[kscur]

I had to start again last night - could not take it anymore. I'm starting at 7.5 and will stay here for 4-6 weeks I'm thinking. At least the brain zaps stopped. thank you all so much for your responses...It helps to know others have experienced the same things.

[josephhnovak]

I've read through a lot of the pages here and they have been very helpful.
Here's my sccop: I was on 10mg of Lexapro for about 3.5 months. I didn't like feeling like a zombie, so I decided to get myself off of it. Based on some of the reccomendations I found on here for tapering, I was able to get off of this ********py drug.
It's now been 2.5 weeks off and I need to find out if this is normal:
I used to take my dose around 10:30 each morning. Well, since I've been off, everyday around that time, I get really dizzy and feel just funky. Is it possible that my body is just used to getting that drug at that time? It just struck me yesterday that I get this feeling pretty badly at the same time each day and that that time happens to have been the same time I took my Lexapro. After it hits me hard at that time, I start to feel better throughout the day, but it's like clockwork.
It makes me feel dizzy, disoriented, gives me a headache and it just makes me feel generally weird.
Is this normal? (please say yes!) And, it's been 2.5 weeks, how long can I expect this to continue?

Thanks in advance for your help,
Joe

[pawsboots]

Joe,

It seems like what you are going through is what the rest of us are feeling. Each of us is different on the amount of recovery time. It is good that it improves for you during the day. Hopefully you will be one who recovers quickly. It's shows the power of this drug where you were on it a short amount of time and still have withdrawals. I've been drinking ginger ale to help the nausea and the dizziness. Let us know how you are doing. Good thing you got off after 3 and a half months. Have a good night. Relax. You're off Lex. Hooray!!

[rujoking]

Joe - it is hard to say whether it is former dosing time or just the morning misery so many of us endure - it does all sound like what we all go thru though - just take comfort in knowing you are not alone!

kscur- I think you are smart to go back on the slowly wean - that seems to minimize the symptoms for most -

how is everyone else doing?

[CB46]

Thanks for asking Rujoking

I'm back to 2,5mg after a stay on 1,25mg which did not work - I did read on paxilprogress that it can be harder when coming down on smaller dose.

1,25mg and 2,5mg does even not have any therapeutic influence, so why the heck is it then so hard ?

Me own theory is there is almost no drug more in the brain on that amout, and it now has to work without the drug and try to stabilize on it's own.

Hopefully it also mean the last jump from xxmg to zero not would be the hardest jump

Healing for all

Does anybody know if Lexapro withdrawal/progress has it's own site like Paxilprogress has ?

[Laryanita]

Hello everyone!

Just giving an update as to my experiences with lex withdrawals! After tapering down from 20mg to 10mg, i have stopped at the 10mg for about 2 months now. Due to my boyfriend's father dying, i decided to put it off for a bit. My primary care phsyician recommended that i start to see a therapist, and after my first meeting with the therapist, he decided that i should also see a psychiatrist to help me get off of the lex. I start to see her tomorrow. I haven't been doing bad at the 10mg point. I feel the depersonalization at times, and still get waves of dizziness/brain zaps, but its not as bad as when i tapered off of lex before (during the summer last year, i had completely weened off, only to be put back on by my doctor after the withdrawals came back after about 8 months). I can't wait for this to be over! But for those of you who experience the withdrawals a long time after quitting completely, you are not alone. The worst withdrawals for me were 8-9months after completely weening off. We'll see how it goes this time!!
Good luck everyone!

[Muskaman]

Ok I was told to post my story on this thread so here it is. i'm really freaking tired atm so I'm gunna let this one sit till tomorrow before checking it. Peace people, goodnight!

Ok, my birthday party was last friday, and i decided to drink alcohol, so I decided not to take my 10mg Lexapro and my 2.5mg abilify. Well after that i kinda decided to drop off of them cold turkey.... now it's the 29th and I'm having a lot of anxiety, I'm dizzy, and have a horrible headache, and my moods are just fluctuating in a fairly strange pattern. I even was doing some serious thinking about breaking up with my girlfriend yesterday, for reasons that weren't even grounded in reality. I've got to work in about 2 and a half hours and I feel horrible. The main reasons I wanted to get of this medication is because A: I feel like they helped me get my life straightened out but now their doing more harm than good and that I'm better off without them. and B: When I move out of my parents place i'm not going to be able to afford them on my own.

I still want to get rid of these pills, but I don't know how to go about doing it.... cold turkey is obviously not working. HELP PLEASE.

[mims]

Originally Posted by hope for the best

I just wanted to check back in to update on my daughter's progress since stopping Lex in mid July so she's been 6½ months off. She has done very well since her slow taper which I'll copy from an earlier post rather than re-type. She had been treated for a probable case of Lyme during her time on Lex so she's had alot to recover from.

Anyway, I was watching for the dreaded 4 month off mark and about that time she did go through a period of something of a very mild depression or maybe more of dissatisfaction or frustrated exhaustion. For example, she'd been working hard to re-establish a relationship and then just about gave it up because it seemed too hard to do. She seems to be past that now.

The only thing I think is Lex related is that she gets muscle knots in her shoulders and neck. She doesn't handle stress as well as she probably should but that's improving and frankly that was getting to her pre-Lex and I think was related to the virus she'd had.

All in all she's doing well and I'd suggest a slow taper to anyone thinking of coming off. Anyway, here's an earlier post:

I just wanted to update my daughter's current condition after tapering off Lexapro. To recap, she started on Lex in 10/07 and ramped up to 10 mg. in November. She was on 10 mg for several months and then began tapering off. We expected withdrawal symptoms since she had experienced withdrawal when just being late with a dose at 10 mg. Here is her taper schedule (when it says 2 weeks it may be a few days shorter or longer):
7.5 mg......2 weeks
5 mg.........1 month
4.5 mg.......2 weeks
4 mg.........2 weeks
Decreases of .5 mg about every 2 weeks until down to the last .5
.25 mg.......2 weeks
Off

She did well with very few problems, mostly some vivid dreams until the last two steps down then she had some dizzy spells that lasted a few hours. Other than that she had very few complaints that could be linked to Lexapro. She had intended to take .25 every few days or if she started having any problems but has never needed anything since she stopped. She has now been off since July 15 so it's been over three weeks and she hasn't had any problems at all.

Before she began tapering she started taking supplements and continued most of them through the whole process. They were Omega 3 fish oil, magnesium, lecithin, vitamin C, and sometimes inositol and choline. She also drank DanActive (yogurt drink) and often a whey supplement.

To get the doses small we ground up tablets and measured them out in long lines (think about lines of cocaine) on a paper with increments marked and then put them in empty gel capsules. It was a little tedious but after awhile it went pretty quickly and seemed to be pretty accurate.

I will report back as time goes on if she has any future problems but I did want to let people who might be reading this know that a slow taper seems to be a very very good way to get off Lex. I thank the people on this forum and especially Aunty who started this whole discussion for informing us out in the big wide world of what to expect and how maybe to deal with it.

Muskaman,

Hope for the best posted this successful taper schedule in February, and I'm copying it here for you. Cold turkey seems to cause really bad effects; be aware that many people have complained that an every-other-day schedule has bad effects, also.

It would be a good idea to consult your doctor before proceeding, especially since you are also on an additional drug, abilify.

Good luck, and take care.

[Chi-TownRo]

Originally Posted by Muskaman

Ok I was told to post my story on this thread so here it is. i'm really freaking tired atm so I'm gunna let this one sit till tomorrow before checking it. Peace people, goodnight!

Ok, my birthday party was last friday, and i decided to drink alcohol, so I decided not to take my 10mg Lexapro and my 2.5mg abilify. Well after that i kinda decided to drop off of them cold turkey.... now it's the 29th and I'm having a lot of anxiety, I'm dizzy, and have a horrible headache, and my moods are just fluctuating in a fairly strange pattern. I even was doing some serious thinking about breaking up with my girlfriend yesterday, for reasons that weren't even grounded in reality. I've got to work in about 2 and a half hours and I feel horrible. The main reasons I wanted to get of this medication is because A: I feel like they helped me get my life straightened out but now their doing more harm than good and that I'm better off without them. and B: When I move out of my parents place i'm not going to be able to afford them on my own.

I still want to get rid of these pills, but I don't know how to go about doing it.... cold turkey is obviously not working. HELP PLEASE.

Try dropping your dose in half for about 1-2 weeks (whichever you feel comfortable with). I was on 10MG for over 1 year, just dropped to 5MG about a week ago, and seem to be experiencing all of the withdrawals related to brain fuzziness - if that makes sense. I don't feel it's getting better after 1 week, but honestly, I think I just will cope with it for 3 weeks and take it from there. I can't speak for you or your condition, but you will likely have to deal with the withdrawals in order to feel better - sort of get through the rough patch and look forward to the other side... Make sure you discuss with your doctor. I will say that mine left it up to me. The comments about how doctors are paid to relay certain information to you is BS - if you feel that way about your doctor, get a new one. Period. My doctor has been totally open and essentially suggested I wean off it - then stop. I followed his instructions and basically what I'm feeling right now is what led me to do a search on side effects - and here all you are!

I'm curious if anyone else was put on Lexapro for the same reason, or related reasons such as my own. I had a drinking problem (self medicated, addicted, enjoyed it) and it was "assumed" I had an anxiety problem. I have been sober for over 7 months straight, but have been not drinking for over 2 years (I've had a few relapses, the last 7 months ago, obviously). Since I've stopped drinking, I've learned new ways to deal with stress, emotions, etc., and thus, I believe I do not need Lexapro to deal with "anxiety" which I feel was brought on by my drinking in the first place.

Anyone else in my world?

[amanicwil]

Hey all! I am new to this forum and I have a few questions. First, a little background: Shortly after I had my first child in late 2003, I began having 'spells' in which one side of my body would go numb, I became very disoriented and I lost my peripheral vision. This turned out to be migraines. I became 'foggy headed' and had a hard time concentrating. About 4 months later, my OB/GYN said that I could have some post-partum depression & put me on Lexapro 10mg. I couldn't tell a big difference when I started the Lexapro except I didn't have migraines. It didn't 'zone' me out. For fear of having migraines, I continued taking the Lexapro from January 2004 until August 2005 when I became pregnant a second time. Upon instructions from my Dr. I began weaning off of the Lexapro. After I had been off the Lexapro for a week or so, I began having migraines almost daily. It was then decided that it would be better for me to continue the Lexapro than migraine and pain meds. I had a good pregnancy with no more migraines. This past December, I began weaning myself from the Lexapro again. I began with 5mg daily for about 2-3 weeks, then 2.5mg for about 2 weeks. Thankfully I haven't experienced the migraines. However, now that I have been completely off for 4 months, I can tell a huge difference. I feel that I'm on the verge of being depressed. I have no patience with anything or anyone, no interest in anything, and have gained about 10 pounds. I was reading through some other posts on here & I saw something about the dreaded 4th month but I couldn't find anything else. My husband says I'm a different person than I used to be. I, myself, can tell that I worry more, have more anxiety, and can't 'get it together'. I almost want to go back on the Lexapro so I will be myself again, but I don't want to be dependent on meds for the rest of my life. So, my questions: Does this sound like normal withdrawal symptoms? Am I still going through 'withdrawal'? How long will it last? Does anyone know of any lasting effects to my child that I carried while taking the Lexapro? (She's 3 and hasn't been diagnosed with anything. Just wondering if something would come up later down the road.) I am going to see my doctor, but I just wanted some advice prior to my visit. Thanks in advance!

[rujoking]

amanicwil - you did a pretty fast taper so this could absolutely still be withdrawal - you are like so many of us who get several months out and the symptoms start to really drag you down - most docs will tell you that is is your original condition coming back and you need to get back onthe meds - I am here to tell you that this is not so - I took me 8 months to see some good windows and at 10 months I finally feel like I can free myself of these meds for good - I am still struggling but nothing like I was 6 months ago - try to hang in there - get yourself some good quality fish oil and magnesium and see if this will help - a lot on this thread swear by it. As far as your daughter - well I just don't know - I know it is not recommended to take AD's during pregnancy but a lot of women do. I would hope that since she is well nothing serious will ever come of it. Have you told her pediatrician that you were on meds? That might be a start.

Everyone - I got thru my dental appt in one piece with no meds (thank goodness!) I told the dentist I was anxiety ridden and he was very kind and patient but did the job quickly to minimize my time there! Whew!

I continue to improve in small steps - most days I am pretty good if I take things slow and start my day as calmly as I can - I still get some inner shaking and wooziness around 5-6 pm but settle down again around 7pm - compared to a few months ago I am not complaining!

Hope all will chime in soon!
ruj

[mims]

Well, drugs.com forgot who I was, and I had to re-register. Tried to post, and the entire thing got lost; so I'm typing something short here to see if it will be accepted.

[mims]

Ok, that seemed to work, so I'll try again.

aminicwil, I remember reading about a slight increase in a particular type of birth defect associated with paxil, so I think the warning was put on all SSRI's . I agree with ruj- your pediatrician will know what potential problems to look for. As well as I remember, the increased risks were very small.

paws, hope you're having improvement. ruj, glad you made it through the dental procedure, and still making progress.

Chi-townRo, good luck and thanks for posting.

I am now off lex for 9 months. I read Laryanita's last post with interest - Hope you'll be able to successfully taper this time, Laryanita.

I was hoping that springtime would lift my mood a little more. Some days are OK, but for the most part, I am still in a real slump. I did make it to the wedding last weekend, even though I considered skipping it. Right up til the last minute, I held out the option of just not going. Once I got there, I was fine, and actually enjoyed being there. Wish I could get past that feeling of dreading every social event. I guess that's just a form of anxiety.

The past couple of weeks, my physical problems seemed better; even the throat closing had improved alot. Then last night I had a sudden attack of diarrhea, and had throat spasms while going to sleep, and also on awakening. I also had worse vibrations this morning, and had them all the way down to my fingertips. So I woke up really discouraged, but I'm feeling much better now that I've been up a while.

Happy month of May, everybody! Get out there and try to enjoy it as much as possible.

[pawsboots]

Good morning!!


Ruj,

I'm so glad you made it to the dentist and without any medicine. That's fantastic! I bet your mouth looks great!

Mims,

I also have that social anxiety feeling. Once I get out I'm usually ok, but the feeling leading up to it is not good. Sometimes I'm fine out; othertimes I just want to get home after awhile. Weddings are very hard social events. That's super that you went.

Today is my first day totally off Lexapro. I do not plan on going back. I am preparing for the long headaches. Then finally I can get some help for my neck and back when this stretch is over. My appetite has greatly diminished. I hope it's a good thing.

It's May. I'd like to put some flowers on the deck. Hope I feel up to doing this in a couple of weeks. I also want some strawberry and tomato plants. I know what it's like for motivation. I'm quite tired all the time, especially in the afternoon. Then I perk up at night again.

Regina,

Hope you are reading this and are ok.

Enjoy your day everyone! Spring and Fall are my favorite times of the year!

[mims]

Your first day off!! I hope all goes well for you.
mims

[babybottom]

I was reading on a previous post about paws and the cycle.I have not posted in a while because I have felt better , mentally that, is even with life's stresses and believe me financially I'm stressed.I had slept really great for a month.Then financial issues came up again and affected my sleep a little bit , but not as bad as before.Anyways, I have not felt extremely sad or depressed, I still get down, but not where I was before.I was on the verge of crying all the time.I am not as forgetful, which is really good.I felt like I was running around on auto pilot and I was so sped up.I feel calmer.I don't know why.This last week something strange, The weird sore like acne has reappeared, it had been gone for over a month.Also, I got sick with fllu like symptoms which I got sick with the first week after coming off lexapro.I just wonder if it is what I think some call lexapro dumping.My skin is bumpy again and it was pretty clear for over a month.Is my body purging the last of the toxins from lexapro.Did I have the real flu?Or not who would know?It was the same sick I had a year ago with major sinus problems.I did have a cough.I think I'm through the worst of it, it was horrible andjust feel better.So it's been almost thirteen months after being off lex abruptly.My weight has not gotten much better, which sucks even with constant workout.I'd like to know more about Paws and the cyles of withdrawal.

[mims]

So glad you posted and glad you're feeling better overall. It's really encouraging to hear that you're not as forgetful as you were.

I haven't heard the term "lexapro dumping", but auntybiotic once posted something about lexapro binding with protein, and then breaking off from time to time, causing a sudden resurgence of symptoms. It seems like a reasonable explanation.

[pawsboots]

Mims,

First day off and I thought hmm...not too bad. Well, last night I started getting real fidgety; couldn't sleep; then severe palps and spasms in the chest in many spots; back and neck pain. I tried to remain calm. I fell asleep for a short while and awoke at 5am. Then had chills and some spasms. How weird. I'm hoping this is the withdrawals. What's really strange is during the day I'll get palps and skipped heartbeats. Then it will shut off like nothing's wrong towards night only to reappear at bedtime. I still have a terrible cough. You'd think this was some bizarre disease. Thank God we have this site or I'd think I was dying.

I'm glad your throat spasms are less. I wonder if the drug stays in our systems forever.

Babybottom,

My flu started wih an extreme sore throat for 3 days; headache;then a runny nose for two with a fever; a bad cough like a bark, and more fever. It lasted about 9 days. Hope you are feeling better. I'm so glad to hear that you are not as depressed. We will all make it through this!!

[babybottom]

I feel so much better mentally.Heart palpitations are so much better.Other than skin issues, that makes sense because toxins will release through the skin.My flu is better . I'm sure i'll think of something else good to update about.Keep on fighting it people.Do not go back on lexapro.Early in Oct.I was debating that, I'm glad I didn't.I have improved by 85% and you will too.I still have things that might still be related but I'll keep an eye on them.

[babybottom]

I think the dumping is the same as what you said in your last post to me.It gets caught up in your liver and then gets rid of it at different times.It's so weird how my overall mood has changed.everything just seems better even though we are struggling financially.A few months ago I would have lost it.I can't even stand to think about how I use to feel.That was depressing.I can't explain it just an overall calm.Not perfect but ok.Just stay positive and once you are through you can see so much clearer.

[mims]

We need all the encouragement we can get! Thanks so much for keeping us posted on your progress. I'm very happy for you, and hope your improvement continues.

[babybottom]

I do believe it gets better and you will get better too.It's not perfect but way better.My brain is not so focused on all the things that scared me and made me anxious.I still have anxiety, but maybe not quite so bad.I do not forget everything anymore.It has improved a lot and it just seemed to get better without me knowing or trying.My skin suck right now , but maybe soon that will improve too.

[pawsboots]

Babybottom,

Thanks so much for your encouragement! I keep thinking maybe I do have something strange, but I try to keep telling myself it's the withdrawal. Today I am feeling a lot of tingling in the face and pain through all my muscles. I even am a little weepy. I tried to go outside for some fresh air. I couldn't stay out long because i felt so exhausted which has been a big problem on this. I have to take naps. I was improving after six weeks on the last drop, and now i have to start again. The symptoms seem worse this time. The final drop must be the hardest. I am trying to watch the comedies again. What a couch potato I've become. My husband went to see his 94 year old uncle who is dying. I could not go with him. His uncle is a good man who has a 96 year old wife. It was hard for me to stay home, but it was a 3 hour drive each way. I guess I'm depressed about so much today.

It means so much to me to see how far everyone has come. I just wish doctors would believe what happens with this process. I was thinking that maybe i shouldn't have gotten off of this today, but I don't want to be controlled by a drug. I don't want this weight gain. I'm glad to hear that people are approaching normal again.

[babybottom]

Sometimes I get cold tingly feeling in my cheeks, really cold.You know all the physical stuff was fairly tolerable to me, it was the mental crud I could not take.Not wanting to do anything.Hey, I love taking naps, it's just not that easy where I am living right now.If your body needs it do it.It's a mental break anyways.Just try to keep seeing through all the bad and know that with time it has to get better.If you have to sleep then do it and then maybe get some exercise.So maybe your life isn't very exciting because of all of the withdrawal stuff , well that's how I felt .I felt worthless what was my purpose ,All because anxiety and depression held me back.I have to believe that as I get better I will feel good enough to get a job and be functional that way.ALthough I'm a Mom and sometimes that's enough for me, except we need an extra income and that stresses me out.What can you do, I guess just recover.Things will get better and so will you.Going through this has to make you stronger, so take that and add that to your own list of things to be proud of, I do.You have to build yourself up , it's not easy but try.Paws, the physical things disappear quicker than the mental, for me they did.You put up a front and be ready for what comes your way, and don't fall down.I hope this isn't too corny, but it's how you have to be with this stuff.Never go back to where you were.You've come so far.I believe that lexapro and other antidepressants should only be given to people who are suicidal and or psychotic.Find info on the cycles of withdrawal and what to expect, that might help prepare you.Sleep and exercise be healthy.Sorry so long, hope it helps you or someone else.

[melomed2]

how is she tapering off? I was on 10mg (one pill) for almost 4 years (i'm 21)...I tapered off by taking 3/4 of a pill for 6 days, 1/2 a pill for 6 days, and 1/4 of a pill for 6 days...lexapro withdrawel can be really bad if you dont taper off very slowly. I wouldn't reccomend tapering off any slower than 1/4 pill at a time for 6 days...so for me, it took 18 days, i would double that for her if she's on 20mg. She'll still have withdrawel but it shouldn't be as severe...if she goes back into a bad depression, she may just not be ready to go off of it. Hope that helps

[pawsboots]

Babybottom,

It was good to hear from you. I'm hoping that the physical things do not last long. I never did have children, but I truly feel that it is the most valuable job to have in the world. You have to always give of yourself in so many ways. I hope you can make it longer financially so that you do not have to work. Thank you for helping me through this hard time. I guess i have to keep reminding myself to stay strong, and to tell myself i can do this. The mind plays tricks on you during withdrawal and I guess I have to be aware of it.

Melomed2,

I had a pretty slow taper. I went down 2.5 mgs. each time for an average span of about 3 weeks each until the last taper which lasted over 6 weeks. I guess everyone is different. It was great that you only needed 18 days. Maybe younger brains heal faster. Thank you for the concern. Do you feel better now? I hope so.

Have a good night all, and I hope we all sleep.

[ladyesther36]

After briefly reading what I kind of thought was going on with me... it makes me mad I went on meds in the first place. I am hoping like a lot of you that I will lose the weight I gained. Because I to have been dieting and exercising while on lexpro and not having much success.
Do the drug companies have some kind of conspiracy to make it horrible to ween off so we stay on them? Let me list some issues I am having:

• moodiness
  irritability
  memory loss
  emotional outbursts
  anger
  confusion
  sadness
  
  I am hopeful that eventually these will go away if I can stick it out and I am trying to be really hopeful that the weight will come off. Like I have read from other people...the weight you gain on these meds cause you more depression than the original depression you went on them for. Maybe that doesn't make sense and it doesn't surprise me because since I have been off my meds for 2 weeks now after weening off them I have been extremely scatter-brained.
  hopelessness

[babybottom]

Stick with it.Do not go back on.I wished I had never taken it either.I was only on for six months and gained twenty pounds and a few other worse side effects.I have been off for almost thirteen months and am now feeling better.You will feel like your going crazy, but your not.YOu will feel better again.I'm sure everbody's withdrawal time is different and depending on how you process the drug.I promise it will get easier, hang in there.I felt every one of those side effects and now not so much.The worst for me was the sad hoplessness, memory loss.Well they all suck, Also, I have heard that some people lose weight faster than others when they have come off.Hang in there.Eveyone recommends omega three fish oil which helps and other vitamins and supplements, look into it.Read as much about this as you can, it helps.There's a lot of advice to help you.

[NJCherub216]

Good morning Stephanie... Im sorry I havent been on here all week, it was such a terrible week. Im really glad to hear you are off the lexapro, congratulations! You did it. Any side effects you experience will probably be the same as with every taper you did and you got through it. And you will again for the final time. Your done, be proud of yourself. I managed to go to the Poconos last week. The ride up was hell my chest was hurting so bad the whole ride up, then the jeep started to overheat when he started to climb hills so I panicked and told him to pull over while we can before we got stuck, just that thought freaked me out. I had to take a small amount of klonopin to calm myself. Then when we finally got there I sat outside in a chair and I started getting palps. again and took more of the klonopin, now I felt so weak and dizzy that I had to lay down. I felt so ********py. I wanted to have a good time and now I laying around. The next day I managed a bit better until the ride home again, chest tightness the whole trip. As soon as I got home it disappeared. I started crying uncontrollably thinking how that might have been my last trip out. I went to the gynecologist on Wed. and she took the progesterone tube from my cousin and duplicated the order for now until she checks my hormones through a saliva test which I have to do next Fri. the 19th day of my cycle. She is also checking my cortisol levels and adrenal glands. She also gave me supplements to take, L-theanine and Ashwaganda. I am so fearful of taking everything for the first time so I broke open the capsule of L-theanine and kept slowly taking it for 10 minutes. Both supplements are supposed to calm you. After an hour my ears started pressuring and I couldnt swallow and my heart was banging in my chest I just jumped into bed til it stopped. She said it was my anxiety about taking it that caused it because it is just made out of green tea leaves. I couldnt muster up the courage to take it again. She also told me to get b-12 supplements since my level was a 444 more toward the low side and it should be more towards 900. Now Im afraid to take the b-12 supplements thinking it will cause more palpitations or some other effects. Im afraid of everything. I couldnt even make it to the psych. on Thursday. my ex drove me half way there and I couldnt breath and again the chest tightness I made him turn around. Since Friday I have been basically bedridden, just watching tv. I am so depressed and have no energy. My heart beats too fast everytime I get up to do something and then I go back to bed. I cry all the time, I feel like a prisoner and dont know what to do anymore. Could this still be the klonopin doing all these nasty things to me? I dont know. The weather lately hasnt helped either so depressing. I hope you enjoy your day. Take care. Regina

[pawsboots]

Hi Regina,

I'm so glad to hear from you! I know what you are going through because I've been there. I also had stopped eating a lot because my stomach got so screwed up. Your trip sounded so awful and I really feel badly that that happened to you. You are such a good person, and i know you did it for your family. Please have them help you now. let them wait on you and do things for you even though they might have in the past. Then when you get better you can do for them or for someone who needs your help. But right now put yourself first. I had a hard time doing that and felt terrible depending on others, but it's your families' turn to start helping you, and you deserve it. Curl up watch tv and do everything you can that will make you feel better. You said you don't eat sweets. If you can spoil yourself with some great fruit. The other day i ate ice cream and strawberries sprinkled with Splenda. It helped my headaches, and for some reason I've been drinking a lot of diet ginger ale, before I just drank water and tea. Does your green tea leaves contain caffeine? I have gotten a lot of chest palps since withdrawing from lexapro, and I had a few on it, too.

What i can think of that helped me years ago was Valium. I went on it for 8 months. It has a longer half life and withdrawals were non-existent when i tapered. When I see my primary care nurse practioner i might ask her for a prescription in case of an emergency. I started with 3 one-half mg. a day and tapered to 3 one-quarter mg. a day. I know people don't like benzos, but short term valium worked for me. My old pcp would not give me them right away, and finally when he conceded it was too late. i was all ready addicted to the xanax. It doesn't seem like lexapro or Klonopin is right for you, if they aren't working. I can understand why your gyno gave you the B-12. Lack of B-12 can cause nervous disorders. My first PCP 30 years ago who gave me the valium told me to take a b complex because your system gets depleted of it during stress. She might have told you that b vitamins are necessary for good nerve function.
Call your doc about another benzo or medicine for a short term. If I don't make it through this I will do that, but I won't go on Lexapro again unless I have no other choice. Pray, and see if you can get some answers. I know that sometimes we believe that we will never be right again, but everyone feels that way. I think a large part of this is withdrawal.
I think I told you my doc said if it got really bad Prozac would help minimize the withdrawals.



My heart has been nutsy the last 2 weeks, and now off. I watch a lot of tv; use the computer; and nap. I'm giving my nervous system a rest. I also pray a lot. Sometimes I think it takes a long time for prayer to work.

Keep writing when you can. I'll be here for you. I enjoy hearing from you!