at the end. As soon as I would take my dose for the day within 15 minutes I started to get palpitations, thats why Im glad Im off of it. Also is it all right to take the benadryl sometimes that could aggravate a situation or interact with the lexapro. Im afraid of taking even a tylenol with the klonopin. If I get a headache I just use a cold rag on my head. I really believe I have developed some form of agoraphobia. Even yesterday, I went out for a walk, it was a bit chilly but still nice. Last month I used to walk a mile or two ever other day. Then yesterday I only managed to walk 5 blocks I was with my ex and I started with shortness of breath and chest tightness. I got so scared again because I knew I had to walk 5 blocks back to the car. I tried to breath and talk myself out of it but it would subside so I took more of the klonopin. I'm starting to wonder again if I do have a heart problem they didnt find, like a blockage somewhere. My ex is going this weekend to his trailer in the Poconos and now he told my son Chris that he has to stay with me to keep me company. I feel so bad that Im ruining my son's weekend, but I also am having a hard time staying alone at night during the day it doesnt bother me. I wish I could go too, but again I dont know even with the pills how my body is going to react and I dont want to spoil his weekend by having him drive me back 100 miles. I feel like a prisoner. The nice weather is coming and I feel like Im going to be trapped in the house all the time. I hope you have a great day today. Make sure you enjoy this weekend!
Regina

[CB46]

Hello

I'm new to this board -And trying to get of lexapro. I was on it for 5 year 5-15 mg and the went of 1½ year ago, whit no problem. Maybe because I also was on xanax. I'm 14 month xanax free now and was put on lexapro 1 month after that tapper ended. Only because of one panic attack, which is normal after coming of xanax. The xanax taper was hard and so the time after, lots of depression, anxiety, insomnia and weird head feelings.

I have for the last 4-5 month trying to come of 10mg lexapro and are now down to 1,25 mg. Having a some problems and withdrawals symptoms I never had before. I have the crying spells of fear, not every day, but maybe one day in a the week. have some weird head feelings like someone is squeezing me brain, which scares the hell out of me and make me think I will never heal at all. Also have some skipped heart beats

New symptoms for the last week are swollen arms, fingers, legs and feet and my face turns reed and feel swollen like after to much sun, it also feels like it's burning - It this withdrawal ? I'm certainly scared of never being normal again.

I did jump of 1,25mg 3 weeks ago, but after 1 week I did start on 1,25 mg again because of some panic and shaking (did come 10 min after a cup of coffee) - Don't know if reinstating is a good idea or not.

I did have a perfect day to days ago and last day was not so bad at all also, only the swollen did scare me, because it was new - Now today I feel like a mess, Have cried a lot, have numbness is face, feel weird and anxious and not my self at all - Don't have much energy and feel depressed also

2 days ago I did feel great - That's not fair I'm in this rollercoaster

I don't know if me problem is I'm still having withdrawal from the xanax and it's maybe to early to taper down lexapro.

I did jump from 10 to 7,5, then 6,125, then 5, then back to 6,125 for a short while, then 5 and the 2,5, then 1,25 - I did not have so many problem with the jumps from 10 to 1,25, some flu symptoms, no exstra anxiety or exstra depression that I normal have from the xanax - so why is it so hard on the last tiny bit ?

Coming down it dose does although make think more and more clear - Like I'm turning back to normal

Thanks for a great and informative thread - Have read it a lot :-)

Hope you all soon will heal and feel better -

Btw. I did have 1-2 panic attack and was put on lexapro and xanax (did not take xanax every day the first 4 years only when I did turn toxic) - Now I don't suffer from panic attack anymore but a lot of other stuff :-(

Can one get toxic on 1,25mg ?

[pawsboots]

Hello Regina,

I just finished shopping with my husband so I didn't read your posting until now. I think healing takes a lot of time even when we taper. I know deep down your son understands. He is young and will have many years ahead of him to get out. Children are amazingly resillent. No one even when feeling good likes to be alone at night.

I'll tell you something I did to help myself when I was getting shakey and it really worked. Maybe it will work for you. I would drink apple or orange juice and chewed gum. Your blood sugar can drop when you're anxious, and gum helps you to breathe correctly. When i took aerobics the instructor told me to chew gum to help the breathing. When I went back to driving on the Lexapro I always chewed gum. It helped. It may help you. Also i went to a hypnotist and I couldn't do this, but maybe you can. He told me to pretend I was holding the hand of myself when I was a five year old child, and to take care of that child when I was out. I didn't quite get it. It must have worked for others.

I know you are afraid, but I've taken a lot of Tylenol while on xanax. As much as 4000mg a day for months and months. An ekg will tell you if you have a heart problem, and it's not likely you have a blockage if you are thin and your cholesterol is ok. The chest pains are most likely the withdrawal. You will get back to walking again. Give yourself time to heal and tell yourself it is ok. I know you don't eat fat or sugar. I did that on the xanax, and got super thin where the doctor thought I was anorexic. Then he really complained when I put on so much weight after lexapro. Needless to say i changed my primary care doctor. Try to think of something from your childhood that made you really happy-a special food, a toy, a movie and reconnect with it. I used to watch The Flinstones, and the Jetsons. Childish but it helped some. It so nice that your ex works with you. I hope he's a good guy.

I won't take the benadry again. The druggest told me to take Claratin, but I'm afraid to because long ago it made my head fall asleep.

Keep writing anytime you want and I'll check during the day. Try to find 5 things that are fun to do today even if it's just watching a soap opera or an old movie or reading a good book. Be good to yourself. Cuddle up in a blanket, and drink decaf tea. Spoil yourself.

Stephanie

[pawsboots]

CB46,

You are going through what many of us are experiencing. I noticed swelling in my fingers when i was on lexapro also, but i don't know if this is a side effect. I really would check with the doctor on this. I have the head squeezing all the time everyday, and the skipped beats, and palpatations I get a lot of. I hope it's part of withdrawal. The rollercoaster feeling is common. It is probably part of the brain adjusting. I am newer to this forum than others, but from what I've read you are not alone with these symptoms.

I'm not sure what you mean by turning toxic. Do you mean the drug was making you ill?

Let us know how you are doing. We're all in this together.

[CB46]

Hello Pawsboot

Thanks for answering - I'm sorry you almost have the same symptoms as me and easy relate how you feel

By toxic I mean the drug makes me ill. Xanax did that to me and gave me a lot of horribles panic attacks and the only thing was to come of it. And then the panic attacks went away. I did have many weird withdrawal symptoms from xanax and still have some. I did a to fast taper from it and had to suffer.

I was almost passing out, when standing up after sitting or laying down, very awful and it would last for 20-60 seconds. I'm not sure but do think it is a sign of being toxic. It went away after coming under 5mg.

I also know the roller coaster from xanax and the last 2-3 month has been much better, but when coming down to 1,25mg I'm in trouble. I just look on the paper coming with lexapro and swollen legs and arms are a side effect.

The good thing is in my thought I dont feel that much depressed, can joke and laugh - But it is more like the squeezing in the head makes me look depressed.

I thinking on going back to 2.5mg and then taper 0.5mg - Well, I have to see how I'm tomorrow, sometimes it can change overnight, which it has done a lot of times.

[MissSpaghettiMonster]

Hi everyone, I just started to do some research into lexapro. I have been having the floppy heart beat and shakes on and off since I started taking in. I was on 20 mg and my doctor told me to switch to another medication so i just stopped it overnight. Well on day 12 I got soooo sick, so dizzy, chills and sweats, etc. So I got back on it at 10mg where I am at now. I read a post way back where someone said it was easy to get off it yet they had only taken Lexapro for a month! So of course it was fairly easy, it hadn't fully gotten ahold yet.

[rujoking]

Hello all - well I am feeling much calmer today although still worried about the dentist next week - I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it...

cherub - glad to see you posting again - you sure have a lot going on with the hormone mess and withdrawal - I am so sorry - I think you are doing great though - when I was where you are at I could not even walk 5 blocks! Pat yourself on the back for any small achievement! Those chest pains scared me to death to but I really believe it is withdrawal - any stress can make the chest wall tighten and it is freaky. I get this much, much less often now so try to relax, sometimes a heating pad can help those tense muscles....don't be afraid of the tylenol it can really help.

paws - bless your heart you are such a wonderful cheerleader for us all - you are very right about the juice and the gum - I do both - actually I try to keep protein in my system at all times it helps more with those hypoglycemic episodes but the gum also helps my dry mouth.....try the Claritan I used to take it and it is very mild compared to benadryl.

CB46 - - glad you found us and yes all of what you are feeling has been felt by all of us here - I do think it is the Lex and not the xanax anymore - this IS a rollercoaster but try not to be scared it will slowly get better. this thread is a great place to vent.

Miss Spaghetti - (cute name!) - are you on any other meds? You say your doc switched you but you went back on the Lex? It is good you went back on so you can do a slow wean but the drop from 20 is huge and probably why you are feeling so bad right now - maybe you could go back up and wean from the 20 - you should ask your Doc about this....

mims - hope you are doing okay and will post on your status soon


I continue to hope older members will come back with encouragement as well!

ruj

[pawsboots]

Ruj,

You are always so kind and so positive! You are also very helpful. I forgot about the protein to keep the blood sugar stable. This morning I took a hard boiled egg along with two hershey kisses shopping in case I felt funny. I wasn't sure how I'd do since I had had heart palps, but I was ok.

I know how it is with the dentist. When i couldn't leave the house I needed a route canal and couldn't get it. I was on xanax and it stopped working for me. I took tylenol around the clock. Got an antibiotic. Then it finally went numb in that area. Not a good thing to do. I bet if you take a benzo for just that time you'll be all right. If you let us know the day we can pray for you.

Cb46,

I understand how bad xanax is for some and I was one. Valium always worked so much better for my system. I took it about 30 years ago for 8 months, tapered and had minimal withdrawal if any. It has a longer half life than xanax. I've been on 1.25mg. for 7 weeks now and it was by far the worse taper. I will be off in about a week.

Not much on tv tonight. Anyone have any suggestions?

[CB46]

I'm better today as yesterday - The swelling are a little better, but still have a red face and some itching on the back and feet's and a lot of skipped heart beat from the morning, even the first thing I do waking up is to drink some juice to raise the cortisol level

rujoking

Maybe it's the lexapro, but I don't know. Benzo withdrawal can also take 6-18 month or even longer, some say other meds should not be added when having withdrawal, so maybe the lexapro did make it worse and maybe it's a combination of both - Benzo withdrawal is not easy, 6 month ago I could not eat sucker, drink coke or coffee, alcohol or take supplements especially B-vitamins, now it's much better, but I still try to avoid coffee and alcohol, because my system still are to sensitive

Are you of lexapro now ?

I also hope old members would come back and give hope - But again if not, I think and hope it's sign they are back to life and are enjoying it to the fullest

Pawsboot

I'm very glad to hear after 30 years on benzon you had no problem coming of. It seems that your CNS has been and are working perfect. - Are you jumping from 1,25 to zero ?

[NJCherub216]

Hi Stephanie... Another beautiful day today around here. My son is making me feel so guilty that I told him he can go to the Poconos with his father. Now he is pressing me to come too. I might try it. Either I go and I'm with them or I will be here alone all day and night until tomorrow afternoon. Neither option seems to make me comfortable. but I really do want to go out. My heart wants to leave and go places again and feel normal, I just hope I can handle it and not ruin anybody's weekend. It s funny you mention the gum, I too chew gum when I drive and I also have a habit of taking orange slices with me in a ziploc bag in my purse in case i might need a little something when i get dizzy. I know these are all crutches but it helps a little to get through. Im really nervous this morning because I'm still contemplating whether I should go with them or not. I just cant anticipate how my body will react. Yesterday was a bit better I managed to walk about 2 miles without too much discomfort, which really tells me it cant all be in my head. Why can I function some days and others I'm bed ridden. It has to be the hormones. I made an appt. with an endocrinologist in a few weeks and my gynecologist whom I havent seen since my son was born. After 17 years I hope she does find something wrong. I also find comfort in watching old shows that I grew up with on TV. I hope you get a chance to go outside and enjoy the weather today, it really is going to be a perfect weekend. Take Care Regina

Rujoking. ..
Its great hearing from you again. I hope you doing well. I too fear when I need to go to the dentist since this condition that I actually looked up about novacaine. In case I needed the dentist I wasnt sure if the needles would interact with the medicine. I did find something that said you should tell your dentist about your situation and make sure that he only gives you novacaine. Many dentists use novacaine with a combination of ephinefrine (probably didnt spell that right) that can cause panic attacks. They use this to make the novacaine last longer. So when you go again make sure you dont get any ephinefrine. I hope everything goes well and you can get some relief. Hope you have a great weekend. Regina

[pawsboots]

Cb46,

I'm so glad you are doing a little better today. Actualyy I was on a benzo 30 years ago, but not for 30 years. Just was on it for about 8 months and then more recently about 2 to 3 years. I am going to drop the lex from 1.25mg. to zero soon. I'm quite afraid to do this, but I know I have to. Hope you improve more today. Feel better!

[pawsboots]

Hi Regina,

I'm really happy that you are doing better today! I think your son has your best interest at heart and wants you to go with them. It is wonderful that you are out walking. You won't spoil their weekend. I think it is common that we feel badly about the other people in our lives. If it is hard for you it is ok. They don't want you home alone. The fact that you went for a walk is truly a promising sign. It makes me think that it is definitely the Lexapro that is causing the swings in emotions not the original condition coming back. Whatever you decide to do is ok. There is no wrong decision here. I had a counselor once say -don't should on yourself. If you go and are nervous it's ok. If you stay home and try to relax it's ok. Remember your life is important and you know what's best for you. Your son has his whole life ahead of him and he will find happiness. If you stay home and are uncomfortable keep writing. We'll be here for you. If you go take a little care package with you.

My husband is helping the boy scouts today. I plan on hanging some curtains and do some cleaning. On hulu.com you can watch repeats of some of the good shows. I woke up with more neck, jaw and head pain today. I will work through it. I'm not sure if it's withdrawal or my pinched nerve problems. I think it is the latter. I have to do the last drop this week . I think I'm ready.

Enjoy the weekend the best you can. Write if you stay home.

[erinkj]

I just don't know ...mims....I am scared to do anything to relapse...damn this tooth....I don't know if the stress of the procedure will be worse or the worry about taking the xanax....how did I get to this place?

Rest at ease dear. Take a xanax about 30 minutes prior to your dentist apt. Be sure that you tell the dentist that you have taken the xanax as, he will need to know this. I have done this many times in the past. You will be fine taking one xanax will not cause any relapse issues. Xanax is not metabolised via the same pathway in the liver as lexapro or tylenol. The xanax will not interact with tylenol or ibuprofen so, you are fine to take either.

Good luck and God Bless...Erin

[erinkj]

For some people it is helpfull to take benedryl to help with sleep however, benedryl can induce anxiety/excitement for some. So, if you take it and it helps you sleep without adding feelings of anxiety then, that is fine SHORT TERM!
If however, your sleep is restless and you feel a bit more anxious in the night or upon wakening, it is likely due to the benedryl thus, it should not be used as a sleep aid.

We are all different...never forget that! What works for one person may not always work for another.

There has been much discussion in the past about the use of melatonin while tapering however, recent studies have shown that SSRI's deplete our body's melatonin supply. So, for those with sleep problems, you may want to try a low dose of melatonin.

If anyone has questions...I am all ears...Peace...Erin

[rujoking]

Rest at ease dear. Take a xanax about 30 minutes prior to your dentist apt. Be sure that you tell the dentist that you have taken the xanax as, he will need to know this. I have done this many times in the past. You will be fine taking one xanax will not cause any relapse issues. Xanax is not metabolised via the same pathway in the liver as lexapro or tylenol. The xanax will not interact with tylenol or ibuprofen so, you are fine to take either.

Good luck and God Bless...Erin

thanks for responding erin - I was on Prozac btw which gives me some worry if you read this:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Peter Breggins book antidepressant facts:
page 108- 109

"Most drugs including the SSRI's, ar broken down or metabolized by the liver before they are excreted from the body by the kidneys. the liver continsan enzyme systen called the P450 with many subetypes that prticipate in the metabolism of drugs.
Some drugs includign the SSRIs, tend to inhibit the activity of one or more of these P450 enzymes. Theis inhibition can prevent the rapid metabolism oand elimination of any drug taken at the same time that depends on the enzyme for its degradation. This can lead to an extreme increased in the blood level and hence to tosicity of the second drug.
Prozac for example ca raise the blood concentrations of several types of drugs to dangerously high levels, including antideprssans such as Elavil benzodiazepine tranquilizers such as Xanax. Tegretol ( carbamazepine) and antipsycotics such as Haldol and Clozaril
PAXIL is particularly potent ininhibitign a P450 enzyme and therefore increases the risk involved in taking a variety of medications that depend on the enzyme for their degradation in the body.
All of the SSRIs can inhibit one or the another liver enzyme, and overall there are far too many potentially dangeroud drug interactions to review in this book. Indeed there are too many harmful interations for any practitioner to keep track of. This is one more reason to avoid prescribing or taking these drugs. "

what are your thoughts? again thanks for respondin...
ruj

[erinkj]

thanks for responding erin - I was on Prozac btw which gives me some worry if you read this:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Peter Breggins book antidepressant facts:
page 108- 109

"Most drugs including the SSRI's, ar broken down or metabolized by the liver before they are excreted from the body by the kidneys. the liver continsan enzyme systen called the P450 with many subetypes that prticipate in the metabolism of drugs.
Some drugs includign the SSRIs, tend to inhibit the activity of one or more of these P450 enzymes. Theis inhibition can prevent the rapid metabolism oand elimination of any drug taken at the same time that depends on the enzyme for its degradation. This can lead to an extreme increased in the blood level and hence to tosicity of the second drug.
Prozac for example ca raise the blood concentrations of several types of drugs to dangerously high levels, including antideprssans such as Elavil benzodiazepine tranquilizers such as Xanax. Tegretol ( carbamazepine) and antipsycotics such as Haldol and Clozaril
PAXIL is particularly potent ininhibitign a P450 enzyme and therefore increases the risk involved in taking a variety of medications that depend on the enzyme for their degradation in the body.
All of the SSRIs can inhibit one or the another liver enzyme, and overall there are far too many potentially dangeroud drug interactions to review in this book. Indeed there are too many harmful interations for any practitioner to keep track of. This is one more reason to avoid prescribing or taking these drugs. "

what are your thoughts? again thanks for respondin...
ruj

I own every book Breggin has written as well as Glennmullen, etc. Trust me when I say, I have bookshelves full of such books including bio-chemistry and everything brain related ...I should own stock in Barnes and Noble by now. I have been on all of the SSRI med's at one timeor another over 12 years as well as the benzo's. Some must be taken with a grain of salt as, the 'chemicle impalance' theory is still hottly debated. That said. From personal experience...I have never had a problem taking a xanax with tylenol, etc. Up to you dear but, I think you will find the xanax will help you through your dentist visit. If I can help in any way, let me know ...Peace...Erin

P.S. The P450 is only partialy responsible for metabolizing benzo's. Benzo's actually use 2 seperate pathways and, the P450 used to metabolize xanax is not the same subsystem/subtype as that used for xanax.

[rujoking]

I am very grateful for your knowledge and response Erin....as always...thank you so much..

peace to you and thank you for responding...

ruj

[kscur]

I have been off 10 mg of lexapro since the 22 of April. I've been taking it for about 5 years and have tried to wean before but never knew side effects were part of it. I went in for a hysterectomy and never restarted. the brain jolts, fatigue, nausea started last night. I'm not sure if I should restart at 7.5? Or just continue cold turkey? I think it has also attributed to weight gain over the past 3 years...I am very active (except during this post op period) I really don't want to be on this forever! Any advice is so appreciated! HELP!

[pawsboots]

Kscur,

From what I've been reading here it is very dangerous to go cold turkey. When I got down below 10mg, the really bad side effects began. If you can -avoid the brain zaps by tapering slowly. I went from 10 to 7.5mg., but a lot of people even taper slower than that. If you are still working than you probably should do a 10 percent taper for a few weeks at a time. There was no way I could have worked during my taper.

I hope you feel better soon and have a speedy recovery. Activity can help you when you get better. If you taper too quickly it's almost impossible. Good luck!

[kscur]

Is it possible to come off at all? I never realized my finger swelling was contributed to lexapro as well. man, the more I read, the more some of the side effects blow me away. I will have to restart. I'll try with 7.5 - I haven't felt this bad in a long time!

[pawsboots]

kscur,

I do think it is possible though I am not there yet. Yesterday i almost gave up. I cried. I was nervous and dizzy, and I hurt all over. Today I went for a walk, went shopping, and did some cooking. There are times when you will feel good, and then times when you will revert. It does feel terrible, but like other posts it's like a rollercoaster. Everyone is different in some ways. It just takes a long time for most of us. Since you just went through an operation it probably might be difficult. Just take your time. The last 1.25mg. I have been on for almost 2 months now. I'm hoping with any luck to get off this week. Just try not to give up and have a buddy somewhere whom you can talk to. We're all here to listen.

[kscur]

I just don't understand how something that is supposed to 'help' can be so harmful? If I'd have known how awful this was, I'd have never taken it. are there other OTC meds that make it worse to come off of lexapro? I take calcium and a multi-vitamin. I read somewhere about tylenol and advil not being good? the doctors don't tell you anything!

[mims]

Is it possible to come off at all? I never realized my finger swelling was contributed to lexapro as well. man, the more I read, the more some of the side effects blow me away. I will have to restart. I'll try with 7.5 - I haven't felt this bad in a long time!

Rule of thumb for tapering (based on info from this site, books, etc):
For every year on SSRIs, expect to spend a month tapering. For example, after using SSRIs for 4 years, it is often recommended to taper gradually over a 4- month period. 10 years' use may require a 10 month taper. This is what I have read about this subject in books written by a psych (I think this was in the Joseph Glenmullen book, maybe the Breggin books also.). Please don't take this as medical advice; be sure to discuss your taper plan with your physician. But be aware that physicians don't always know how terrible the withdrawal reactions can be, or how important it is to taper slowly.

There may be medical reasons this may not apply in any individual's situation, so don't hesitate to ask your doctor if there's any reason to do things differently; and I have learned to also ask "why do you recommend ...." if a doctor recommends something that doesn't seem reasonable to me.

[pawsboots]

Kscur,

Advil is not rcommended because of possible bleeding complications. I have been taking tylenol a lot since Sept. 08. I had my liver tested in Dec.08 and Feb.09 and have no damage I've taken it everyday since then. First ask your doctor if it's ok. Pharmacist can be a good source of information, also. My doctor did not recommend all the tylenol i was taking which was 3000mg. a day, but I was ok.