[Redbled]

Ms. Lee,

I went to an endochronologist, and was tested for pretty much everything. They really had no answers, said I was fine, and somewhat agreed that the lexapro was the only possible answer.

Only took Lexapro for 10 days, as a doctors response to my brief anxiety over a treatable medical condition. Took my last pill at the very end of August.

[Miss Lee]

Red-

thanks for the advice. I have an appt. with one on the 9th. Just to rule out any imbalance. What did they test for with you? I had a bit of a blah day yesterday. I felt teary and like mud? Anyone else? I haven't felt quite like that before.

Hope all is going well!

Miss Lee

[Miss Lee]

Hey-

Look what I found!!! Quite interesting to those of us that had toxic reactions. Enjoy!

http://www.mayoclinic.org/depression/cytochrome.html

Miss Lee

[debbie724]

Miss Lee, if you read the last few pages... I think you will find that most of us are feeling the way you expressed that you are. I think a lot of us are spending too much time on the "downhill" part of that emotional roller coaster ride. I have been spending LOTS of time with my parents and very little time alone. That seems to be helping me a lot. As for the hormone testing... I had that done a couple times while I was on the Lexapro... because I swore that I was going through early menopause! My hormones levels were fine then.


debbie

[mohannie]

Hi guys,

I hope everyone is having a good day today. Last night, I felt really down. I thought about cutting, but I resisted the urge. I resisted the urge, however with An AmbienCR pill so I could go right to sleep. Not something I would suggest, but hey, I didn't cut. I paid for it this morning though. I was really woozy, and my balance was way off. I'm still feeling kinda icky, but not as bad as I was last night. Just giving you guys a little update on what's been going on with me. I know I haven't been checking in with everyone like I should, but I've been feeling like I want to withdraw. I promise I'll get better, but for now, I just need some alone time. I'll check in with you guys soon. Love ya!

[debbie724]

mohannie, please DO NOT cut! I'm proud of you for making it through the night! We all seem to be having a rough time right now... hang in there... it has to get better. We just have to find the answers and the right way. Don't EVER forget that I care!


debbie

[debbie724]

How is everyone???
Shifty,
Mr Spock,
auntybiotic,
Redbled,
Miss Lee,
mohannie,
Kimi d,
tamra,
tiger,
stanbo,
Lisa,
Torxis,
Heather,
lindall,
Miles,
GingerGirl,
angel,
Augusto,
NC,
blu,
danio,
gettinolder,
Red PA,
LysDamato,
enaek,
JayGM,
lexex,
Ron,
juleswha,
Kendra,
elliee,
malachi,
brilly,
ghostsurfer,
marylun,
sarchi,
jungone,

and anyone else that I may have missed (sorry)...


debbie

[themom]

my daughter whom is 25 was put on lexapro for just a couple months then started serequel aso. she took these two for just a week or so. to make story shorter she was taken off both drugs thinking she had developed seretonin syndrome. it took 6 weeks. the most unbelievable pain and rage I have ever seen. Physciatrist said he had no idea what happened to her. I do, she should never have been on those drugs to begin with. they are shoveling this types of drugs out and we are the guinea pigs. i have never been so scared of loosing a child or so hopeless. PRAYERS. LOTS OF PRAYERS. she developed hypermania, ocd, waves through her head, her nose had extreme sensations, couldn't watch any t.v. only listened to stereo all lights were very dim. It was horrific. I feel so bad for you guys. I didn't know if I would ever get my little girl back. she went to get help with anxiety. and this is what happened as a result.
she is back in college now. and is doing great. she will never take ssri's again. she did take klonopin for withdrawls but, i really don't know if that gave her much relief only at high doses. 20-30mg.
it only took about 3 days to get her off those and she was just angry.
i can handle angry. but, the manic espisodes i really didn't think i could get through it at times. she also lost 25lbs. she had no appetite and barely would drink any liquids. It was the toughest thing i think i ever went through. she has no memory of the last 6 weeks. i think that is probably a blessing. good luck and even as scary as it gets she did return to normal.

quote:Originally posted by auntybiotic

Does anyone have any experience from withdrawaing from Lexapro 20 Mg for one and a half years?? My daughter is having a tough time tapering off lexapro.
She is getting sweats, anxiety, moodieness and manic like actions.

Let me know if anyone has sucessfully weaned off a SSRI and what happened along the way.
Thanks

[Shifty]

Hi Debbie,

Went to the doctor today and switched to Wellbutrin. So now it's lithium and wellbutrin.

---
I have taken : Paxil, Lexapro, Xanax, Wellbutrin, and Lithium
Currently: 450mg Eskalith CR (Lithium) and Wellbutrin

I was mis-diagnosed for 3 years. They thought I had Generalized Anxiety Disorder with a Major Depressive Episode. The real problem was Bipolar Disorder.
Quit Lexapro cold-turkey Dec 22, 2005.
Ask me anything, nothing is off-limits.

[mohannie]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the encouragement Debbie. I haven't cut, but I'm still in a funky mood. I hope everyone is doing well, and I'll check in later.

[debbie724]

Shifty, good luck with the Wellbutrin. I hope it does the trick for you. You should give it 2 to 4 weeks before looking for a noticable change. mohannie, it seems we are all in and out of a funk these days! I felt like jumping over the counter and beating this woman up at Sam's Club this evening. Did she have an ATTITUDE!!! [}] I was in a fine mood when I went there. It's so hard to believe how quickly I can be reduced to anger or tears ! Just remember... we are all in this together. Love you!

debbie

[debbie724]

themom, didn't mean to leave you out. I'm sorry to hear about what you and your daughter went through. Thanks for sharing your story with us. I'm glad to hear that she is doing better now. Success stories are always welcome.


debbie

[Mr Spock]

Hi All,
I haven't been particularly well or inspired the last few days but will make a little effort today.
The first news is that two days ago I was informed that this rotten Hepatitis C virus has returned. I was (and still am) shattered as I have spent a year battling the debillitating side effects from the chemo-therapy, and then 7 months dealing with the Celexa withdrawal, which has ultimately been all for nothing!!! Ir seems that I may have bought myself some time, however, as the liver damage may have been slowed, stopped, or even reversed whilst I was on the treatment. I was actually still clear after 10 weeks post treatment, which is why I was so shocked that it had returned by week 24. Anyway, There are a couple of new promising treatment regimes on the horizon that are being in "fast track" trials in the US as we speak, that look like they will work more effectively, have less side-effects, and the course will only be for 3 months instead of a year. I have already been encouraged by the specialist who has suggested that I may be able to go on one of the Australian trials in 2-3 years time...
I saw the local doctor yesterday, and have started on the reducing Prozac regime. I actually slept alright, but feel a bit anxious, as well as the usual withdrawal symptoms together. I am hopeful that things will settle down within 3 weeks or so...
Kimi and Debbie, than you very much for your warm comments, I really have embraced them and both of you (metaphorically that is!).
In my absence, we have had a few new contributors, welcome.
In the next few days or so, I'll have a look at your postings and see if I can come up with some suggestions, although many are likely to be based on previous postings to this forum, so in the meantime, have a look at the older postings, I have found them invaluable.
A couple of things I can say, is that Angel, Celexa is very similar to Lexapro, although the normal dose is 20mg, perhaps it is a reducing strategy.
Shifty, Wellbutrin works on Dopamine rather than Serotonin, so you may still get the withdrawals from the Paxil.
Debbie, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you taper off the Lexapro (last dose 2.5mg) a month or so ago. Perhaps you need to go back on and do the tapering trick with the cranberry juice suggested by Aunty in the last few pages or so.
Miss Lee, hi there, sorry to hear that you've had some rough days, you are getting closer...
Redbled, how's things? Are you still taking the herbal remedies?
Aunty, obviously you are really busy with the move etc. I hope you and your daughter are great, and that you are enjoying your new house.

Peace and Long Life.

[debbie724]

Mr Spock, We have missed you. As I have stated in a personal email to you... I am SO sorry to hear that the "C" has come back. Is there anything that I can do to help you? That sounds like such a dumb question... considering the distance between us... but I mean it! As for my Lexapro tappering... I actually tappered a little quicker than I admitted up front. I was VERY anxious to get off the stuff. I guess it was nearly a month and a half ago that I went from 20mg. to 10mg. I did that for less than a week, then went from 10mg. to 5mg. for a couple days, and then 5mg. every other day 2 or 3 times. I can't bare the thought of putting that stuff back into my system... unless I absolutely have to. In that case, I would be doing it to stay on it. As it is... I am questioning if we have all been brain damaged from that stuff! I do pretty well (emotionally) on most days. But, the side effects are there every day. I do tend to get angry or near tears very easily and I NEVER know when this will happen or what will bring it on. Thanks for posting... as I know that you are hurting. Mental hug!!! [:I]


debbie

[tiger]

Hi Debbie,
Wow. I'm having REAL bad luck with this website. Noone seems to respond to all my e-mails, quesitons, comments. I haven't even checked in a few days because i feel really left out. I guess ya'll
have you're own problems. I shouldn't be so selfish. Good luck everyone.

Tiger

quote:[i]Originally posted by debbie724[/i

How is everyone???
Shifty,
Mr Spock,
auntybiotic,
Redbled,
Miss Lee,
mohannie,
Kimi d,
tamra,
tiger,
stanbo,
Lisa,
Torxis,
Heather,
lindall,
Miles,
GingerGirl,
angel,
Augusto,
NC,
blu,
danio,
gettinolder,
Red PA,
LysDamato,
enaek,
JayGM,
lexex,
Ron,
juleswha,
Kendra,
elliee,
malachi,
brilly,
ghostsurfer,
marylun,
sarchi,
jungone,

and anyone else that I may have missed (sorry)...


debbie

[debbie724]

tiger, I'm sorry if you felt that you were being ignored. I don't think anyone here really knows the answer to the question that you asked in your last post. We are ALL struggling with our own different and similar symptoms of Lexapro withdrawals. It seems that a lot of us are having emotional difficulty at this time. auntybiotic is busy packing and moving, and she could probably best answer your question... or Mr Spock, who has been having a difficult time of late... but has promised to look back at some of the questions that have been recently posted and see if he can give some answers. These days... I would say to anyone involved in this discussion board... be paitient. You are not being ignored. We care and we love you!


debbie

[auntybiotic]

Tiger,

I am not sure of your question. I think you will still have withdrawals from 5MG. And I do not agree with your doctor, withdrawal will bring along anxiety and depression and sleeplessness, not a return of the original depression as your MD thinks.

Debbie,

Thanks for noting the 1 year mark.............it seems as if this nightmare of withdrawal keeps going on. I am so sorry so many are emotional but this happens around the four month mark for most....it the time frame about right? I was moving furniture myself, heavy pieces up a flight a stairs and hurt my knees and ankle. Stupid me!!!! The sofa weighed about two fundres pounds because it had a built in recliner and it had to be lifted over the handrail to fit.

I still have so much to do and it is exciting but depressing in it's own way. My daughter is out a lot and I will basically be by myself, except for the cats. This will be the first time I have lived alone.....without a man in my life...............I may even find it fun...............but I am one who enjoys cuddling at night and talking to someone while I watch TV. I have not had any cuddling for so long in this present (non) relationship that I think I may be weaned off of it.

Mr. Spock,

I am so sorry to hear about the hepatitis return. I hope the prozac helps you to return to feeling a bit more like yourself. Did you start on the 7 MG?? The anxiety is most likely your bodies response to the excess cortisol.

It may be about a week before I get the book out to you..my ays have been SO busy...................I need to get out of my ex's house as emotionally it is unhealthy. Because I have so little furniture, I am having difficulty finding a mover, seems the minimum is 10,000 pounds. That is why my brother and I attempted to move some big items ourself.............bad idea!!!!

[auntybiotic]

The Mom,

Thank you for sharing the story of your daughter. It gives me hope. Did the hypomania and OCD last the entire six weeks?

Did she have sweats and chills and nightmares?

Was she able to sleep at all?

How did you begin to see improvement? Was it gradual as each day passed?

Thanks.

Tammra.

You may be tapering too fast. You may want to wait three weeks inbetween the dose tapers to give your brain a chance to get accustomed to lower serotonin levels.

Permanent damage...................that is a scary thought.

[debbie724]

auntybiotic, welcome back! We have missed you. I can't believe you are moving heavy furniture by yourself. Are you done with all of that? Or, do you need me to come visit? I will only do so if we can have a sleepover and we can snuggle! Just kidding! I'm only at about 1 1/2 months since tappering/stopping the Lexapro. I truly believe that having bipolar has made me emotionally off the wall early on... and I think that I can speak for Shifty on that on too. Don't hurt yourself anymore!!!


debbie

[Redbled]

Mr. Spock,

I am glad to see you back posting again. People have asked where you were, and I didn't think it was my place to tell them. Hang in there, you are a true warrior. Have you found any support forums for people with hepC?

I am feeling better the last 3 days. The reason I think is because I stopped taking anything at all. I had to try it, but I'm now convinced I am nearly well and will get fully well sooner if I take nothing. I'm hoping that in a month or so I will not remember what withdrawal feels like and can help others know full recovery is not just a dream.

Only took Lexapro for 10 days, as a doctors response to my brief anxiety over a treatable medical condition. Took my last pill at the very end of August.

[bluegirl]

Hi everyone!
I was feeling a bit of anxiety during finals week in school so when I was at my doctors office for a check up on something completely unrelated I mentioned I was stressed and anxious about finals, my doctor was quick to throw me on anti-depressants (lexapro) And i took my first pill about 24 hours ago. WOW kill me, I feel horrible. Dizzy, headache, couldn’t sleep thru the night, brain zaps when i stand up fast, chattering teeth, nausea and even more anxious than when i started. I also haven’t really eaten anything because I have no appetite. Does anyone think I could be somewhat allergic to lexapro? Did any of these symptoms happen when any of you took for first pill? Im defiantly not taking it again but when will this go away, will i be ok? Thanks this forum is amazing but its sad that so many people are suffering and this drug is still being handed out like candy.

[Shifty]

I'd say give it two or three days, but everyone is different.

---
I have taken : Paxil, Lexapro, Xanax, Wellbutrin, and Lithium
Currently: 450mg Eskalith CR (Lithium) and Wellbutrin

I was mis-diagnosed for 3 years. They thought I had Generalized Anxiety Disorder with a Major Depressive Episode. The real problem was Bipolar Disorder.
Quit Lexapro cold-turkey Dec 22, 2005.
Ask me anything, nothing is off-limits.

[bluegirl]

shifty
do you sleep ok? Or do you take anything for that? Ive been on ambien for 2 years and I think maybe the lexapro and ambien dont like eachother, i feel so horrid.

[Miss Lee]

Hi Ho!

Red- I felt better as soon I stopped everything as well. Not 100%, but a lot better. I have been eating way to many M&M's lately. My secret way to gain weight, but I know that the sugar is BAD for me.

Mr, Spock- You spirit beats your hepC everyday. I have been teaching my kiddos about Confucious and I found one that fits "When you see a good person, think of becoming like him." I aspire to be as compassionate, courteous, and loving as you. Today you are my hero.

Blue- Sounds the same as my reaction. Except I am a moron and thought that the effects were me going of f the deep end. Plus I had a doc that told me it was "normal" to feel that way at first. BS. Do not take another one. You're a smart cookie and lucky to have caught it so soon.

I AM FINALLY GETTING INTERNET AT HOME! BOO YAA!
24/7 baby!

tiger- You are not lost. I hear your story. I also do not agree with you reg. DOC- withdrawals can occur in anyone at any amount of mgs.

Has anyone had the P450 liver enzymes test? Where?

Miss Lee

NOTE: The Mayo clinic will no longer give out ssri's without the P450 test due to toxic reations. Please pass the word to friends. I have no doubt that I am in this catagory. I assume it is a simple test that would save a lot of grief.

[bluegirl]

I just thought of something else, I have celiac disease which is an alergy to wheat and gluten. Some medicines use wheat as a filler and some use corn starch. Does anyone one know if lexapro contains gluten? Im definatly going to get that test at the mayo, i go there for my celiac disease so im going to ask my doctor because I have always reacted wierdly to medicines, thanks!

[Shifty]

Blu,

I usually don't have sleeping problems because I workout in the morning and don't drink caffeine after 6. (recently I stopped caffeine altogether)

If you have issues eating, I would recommend forcing it with gentle food. I got sick at the same time I started taking lexapro again and basically stopped eating for three days, which made me weaker so i stayed sicker longer.

---
Meds: 450mg Eskalith CR and 150mg Wellbutrin XL
You are listening to the opinions of a certified crazy person.

[Miss Lee]

Blue-

My bestie has celiacs and takes Lexapro. She hasn't had any problems with gluten being a filler. But everyone is different. The test at the Mayo wouldn't be a bad idea at all.

Miss Lee

[mohannie]

Hi everyone

I have a question. Has anyone developed ulcers while on lexapro or any other SSRI?

[Shifty]

My stomache was messed up before the SSRIs (sorry)

---
Meds: 450mg Eskalith CR and 150mg Wellbutrin XL
You are listening to the opinions of a certified crazy person.

[Mr Spock]

Hi All,
Welcome back Aunty, although it sounds like you've been moving the hard way. I imagine that its going to be odd being by yourself, but I would like to encourage you to think that you are on your own, rather than alone. This may actually be a wonderful opportunity for you to really get to discover new things, particularly in regards to emotional independence, and perhaps, you may start to prefer the freedom after a while! That is not to say that you are destined for a life of solitude, I think you'll be a
great catch, but maybe that the next living together relationship will be more on your own terms...
Miss Lee, I was really touched by your words and your wisdom, thank you. I see you're hitting the chocolate again!!! Any success on the weight front yet?
Redbled, great news, not long now... I have functioned very well with this disease for over 25 years, so my only real impediment is this withdrawal, so I'll probably not worry about a support group for the virus side of things.
Bluegirl, please do not take any more of the Lexapro!!! It really would be from the frying pan into the fire. Try natural means of relaxing, for example doing some exercise, and then hopping in a warm relaxing bath (or even a spa!!) for at least 3/4 hour to let your muscles relax properly. The mind and the body are one, so it will relax your mind as well, although you probably will look for distractions. Take a book to read whilst you're luxuriating, but not a study book.
Tiger, I totally agree with the others, and disagree with your doctor. From what I can gather the closer you get to zero, the SLOWER you have to taper. An example regime could be to have say from 5mg- 4mg, 4mg - 3mg and then by halves. This should also be several weeks apart to allow your body to adjust. The reason is, although the actual dose reduction may be small, it is proportionately larger. As stated before I am not a doctor, so this is just a suggestion if you are having withdrawal effects.
Debbie, I refuse to believe that we are brain damaged in the sinister connotation of the word. Normally, we lose thousands of brain cells a day anyway, but only use about 10% of it so there is plenty to spare!!! Hang in there, you may be over the worst of your withdrawal already. Most people have withdrawals but not many to the extent that myself, Miss Lee, or Redbled have had.
Mohannie, Hi there, hope your are doing OK, but dont know about the ulcers.
Well, I'm now on my third day of Prozac liquid (7mg). I feel a bit anxious but expected that, although, in keeping with its long half-life, suspect that its onset is fairly gradual too. I really believe that although there is a rebound when this virus returns, basically I am feeling poorly due to the Celexa withdrawals, still have the heaviness, the tingling, zaps etc. At least now I now that these will abate within the next few weeks and after the last 18 months, I am actually quite excited to return to my pre-treatment state!!! Can't wait to get to work, and get stuck into the Law stuff. Regardless, it has been an interesting journey, and of course, one of the best things has been the discovery of this forum, and the sharing between us all. Thanks and love to everyone.