Lexapro Withdrawal

[debbie724]

Well, I think that I jinxed myself the other day by telling about how well I was doing. The past few days I've gone downhill.[V] I was in tears at 8:30 this morning. I snapped at my daddy last evening.[:0] I'm feeling depressed![B)] Could be one of the layers of the Lexapro withdrawal... or it could be one of the changes in my meds. My doc had increased my depakote (bipolar med) and I'm thinking it's too much and bringing me down. I'm also now on a thyroid hormone for a low thyroid... and apparently this med can cause irritability![}] I feel like I've fallen backwards!!!

Auntybiotic, how are you and how is your daughter?


debbie

[debbie724]

I guess I'll be posting more now that I'm feeling like **** again!

In case any of you are wondering... which I'm sure many of the ladies are... [u]Mr Spock</u> has been without a modem for nearly two weeks. Hopefully he will get the new one soon and be back here posting.

Tamara, I know that it's easier said than done... Like Dr. Phil says... there has to be a hero in every negative relationship. Like my grandmother and mommy have always said... never go to bed angry with someone... you never know when their or your time will be up. Just a thought... hoping that will make it easier for you to deal with your parents and your in-laws! Just love them for who they are! No one understands what WE are going through... except US! Believe me... I know that it's not always easy to love them for who they are... but when they are gone... it is forever. Don't let yourself have ANY regrets! Love you!


debbie

[debbie724]

Tamra, one more thing (for now)... I have done my time with Psycologist and Psychiatrist. Believe me... I've done my time! Nothing has been better than what this site has given to me. Nothing!


debbie

[auntybiotic]

Debbie,

I wrote you a very long email, did you get it?

Sorry to see you are feeling poorly again but remember it's twp steps forward and then one step back.......remember..this is all healing and recovery. You will get thru this.

It' sgreat to hear we are all better then the shrinks..........glad to be helpful. What about my email. Recieve it yet??

[Gapske]

auntybiotic,
how many times do you think we will be going forward and back? I was doing really good and then these last few days have been a real challenge. Mania, anxiety, depression, anger, etc. I find myself trying really hard to pull myself out of the negative.

Have you found any studies that using this drug long term and at higher dosages can permanently affect us?

Thanks

[auntybiotic]

Gapske,

Studies, why would there be studies when Lexapro is the PERFECT SAFE DRUG. Ha! Ha!

Seroiusly, as long as you taper slow the chances of permanent damage go down. I would say the first six months will be like a onion. As you get better, other areas of the body will show signs of withdrawal effects and you will feel worse. That's why it's good to keep a diary. Sometimes you can feel SO bad that you won't remeber the good days.

Carson's Fish Oil can be ordered online at many sites for the person that asked. I am sorry I do not recall the exact new member requesting that info.Google Carson's Fish Oil Liquid,

[tamra]

Hi Debbie! It sounds like your feeling rough....and probably adjusting to different meds. I got my bloodwork back and everything's fine...is that good news or bad? I guess good news...it just proves that lexapro is OFFICIALLY causing lotsa sh%$ going on in my body.

I completely agree with you about not going to bed angry. I know that my feelings are easily hurt right now...and I don't want to come across even more "unstable" to family members by addressing their need to give advice...so, for now, I'm just ignoring it and letting time heal me rather than stir up the beehive.

It's the ultimate joke between my husband and I....whenever I'm irritated about something I start AND FINISH a new project! Our house is coming together nicely! I work thru my emotions until I'm able to be at ease with myself...which means that things are getting painted, scrubbed, cleaned, curtains washed, carpets shampooed, etc....and I'm feeling so much better about myself, my home, and my family life. It does take me a little longer to work thru my thoughts...but, I'm thinking and I'm feeling, and I'm completing my thoughts...it's a new thing for me.

Warmer temps are officially coming for the weekend...just crack the window open for some fresh air! Well, that's all for now!

Live every day to it's fullest!

[wigging-out]

Wow, am I glad I found this forum! After being on Celexa & then Lexapro for nearly 3 years, my doctor thought it would be a good time to go off it while I went away to Florida since the sun would help, etc. I thought I was losing my mind! I don't have the nausea - but crazy vivid dreams; exhausted but can't sleep; crying; aggressive; irritated constantly; one of my legs has that almost falling asleep feeling;freaking-out for no reason! I had weaned but I guess not good enough & have a few 10 mg tabs left that I'm going to wean off of better. I have to say that I was totally uninterested in sex & that REALLY changed (for the good) so it's good to know that wasn't me! I'm in Florida with my poor mother who has all kinds of health issues of her own & my toddler daughter & have been an absolute monster! My doc put me on Wellbutrin & I see that some of the side-effects of that are irritability esp. when you start it. I called her in tears & she basically said to either go off the Wellbutrin too or hang in there w/ the Wellbutrin & see if I'm better in a few weeks....meanwhile I'm ruining my & everyone else's time while in Florida! Just took a 10 mg tab - can deal with this later! Unbelievable that these health professionals don't warn you about these things - or maybe don't even know themselves???

[mandymcj]

So on the topic of alcohol...


I haven't had anything to drink since a couple weeks before I went on lexapro, so it's been about 4 months now. Considering I'm in college and that's all anyone seems to do, it's been a bit tough at times. Then again, I've never been a big drinker so it hasn't been an issue. Though lately I've been thinking about how nice it would be to have a glass of wine or something.

Next week I'm seeing my boyfriend after 7 weeks and I was wondering, what do you guys think of me having a drink again? I'm not saying getting completely drunk again every night. Just one night with a bit of alcohol. Will there be much harm in it? I've mostly stayed off as of late because it's a depressant and I'm depressed, so why the hell would I do that? But I want to experience the relaxation of being tipsy again...so what do y'all think?

Btw, I know Lex messes with metabolization in the liver so I'll feel the alcohol even if I don't have much.

[sarita]

hi. i wish i could help you but i don't know anything valuable
except that i'm listening and i'm here. btw, when you said you
got your sex drive back, did you have it before you went on the
lexipro? cause i have NO sex drive when i got on it this ****, and
i wanted to know if while i'm tapering well it come back so at least
some good can come out of this withdrawal!!

quote:Originally posted by wigging-out

Wow, am I glad I found this forum! After being on Celexa & then Lexapro for nearly 3 years, my doctor thought it would be a good time to go off it while I went away to Florida since the sun would help, etc. I thought I was losing my mind! I don't have the nausea - but crazy vivid dreams; exhausted but can't sleep; crying; aggressive; irritated constantly; one of my legs has that almost falling asleep feeling;freaking-out for no reason! I had weaned but I guess not good enough & have a few 10 mg tabs left that I'm going to wean off of better. I have to say that I was totally uninterested in sex & that REALLY changed (for the good) so it's good to know that wasn't me! I'm in Florida with my poor mother who has all kinds of health issues of her own & my toddler daughter & have been an absolute monster! My doc put me on Wellbutrin & I see that some of the side-effects of that are irritability esp. when you start it. I called her in tears & she basically said to either go off the Wellbutrin too or hang in there w/ the Wellbutrin & see if I'm better in a few weeks....meanwhile I'm ruining my & everyone else's time while in Florida! Just took a 10 mg tab - can deal with this later! Unbelievable that these health professionals don't warn you about these things - or maybe don't even know themselves???

[sarita]

oh. and also; has anyone lost feeling in their legs? like you might
just fall over?

quote:Originally posted by sarita

hi. i wish i could help you but i don't know anything valuable
except that i'm listening and i'm here. btw, when you said you
got your sex drive back, did you have it before you went on the
lexipro? cause i have NO sex drive when i got on it this ****, and
i wanted to know if while i'm tapering well it come back so at least
some good can come out of this withdrawal!!

quote:Originally posted by wigging-out

Wow, am I glad I found this forum! After being on Celexa & then Lexapro for nearly 3 years, my doctor thought it would be a good time to go off it while I went away to Florida since the sun would help, etc. I thought I was losing my mind! I don't have the nausea - but crazy vivid dreams; exhausted but can't sleep; crying; aggressive; irritated constantly; one of my legs has that almost falling asleep feeling;freaking-out for no reason! I had weaned but I guess not good enough & have a few 10 mg tabs left that I'm going to wean off of better. I have to say that I was totally uninterested in sex & that REALLY changed (for the good) so it's good to know that wasn't me! I'm in Florida with my poor mother who has all kinds of health issues of her own & my toddler daughter & have been an absolute monster! My doc put me on Wellbutrin & I see that some of the side-effects of that are irritability esp. when you start it. I called her in tears & she basically said to either go off the Wellbutrin too or hang in there w/ the Wellbutrin & see if I'm better in a few weeks....meanwhile I'm ruining my & everyone else's time while in Florida! Just took a 10 mg tab - can deal with this later! Unbelievable that these health professionals don't warn you about these things - or maybe don't even know themselves???

[debbie724]

auntybiotic, no email... can you send it again???

debbie

[Miss Lee]

Hey-
Just wanted to say that I am here and still reading. I feel that I had a few steps back the last few days. The onion is peeling slowly! Pretty weepy and have had racing thoughts. It bites. But I will thank God I am not where I was. I still need to make friends with the tears, but the tears make me feel sick.

Thanks debbie for posting about Mr. Spock. I have been wondering about him and his health.

I am having my hormones checked on monday. I did a egg donation cycle awhile ago and than this reaction. My hormones are all over the place.

So I will say that i am frusterated with all the crying. I will accept where I am today. I will survive.

Lots of love-

Miss Lee

[annaoffmeds]

Sarita- my sex drive went down with the lexapro, but I'm feeling it comming back now- its been about 20 days off the lexapro for me, so I guess its sooner than other people. Unfortunatly, my husband won't be back from Iraq for a while!! Oh well, it just feels good to be getting back to myself.

Sorry I've been away for so long- my internet connections been funny....

Oh and to Mandy (I believe it was) about having alcohol. I am in no way endorcing drinking, BUT theres a huge difference between a glass of wine and getting tanked. You know your own limits, end of story. Life doesnt stop for this stuff, so as long as you're around people you're comfortable with (and someone who knows you're trying out alcohol once again) I'd say its ok. I'm fresh out of college myself, so I completely understand what you mean. Do what you feel you can, u know? As long as you're comfortable and just watch yourself.

Anyways, things have been going well for me- my brain shocks are speeded heart rate are still here, but aren't occuring as offen!!! So thats good- I'm still taking the vitamins and just a little of the fish oil.....magnesium doesnt seem to be doing anything, so I'll test without it. I'm still an insomniac, and yet exhausted in the morning. OH well, doing better is doing better...can't focus on the little things.

I'll check in again soon...hope all is well!
anna

[kimmer5633]

Thank God I searched the internet! Everything I read about fits me! I have been taking Lexapro probably for almost 2 years now. Within months I thought for sure that it was causing me to gain weight, but the dr. insisted no, but lowered me from 10 mg to 5 mg. Although she said that 5 mg probably won't do much. Well, just this past week I had no more refills on the $25 a month Lexapro and decided with the remaining pills, to take 5 mg every other day until they were gone. At the same time my live-in boyfriend moved out and now this week I am experiencing sadness, crying, dizziness. It feels like each time I blink I get this weird sensation in my head. And the sweats have been worse than normal. I'm 40 and do deal with some sweats, but it was really bad. So, now I know I am experiencing withdrawals and hope within another week or so I won't have them anymore. I thought the sadness and crying was due to wondering if I made a mistake asking my boyfriend to move out, but I was fine during the time he was getting ready to move out, so it got me wondering if it was going off the Lexapro. I just want to feel normal again. I also read some info on Lexapro and wasn't too thrilled with the side effects because that was why I was taking them to begin with - anxiety. I have also put on at least 40 lbs. since being on this pill. This is a site I came across today that might be helpful to some: http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/...withdrawal.htm

[bodyelectric]

Hey kids -- it's been a long time. Just wanted to drop by to say it gets better. I've been off Lexapro now for nearly 6 months, and nary a symptom.

I did have a bit of a depressive 'relapse' after a fairly serious surgery, and went on Zoloft for one week before deciding that was totally insane and quitting -- I think it's normal to feel emotional bottoms from time to time. That's life, right?

I fired the therapist I've been going to for 3 years now, and immediately felt much better. My head has been overshrunk, and I think I had been leaning so much on crutches like meds and talk therapy that when it was time to run on my own, I was overdependent on things that were keeping me back. Does that make any sense?

Anyway, I certainly needed talk therapy and meds for the first couple of years, but there just came a point that my gut told me that I was healthy enough to move on and therapy was becoming counterproductive.

And, in that regard, 30 minutes of meditation a day, 45 minutes of cardio 3-4 times a week, and a healthy diet have done wonders for my mood, energy level, not to mention self-esteem. Oh, and I quit smoking over 2 months ago. The belly bulge is gone, and my digestion is better than ever.

I have always hated exercise and resented condescending athletic-type happy people, but I think it's time to change camps. I'd rather be happy than right.

I've been mostly vegetarian, and some lab work came back and everything looked great except my HDL cholesterol, which was too low, so I've started taking fish oil again. I had pretty much quit with the vitamins, but today decided to start taking them again -- multivitamin, B complex, selenium, and milk thistle. I just took them, and I already feel better -- so the effects are probably 100% psychological, and I'm okay with that.

Auntie -- how are things?

And, someone asked about drinking wine. Here is my unprofessional opinion: A glass of wine probably won't do much -- if any -- harm. Keep in mind, though, that it really isn't good for you. I'd limit it to special occasions and a half a glass. It will mess with your cortisol levels and cancel any effect of your antidepressant. Plus it is a depressant. You might have elevated mood while you drink, but later you will feel more depressed. Under normal circumstances, a glass or two of red wine daily is really good for you -- but the fact that you want to drink to alter how you feel should tell you something. Not to mention it's extra stress on your liver, which is already working overtime. Whatever you do, don't drive even after drinking a little -- who knows how much the antidepressant will exaggerate the effects of the alcohol. Hope that helps.

Chin up, everyone, you'll be fine.

-BE

[sarita]

hi. i'd be interested in your story. how you started. why. how many
mg. were you on. how did you taper. what happened. could you work.
drive, etc...it'd help alot of us.
for me, i'm on 5 mg, still scared to start the w/d. just order a bunch
of vitamins supposedly for the w/d.

thanks for sharing

quote:Originally posted by bodyelectric

Hey kids -- it's been a long time. Just wanted to drop by to say it gets better. I've been off Lexapro now for nearly 6 months, and nary a symptom.

I did have a bit of a depressive 'relapse' after a fairly serious surgery, and went on Zoloft for one week before deciding that was totally insane and quitting -- I think it's normal to feel emotional bottoms from time to time. That's life, right?

I fired the therapist I've been going to for 3 years now, and immediately felt much better. My head has been overshrunk, and I think I had been leaning so much on crutches like meds and talk therapy that when it was time to run on my own, I was overdependent on things that were keeping me back. Does that make any sense?

Anyway, I certainly needed talk therapy and meds for the first couple of years, but there just came a point that my gut told me that I was healthy enough to move on and therapy was becoming counterproductive.

And, in that regard, 30 minutes of meditation a day, 45 minutes of cardio 3-4 times a week, and a healthy diet have done wonders for my mood, energy level, not to mention self-esteem. Oh, and I quit smoking over 2 months ago. The belly bulge is gone, and my digestion is better than ever.

I have always hated exercise and resented condescending athletic-type happy people, but I think it's time to change camps. I'd rather be happy than right.

I've been mostly vegetarian, and some lab work came back and everything looked great except my HDL cholesterol, which was too low, so I've started taking fish oil again. I had pretty much quit with the vitamins, but today decided to start taking them again -- multivitamin, B complex, selenium, and milk thistle. I just took them, and I already feel better -- so the effects are probably 100% psychological, and I'm okay with that.

Auntie -- how are things?

And, someone asked about drinking wine. Here is my unprofessional opinion: A glass of wine probably won't do much -- if any -- harm. Keep in mind, though, that it really isn't good for you. I'd limit it to special occasions and a half a glass. It will mess with your cortisol levels and cancel any effect of your antidepressant. Plus it is a depressant. You might have elevated mood while you drink, but later you will feel more depressed. Under normal circumstances, a glass or two of red wine daily is really good for you -- but the fact that you want to drink to alter how you feel should tell you something. Not to mention it's extra stress on your liver, which is already working overtime. Whatever you do, don't drive even after drinking a little -- who knows how much the antidepressant will exaggerate the effects of the alcohol. Hope that helps.

Chin up, everyone, you'll be fine.

-BE

[sarita]

i have dfinelty gained weight since starting. 10 pounds in 8 months.
and i'm an aerobics instructor so f-uck that.

quote:Originally posted by kimmer5633

Thank God I searched the internet! Everything I read about fits me! I have been taking Lexapro probably for almost 2 years now. Within months I thought for sure that it was causing me to gain weight, but the dr. insisted no, but lowered me from 10 mg to 5 mg. Although she said that 5 mg probably won't do much. Well, just this past week I had no more refills on the $25 a month Lexapro and decided with the remaining pills, to take 5 mg every other day until they were gone. At the same time my live-in boyfriend moved out and now this week I am experiencing sadness, crying, dizziness. It feels like each time I blink I get this weird sensation in my head. And the sweats have been worse than normal. I'm 40 and do deal with some sweats, but it was really bad. So, now I know I am experiencing withdrawals and hope within another week or so I won't have them anymore. I thought the sadness and crying was due to wondering if I made a mistake asking my boyfriend to move out, but I was fine during the time he was getting ready to move out, so it got me wondering if it was going off the Lexapro. I just want to feel normal again. I also read some info on Lexapro and wasn't too thrilled with the side effects because that was why I was taking them to begin with - anxiety. I have also put on at least 40 lbs. since being on this pill. This is a site I came across today that might be helpful to some: http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/...withdrawal.htm

[Gapske]

bodyelectric,
it's nice to hear something positive. Like I said, I was doing really well, now I feel like it's a constant battle every second of every day.

Sometimes I think, what the hell, go back on the lexapro, I don't think anyone every noticed I was numb. It's just that I've never had to struggle this much to feel "normal." And to try to find out what "normal" is.

This morning I'm in pilates class, working hard, and zing...[:0]I start having a panic attack, I had to breath even harder to get through that and the excercise![] My first instinct was to excuse myself and go get some air or use the bathroom. I finally just got mad at myself for having one and worked out of it.

On Lexapro, I never had to worry about having a panic attack, or live with the anxiety.

Do you think that therapy is ok for awhile while withdrawing, just to get through the craziness of it?

I saw a therapist about 8 years ago when I first had an anxiety attack and she helped me work through them and then I didn't have one for another 2 years, then WHAMMO, started having them again. That was the nice part of the drug, it took all the away.

It just gets tiring try to fight it, you know? And then I sit here and think, well do I really have it that bad? There sure are alot of people out there who are worse off than me.

[Gapske]

Anyone out there with some really good advice for staying sane when in withdrawal?[?][?]

Anyone else out there ever have days they just wanted to start taking Lexapro again? I thought at 23 days withdrawal I would be fine and living well.

Should I see a therapist? How many of you are doing that?

[tamra]

Hello Bodyelectric!! I'm a fan of your writings!! Thanks so much for all of the research that you've done on this subject....it has helped me thru alot! I'm forever grateful!

It's nice to hear from a "survivor".

You'll all get a kick outta this one....Hello, My name is Tamra, I've been Lexapro free for 21 days....AND I LOST A FAT ROLL!!! YEEEEHAAAWWWW! I was trying to stretch out a little because my back was killing me! (bad mattress) and I noticed that a fat roll had disappeared! My husband was laughing so hard, he was in tears when my I made the announcement! This is huge for me! My scale broke and I've been resisiting the temptation to buy a new one...I realized that I was putting too much stress on myself about who I had become from the Lex. I have been trying to just live my life and adjust to the new me. I think I lost about 10 pounds!!! I'm not dieting, I'm counting anything...I drink coffee with lotsa sugar in the am...and in the afternoon...and soda in between...I eat what everyone else eats and whenever I'm hungry...now I know that it was the Lexapro that did it!! Just imagine the progress I could make if I started paying attention!!

Gapske....DON'T GIVE UP!!! You are 2 days ahead of me! You can do it! We can do it...every day this week, my kids have given me a spiralling headache...to the point where I just cannot hear or understand another word...They are 6 & 3. I finally asked my husband if I'm doing ok, because they are really driving me nuts by the time he comes home...am I not handling this well?? Here's his response..."Honey, I don't know how you do it! All I can say is, I'm glad I get to go to work because I can only tolerate so many questions before I begin to twitch!!" Hey! I'm becoming normal!

As you can see..it's been a good day..I was able to get out of the house (I went to the dentist and need another major filling! lol). It gave me a break away from the kids & I'm actually still in a good mood!

On the subject of alcohol...I seemed to have started the conversation...I'll be happy when I can relax on the deck after a long day with a beer...or a glass of wine at a restaurant without going numb....so thanks to everyone for their thoughts and advice...I definitely don't need anything else in my life to make me 1/2 looped!

Has anyone heard from lalamort? If you're out there...let us know how you're doing!

Thanks for the update on Mr. spock....it seems like there's a lexapro w/d "generation" missing!

Aunty, how are things in your part of the world?

Live every day to it's fullest!

[mandymcj]

Thank you to everyone who gave advice on the alcohol issue!


Throughout this whole process I've kept telling myself to go out and exercise, but I've been so tired that the last thing I feel like doing is going to run. I only went out once and shortly after felt really sick and stopped.

Today I felt that I really should just get out there and try to get rid of all my rage by running.

After 1 lap around the track I felt like I was dying. I know it may just sound like I was really out of shape, but this is nothing like I've experienced before except for the time I went running a couple weeks ago. There was a tightness in my lungs that I've never felt before, like something was pushing down on them. It was quite painful. I could barely breathe. I ended up coughing, gagging, and throwing up on the side of the track. What the h-ell is going on? Could this be lexapro related?

I really don't think this is me being out of shape (I'm not denying that I am) but these effects are just really unlike me. I used to start soccer season after months of physical inactivity, and though it would be very hard on my lungs and such, it never was like what I experienced today. It was really weird, different feeling.

[mandymcj]

Gapske: I definitely recommend talk therapy. Unless you end up with a therapist that is pushing drugs down your throat, if you get a good therapist it can be nothing but a positive experience. You'll have an outlet with an unbiased opinion that can support you in your efforts to be free of lex. Especially if it worked for you in the past.

Hopefully you'll find one that realizes a lot of your symptoms are WITHDRAWAL and not you being you.

When you said "it just gets tiring trying to fight it." I know exactly what you mean. I've been at the end of my rope for so long, it's like "this is STILL going on? You have got to be kidding me." Yet it is and I'm getting through it. You can do it, just hang in there and you'll see a difference eventually, and be so much better after being free! You've made so much progress already, if you want to get off of Lex in the future (if you go back on it now) you'll have to go back through the 23 days you've been through already all over again. Good luck with everything!!

[sunnyrose]

Does anyone have any feedback. I made a mistake, and took 5htp and rhodiola rosea per a naturopath's instructions for about a week. A few days after starting both of them, my twiching got a little worse, so I stopped both of them. I took this neuroscience test that showed the levels of different neurotransmitters. This naturopath said she has helped people recover from withdrawel, including problems with twitching.

I've seen 2 different naturopaths and have consulted with a medical doctor that I've seen for over a year that does some alternatives. I still feel guilty and regretful that I took lexapro and then felt worse that I weaned off it too quickly. Any suggestions on how others deal with guilt or regret. The increase in the twitching has thrown me into a serious depression w/ crying spells. I feel so bad, and most people that I talk to about it don't seem to understand why I'm having such a hard time.

I'm seeing that it's probably better to just focus on doing what others are saying works on the chat groups and forget about getting any help from a professional, except the acupuncture, which I'm giving a try.

[sunnyrose]

Gapske,

I take Inositol, about 11 gm daily. It has helped me a lot with anxiety. When I stopped it for about 4 days, I noticed that I felt more overwhelmed by all the people and stimulis when I was grocery shopping. I think I take about 11 gm daily. There is research that shows it helps people who have panic attacks. It definitly has reduced my anxiety. The other things that have helped to reduce my anxiety are: b-complex, magnesium and calcium. Vitacost sells inositol at a cheaper price than the other company I've bought it from. I'm also restarting yoga. I took a class this past monday, and I felt so relaxed during and after the class.

[mandymcj]

Got this from another site, it's a theory on SSRI's and their side effects. Aunty, thought you especially may be interested:

http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/pinealstory.htm

The page of casualties is really disturbing.


At least something productive came out of this bout of insomnia.


D-ammit you guys. I've been feeling better the past 2 weeks but it feels like I'm starting to enter another bad bout, plus I'm starting my period in two days, which means major emotions. Of course this happens the ONE WEEK in the past 8 weeks that I get to see my boyfriend. Ahhhhhh frustrating!!!

I'm afraid I'm going to be a huge mess this week and be crying all the time. I know I need to try to be positive about it, but considering how I feel right now, that's a very hard thing to do. I almost don't want to visit.


I feel really nauseous and I can't sleep. Any tips? Aunty, I know you mentioned some for nausea in the past but I can't remember what they were. What sleep medicines are okay to take when I still have some Lex in my system? And what is good for bloating since I'm getting my period in a few days?

I know it must get really old listing this info over and over again. I think all of us getting a website together with the list of symptoms and what can be done would cut down on that significantly.

[auntybiotic]

Mandy,

Try Benadryl or Simply Sleep.They will both help with sleep issues and are safe.

For Bloating from Lexapro Primal Defense by Garden of Eden works well but from period bloating try a noncaffinated PMS tablet such as Midol but no caffiene if possible.

[debbie724]

As mentioned in a previous posting...

[u]Mr Spock</u> has been without a modem for a couple weeks. He says hello to everyone and says he should be back posting sometime next week.

[u]Auntybiotic</u>, I still haven't received your email. Can you try again?

[u]Redbled</u>, are you still around? How are you?

[u]Mohannie</u>, I'm so sorry that I didn't mentioned you in my post the other day. How are you?

I spent several hours yesterday reading back to where I began in here. I miss the old group and I hope that everyone is doing okay. I was reminded how tough it was for me, how EXTREMELY erratic my emotions were, how I slipped and took a Lexapro pill once or twice (thinking it would fix me), etc. Looking back made me realize how far I actually have come!

debbie

[bodyelectric]

You really want to hear my story? Well, okay...I mean, I am my favorite topic, so here goes -- I'll try to stay on point and not pontificate too much.

Almost five years ago I had a life-threatening alcohol and drug problem. I finally managed to stop, but looking at the train wreck of my life with sober eyes, I was suicidally depressed despite doing what the AA people told me to do.

I started seeing a therapist who eventually cajoled me into seeing a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist put me on Zoloft. After increasing the doses, 150mg seemed to do the trick to get me out of bed, but I had a new problem -- hypomania. Doctor said I might be bipolar II but only time would tell. Apparently the first several months of sober living can bring the same kinds of mood swings as bipolar disorder while the body and mind become accustomed to drinking water, eating food, and pretending to be normal.

I'd stay up half the night arranging and rearranging my sweater drawer. My friends were scared of me. I felt like I was going to literally fly off the planet and started to talk to myself and see things that weren't there. Antipsychotics turned me into a zombie, but mood stabilizers -- Depakote in particular -- eventually did the trick.

Fast forward. 18 months later, the Zoloft stopped working even though dosage had been increased several times, so I switched to Lexapro. Lexapro and Depakote were a winning combination until I quit smoking the first time, whereupon I gained 40 pounds in 3 months -- I was skinny to start with, so I didn't care so much. At first I was on 10mg of Lexapro, then eventually worked my way up to 40mg over the next couple of years.

I hadn't had any hypomania in years, so I tried going off Depakote, and didn't have any problems -- my guess is that I wasn't bipolar II afterall -- either it was the Zoloft or I was just plain crazy after so much drug abuse. I went to France and started smoking again. It's still sexy to smoke there. It was wonderful. And over time, the weight came off.

This brings us to summer 2005. I wasn't feeling any noticeable positive benefit from 40mg of Lexapro anymore, life was going well, and I felt saturated in chemicals, so I decided to try quitting Lexapro (I didn't tell my doctor, naughty me). The symptoms were bad, so I just went back on. In September I talked to my shrink, who said to taper off the 40mg over 10 days. That's what I did, and it was terrible. I wouldn't recommend it.

I don't have to tell you what the withdrawal symptoms were like. And in addition to the physical symptoms (nausea, brain zaps, etc), there are emotional symptoms as well. Feelings of worthlessness, lack of motivation, lack of energy. I thought I was "losing it." That's when I found Aunty and this forum.

The withdrawal symptoms would seem to go away a little bit, then they'd come back. Or I'd get new withdrawal symptoms. This messes with your head, because you start to wonder if you're making them up -- and so does your family. You start to wonder if you're whining unnecessarily, and if you really SHOULD be medicated. You wonder if you should give up and just go back on the meds and rely on pills to make you feel somewhat decent for the rest of your life.

Hey -- give yourself a break. You're not making it up. Your life really does suck right now, but the symptoms will pass. It gets better, but sometimes it gets worse first. So go ahead and feel sorry for yourself for about 5 minutes, then make a commitment to do what you can to help the process along. There's no use fighting it, so accept your situation and work from there.

It was 4 weeks, I think, before I could really get any work done. It was six weeks before I noticed I hadn't had a brain zap in awhile. And three months later, I managed to quit smoking again.

It's only now -- 6 months after my last Lexapro -- that I have been able to exercise and really make a commitment to healthy living. I lost some weight while in the hospital early this year and then from having the flu, so now I'm trying to rearrange the weight I have and then add some more in the right places.

My advice? Let time do the work. Don't force yourself to do things your body doesn't want you to do. Just go along for the ride and believe things will get better. Things happen when they're supposed to. When it's time for you to exercise, you will exercise. When it's time for the symptoms to go away, they will go away.

There are few things we really have control over -- just make the most of those few things, and this process will be much easier on you. Stuff like diet, supplements, keeping a regular schedule, and most importantly...attitude.

[Miss Lee]

Hi Body-

I am still around and I am glad to hear from you. I am feeling better, but still have small issues. I am completely in agreement with the symptoms and whether you feel you're making them up or not. They whole reaction threw me for a loop and I am trying to recover pysically and mentally.

Debbie- I miss everyone as well, but if it means they are doing well-then I applaud them. I hang around because I am still scared #hitless of the whole thing.

Gapske- Talk therapy is good. It helps normalize the racing thoughts. But I urge you to find the right one and state up front that you are against medication. then they won't push it on you.

Mandy- I feel for ya. I know how hard my cycles have been and what a mess I have been in front of my b-friend. But it has made our relationship stronger and I love him so much more than I ever have. I am proud of they way he supported me. Be honest with your b-friend. I feel that you always cry most when the person with you is "safe". Hugs and hugs to you. Hang in there.

Sunny- I know exactly how you feel. I had the shaking as well and still have it when I feel overwhelmed, tired, upset. I believe that it is your nervous system trying to repair its nerve endings. It takes a long time to repair. I still have it as well. Try (which I know is hard) to just accept it for what it is. And don't take anything for it. You have to sedate your nevous system to help heal it. I tend to forget this and want to load up like I used to on activities. I feel that if I get back to my "normal"life i will feel better. But I am thinking that "normal" needs a new definition.

Miss lee