[sunnyrose]

Has anyone used Lecithin to reduce the muscle twitches caused by lexapro withdrawel? If so, does it taste bad? I've been having muscle twithces for the past 2 months. They started about 1 month after I got off the lexapro.

Also, does anyone know if it's possible to go back on lexapro after being off of if for about 3 1/2 months. I withdrew from it in 3 weeks back in Oct. I'm so frustrated with the twitching that I wonder if I could go back on the drug? The fatigue and digestion problems have improved. The twiching isn't as bad as it was 2 months ago, but it's still bothersome and it occurs all of the time.

I've been hearing that exercise as well as diet are important in order to fully recover from the withdrawel. Any advice is appreciated.

sunnyrose

[debbie724]

Hello to All & Happy Valentine's Day...

Kimi d, I'm sorry that you are having such a difficult time. You have been off the lexapro for about the same amount of time as me. I have been feeling REALLY good for about a week now. Have you tried taking any supplements? I'm taking Omega 3, B Complex with C, E, and I'm also taking Hoodia and Green tea to curb the appetite. I also take other medications for my bipolar and anxiety.

Miss Lee, what a sweet thing that your boyfriend did and said!

lexex, glad to hear that you are doing so well. Also, thanks for giving us encouraging words about losing lexapro pounds. Nobody seemed to have a success story yet on weight loss.

Sunnyrose, I don't know what you can do to help the twitches. Are they really bad? Is that the only symptom that you are left with?

Mr Spock, how are you doing with the prozac?

Shifty, you okay?

auntybiotic, check your email.

Torxis, hello.

Mohannie, you okay?

Redbled, how are you these days?


debbie

[Miss Lee]

Kimi-

I LOVE ANNA! She can definately lift you up!

Right now any little thing will set you off. I know, I was there. Look at it as a positive that you can have such strong feelings now. I am pretty sure that I cired for about 3 months straight after my reaction. You were on this for 3 years! Give you body time and let it out sista! You are not crying alone. Your body will heal. You have strength.

Sunnyrose- I expereince internal trembling still (month 5 after a toxic reaction) but it is hit and miss. I don't know what makes it worse or better. i haven't tried the lecithin, BUT FROM MY UNPROFESSIONAL OPINION_ DO NOT GO BACK ON THAT DRUG. Try to wait it out. and I noticed when I stopped obsessing about it, I really didn't notice it as much.

Miss Lee

[gnp990]

Hey Aunty,

Don't misunderstand me; I do agree with Dr. Tracy's opinion, just not with how she goes about arguing it in this excerpt. But, yes, it's near impossible to judge a book based on an excerpt.

So by day 17, the w/d symptoms should dissipate significantly so that I will feel human again? That's 6 more days. G_d I hope so... because I can barely tolerate it any longer. I don't remember the last time I felt this sick. I got a new symptom since a few days ago -- really bad migraines. I got me some excedrin; hope it will work.

Also, I think I'm having arrythmias sometimes, which is highly unusual, since I'm 25, and in perfect cardiac health (did several ECG & x-ray a year ago). Seems like harmless extrasystoles, but it's still annoying. Did anyone else have these?

/G/

quote:Originally posted by auntybiotic

gnp,

Dr. Tracy's book is excellent and full of great information. but that is my opinion. The mentioned article I just pasted was for the sake of people reading her findings following her years of research.

I personally believe that SSRI's ARE responsible for many of the terrible ctimes such as killing family members and school shootings but you are entitled to your opinion. Not everyone has to agree, that is beauty of this forum, out of the 100,000 people reading these posts, no two people have to agree on a opinion. The SSRI's and cold turkeying from them can cause rage in many with no apathy for the results of the rage. This is not a good combination. Many SSRI users are in a "dream Like state" and do not even recall what happened.

I know reading a article with all of the crimes of people taking SSRI's can seem biased. I have only done a year of research in trying to understand Lexapro withdrawal and my findings from talking to people who have cold turkeyed off of lexapro leads me to believe that Lexapro changes the neurotransmitters in the brain and after stopping or while tapering off of lexapro..............there is great instability in the brain as the meurotransmitters struggle to maintain a sense of balance.

Everyone is different but I do believe that SSRI's use and withdrawal can have devasting effects on a percent of the population.
Thank God not everyone will have the "living out a nightmare effect".

Only posted the article for informative purposes as many may not even realize that many who commit brutal crimes were or just stopped taking their SSRI.

Hi Everyone, will be completely in the new house by Wed.
Hope all are doing well.

For thos e tapering, yes you will stabailize after the tapers. It can take about 14 days on average and then you will begin to feel "normal" again. Afyer doing small tapers over the course of a few months you will begin to see a patterns.

Usually after a reduction in lexapro the effects will be felt about the 4th to 7th day. The withdrawals will continue from about the 7th day to about the 17th day (usually 10 days to 14 days average). By the 21st day you will begin to feel more stable and normal. I usually give a one week of enjoyinging the feeling good effect before tapering again and starting the whole process over again.

A constant taper with no "time off" to feel a sense of normalcy and enjoy "everyday" activities can be hard for the spirit.

Gotta run.

[Mr Spock]

Hello everyone,
Kimi, I wondered where you were. I've missed you. I'm so sorry that you are having such a rotten time. It sounds to me that you are now in stage 2 of the withdrawals with the physical symptoms starting to abate with depressive thoughts and anxiety starting to surface. I would like to encourage you to think of these as withdrawal effects, not signs of a depression resurfacing...
There is a lot of concern among more enlightened practitioners that quite often people are put back on an anti-depressant for this reason, and many, in fact, have their doses increased, making it even harder for them for them to withdraw later.. We are here for you and I will scour my CD's for another inspiring quote for you...
Banshee, congratulations, by all means if the symptoms are settling don't go back on it.
Aunty, I really found that information invaluable and fascinating. I do think that whilst anti-depressants don't turn everyone into a "homicidal maniac", I beleve that certainly if there is a slight vulnerability there, the anti-depressant will make it much worse. The link between suicide and early weeks of anti-depressant use, largely because of the recognised side-effects of anxiety, agitation and impulsiveness, are well documented as is the disassociation that can occur. On a personal note, congratulations on your move. I know that it is a relief for you, and I sincerely hope that it's the sringboard for new exciting things...
Sunnyrose, if your symptoms are slowly settling, I would encourage you to stay off it. The twitches will go as your neuro-receptors slowly and surely "wake up".
Miss Lee, how romantic!!! You really sound so happy and together these days after your difficult 5 months. I would like to ask you one thing, though. Do you still have any of that pain or pressure around the back of your head or neck?
Tiger, what's your next step now that you have stabilised on the 5mg?
Lexex, way to go, also your anxiety MAY settle a bit more the longer you stay off the drug..
Debbie, how's your day, I will send you an e mail.
Its now 13 days on the Prozac liquid and no real change. In fact, I think that there are several reasons for this. The first is that it is only 7 mg, the second is that Prozac has a slower onset than say Lexapro, for example, and the third is that I had a break of 4 1/2 months. Today I feel quite flushed, weak, dizzy, anxious etc. Also, i had a couple of zaps earlier, so I think I've got the double whammy of the side-effects coupled with the withdrawal effects from the Celexa. Hopefully, both will settle soon, although I would not be surprised if it takes another month. Despite this, I am pretty sure that unlike some other people my symptoms of withdrawal were not going to settle in a hurry, probably due to my poor liver function. If I still feel dreadful in a couple of weeks I will get some blood tests (liver function) done as I have an appointment at the liver clinic anyway.
Happy Valentines day!
Peace and Long Life

[kimi_d]

Miss Lee, thank you for your encouraging words. I will hang on to those......(p.s. do you live in the northwest? I'm the one in Oregon, was it you asking?.....(sorry, I'm very random right now)

Debbie, I'm so glad you're doing well....I know you understand.

Mr Spock, thanks for the reminder that this is not depression returning...I was really thinking it was! I needed to hear that...and yes I love music quotes, movie quotes, ANY QUOTES! Also, since it is Valentines Day, I have to tell you.......you've tugged at my heart strings again! ......... and if I weren't happily married I'd be on the first flight to Down Under!

HE'S DOING IT AGAIN, LADIES! (but I really do hope the best for you Mr. Spock, I know you've been going through your own troubles)

Love you guys.... GROUP HUG!

[sunnyrose]

Hi debbie, the twitches occur often, every few seconds I feel one, usually in my legs. This is the main symptom right now, I also have been more depressed since getting off it.

Miss Lee - sorry to hear about your reaction. I've noticed that when I was moving/exercising more, and eating well, the twitches went down quite a bit. So I'm trying to exercise and I'm looking into taking a yoga class. I'm working on resisting my sugar cravings. I feel guilty when I give in to the sweets because I was told to avoid sugar on another group.

Mr Spock - thanks for the encouragement, do you or does anyone know why people have twitching, after getting off lexapro or ssri's?
A naturopath I saw said that the twiching will go away once the lexapro is out of my system.

Auntybiotic - Have you heard of people being helped by lecithin for twitches? I read a comment where you recommended it. What's your experience with lecithin?

sunnyrose

[Mr Spock]

Hi All,
Gnp, good luck with the withdrawals, let us know what is happening.
Kimi, you're a charmer yourself, and you obviously have a lucky husband, and I'm sure he thinks vice versa...
Sunny, SSRI drugs such as Lexapro operate in two ways. The initial effect is to retain the serotonin in the synapse (gap) between nerve cells keeping in the system. This causes the amount of serotinin available to be much higher, After a couple of months or so however, the neuro-receptors (the nerve cells that receive the serotonin) can't handle this excessive amount so they "down regulate". It has been estimated that up to 40% of them may do this. Also, the Pineal gland, which regulates the amount of serotonin released, reduces the amount available due to this over supply.
The problem is when one stops taking the drug!
There are two elements that contribute to the withdrawal effects. The first is the (temporary) loss of those neuro-receptors, and the second is the lack of production of the serotonin by the pineal gland, and this is potentiated when the stored serotonin is removed (or uptaken) again.
The twitches appear to be related to these problems. Body Electric and Aunty on page 28 of this forum go into an excellent analysis of this. I would like to use the analogy of a fluorescent light when it has just about had it. Generally its because the receptor at the end is not there or that there is not enough available power due to resistance.
The main ingredient in Lethicin is Choline, which is the precurser of Acetylcholine which is another neuro-transmitter. Some people have found that this will reduce twitches and shouldn't hurt you, so it may be worth a go... If you're a bit more interested in its function, have a "google" at it.
Live Long and Prosper

[sunnyrose]

Thanks Mr spock for the explanation. I printed out the posts on page 28. I was thinking of giving some of the info to my psychiatrist so he is better informed.

Does anyone know if there is a lawsuit re: this problem of ssri withdrawel? Most people would never have taken these drugs if they were informed of the problem with getting off them. I know about the paxil lawsuit.

[bansheebird]

Restless... that's where I'm at now. And sleepy at the wrong time.

The dizzyness is only in the late afternoons and evenings (just in time for the evening commute - oh joy!)

I have always seen those commercials for restless leg syndrome and thought that was a weird thing to have... I'm pretty sure that if I only presented my symptoms without the lex withdrawl to a doctor, I would be diagnosed RLS.

And the heat waves are back with a passion. Usually they go hand in hand with the overwhelming need to move - mostly at night when I should be sleeping.

Overall, I think I continue to improve. At least I am not having the excessive morning dizzyness and nausea.

Tears are just under the surface. A girlfriend just got a good report on her son's epilepsy... when relaying it to my husband I just lost it and cried. Another girlfriend is going through radiation for cancer. I saw her down the hall (she didn't see me) and I just start to hiccup-cry and ducked into the bathroom... I had been the one to sit with her husband to keep him s****ed together during her last surgery.... The tears are VERY UNLIKE me!!! I'm cheery and strong by reputation - now I'm a puddle!!! Its irritating!

The other thing I have noted was the nutty dreams - I generally never remember my dreams if I have them... but of late, I have been fighting the terrorist, running from the pack of dogs, and just having bizzare dreams in general... gotta tack that to the lex withdrawal...

but I am determined to stay the course. I flipped back through some posts to see how long this took for others... If you have a good "it took me this long" story to share, please do!!!
bansheebird

[auntybiotic]

Hi Everyone.

Lecthin helped my daughter's twitches a great deal. She had them even on Lexapro. uncontrobable muscle twitching and jerking, they went away. It may take about two months of taking the lecithin before you notice the muscle twitching getting better.

Lexapro affects the nervous system and this is just a side efefct of regeneration of the nerves. It should improve and does in most cases.

I no longer ge the automatic notice of a posting from the forum so I have to remember to check in once a day.

Debbie, I did not get your email. Can you resend it.

I am out of the state till Sunday so I will not get a chance to check in. Hope all continue to stay strong.........it is ALL WITHDRAWAL...........remember that.

[debbie724]

Hello All...

auntybiotic, I resent the email. If you did not get it the second time... could you email me to let me know... in case I have your address incorrect.


debbie

[girloutwest]

I would like to know if anyone has stopped lexapro, without tapering, and had a feeling of being slowed? Feeling heady? Feeling off balance? Is this part of the withdrawal syndrome? how long will it last? Thanks to all who reply. I am interested if others have experienced what I am now experiencing.
Have people on lexapro gained weight?

[mandymcj]

I just read back to the pages in the 20's or so and it says Lexapro should never be mixed with Advil. I've been having lots of really bad headaches and have been taking Advil (awesome). Anyone know what I should be taking instead?


Also, 5-HTP, is it safe/effective or not? And if it is, where can I get some?

[Shifty]

Going cold turkey can give you some extreme symptoms. It's different for everyone, but for me I got extreme dizziness mostly while standing or walking. I call em "reboots". It feels like you blank out for a second, then you have to regain your balance.

I got the same effects from quitting Paxil cold turkey, although the reboots lasted for I think three weeks on Lexapro where they only lasted a week for Paxil.

Lexapro had less side-effects (than Paxil) while I was on it, but the withdrawal was worse, go figure.

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

[Miss Lee]

Mandy-

5-htp should never be mixed with and SSRI. It could potentially cause seretonin syndrome and that can be fatal.

I am not sure about the advil and SSRI's. You will haveto wait for Aunty to come back from vacation.

Well as for me, I am doing OK. I felt a little shaky on Wednesday, then boom I have stomach issues today. I almost laugh at this predictable pattern (yeah, almost!) So I am doing well!!! Almost almost almost back to par.

Red emailed me to tell all of you he has been having trouble connecting due to strong ice storms in his state. They had absolutly no POWER! How horrible! But he played Basketball for the first time in a long time. And he was proud of that!

Spock- Feed me an update. I am on pins and needles about your approach. Also how did the liver doc go??? Have you been tested for P450 liver enzymes?

To all else on the board:

Our fearful leader is on vacation. I am also leaving till Tuesday night. I will check back in till I leave tomorrow.

Miss Lee

[Mr Spock]

Hello all,
Mandy, I agree with Miss Lee. The combination of 5 HT and an anti-depressant of the SSRI family, such as Lexapro can lead to a serious and dangerous condition known as the serotonin syndrome. Please do not take them in conjunction, and you should even wait until you have stopped the anti-depressant for a couple of weeks before taking the 5HT.
As for Advil, it too is metabolised by the liver so may potentiate the level of Lexapro in your body. The best thing is to really avoid any other medications that are metabolised by the liver. These also include drugs such as antibiotics...
Miss Lee, its now about 16 days since I started. I'm getting the initial side-effects of the Prozac coupled with the still present withdrawals, including bad dizziness although perhaps not as many zaps. I really think it will take up to another month for both of these to settle down... I see my liver doctor in a couple of weeks but I know the approach now will be to live moderately and wait for these proteus inhibitors to become available in 3-5 years...
Anyway, congratulations, you are now SO CLOSE you can taste it!!!
Peace and Long Life

[mohannie]

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted you all to know that I'm ok. I've been sick for sbout a week, and my fever just broke. I hope you all are doing well, but I havent read any of the posts; I will as soon as I get my energy back. Talk to you guys soon.

[vaughny]

Hi I'm new here. I'm on Day 3 of Lexapro weaning. I've been on 10mg for about 26 months for anxiety. I am taking 7.5 mg the last three days and see how that goes. So far, no adverse reactions, but I seem to be a bit more energetic which I consider a good thing, as long as it doesn't turn to restlessness. This might be reverse-placebo but I'll take it anyway. I gained about 45 lbs in the 2 years I was on, although in fairness, by diet wasn't clean either and I'm approaching 30 so metabolism is probably slowing anyway. Started working out in November and lost about 10 lbs in the last 3 months but it's slowing down some now. Hoping that going off the meds will help further.

In all honesty i've probably only read 25% of this thread, but I've found a lot of helpful info and thank everyone for the input. I don't have a set time where I will wean further, thinking maybe a couple weeks but I will go by feel.

I plan rigorous weight training and cardio work 4-5 times per week. My problem before was anxiety which seemed to be caused by a lot of adrenaline. I had dizzyness and went to the ER 5 times in a period of a couple weeks and decided to go on the meds. I know a lot of people are against Lexapro, but it helped me out of a very rough time very effectively. That notwithstanding, I am hoping I have learned to cope w/ stressors better and can try to go off the meds. I am hoping not to have the bain zaps that many experience. I see this as pretty commonly reported here. I gotta tell you - I don't know if this is strictly caused by the drug withdrawal or if it is a symptom of anxiety related issues more specifically. I say this because I had brain zaps in my periods of stress BEFORE Lexapro was ever begun. I am not saying that the Lexapro does not exacerbate it in a lot of people, but it is not unknown outside the realm of the drug either.

Anyway - I have found a lot of helpful suggestions on natural supplements in these threads. I will add one I haven't seen listed here: Vitamin C. Now again I have only read 25% of the thread so someone may have already mentioned it. But here's some info:

In summary - Vitamin C is shown to help lower stress response metrics such as cortisol and adrenaline. I am taking 1500 mg per day myself.


Vitamin C supplementation attenuates the increases in circulating cortisol, adrenaline and anti-inflammatory polypeptides following ultramarathon running.

Peters EM, Anderson R, Nieman DC, Fickl H, Jogessar V.

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa. futree@med.und.ac.za

The effects of vitamin C supplementation on the alterations in the circulating concentrations of cortisol, adrenaline, interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) which accompany ultramarathon running were measured using immuno-chemiluminescence, radioimmunoassay and ELISA procedures. Forty-five participants in the 1999 Comrades 90 km marathon were divided into equal groups (n = 15) receiving 500 mg/day Vit C (VC-500), 1500 mg/day Vit C (VC-1500) or placebo (P) for 7 days before the race, on the day of the race, and for 2 days following completion. Runners recorded dietary intake before, during and after the race and provided 35 ml blood samples 15 - 18 hrs before the race, immediately post-race, 24 hrs post race and 48 hrs post-race. Twenty-nine runners (VC-1500, n = 12; VC-500, n = 10; P, n = 7) complied with all study requirements. All post-race concentrations were adjusted for plasma volume changes. Analyses of dietary intakes and blood glucose and anti-oxidant status on the day preceding the race and the day of the race did not reveal that carbohydrate intake or plasma vitamins E and A were significant confounders in the study. Mean pre-race concentrations of serum vitamin C in VC-500 and VC-1500 groups (128 +/- 31 and 153 +/- 34 micromol/l) were significantly higher than in the P group (83 +/- 39 micromol/l). Immediate post-race serum cortisol was significantly lower in the VC-1500 group (p < 0.05) than in P and VC-500 groups. When the data from VC-500 and P groups was combined (n = 17), immediate post-race plasma adrenaline, IL-10 and IL-1Ra concentrations were also significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the VC-1500 group. The study demonstrates an attenuation, albeit transient, of both the adrenal stress hormone and anti-inflammatory polypeptide response to prolonged exercise in runners who supplemented with 1500 mg vitamin C per day when compared to < or = 500 mg per day.

[JayGM]

I quit Lexapro cold turkey 7 weeks ago. I think I am over the really worst of it. As for the zaps-- I agree with you-- I, too, did have those things at times prior to even going on Lexapro. However, after going off-- the zaps were quite pronounced for the first several weeks. Now, they are only noticeable when I am fatigued or when coming inside after being subjected to the frigid temps outside. And they are much more subtle than they were when I first quit the drug. But, yes-- one can definitely feel zaps without being on those drugs. I know I sure did.

I have to mention too that the month before I quit the drug, I was lethargic, depressed, and I was having terrible stress and muscle aching in my shoulders and my upper neck. I was dealing daily with headaches. That went away within a week-- just like that-- as soon as I quit Lexapro.

I gained a bunch of weight and my carbo cravings were out of control for the last six months I was on the drug. I have dropped a few pounds but not very quickly even though I am eating no refined sugars or flours and watching my food intake. I am sure I will have to just give this more time. Although that drug helped me through a very tough personal crisis, it also screwed my metabolism up royally. I have felt much more alert and energetic since I quit. I now just have to wait it out and let my system re-adjust to being without Lexapro.

Jan


[quote]Originally posted by vaughny
[br I am hoping not to have the bain zaps that many experience. I see this as pretty commonly reported here. I gotta tell you - I don't know if this is strictly caused by the drug withdrawal or if it is a symptom of anxiety related issues more specifically. I say this because I had brain zaps in my periods of stress BEFORE Lexapro was ever begun. I am not saying that the Lexapro does not exacerbate it in a lot of people, but it is not unknown outside the realm of the drug either.

[vaughny]

Thanks for the comments Jay. Good input. Try the vitamin C - if your issue is cortisol-related fat gain (evidence would be primarily abdominal fat accmalation and possibly upper legs/butt fat) then the Vitamin C may help you reduce the cortisol levels.

Another supplement I am looking at introducing while weaning is Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR). I'd be interested to know if anyone here has had any experience with it. This is a nootropic supplement with many additional benefits unrelated to depression/anxiety (including fatloss by the way). Here's some commentary on it:

Reduced stress and depression - In rats, ALCAR protects against the decreases in dopamine and testosterone that normally occur after exposure to both acute and chronic stress and decreases other markers of stress, and no tolerance develops to this effect. Preliminary human studies in the elderly and those undergoing treatment for certain conditions indicate a reduction in depression and fatigue and an improvement in quality of life.

Improved cognitive function - ALCAR plays a strong role in the brain in many ways, and has beneficial effects in many conditions including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Studies in aged rodents show markedly improved memory and learning capacities, while studies in younger rodents show a variety of promising effects as well. Other rodent studies have shown that ALCAR significantly protects the brain against a variety of stresses, such as ischemia and repurfusion and mitochondrial uncoupling. It also protects against peripheral nerve trauma, "almost eliminating neuron loss", and in vitro neuronal apoptosis. ALCAR also increases levels of dopamine, amino acids, and acetylcholine in the brain, as well as facilitating cholinergic activity.

One of the primary mechanisms for the improved cognitive function and anti-aging properties seen with ALCAR is its ability to prevent oxidation and inflammation. Administering ALCAR reduces lipid peroxidation, prevents or reverses many age-related increases in markers of oxidative and inflammatory events in the cortex, reduces damage to nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) and proteins, and also increases the levels of other antioxidants in the brain. Administering ALCAR also prevents mitochondrial decay, restores depleted ATP levels, and restores the activity of many key enzymes that decline with age such as carnitine acetyltranferase, mitochondrial complexes III and IV, sodium potassium adenosine triphosphatase, and glutathione-S-transferase.

ALCAR supplementation is also accompanied by many positive structural changes in the brain in both the young and the old. It stimulates nerve growth factor (NGF) binding, and rodent studies indicate significantly more regenerative elements and reduced degenerative elements. A study that measured the regenerative capacity of myelinated fibers in young and old rats found that ALCAR significantly increased the density of regenerating myelinated fibers (RMF) and increased the density of axon diameters in both, as well as reducing degenerative elements, and another rat study with ALCAR found increased synaptic numeric densities and improvements in energy provision at nerve terminals in both young and old rats, as well as 10-20% increases in synapses smaller than .08 microns.

[mandymcj]

Miss Lee and Mr. Spock- I well definitely not take 5H, thanks for letting me know about the dangers.

Which regular pills like advil are not metabolized by the liver?

My side effects so far have just been headaches and apathy, apathy, apathy. Im in such an incredibly weird place. My therapist the other day asked me the simple question of "how are you?" I seriously have no idea how to answer. I don't know how I am. I don't know what's going on. At least hte suicidal thoughts have subsided...but this is still such an incredibly weird state to be in.

I went to see a psychiatrist, he told me that the doctor that had told me to take a pill every other day was wrong (as you all told me) and to taper off very very slowly, giving me exact days and miligrams. It was very similar to what aunty gave me...it's really sad when you can find more accurate information online than a doctor.

[bluegeorgia]

Hi,

I just found this forum last night, and what a relief it has been to read your posts. I am currently in the process of getting off of 20 mg of Lexapro prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder. Went down to 15 mg and then 10 mg with virtually no issues except for some muscle twitching. A week ago, I went down to 5 mg and have had widely varying mood swings ever since, including several extended crying jags that occurred for no apparent reason. I've also been really agitated and irritable since dropping the dose.

I find these symptoms of depression and anger to be really bizarre for me since I was prescribed Lexapro for anxiety. It almost feels like I have a mild case of bipolar disorder now. Has anyone else had this experience?

Also, I see from reading posts on this board that I probably dropped from 10 to 5 mg too quickly. Should I go back to 7.5 mg, or should I just stick it out at 5 mg?

Thanks,

BlueGeorgia

[Karl1000]

I have only been on Lexapro for 6 weeks. 10mgs was toooo stimulating so I went to 5mgs. Unfortunatly 5 was to much for me. I cut to 2.5mgs for a couple of weeks and was able to sleep. I have gradually gone back to 5mgs.I can sleep about half the night. Feel a bit drained late in the afternoon. I was considering going off of it but my DR told me I really need to get to 10mgs for 6 weeks to give it a fair chance. Does anyone know if the insomnia side effect will go away if I up it. And if I do decide to quit after only being on it for 6 weeks and only the last two on 5mgs do I still need to taper? I am bummed, I so wanted this to work for me. I posted as a new topic by mistake

[Shifty]

Karl,

You aren't taking it right before bed are you? That is the worst time to take it imho.

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

[Shifty]

Bluegeorgia,

I was on Paxil then Lexapro for GAD, just like you, but they never really worked right for me. I later started taking Lithium and it has done wonders for me.

As many of you know, Bipolar is often confused with anxiety and depression.

Others have posted that they have bipolar-like symptoms after getting off of Lexapro, so it could go either way.

I wish I had a clearer answer for you, but all I can really offer you is both points of view.

For me, taking a look at my 10 year college transcript and seeing all of the ups and downs pinned it down for me. I get agitated really easy, especially when I'm not rested. I am bipolar, always have been.

As you can probably tell from all of the posts here, Lexapro is a real hassle to come down from. There are alot of people here that can help you with your tapering strategy.


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

[sarita]

test. test

quote:Originally posted by Karl1000


I have only been on Lexapro for 6 weeks. 10mgs was toooo stimulating so I went to 5mgs. Unfortunatly 5 was to much for me. I cut to 2.5mgs for a couple of weeks and was able to sleep. I have gradually gone back to 5mgs.I can sleep about half the night. Feel a bit drained late in the afternoon. I was considering going off of it but my DR told me I really need to get to 10mgs for 6 weeks to give it a fair chance. Does anyone know if the insomnia side effect will go away if I up it. And if I do decide to quit after only being on it for 6 weeks and only the last two on 5mgs do I still need to taper? I am bummed, I so wanted this to work for me. I posted as a new topic by mistake

[sarita]

Karl,
The same thing happened to me. Doc told me 10 mg. but that was WAY
too much so i went down to 5 mg. and stayed there for 6 weeks until
i stablized. i didn't sleep at all for 6 weeks until the medication
worked. I;ve been sleeping TOO much now amd I've been on it for 8 months and tried to go off once but
wasn't prepared and informed enough to handle the withdrawals. Just ordered a book Road to Recovery to teach you how to taper.
Why did you go on it in the first place and do you take anything else?

quote:Originally posted by sarita

test. test

[sarita]

Blue,,
WHy do you think you have bi-polor? I think it's just the withdrawals. But i'm not a doctor. But those are withdrawal symptoms.
Did you have bipolor before you went on it?

quote:Originally posted by bluegeorgia

Hi,

I just found this forum last night, and what a relief it has been to read your posts. I am currently in the process of getting off of 20 mg of Lexapro prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder. Went down to 15 mg and then 10 mg with virtually no issues except for some muscle twitching. A week ago, I went down to 5 mg and have had widely varying mood swings ever since, including several extended crying jags that occurred for no apparent reason. I've also been really agitated and irritable since dropping the dose.

I find these symptoms of depression and anger to be really bizarre for me since I was prescribed Lexapro for anxiety. It almost feels like I have a mild case of bipolar disorder now. Has anyone else had this experience?

Also, I see from reading posts on this board that I probably dropped from 10 to 5 mg too quickly. Should I go back to 7.5 mg, or should I just stick it out at 5 mg?

Thanks,

BlueGeorgia

[bluegeorgia]

Sarita, I did not have bipolar disorder before I went on the Lexapro. I was actually diagnosed with GAD. I did some more reading this evening, and I agree with you that it's most likely withdrawal symptoms. I just feel like my emotions have been all over the place the last few days. Very frustrating.

Shifty, thanks for the input. I'm glad to hear that the Lithium is working for you. I'm going to stay on 5 mg until the end of the week. If I'm not feeling better, I'm planning to go back up to 7.5 mg. My doctor wants me to go all the way to 10 mg, but I'd like to get off of this medicine and don't want to face the same issues in a few weeks. It's amazing how much every little milligram counts...