[debbie724]

Hello Everyone!

Blue, ambien does NOT like much of anything that effects the brain. Alcohol, etc. I think it is possible that you had a really bad reaction due to the fact that you have been taking the ambien for so long.

Redbled, glad to hear you are doing even better without taking anything. I wish you well.

auntybiotic, how's the move going? Getting settled in? Whatever happened to the guy you met at the single's dance?

mohannie, I too have always had stomach problems... but they did become unbarable while taking the Lexapro. Acid Reflux... aweful! I was put on Prevacid and it has done WONDERS!

Shifty, how are you feeling?

Mr Spock, thanks for reassuring me that permanent brain damage from Lexapro is probably NOT an issue! I was just having one of those moments when I wrote that! But, I have to admit that I did worry about that.

I hope everyone has a GREAT day! Love you guys!


debbie

[Redbled]

Still doing ok today, 4 days in a row of feeling I'd guess about 90 percent. To all of you just starting the withdrawal process, I'd say take nothing to try to speed up the healing process. Everything I did just made me worse. If I had to do it all again, I'd just take dramamine when the zaps and dizzyness would hit, and rolaids or gas x when the stomach issues arrive. As time goes on I may know for sure on all of this. I'm betting I have another layer or 5 of onion peels to go through, but I expect them, so they can't hurt me. Keep hanging in there everyone.

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]

Hey everyone thanks for your support and comments. Feeling better today. My doctor said to stop taking the lexapro because he has never heard of someone having such severe symptoms after taking only one pill. He said i could be matabolizing the drug differently than other people, so hes going to run some blood tests and im never taking it again. If i hadnt found this forum i would have freaked out and went to the hospital you guys are awsome and ill keep you informed about my blood test results!

[mandymcj]

Hello everyone, I'm 18, new here and just started reading about withdrawal symptoms of Lexapro.

Up until yesterday I've been on Lexapro for anxiety and depression for 2 months. It did help me in some ways, but yesterday was the last straw. In the past whenever I had suicidal thoughts, I would never actually do anything because I would think how much it would hurt my family, friends, boyfriend. Yesterday those thoughts randomly showed up again except this time I didn't seem to care about how it would hurt my loved ones, and that scared the hell out of me. I ended up calling a suicide hotline. I'm almost 100% positive that the not caring about everyone else is due to Lexapro, because while it has helped in some ways, it has also made me numb to a certain degree.

Obviously after that experience I know Lexapro isn't right for me. I knew from researching that to cut cold turkey is a very unwise thing to do; all I wanted to know is the proper way to wean myself off of it. And of course I couldn't get in touch with my doctor- it was extremely frustrating and led me to calling the hotline. I hate this doctor, I'm not in my home town and I went to him because he was recommended by my college counseling center.

I was on 10mg for about a week, but the side effects were way too intense so my doctor cut the dose to 5mg and I took it at night instead of in the morning. That seemed to work wonders with the side effects, though I never got over the fatigue.

Basically, I'm just now starting the withdrawal process and from what I've read I'm kind of worried about it. I seriously can't believe how messed up the pharmaceutical industry is and how easily they precribe things. I'm not saying that anti depressants don't work, because I know for a lot of people they do. But the solution isn't always so simple as to giving a pill to solve everything. Especially when none of us seem to have been warned of how hard it can be to get yourself off of them once you've been on them. I think I find that the most disturbing fact of all.

I have an appointment with my doctor next week. I have a feeling he's going to immediately give me another anti depressant, but I think I want to see how I go w/o any pill for a while. I hope the worst is over with my depression, and I think I'm going to try vitamins and exercise and see how that goes for a while.

Meanwhile, I'm alternating a night with Lexapro, a night without for the next week or so. Today is my first day without it. I was a bit shaky this morning and when I woke up from a nap earlier my heart was beating really fast and I was shaky again. But other than that I feel fine. The shakiness only lasted for about 10 minutes so it didn't really affect my day.

I know it's different for everyone, but am I likely to have to go through much worse while I get the Lexapro out of my system? What other natural things can I do to help the process along?

Also, is there any proof of permanent physiological/psychological damage?

Before Lexapro I was really depressed and didn't eat very much; Lex made my appetite decrease even more so I lost even more weight. For a while I went down to 115 (I'm 5'5) even though I was eating more than usual which really scared me. Now I'm back to 120 which I'm happy with. But...does getting off of Lex ever cause weight gain?


My best wishes to everyone that has had horrible experiences with this whole thing.

It's nice to find a supportive group of people that are experiencing the same things!

-Amanda

[Redbled]

Amanda,

I'm not positive about this, but I don't think you should be doing it every other day. I believe I have read the best way is to taper each day for about 3 weeks time, then reduce the dose. Aunty or someone will know for sure. I know its been talked about before, just go back the past number of pages and look for all posts by auntybiotic. She knows how to tell people to taper. I did not taper, and only took Lex for 10 days. That was 5 months ago, and I'm just now starting to feel a bit better. I would keep taking your lex daily until you hear from her. As for being numb, I know what you mean, but more so in my withdrawal process. You really care less about stuff that you used to care about. Hopefully your withdrawl period isn't bad, but be prepared that it could be. Hang in there.

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.

[mandymcj]

Redbled- hey, thanks for the info! But I did finally get in touch with a nurse that works for my doctor's office and he told me to not take it one night, then take it the next, not take it the day after that, and then take it the next, and so on.

I think I'm making this sound far too complicated.

Basically I didn't take it last night and I'm taking it tonight and that's what I'll be doing until my appointment on Wed if he tells me otherwise. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

By the way, are you still seeing the doctor that put you on Lex for your brief anxiety? Just curious.

[auntybiotic]

Mandy,

Your doctor is wrong, they do not know anything about tapering, at least from what I have experienced.

By skipping a night, you are subjecting your brain's neurotransmitters to various levels of serotonin dips. This is NOT good and can cause long recovery times.

I would suggest asking your doctor for the lexapro liquid and then decrease it by 1/2 to 1 Mg increments for three weeks at a time. It can take 7 to 10 days before you will fell the impact of the withdrawal.

So many here have experience tapering, please take the warning to take it slow. The symptoms of withdrawal you will notice are cramping in stomach, mood swings, sleeplessness, bloating, carb cravings, anxiety, dizziness, headaches and many more.

Good Luck.

[Miss Lee]

Hey all-

So I have had quite the week. I have been anxious and tearful all week. I feel like mud. I just feel Blah. i am wondering if this is the last thing I have to go through? I really do not have any other symptoms anymore. (although my head feels pressure in it on the side near my temples and in the back. Someone please tell me this is something they expereinced!) I feel achy and tired. I have never in my life expereinced depression so I have to think this is just residual effects.

Red- So glad to hear that you are doing better.

Mr.Spock- My words were truth.

Hi aunty!

This is my new home connection! I am so excited!

Miss Lee

[mohannie]

Hi All, I have a story to tell.

Friday night, I felt bad as hell. I cried for a little while, and I even smoked a cigar. I probably would have drank, if I were still on the Lex, but since I'm on Paxil, drinking is a big no no. Anway, I got so depressed, I picked up a blade and tried to cut my wrist and my breast. The funny thing is, the blade did not pierce the skin. I looked at the blade and laughed at myself. One for trying to do such a stupid thing, and two because no matter how hard I tried to harm myself, it wouldn't happen. Someone was looking out for me at that time, and I thank them for it. I know now that I had no business doing something like that, but when I was feeling the way I was feeling, you couldn't have told me that. Depression is an ugly, evil thing, and it is very real. It's not as simple as someone not feeling like doing anything or someone feeling sad. It's much deeper than that. I am getting help for my depression, but I realize that this is a slow process. I want everyone to know that I'm doing well today, and I'm glad for those who are doing well also. For those who aren't, you will.

[Shifty]

Thanks Mo. I was feeling a little helpless myself this morning. I've just been sick so long and I don't want to miss work again on monday. It is more than just feeling down.

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

[debbie724]

Hello Everyone! So many of us are going through a really hard time right now... emotionally. If I didn't know that I am on several medications for my bipolar disorder, I would think that I wasn't on anything! I'm just hoping and praying that it truly is the withdrawal process from the poison (Lexapro) that was in our bodies not so long ago. We have to hang onto that and look forward to the better days ahead! You guys PLEASE hang in there with me! You are my new best friends and I truly do care! Love you! [:I]


debbie

[auntybiotic]

Hi everyone,

Mr. Spock,

Again thanks for the inspirational post..........self discovery would be interesting. Thanks for the comment on a good catch.that was just what I needed to hear.

The other man that I met had custody of his three children and had to be home quite early, understandably..............but lived a hour away in each direction so I could not see anything becoming of our friendship.

The ex has still been dating his newest but she drinks quite heavily yet does not appear drunk................six glasses of wine in a few hours......................sounds like a problem to me and quite expensive for him since he is the one buying the wine at $5.00 a glass in addition to dinners. She seems to be a pro at spending a man's money and I am sure in time that this will end the relationship no matter how young and beautiful she may be.

Mt mom and sister helped me move several car loads of boxes but there are still what seem to be MANY MORE.

Debbie, if you were closer I would certainly invite you over for some good gossip. Hope you are doing well.

Mr. Spock, Hope the anxiety stabalizes.................and that you begin to feel back to pre withdrawal state.

[mandymcj]

Thank you for the info, aunty. I'm definitely going to switch doctors as soon as he perscribes the liquid lexapro.

If you recommend going down by 1/2 or 1 mg, how exactly would that go? I started on 5, does that mean I'd go down 1/2 a miligram per day? Or should I go to 4.5 the next week, 4 the week after that, and so on? What exact time frame do you think I should do?

And when you said 7-10 days after I feel the impact of the withdrawal, do you mean after the very first time I started decreasing or after I'm off of it completely?

I'm going to order some vitamins and supplements soon, does anyone have any natural ones that should help the withdrawal/depression and anxiety in general? Or just vitamins that are good for the general health of the brain? St. John's Wort, perhaps?

Thanks.

[auntybiotic]

Mandy,

Taper from 5 Mg to 4.5 and wait three weeks (or longer of necessary to stabalize). Once you stabilize then decrease again by 5% to 4 Mg.

You always decrease 5% of your PRESENT dose.

You will feel the withdrawals about the 7th day after EACH time you taper. Sometimes as soon as the 4th day but generally on the 7Th day. This will occur like clock work each time you reduce the lexapro.

You will feel ****py from about the 7th day to the 14th day. Then you will begin to feel stable again about at the third mark period.
You can give your body a rest for a week (and wait till the fourth week) or you can begin the taper again at the third week.

The flu like feeling and stuffy nose and chills may be your first symptoms. Then you may sweat and have vivid dreams and nightmares. Next expect to be short tempered with rage. Then expect to cry with no reason why.................profuse crying, It is so predictable after having gone thru a few tapers.

If you taper faster you will notice mania or a OCD symptoms and anxiety and restless legs. It is all withdrawal and will go away.

Ask the pharmacist for a 5 Ml syringe amd a 1 MG syringe........they should be free. You will be able to measure out the lexapro to the exact amounts with this.

Your third taper will go from 4 Mg to 3.8. This is 5% but if the withdrawals are miminal you can speed up to 10% but never faster then that.

So at 10% your first taper would be 4.5 Mg
Next would be 4 Mg
Then 3.6 Mg
Then 3.2
Then 2.8
then 2.5
then 2.3
then 2 Mg and so on.

The withdrawals will very VERY miminal. which means you will still experience discomfort but you will still be able to work or go to school with only missing a few days each month. Others that go faster have to quit their jobs and end up in bed for up to a year or more.

Do NOT take St, Johns Wort or SamE.you can cause serotonin syndrome which can be fatal.

Start with Omega 3's 1000Mg a day.
Magnesium Citrate for anxiety and muscle cramping.
Clacium taken two hours away from the Magesium.

A GOOD vitamin containing trace minerals, preferably a liquid.
For stomach crampting or bloating, Garden Of Life Primal Defense works well.

Walnuts taken throu out the day stabalize blood sugar levels and help with the dizziness.

If you are starting to feel detached or deperonalization, put four ounces of Nonai Juice in a 16 ounce bottle of spring water ( you'll need to remove four ounces of the water so the juice will fit). Sip this throu out the day to help with the feeling like you are not yourself and are depersonalized, like you don't belong.

Good Luck.

[debbie724]

auntybiotic, I am SO tired of being easily angered and/or brought to tears. How do we know for sure that our emotional issues are withdrawal effects? How do we know that our emotional issues are not due to the fact that maybe we need to be back on the Lexapro? I'm tired of getting angry! I'm tired of crying! I'm tired!


debbie

[auntybiotic]

Debbie,

When every single person who stops lexapro gets the same exact withdrawals such as easily angered and crying.............I would say it is the Lexapro withdrawal. Are you off completely?
I am sorry but I do not remember the details of your taper. How did you decrease your dose and when was your last dose.

Another way of telling is that most that reinstate their lexapro dose quickly lose the anger and crying..............serotonin levels are off and your brain is trying to readjust.serotonin is the "feel good" hormone so without as much we feel so BAD!!

These feeling will pass..............it is withdrawal. Are you taking the Omega 3's?
What other symptoms do you still have? The zaps, dizziness, nightmares, sweats, chills, fatigue, bloating, sinus issues, cramping, wanting to be isolated from others? How is the weight issue?

We will get you thru this.....................IT IS ONLY THE WITHDRAWALS!!!

Let me know the details so I can better explain why you may be feeling so angry amd blue.

[mohannie]

Debbie,

If anyone knows what you are going through, I do. I don't believe that you need to go back on Lexapro. Unfortunately I don't know the answer to that question, as I am still trying to discover the answer myself. Just try to hang in there, and you will receive the answer soon.

[Mr Spock]

Hello All,
Aunty, well no doubt we haven't heard much from you lately, with all your moving etc. When do you expect to be finished?
I meant what I said about you being a good catch. Every man (or indeed every person) enjoys their loved one to lavish and ravish them. Not only will your next lucky partner get an intelligent thoughtful, warm companion, but also, probably if he plays his cards right, lots of HOT SEX (an earlier quote of yours!!!). It is not often that the two go together... I'm sorry that things didn't work out with this last gentleman, but I am sure that it was an interesting and valuable experience. There's no rush as you're still young (? 40's), and even by this age, you must be disillusioned with fleeting attractions, and wishing for something more substantial to turn up. THIS WILL HAPPEN, but like all good things, doesn't happen quickly...
How is your daughter, and what dose is she on now?
Miss Lee, sorry to hear that you've had some rough days. I wonder if, because of our body's makeup, that we get varying patches of symptoms. I know Redbled and yourself have had those. As I have mentioned ad-nauseum, I am riding every day, but the reason I mention this is that I am (slowly!!!!) metabolising fat, which happens to be a storage area for some drugs etc. I now that you are fairly slim at present, but you must have some fat... Also, maybe the chocolate and sugar are throwing you out. I've also had the pressure in the back of the head/neck for months. I'm hoping that when the Prozac kicks in, it will become history. I have read other posts somewhere of others having this symptom. A little bit longer...
Mandy, I totally agree with Aunty, unfortunately, the half life of Lexapro is very short so a 2 day gap is too long. So, stick with a lesser dose every day.
Mohannie, great you came back from the brink. I think you are very wise not drinking or falling inti former ways of dealing with things (self harm). Hang in there.
Shifty, I had a feeling that you would get withdrawals from your SSRI (Paxil or Lexapro?). You may have to consider going back on it and withdrawing slowly if it is knocking you around too much. I do relish your little comments at the end of your postings, although, of course, I am laughing with you, not at you.
Debbie, I think you have also come off it too quickly, however now is not the time for a knee-jerk response. Let us know what you did, and maybe you may have to also consider a reduced dose taper... I semm to remember that you are getting your Valproic Acid levels done in a few days, and this could affect how you are feeling. Chin up, and keep posting. I believe that when you are feeling medically stable ie not withdrawing form Lexapro etc, ther would be no way that you would be feeling like this. Hang in there, honey.
Well, its day 5 of the Proxac regime and I don't feel very spectacular!!! I stil have much of the withdrawals coupled with this anxiety, and heaviness. Also the edge of a headache. I remember how Mohannie described hoe she felt when she went back on the SSRI (?Paxil).Anyway, I feel lucky that it is a relatively small dose, so, as I used to tell my clients, its best to look at a week at a time, so thats what I'll do. I've pretty well accepted the other situation, although, at times am very sad about it, however, know that I did my very best with the treatment, so am proud of that at least. If anyone is interested in future developments in this area, have a look at www.hivandhepatitis.com and look at top stories for hepatitis c. The new drugs emerging are called proteus inhibitors, and I'm quite excited about them...

Live Long and Prosper

[Redbled]

Ms. Lee,

About the only problems I'm still having are the pressure in the head you speak of, and the easy anger, tension that I still have some days more than others. Its actually comforting to know that we are experiencing most of the same things still. My bowell and stomach are better than they have been in a long time. I to would like to know how many more stages we have to go through. I really wish I had been documenting things as they go so I can better help those behind us, didn't you keep pretty good track of things?

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.

[debbie724]

Thank you auntybiotic, mohannie, and Mr Spock for your encouraging words and for reassuring me that it is the withdrawal. It helps to know that I am NOT alone in my symptoms, although I feel terrible for ALL of us... Shifty, Redbled, Miss Lee, etc., etc. To answer some of your questions auntybiotic, on page 105 in one of my post I told about my tappering and how long it's been. As for the symptoms that I am still having... All of the above. As for the weight issue... I am a "stress" eater... so unfortunately I've been eating more of late than I should be and have gained the few pounds back that I lost. Today I have done well though... even though I had a rough start. Shifty are you okay? I'm getting really worried about you.


debbie

[Redbled]

As for weight gain post lexapro, I lost at first, then gained some. For me it is a combination of needing to eat frequently to help my stomach feel better and feeling like cr*p so often that I can't excercise like I want to.

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.

[debbie724]

I'm glad to know that I'm not alone in the weight issue or in not being able to fall asleep!

debbie

[auntybiotic]

Debbie,


You almost cold turkeyed off of your 20 Mg. in just two weeks. No wonder you are feeling so bad. A friend of mine did silmiliar tapering off of 15 Mg except he went from 15MG to 10 for two weeks then from 10MG to 5 for two weeks then from 5MG to 0 for two weeks and he actually took four months just to be able to function normally.

At about the six week mark, which I think is where you are, he experienced depersonalization. He said people commented on the faraway look in his eyes and he said he did not feel like himself.........like he was not confortable with people or friends he previously felt at home with.He said it Felt like his body was not even connected to him, if that makes sense.

This went on till about the four month mark and then he started to feel better each day.

So please realize that you pulled the "rug out" from the neurotransmitters in your brain by tapering off 20 Mg of lexapro in just two weeks.
It has taken me a year to get my daughter from 20 to 10 Mg because I have tried to keep withdrawals to the point that she can still attend school with only missing a few days a month. She is hypersenitive to even minimum fraction of a milligram reductions.

I am hoping in the next year to get her off this horrible medication but I worry as the dose goes lower what may lie in store for her. All I can do is pray and use the experiences of others that have gone thru this ordeal.

Debbie, are you on lithium also??

If you are this is a medication that should NOT be taken with Lexapro due to the cytochrome P 450 System..........this could be why you are having such horrible complications. Please have your doctor research Flockhart Drug Interactions P 450 System. I do think I posted it earlier on this forum.

Because of the lithium in your liver, the lexapro will not be flushed out and is just recirculated thru your bile back into your system. Please research the P 450 Cytochrome system as it complicates Lexapro withdrawal.

Mr. Spock,

Thanks again for your kind words, HOT SEX, what is that? (smile). I have been so busy moving like a gypsy. I have two moving men I can hire and hopefully with them and a uhual I can finish the move up next week.

My daughter is down to 10.4 Mg from 20 MG. Actaully she was probably much higher then 20 Mg because she was prescribed Biaxin XL (an antibiotic with the lexapro and it dramatically increased the lexapro due to the P 450 cytochrome system, possible by as much as 40%).Not doctor or pharmacist warned us of this interaction.

It has been difficult and I was told by a well recognized Children's Hospital that reducing SSRI's too quickly can throw a person into psychosis...................Once I stopped the Biaxin XL........that in itself reduced the Lexapro by a unknown amount and my daugher was hypomanic for about two weeks, throwing up for hours from naseau and severe cramping.....very scary. All tests in ER and at MD's were normal.

It just goes to prove how the liver and the P 450 enzymes really affect the Lexapro.

It has been a nightmare but as the saying goes......THE TURTLE WINS THE RACE.....so we will slowly work to get her off the horrible lexapro. Her worst symptoms are dizziness, nughtmares, unable to sleep, anxiety, crying, severe fatigue and muscle pain. Forest,the makers of Lexapro should be sued!!!!!!! The symptoms are about 7 days after the taper and last for about ten more days and then she becomes stable again.

I am reducing by 1/3 of 1 Mg as she has tests at school each week and if I go to 1/2 of a Mg she cannot remember what she has studied. I would love to speed up the taper but at what cost? She is taking mega 3's and Lecthin and multi vitamin.

I have talked to hundreds and the best response long term has been to the slow tapering. Also to those that have gone down low in their dose of lexapro and then switched to Prozac.................they were actually symptom free at the end. Mt. Spock, I am using you as my giude to see how you do with the taper off of the prozac.

Gotta Run.

[stanbo]

Hello, everyone - I am glad you are all still here - haven't been able to post for a while until I bought a new computer - and then had to hunt for this link again, because I couldn't (or didn't know how - but I am pretty computer illerate) to save my hard drive. Oh well, it was a good time to clean up files anyway.

I am going into my third week of 5mgs of Lexapro, down from 10, and there is definitely a difference. I am not getting irritable yet, but a little sad at times, and even got tears in my eyes when someone was sharing at an AA meeting this weekend. It felt good. I think I am going to stay on the 5 mgs for a while - don't know how long - but I figure it has to better than taking 10. I have had brain "WOOSH's"-brief, 1/100 th of a second "woosh's" is the only way I can describe it - is that the same as zaps? And I am a little more dizzy if I get up too fast - but it doesn't bother me too much, yet. I have a long history of alcohol and drug abuse (clean for almost 7 years, though) so I am quite used to my mind feeling funny and have learned to just ride it out as much as possible before I panic or freak out.

One of the things that helps me with anxiety is deep breathing exercises, relaxation, and walks. Long walks.

Since I have tapered off the Lexapro from 10 to 5mgs, I feel different in a GOOD way, as well - I feel like I am a little more alive and not so drugged out or zombie like, and I actually have some motivation at work and at home. I hope it stays like this.

I am also still taking Wellbutrin, 300 mgs XL, so maybe that is why I haven't experienced really bad withdrawals yet - or maybe its just too early.

Anyway, a peaceful day to all of you - it WILL get better. Trust me, I promise, it will - do whatever it takes - cry, pray, exercise, scream, laugh, come here and post - but stick with it. I am starting to feel a little more alive again and, and am looking forward to the day - some day - when I am completely free from all these meds.

Till then.....

[debbie724]

auntybiotic, I like the way you described it... that I pulled the "rug out" from the neurotransmitters in my brain... by tappering too quickly. That'll teach me! [xx(] I just wanted off that stuff as quickly as I could, in hopes of not gaining another ounce! I take 300 mg. of Wellbutrin, 1500 mg. of Depakote, and 1 to 2 mg. of Ativan a day.

Stanbo, welcome back. I don't think any of us are going anywhere anytime soon! Congrats on your 7 years! Isn't it a b***h that you have to go through this now from a prescription drug? I think you are VERY smart to tapper VERY slow! As for the brain "WOOSH'S"... I get those too, I believe Redbled does also, and I'm sure there are others. I have had them for most of the time since I began tappering. One day last week I noticed that I wasn't experiencing them and almost said so on a post, but the following day they were back! It occurs whenever I move my eyes from left to right or vice versa. Some days are worse than others. It is not the same as "zaps".

Shifty, are you okay? Has anyone heard from Shifty lately?


debbie

[Shifty]

Welbutrin is messing up the lithium. I'm stopping it immediately. I feel so freakin messed up right now, and it didnt help things taking lexapro last week.

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

[GingerGirl]

Hi everyone.... Wow, we certainly are all going through a rough spot! I feel like **** also. I have been really down and almost caved. I came so close to starting up on Effexor again (I have some left over from before I went on Lexapro). I knew no matter what I would never start Lexapro ever again. A friend of mine has tremendous success on Effexor, and I just thought it might pull me out of this dark pit. I'm so glad I was able to to keep myself from putting that SSRI in my body. I know for sure that I would have been so ******-off with myself.

Shifty, when you went back on Wellbutrin, you really got me thinking I should go back on something. I'm sorry to hear you're in such a crummy place right now. Well, if it makes you feel even a tiny bit better, you are not alone, that's for sure.

I'm getting really discouraged about feeling constantly depressed and having a short fuse. I'm drinking way too much alcohol (I'm sitting here looking at the clock thinking "it's still too early to have a drink, but soon") My "story" is posted on page 96 for those who might be interested. My withdrawal symptoms are now primarily mental, but I'm still struggling with lack of sleep, and when I do sleep, I always wake up panicky....I really hate that part. I still haven't gotten my period, nor have I shed a tear. The inner woman, however, is crying her eyes out.

I've been forcing myself to get some sort of exercise every day. Just getting through each day is mental exercise for me; I truly feel like the old, happy me is gone forever. I sure hope I'm wrong.

"Don't give up 10 minutes before the miracle happens"..... I'm trying to live by that quote lately.

Take care all.........

[Miss Lee]

Ginger-

You explained your story so eloquently on page 96. I think that you are about 3 months out? Am I right?

I am with you on the mental piece. You'll be OK. It is just poopy right now.

Hang in there. You are NOT alone. Try to give yourself at least 6 months before you make any other medication decisions.

Did you say you lived in Oregon?

It finally stopped raining!

Miss Lee

[tiger]

Mo,
Are you still off the lexipro and all meds?
I started tapering. 2 weeks i was fine, then i got my period and
got dizzy and had eye problems. so i took my meds again for 4 days.
now, i'm going to try again. went from 5mg. to 4. i don't know how
i'm going to work feeling so dizzy. what about emotionally? how did you cope?
tiger,

quote:Originally posted by mohannie

Tiger,

For me, when I first started the medicine, I felt a little dizzy and high. As time progessed, I started experiening nausea, headaches, and my depression was still there. Coming off of the Lexapro, I experienced what they call "brain zaps", and severe dizziness. There are some who don't experience any withdrawl symptoms. My mother is one of those people. No can tell you what's going to happen to you when you start to taper off of the medicine. We can only tell you our experiences and let you draw your own conclusions.

[debbie724]

Today was a good day for me. Nothing exciting happened... but, I didn't get angry once... nor did I cry. Yeah!

auntybiotic, I went to the healthfood store and got some Omega 3. Why did they have to make it taste like orange Starburst? I hope that I don't OD on them. Just kidding. I also picked up some B complex w/C, and some E. What do you think about this combo?

For anyone interested in learning more about Lexapro withdrawals, etc. I found a very informative site today: www.prozactruth.com


debbie